- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
- Date added: September 21, 2010
- Total Downloads: 112,965,468
- Downloads last week: 1,347,863
- Product Ranking: #2 in Antivirus Software
- See full specifications
- CNET Community
- This product is on 78 member lists. Add to my list
- CNET editors' rating: 5.0 stars
- Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 14737 votes
See all user reviewsCNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on January 18, 2010
Avast Free 5, an A-list freeware antivirus app, provides the same steadfast protection of well-known, pricier antivirus programs. Avast is remarkable for both its effectiveness and arguably providing the most complete free antivirus on the market.
Avast Free 5, formerly known as the Home Edition, protects you with multiple guards. The antivirus, antispyware, and heuristics engines form a security core that also includes multiple real-time shields. The adjustable mail and file system shields join the pre-existing behavior, network, instant messaging, peer-to-peer, and Web shields. The behavioral shield is a common-sense feature, as security software publishers leverage their large user bases to detect threats early and warn others. Other new features include a silent-gaming mode and an "intelligent scanner" that only looks at changed files after establishing a baseline. The biggest change in Avast 5, though, is the interface. Gone is the music player default look, which was skinnable but confusing. In its place is a sleek UI that new users should find far more manageable. It's also Aero-friendly, with Explorer-style navigation buttons in case you can't remember where you tweaked a particular setting.
Avast's recent independent third-party testing has been notably solid, able to hold its own against better-known programs from Symantec and Microsoft. Avast 5 Free lacks features in the paid upgrade including antispam measures, a testing sandbox, a Script shield, and a firewall. Even without those, Avast Free 5 is probably the strongest, free antivirus currently available.
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Publisher's description
From AVAST Software:Avast Free Antivirus is based on multiple protective layers that work together to provide security. The product is designed for the average consumer who wants easy-to-use protection for basic email and web surfing. It is limited to home and non-commercial users. New features match top detection with increased efficiency. Computer memory requirements for the new antivirus and antispyware engine have been cut in half. Scanning is 40 percent faster, saving both time and computer resources. Complete rootkit protection includes real-time detection to ward off initial installation, on-demand scanning and boot-time scans.
What's new in this version:
Version 5.0.677.100921 solves a problem that could lead to disappearing of the avast service and minor stability issue (aswSP.sys).More popular Antivirus Software downloads
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User reviews
- All versions:
4.5 starsout of 14737 votes- Current version:
4.5 starsout of 234 votes- My rating: 0 stars Write review
5 stars
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"really effective,great pricebest anti-virus i,ve had,"
by 2sick2pray on October 26, 2010
Pros: easy to use,simple download
Cons: tends to cut in at times that arent convenient but HEY just doing iys job!!!!!!!
5 stars
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"best free antivirus"
by Nitin999123 on October 26, 2010
Pros: this is the only free software which have boot time scanning option and anti-malware utility.
Cons: the only thing which i don't like is after installing it some files could not be formatted but this is necessary for security reason.
Summary: i have used many free and paid software but after installing avast i never feel as i'm using a free antivirus.
Updated on Oct 26, 2010
sorry , in cons column i wanted to say that some files could not be defragmented.
5 stars
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"wont use any thing other"
by mjmk55 on October 25, 2010
Pros: it is as simple as breathing after installing
Cons: the fact that it is not the full version
3 stars
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"Better protection the AVG free, but web browsing SLOWER"
by therealtoddster on October 23, 2010
Pros: Hands down, better protection than AVG free!
Catches viruses faster and more efficient in removing problems, even before they hit your computer.Cons: My #1 complaint: Slows down all web browsing!
Avast icon animation is pretty cool, but just shows you when the Avast program is scanning what your doing on the internet.
User control panel a bit confusing, but manageable.Summary: Better protection than AVG Free, so I say it's ........ok!
If you've been hit with a virus, trojon, or malware before in the past; while running AVG Free, than this is your best 'Free' virus program.
But it does make your web browsing slower.
Better protection= slower browsing= safer web usage= Avast5 stars
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"Look no farther for free protection..."
by shadray on September 28, 2010
Pros: It's FREE
it works better than most paid antivirus products
it has a very intuitive interface (that the average user never has to see)
installs and un-install easily
excellent detection rates
add's features that other products make you pay forCons: The nag ad to upgrade, but the popup stops with the free registration and I think we can tolerate an ad for a free product of this caliber.
Summary: This new version of avast is without a doubt the best of the free anti virus products available.
