What kind of antivirus is Avast? Basic Avast features. How to cancel automatic renewal of your Avast product license

AVAST company Software a.s. offers a whole range of programs to ensure computer security and mobile devices, starting with the free antivirus avast! Free Antivirus and ending with corporate solutions

List of programs

Avast Free Antivirus
Free antivirus with all the features you need to reliable protection your computer and data from attacks by intruders. Includes an effective antivirus with powerful screens and security scanner home network

Avast Mobile Security for Android
Full featured mobile free antivirus, firewall, SMS and call filter, web protection, anti-theft for your Android smartphone or tablet with functions remote control via SMS commands or web portal on the Internet

Avast Secure Browser
Updated version Avast browser SafeZone, which includes the Security and Privacy Center - a set of tools and features to protect your online activities

Avast Premier
Advanced version of Avast Internet Security, including 3 additional functions: file shredder, Software Updater in auto-update mode, AccessAnywhere for remote connection to the computer

Avast Internet Security
Comprehensive antivirus with full set features to protect your home network and complete safety online shopping and internet banking. Firewall, antispam and DNS hijacking protection at your service

Avast Free Business Security
The first free antivirus for business with no limit on the number of protected computers/servers. Includes cloud administration console, worker protection Windows stations, Mac OSX and Windows servers Server

Avast Mac Security
The free antivirus Avast Mac Security includes 3 levels of protection: mail screen, screen file system to constantly monitor your computer for viruses and a web screen to protect against downloading infected files from the Internet

Avast Cleanup
Tool for safe cleaning and optimization of the Windows system, which allows you to increase the speed of your computer

Avast Software Cleanup
Using Avast Software Cleanup, check the rating of installed programs and remove applications from bad reputation in order to avoid potential security risks

avast! Uninstall Utility
Utility for manual removal avast antivirus software

avast! SecureLine VPN
Master your online privacy, VPN client for Windows, Android and iOS. Secure any network (including Wi-Fi), hidden web surfing and unblock online content with an anonymous and encrypted connection

avast! Ransomware Removal for Android
Application for removing ransomware of the Cryptolocker/Simplocker family for Android platforms, which use file encryption on a mobile device. Decrypts files without having to pay a ransom

avast! Browser Cleanup
A tool for analyzing installed add-ons and plugins in popular web browsers: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. You can always disable or remove unknown, bad reputation or dangerous plugins

Avast Endpoint Protection (Plus)
Provides protection for all computers on the network (from 1 to 200 devices), based on avast! Pro Antivirus. Plus version additionally includes an antispam filter and an automatic firewall without notifications

Avast Endpoint Protection Suite (Plus)
Provides protection for all computers on the network, including servers (from 5 to 1000 devices), based on avast! Pro Antivirus and avast! Server Edition. The Plus version additionally includes an antispam filter and firewall

Avast Small Office Administration
Web Console centralized management avast antivirus protection! Endpoint Protection designed for small networks up to 199 devices, including computers, laptops, file servers

avast! Virus Cleaner
Free utility for detecting and removing known viruses and Internet worms

Sometimes avast! errors occur! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe and others system errors EXE may be related to problems in the Windows registry. Several programs can use the avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe, but when these programs are uninstalled or modified, sometimes "orphaned" (incorrect) EXE registry entries are left behind.

Basically, this means that while the actual path of the file may have changed, its incorrect former location is still recorded in the Windows Registry. When Windows tries to look up these incorrect file references (file locations on your PC), avast! errors may occur. free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe. Additionally, a malware infection may have corrupted the registry entries associated with avast! Antivirus. Thus, these corrupt EXE registry entries need to be fixed to fix the problem at the root.

Manually editing the Windows registry to remove invalid avast keys! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe is not recommended unless you are a PC maintenance professional. Mistakes made when editing the registry can lead to inoperability of your PC and cause irreparable damage to your operating system. In fact, even one comma placed in the wrong place can prevent your computer from booting!

Because of this risk, we highly recommend using a trusted registry cleaner such as %%product%% (Developed by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner) to scan and repair any avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe. Using a registry cleaner, you can automate the process of finding corrupted registry entries, missing file references (such as the one causing the avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe error), and broken links within the registry. Before each scan, a backup copy, which allows you to undo any changes with one click and protects you from possible damage to your computer. The best part is that eliminating registry errors can dramatically improve system speed and performance.

