Avast antivirus has a complete range of features included in a simple package. Its malware engine scored a perfect score in my testing, and its web protection was effective at catching sites that were phishing that slipped through Chrome and Firefox’s default detection systems. Its performance scanner also did an excellent job of keeping its impact on the system speed to a bare minimum. Avast’s performance scan was far more efficient than other programs in the reduction of the use of CPU.
Avast also offers a number of other tools. Avast One is the only one that offers the VPN as well as photo vaults, as well as a tool to monitor data breaches. The security toolkit is very extensive, including the ability to run programs inside and a router security scanner to check for possible vulnerabilities.
Avast provides a comprehensive support website that provides a comprehensive knowledge base should you encounter problems. Its search function makes it easy to find answers to frequently asked questions. If you’re unable to find the answer, Avast’s forum is a great resource to get help from other users.
Although Avast claims that it no longer sells user information however, the fact that it has done such a thing is still fresh in the minds of a lot of users. PCMag and Motherboard reported in January 2020 that Avast had sold personal information as well as location data of its users through its Jumpshot subsidiary. Avast has been able to stop this practice and is now asking users to sign-up during new installations of its desktop AV software. Its privacy policy states that data from consumers is “stripped and removed from the database” before being shared with third parties.