Avg's interface and lack of rootkit scanning make it useless...
and I can't complain too much about Avira because it is actually a very good choice (I've been using it for over a year...works very well as far as detecting and resource usage)
and Microsofts Security might be a good choice for some but its on access scanning drags my system to a crawl...With avast's new interface and and feature set it just can't be beat, I've been testing it in the real world and its detection rates are perfect, beats most paid competition.
Resource usage is very low and system startup seems to be unaffected, I hardly know its there.
As good if not better than most paid antivirus products, give it a try...installs and un-installs in a snap so what have you got to lose?I'm so happy I think I'll buy the upgrade just to show my support.
5 stars
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"By far, the best Anti-Virus software to date."
by loanstar744 on October 25, 2010
Pros: Quick program, easy to navigate, lots of features for Basic and Advanced users.
I have never had a problem with it. And game mode is a nice feature, but it's not what some people think. (Read down about it.)Cons: None actually, does what it says and then some.
Summary: Great program, been a long time user.
I've used them all, AVG, Avast, McAfee, Norton, Kaspesky, Avira, ETC. And not a single one of those could compare with Avast, it's simply the best.Gaming mode, a lot of people I've talked to think it's a mode where the program almost completely shuts itself off. But it's not, it just sets the warning messages to off while a Application is full screened.
5 stars
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"#1 in my book"
by redkcir-2009 on October 25, 2010
Pros: The biggest plus is the scanning at boot feature. This KOs viruses that load on boot, a real plus if you have a virus you are having trouble getting rid of. Of course the auto updates and the fact that it's free don't hurt.
Cons: I haven't found one yet.
Summary: It's the one program that is always on a computer that leaves my shop.
5 stars
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"Best Antivirus I've found in years"
by Margecam on October 25, 2010
Pros: Catches a lot of trojans & hidden files in emails..and on the web. I've used for over 8 years with no lost data.
Cons: Nothing...love the product
Summary: I used many antivirus programs, from McAfee (was the only one 20 years ago) down to the free ones you can get...Avast! has never failed me...hands down the best, even the free version.
4 stars
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
by dragmil on October 25, 2010
Pros: EXCELLENT AND FREE IS THE BIGGEST PRO
Cons: DID NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG OR BAD
Summary: EXCELLENT AND FREE IS THE BIGGEST PRO
4 stars
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Version: Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677.100921
"Avast! has improved"
by morninglory on October 25, 2010
Pros: Friendly interface; runs in the background; easy to install and not a resource hog.
Cons: I like this new version. No cons to report.
Summary: I used Avast! about a year ago then switched to Avira. Then tried a trial of McAfee. Not happy with either Avira or McAfee so went back to Avast! and it had changed for the better. It caught a virus last week when I ran a quick scan. I am happy with it so far. I don't think there is actually any one virus program that will get them all. I also use Emisoft anti-malware to get catch that stuff.
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Previous Versions:
Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.677 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.594.100712 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.594 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.545.100614 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.545.100524 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.507 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.462 avast! Free Antivirus 5.0.418 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.418 Avast Free Antivirus 5.0.396 avast! Free Antivirus 5.0.396 avast! Free Antivirus 5.0.377 Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1368 Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1356 Avast Home Edition - Free Antivirus 4.8.1351 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1335.90415 Avast Home Edition Free 4.8.1335.90414 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1335.90414 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1335.90319 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1335.90205 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1296.90115 avast! Home Edition 4.8.1229.80923 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1229.80826 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1229.80723 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1201.80611 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1201.80516 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1098.80207 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1098.80107 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1098 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1043 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1029 Avast Home Edition 4.7.1001 Avast Home Edition 4.7.942 Avast Home Edition 4.7.892 avast! 4 Home Edition 4.7.892 Avast Home Edition 4.7.827 Avast Home Edition 4.6 Avast Home Edition 4.5 Avast Home Edition 4.5.523 Avast Home Edition 4.1.389 Avast 4 Home Edition 4.1.342 Avast 4 Home Edition 4.1.289 avast! 4 Home Edition 4.1.289 Avast! 4 Home Edition 4.1 Avast 4 Home Edition 4.0.235 Avast 4 Home Edition 4.0.211 Avast 4 Home Edition 4.0.172 Avast Home Edition 3.0.499 Avast! 4 Home Edition avast! 4 Home Edition 4.0.143 Avast Home Edition Avast Home Edition 3.0.499 Avast Home Edition Avast Home Edition 3.0.483 Avast Home Edition 3.0.479 Avast Home Edition 3.0.464 Avast Home Edition 3.0.4 Avast Home Edition 3 Avast32 7.7 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1201.80516 Avast Home Edition 4.8.1169 Avast Home Edition 4.6
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
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