Features

avast! Free Antivirus is loaded with tons of features. From the home tab you can gain quick access to your system status, virus scan, software updater, stats, and the market. Features like the firewall and SafeZone require a premium subscription.

The software updater that's included with avast! Free Antivirus alerts users about outdated applications that are installed but only offers a link to the program page to download the latest update. Paying for a premium subscription will allow you to update your apps within the application. There's even an option to update automatically in the paid versions of avast!

avast! Free Antivirus offers more than just virus protection. The application also includes "cloud services," which gathers information from other avast! users to compare the reputation of similar files. These updates are constantly streamed to and from avast! so users don't have to worry about downloading updates.

New to avast! Free Antivirus is the Market where you can purchase additional features and services. The app itself is very good at reminding users how many features are missing so the Market makes it even more tempting to upgrade. Purchases can be made directly inside the application.

Usability

Using avast! Free Antivirus is very straightforward. Features and sections of the application are clearly marked with short explanations about what each feature does.

Like with many other antivirus applications, the amount of options and features is a little overwhelming. There are icons in the Security tab that are clearly marked with a green status light indicating everything is working as it should. This makes it easy to see what parts of the application require user action.

For the most part, avast! Free Antivirus is an application that you can configure and forget about. The program will display a popup if anything needs your action.

Quality

avast! Free Antivirus is well designed with tons of features. While it's not as simple as it could be, it works well and is completely free. It's nice that avast! Free Antivirus doesn't include an annoying tool bar, but it does install a web extension to monitor malicious links while you're browsing.

While avast! Free Antivirus excels as an antivirus application, it doesn't do much in the way of being a one-stop-shop for all your computer maintenance needs. Other apps like IObit's Advanced Systemcare with Antivirus offer more features that will make sure your computer is running its fastest.

Scans were performed quickly but not the best we've seen. This really depends on your hardware and how many files you have on your computer.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it's easy to see what avast! Free Antivirus remains at the top of our download charts. The amount of features that free users have access to is amazing. While it's annoying that the app nags you to upgrade to a paid subscription, it's a small price to pay for a well designed antivirus solution that's completely free. Now if only avast! could include some computer maintence features.

What's new

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Avira Free Antivirus 2013 is the free – for personal use – version of Avira Antivir Premium; this means there are a few advanced features unavailable, like the virus filter for email or for web browsing, but the program is as powerful and efficient as its big brother.

Avira Free Antivirus 2013 installs in a few seconds and starts protecting your system in real time right away. It includes all the tools and options you would expect from an antivirus these days, such as different types of scan, support for scheduling, automatic updates, and a quarantine area for suspicious files.

On the downside, Avira Free Antivirus 2013 is let down by a somewhat rough interface that feels like it was designed ten years ago and never restyled: simple to use, but too plain.

Looking for an efficient, uncomplicated antivirus tool? Avira Free Antivirus 2013 may be a good choice.

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Remote Security

The trick is that Panda Cloud Antivirus is based on so called cloud computing, and is only partially installed on your system and keeps core files on a dedicated server on the Internet. Thanks to this special cloud structure, Panda Cloud Antivirus doesn't have to be manually updated. You can simply forget about complicated configurations and having to download new signature files!

The cloud-based functionality doesn't mean you remain unprotected when disconnected from the network: Panda Cloud Antivirus features a local cache that keeps the program up and running, working at 100%.

Analysis

Panda Cloud Antivirus features two types of analysis: Optimized scan – which presumably analyzes the most important areas in the system, though you can’t know for sure – and Other scans, where you can select specific folders and files to be analyzed. The program includes a behavioral analysis and blocking system that detects suspicious actions typically found in malware. Another nice feature in Panda Cloud Antivirus is the USB vaccine tool, which protects your computer from potentially dangerous files in USB portable memory devices.

Though Panda Cloud Antivirus can’t be scheduled to run automatic scans and doesn’t include filters for web or email, it’s still a perfectly valid antivirus for netbooks and low-spec computers.

Conclusion

Panda Cloud Antivirus is a lightweight, simple to use antivirus tool that keeps your system safe without nagging you with messages and updates.

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The interface in McAfee AntiVirus Plus has been completely redesigned and is totally different to any other antivirus interface you may have seen so far. A clear, uncluttered design makes McAfee AntiVirus Plus easy to use, and also lets you check security status at a glance – though it can be difficult to get used to at first.

When it comes to scanning your system for problems, McAfee AntiVirus Plus offers you three scan types (Quick, Full and Custom), as well as the option of having a permanent real-time scan running in the background or scheduling automatic scans to detect viruses, spyware and other threats.

