Pros
Prevention is the best medicine: Avast Free Antivirus' new Smart Scan scours your system looking for viruses and exploits. It also finds software updates for installed programs, checks the security of your connected network, and determines whether you can change anything to improve your PC's performance. This one convenient scan checks all the places where contemporary malware lurks, like unpatched exploits found in out-of-date applications and lax in-home network security.
Security that goes with you: The My Avast online console has been improved, allowing you to easily install Avast from any computer, without having to dig around for the license key. Secure HTTPS Scan prevents cunning phishing attacks that redirect your browser from trusted websites to compromised ones. Secure Line VPN is a built-in VPN client that is easy to set up, with reliable service and speed to ensure you're safe online, even when connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, hotels, or airports.
Effortless installation: This year's Avast Free Antivirus features the same speedy installation as the last edition. You can customize your protection and program options, but the express setup -- including the initial scan -- took less than a couple minutes in our tests.
Improvement is still the goal: In tests by independent security lab AV-Comparatives, Avast has drifted down the ranks in terms of detection compared to last year. That is not to say its antivirus protection is unreliable -- Avast's antivirus engine still beats most competitors -- but this year a few competitors score more highly.
Short VPN trial: Most users won't know if the VPN service is suitable for them after just a three-day trial period.
Free but not entirely: Avast touts some impressive tools in its free antivirus app, but unfortunately most of these utilities have their full functionality locked behind a paywall. AccessAnywhere, a remote-access client that could help IT-savvy users troubleshoot problems remotely, requires an Avast Premier license. Grimefighter, an optimization tool, scans for performance-impacting issues and prompts you for a subscription payment without disclosing the exact details of its findings.
Bottom Line
Avast Free Antivirus' 2015 updates continue to set the app apart -- it's not just an antivirus program; it's a complete security kit with prevention tools and an all-encompassing scan engine. While Smart Scan will go a long way to prevent problems and the antivirus engine is solid, Avast could stand to refocus its efforts on virus detection. And with most of its features locked behind a subscription, Avast Free Antivirus will identify troubles in your system for free but will fix only some of them.
