Avast antivirus comes with a broad range of features packaged in a simple package. Its malware engine got an excellent score in my testing, and its web security was effective at catching websites that were phishing, and getting past Chrome and Firefox’s default detection systems. And its performance scanner performed well in keeping its impact on system speed to an absolute minimum. In fact Avast’s performance scan was more effective in reducing CPU usage than any other program I tested.
Avast also provides a variety of other tools. Avast One is the only one that offers a VPN as well as photo vaults, and a tool to monitor data breaches. Its security toolkit is also quite extensive, with the ability to run applications in, as well as a router security scanner to check for potential vulnerabilities.
Avast offers a complete support website that includes a knowledge base if you encounter problems. Its search function makes it nonprofit board management easy to find answers to frequently asked questions. And if you don’t find an answer to your question, the Avast forum is an excellent resource for getting 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 many consumers. PCMag and Motherboard reported in January of 2020 that Avast had sold personal information as well as location data of its users through its Jumpshot subsidiary. Avast has halted this practice, and now requires users to opt-in when installing its desktop antivirus software. In its privacy policies Avast explains that all personal information of customers is “stripped off and de-identified prior to being shared with a third party.”