But McAfee AntiVirus Plus doesn’t work only as an antivirus. It also comes equipped with firewall, web and email protection, a shredder to protect sensitive data, a file defragmenter, a tool to fix security issues on your local network and another tool to remove junk files from your system and therefore improve performance.

McAfee AntiVirus Plus is an interesting anti-virus option, but the interface may be a barrier to the showcasing of its best features.

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McAfee Total Protection's menu is sleek and uncluttered. Real-Time Scanning, which is one of the main tools of this program, searches all drives on your computer looking for viruses and malware (malicious programs often pass on information to third parties). When the computer has been scanned, McAfee Total Protection removes all threats or puts them in quarantine.

McAfee Total Protection also has a firewall to protect your system from intruders from the web that attempt to steal your personal information. The Email and IM Checker prevents spam emails and potential dangers on IM clients. SiteAdvisor Plus gives you advice on the security of websites you visit, and the File protection tool checks everything you download.

There is even a cleaner in McAfee Total Protection to get rid of unnecessary files in the recycle bin, desktop shortcuts, temporary files and browser histories. While the interface looks nice, all these tools do make it pretty dense, and you'll need a while to work your way through everything.

The major downfall of McAfee Total Protection is that it's a bit too resource heavy, and is likely to slow your computer down. It would probably be better if it had fewer tools and concentrated just on basic security.

McAfee Total Protection is just what it says it is, but it's weighed down by having too many tools

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Don't make the mistake of thinking that Stinger is a general antivirus. It's not - it's more of an extractor for a list of over 3,000 viruses specified by McAfee. The list is viewable from the program interface and, as with any other antivirus, you should try and keep Stinger as up to date as possible.

Stinger is very basic. Add the paths that you want to scan and hit the red Scan Now button. The program works quickly, summarizing results in the interface window. By default, Stinger will repair any viruses it finds, and you can export scan results under the File menu.

The Stinger configuration options are limited and quite advanced - you'll be able to specify what you want the program to do when it finds a virus, if you want to see a list of scanned files on the interface and an assortment of options relating to virus detection. Stinger is not a user-friendly program, but then again, it's not developed for your average user. If you are experienced, however, you'll find Stinger to be a helpful tool in your antivirus toolbox.

Stinger - low-key, focused virus detection.

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Flexible protection for Windows

McAfee All Access protects with four main unlimited security packages. McAfee AntiVirus Plus provides a solid antivirus and firewall, real-time monitoring, scans, and a data shredder. McAfee Internet Security Suite comes with a spam guard and parental controls, while the McAfee Total Protection website also has additional protective mechanisms, a tailor-made home security module that protects against unwanted file access and malicious links. Finally, McAfee Family Protection targets the safety of your children when they are online.

Additional security for Mac

McAfee Internet Security for Mac keeps Apple computers safe with real-time virus protection, firewall and the McAfee SiteAdvisor, which protects against malware and hacker attacks while you're online. Plus, thanks to identity protection and anti-phishing feature, you'll be able to surf worry-free.

Protection for mobile devices and tablets

McAfee All Access's Mobile Safety package is available for devices running Android, BlackBerry, and Symbian. In addition to a virus guard, McAfee All Access includes McAfee Mobile Security, with a backup feature and a theft alarm with remote lock for emergencies. If your device gets lost or stolen and you're out of options, McAfee All Access will allow you to completely wipe all of your personal data.

If you're a fan of McAfee's myriad apps, then McAfee All Access is the ultimate security package.

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There are lots of antivirus programs out there to choose from. If you're an AOL member, there's also a program just for you!

McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition is an antivirus tool available for use by paid AOL account holders. The interface is simple to use, even if you're new to PC protection tools such as this. Navigating is also no problem. Upon running a scan, McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition will locate and record any threats to your computer's safety. From there, you'll be able to eliminate the malware or virus in a few quick clicks.

Scanning is a quick process with McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition. Along with the virus scan capabilities, this tool also comes with a free AOL Computer check-up that'll ensure your PC is running properly and to its maximum potential. There's also AOL parental controls included free, so you can block specific content from appearing while your children are browsing the web.

Unfortunately, the installation process for McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition takes a considerable amount of time, which some users might find frustrating. When you compare it to other antivirus programs, McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition also comes out pretty low on configuration options beyond the bare essentials.

AOL users will appreciate the protection McAfee VirusScan Plus AOL Edition provides while browsing the web, if they are willing to deal with the lengthy installation process.

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