Avast 5 Plus Installation Guide
Posted Under: Antivirus, Free Program, PC Security
Avast 5 is a superb free antivirus program which has had a complete redesign, with a new interface and much greater protection than previous versions and lets you check your systems security status at a glance.
All of the program's tools and options are displayed on a left-side pane which is very easy to navigate. There are several new tools including detailed analysis stats, a silent mode that prevents desktop notifications and the Behavior Shield, which monitors your system in real time and warns you in the event of any suspicious behavior being detected.
There are many new features:
Antivirus and anti-spyware engine
Real time anti-rootkit protection
Potentially unwanted program detection
Code emulator
Heuristic engine
Potentially unwanted programs detection
Boot-time scanner (32bit systems only)
Command-line scanner
Wake-up for scan
Scheduled scanning
Fast application of updates
File System Shield
Mail Shield
Optimized for Intel's new Core i7 chip
Multi-threaded scanning optimization
Graphical user interface
Previously known as the Home edition, Avast 5 protects users with multiple guards including antivirus, antispyware, and heuristics engines which form a security core that also includes multiple real-time shields for Network, Email, P2P Programs, Instant Messengers, Behavior shields and Web shields, most of which can be adjusted through the settings to suit the user.
Best viewed in Full Screen
Updates are automatic and it searches at 4 hour intervals for new updates. It is much lower on CPU usage and much faster on scans. Scans can be executed on demand or scheduled as well as having the right click context scan in Windows Explorer and a Boot Time scan.
This is an excellent, top rate program which includes many features that are included in many expensive antivirus programs and certainly many more than in the majority of free antivirus applications.
Avast 5 does require registration within 60 days and is free for home and non-commercial users. The license is valid for 12 months at the end of which users simply renew it at no cost.
Not included in the free version:
Silent Firewall, Antispam, avast! Sandbox and Script Shield.
System Requirements:
Windows 2000/ XP/Vista/ 7 - 32bit and 64 bit
Download Avast 5 Free Here - New download link March 5, 2010
Click here for full details of what is included
Avast! 4.8 users click here to upgrade
Avast! Free Antivirus Version 5 will also be included in Google Pack in the following languages: French, German, Italian, Czech, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Polish. To get google pack go here and select your language: http://pack.google.com
There is much debate online about using Avast with other products such as Microsoft Security Essentials. I have both installed on Windows 7 and have NO conflicts whatsoever.
Interestingly, there is no mention of MSE on the Avast site, but the Avast Team did go to the Microsoft campus in Redmond to work alongside MS to ensure compatibility between Avast and MSE - Quote: "we made sure avast! works flawlessly with the upcoming Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)"
The choice is up to the individual user, but I have found that neither pick up everything and also one picks up what the other misses, so I shall stick with both on one of my machines and run some tests with malware to make a comparison video.
Related posts:
AVG Antivirus V9
Avira AntiVir
Avast 4.8 Home Edition
Avast 4.8 Configuration and Scanning
Surf Safer, Surf with WOT - Click Here or the links below
Web of Trust for Internet Explorer
Web of Trust for Firefox
Web of Trust for Google Chrome
Free PC Security, Avast 5 , Free Antivirus, anti-rootkit, PUP detection
Reader Comments
Thanks for the news that Avast 5 is out of Beta Colin.I have updated from 4.8 to 5.Its a good job I visit you for the latest news LOL.Codhead.
Codhead - Avast 5 is great, I have used it through all of the beta stages to the final release and it has more features and a much better user interface
It's nice and easy to setup and use too and the price is right LOL...a big fat zero
You won't even notice it running as resources are much lower than 4.8
I'm sure you will like it
All the best my friend
Colin
glad they got rid of that "cd player" user interface
marvin - A lot of users will be, the new interface is much better and easier to use
Regards
Colin
I don't know about the effectiveness rate. But it has the most beautiful interface I've seen in a long time.
P.S. Considering How 4.8 performed I reserve my judgement.
Jose - The interface is a major improvement and something that was badly needed compared to earlier versions.
Having used it since its first beta release, it did have a few glitches, but don't they all, and the final release is pretty good but like any AV it doesn't catch everything......it will be interesting to see the next av comparitives test results.
I find it to be quite effective with many of the malicious sites I visit but time will tell.
Many thanks for you visit and comment
All the best
Colin
An interface update is long overdue and appreciated. I've yet to run the new Avast version. If it improves on version 4.8 it will likely find its' way onto one of my systems!
Dave H - The old interface is something that many users did not like! At least the new one looks like a real interface.
It is an improvement on 4.8, which is still available and using the same update definitions, but there is more control and a few extra features in 5, it will be interesting to see the results in comparative tests in the near future.
I have it on one of my machines and it performs well with low resources, but the essential part for users is that it works for them and they are comfortable using it.
Regards
Colin
I'm glad they updated the interface. I used Avast for a couple years but eventually switched to Avira. Now that Avast seems to have improved I'm wondering if I should switch back. What do you think of Avast vs Avira? -Danny
Danny - The interface is a major improvement, although the default settings should be turned on rather than users having to set them. Apart from that, it performs very well. Avira has always been very slightly better in detections than Avast by around 1% so it will be interesting to see the next set of av comparitives and see how they compare then.
Personally, I prefer to use Avast, but each computer is configured differently and it is very much a case of what works for the user and what they are comfortable with
Regards
Colin
hey one quick question... using avast 5 and comodo i s without the antivirus will cause some kind of conflict???
Ed - Using Avast 5 and Comodo IS without the antivirus is fine, there are no conflicts whatsoever. I have them setup on one of my machines and they work fine
Regards
Colin