Warning: If you are not experienced user PC, we DO NOT recommend manually editing the Windows registry. Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems and require Windows reinstallation. We do not guarantee that problems resulting from incorrect use of Registry Editor can be corrected. You use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Before manually restoring Windows registry, you need to create a backup by exporting the part of the registry associated with avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe (for example, avast! Antivirus):

Click on the button Begin.
Enter " command" V search bar... DON'T CLICK YET ENTER!
While holding down the keys CTRL-Shift on your keyboard, press ENTER.
A dialog box for access will be displayed.
Click Yes.
The black box opens with a blinking cursor.
Enter " regedit" and press ENTER.
In the Registry Editor, select the key associated with avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe (for example, avast! Antivirus), for which you need to create a backup copy.
On the menu File select Export.
On the list Save to select the folder where you want to save the backup copy of the avast key! Antivirus.
In field File name Enter the name of the backup file, for example "avast! Antivirus backup".
Make sure the field Export range value selected Selected branch.
Click Save.
The file will be saved with extension .reg.
You now have a backup of your avast! free antivirus 8.0.1489.exe.

The following steps for manually editing the registry will not be described in this article, as they are likely to damage your system. If you want to receive more information about manually editing the registry, please see the links below.

On the market today software the situation has arisen, what to choose the necessary program extremely difficult - the choice is too large. This fully applies to antiviruses, where competition is greater than ever. There are leaders here, but the more famous the program, the more expensive it is. But there are pleasant exceptions, and among them is Avast! Free Antivirus.

As you might have guessed, this is a free version of the antivirus created by a Czech company. Unlike paid software, it lacks many important elements, such as a firewall, protection against phishing attacks, the ability to update other programs installed on your PC, etc. Nevertheless, this program copes well with protecting your computer from various Trojans and viruses.

It is worth noting that Avast is used by more than 200 million people around the world, and this says a lot. Developers are constantly working to improve their product, and changes concern not only security tools, but also the interface. Thus, the latest ninth version of the program was recently released, which features a completely new and redesigned interface. The design is created in a new minimalist style, which can be seen in Windows 8 or, for example, from Apple. It should be noted that due to the changes, using the interface has become even easier than before.

Before you install Avast!, we would like to remind you that it is highly undesirable to use the software with other antivirus programs, as problems may arise between them. conflict situations, and the system may work somewhat slower, since it will require additional resources.

Avast capabilities

Now about the most interesting thing - how AB protects the computer from malicious files.

Firstly, the software contains a set of modules that protect the PC from various external threats, which come from the network. The list of modules includes the following components: screen behavior, scripts, P2P, Internet chats, file system, mail, web and firewalls. What does this mean? This means that you don’t have to worry about the safety of your system not only when surfing the Internet, but also when downloading files from the network, viewing mail, communicating via instant messengers, etc.

The built-in Anti-Rootkit module allows you to detect running malware. It helps if you go to a site where virus software is automatically downloaded and simultaneously launched/installed on the computer.

AutoSandbox or automatic sandbox is necessary in order to run files in an isolated environment. Let's say you're trying to install a program. Avast! scans it and if it sees that it could be malicious, then it runs it in the very sandbox that does not allow its installation on the system.

New cloud technologies allow you to update the program as quickly as possible. In addition, this way company specialists can quickly receive data about new viruses from users.

By default, a tool called Software Updater is installed. This is a rather unusual option that monitors other installed programs and tells you when a new one becomes available for them available version for download. It can be disabled.

Along with the software, the WebRep add-on is installed in browsers, with which the user can rate a particular site. In addition, based on the rating, you can conclude whether you should visit the site or not.

To clean browsers, install the Browser Cleanup utility. True, it is not much different from other programs that delete unnecessary files.

Minuses

The free version has few disadvantages, but they still exist.

First of all, don’t forget that Avast! Free does not have a firewall, so you will have to use your operating system's firewall.

Secondly, there is no protection against phishing attacks and spam.

Thirdly, there is no sandbox - only its automatic version. This means that you won't be able to run the files you need in an isolated environment.

Fourthly, there is no possibility of connecting to your computer via a PC. This option is called AccessAnywhere.

