Avast! 7 Free Antivirus is by-far one of the best free antivirus available in the market. This reliable utility gives you an effective protection against spyware and virus. It has a friendly user interface with all its features displayed on the main window which makes it easy to use. Scanning process has good speed with this program but while installation, the setup kit tries to drop a browser in your computer which is not exactly required. This software solution is embedded with features as you can see under main headings on the left side of the screen shot below. These features will be explained below in detail. Avast! 7 is basically good for those who surf internet regularly and exchange emails but may not be that good for avid computer users. For regular or average user, it will definitely and significantly reduce the risk of computer being infected.
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- Download Avast! 7 Free Antivirus
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- OS: Windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit, Windows Vista, Windows XP
What is new in this Version?
- New version is visually appealing, quick to install and scan.
- Many Security improvements have been made.
- There have been improvements in remote assistance and safezone.
- Some changes are done in autosandbox module.
- Redesign of outlook plugin and opera support in WebRep.
- Emergency updater is revised and updated Windows 8 compatibility.
1. Real-Time Shields
You can clearly see in the screen shot that there are different protection shields used for making this program effective like the File System Shield is real time scanner and monitors all files and programs in your computer. Similarly, Mail Shield monitors all your e-mail traffic; Web Shield monitors web browsing activities and eliminates online threats; P2P Shield scrutinizes downloads from most P2P applications; IM Shield checks files downloaded while using instant messaging or “chat” programs; Network Shield protects against network based virus etc.
2. Scanning
Multiple scan options are given in this program which can be run at a time, you can even run a pre-defined scan or create a custom scan. There is Quick scan which scans your system volume and operating memory quickly; Full system scan which performs slow in-depth scan; Removable media scan which scans all the removable media currently attached to the system and Select folder to scan which performs a full scan of a custom folder. Then there is boot time scanner which allows you to scan your computer for infections before the operating system has started and before a virus can be activated.
3. Cloud Services, Pop-ups and Statistics
Cloud services is a hybrid of Reputation services which allow avast! to make more intelligent decisions and Streaming updates that allow avast! to always stay up-to-date against latest threats. Cloud services provide user regular virus updates regardless of their internet connection. Avast nicely displays colorful pop-ups and statistics for various avast components on screen as shown in screen shots below.
4. Update, Virus Chest and Support
Avast! is pre-set to update automatically or you can control it manually. Virus chest acts as a container for suspicious and infected files. Complete support has been provided by avast! team to make it user friendly and easier to use.
5. FileRep
FileRep feature helps in faster threat identification by sorting new, potentially dangerous files from known safe files.
6. Additional Protection Features
Additional Protection features has Auto Sandbox which automatically runs any suspicious program inside the avast! sandbox when the program is executed. This sandbox scans and analyzes the behavior of selected files and protects the computer against any malware at the very top layer. Then there is effective protection of web browsers, remote assistance feature lets you share your desktops and site blocking settings help you in blocking whenever you require.