Fifthly, in the most advanced version, a special data destroyer appeared, after using which you can restore deleted files impossible (if they were deleted by standard Windows methods, then it is easy to restore them using special programs).

Sixthly, in the ninth version, the ability to turn off screens individually is not available, that is, the system is now turned off completely. Personally, I think that this is a mistake of the creators, since sometimes there is a need to turn off just one screen.

Impression

Avast Free! tested for several months, first on version 8, and then on version 9. I can say that it showed itself quite well, easily coping with various malicious sites (it simply blocks access to them). However, unusual cases also happened. For example, a couple of times the system showed viruses on such popular resources as . Judging by how quickly this problem was resolved, it was caused by an error or glitch. However, I don’t think there’s anything bad about this - it’s better not to go to the site than to go and then find a virus on your computer that has changed the hosts or blocked the task manager. Is not it?

At full scan Antivirus sometimes finds malicious files on your hard drive. Why he missed them before is unclear. But what I found later was already good.

If I now had a choice of which AV to choose, then I might think about Avasta, but I would purchase the paid version, which has a firewall and a sandbox, a very necessary thing to note. In addition, there are often good discounts and it can be bought for next to nothing.

Free version of Avast! You can download it free on the company's official website.

In this material we will get acquainted with the capabilities of one of the most popular free antivirus applications avast! Free Antivirus 7 using effective methods counteraction computer threats and providing basic functions PC protection.

Introduction

Avast! Free Antivirus - the brainchild of Czech programmers - is already quite for a long time is popular among many users. In many ways, such a high interest in this product is explained by its free nature and fairly high efficiency and good functionality.

The current, seventh version of this antivirus solution, like previous ones, includes file antivirus, an antispyware and email scanner that can provide a basic level of protection against various types of malicious software.

Installation

Avast distribution! Free Antivirus 7 can be downloaded from the developer's website. The current version has a capacity of 97.6 MB.

Immediately after launching the installer, a window opens in which we have to select the type of installation - express installation with default parameters or custom installation. If some other antivirus is already installed on your computer, then a third item will appear offering to install avast! as a second line of defense.

By choosing a custom option, you can manually set the future location of the folder with the program, as well as independently determine the installed components and languages user interface, the number of which is truly impressive.

In the program configuration window, you can select two standard installation options with minimal or standard set components, as well as select all the necessary components yourself. It is worth noting that by clicking on positions marked with a question mark (“ Avast firewall! ", "SafeZone" and "Anti-spam screen"), you will be redirected to an advertising web page with an offer to buy paid versions this product: avast! Pro Antivirus or avast! Internet Security, since the free edition does not have these components.

Once the installation is complete, the antivirus will automatically begin performing an express scan of your system for malicious objects. You can cancel this procedure by clicking the “Cancel” button in the lower right corner of the window.

It’s worth saying a few words right away about the program’s uninstaller, which deserves special praise.

It allows you not only to delete the application, but also to update virus databases or program files up to latest versions, add or remove any program components and interface languages, as well as restore avast! default.

Immediately after the first launch of the program, a welcome window will appear in which you will be reminded that you need to register the antivirus program within 30 days. To do this, you only need to enter your username and your email address, where you will be sent free license to use the application. In the future, it will be necessary to renew the protection period every year.

avast! Free Antivirus 7 registers itself in the Windows 7 operating system as an antivirus and antispyware program. Confirmation of this can be obtained by opening the Security section in the Support Center.

Wherein network firewall Windows won't shut down.

If real-time protection is disabled in the antivirus, Windows Support Center produces a very discreet warning about this in the system tray. It is easy to miss compared to the standard warning that occurs when complete shutdown antivirus program on the system.

True, here the user can come to the aid of the proprietary avast! application icon, made in the shape of an orange ball and placed in the notification area immediately after installing the program. If antivirus protection fails or is disabled, a red cross appears in the notification icon to warn you of a problem. Just keep in mind that by default this icon is hidden, and you can only see it by clicking the arrow on the taskbar.

It is also worth noting that the window in the Support Center with a message about the shutdown antivirus scanning is yellow, not red. But at this time the system is just as vulnerable as in the case complete absence security applications on your computer.

In our opinion, this discreet behavior of the built-in Windows warning system may not be obvious to many users. So avast developers! It may be worth thinking about and reconsidering the interaction of this application with the Help Center by implementing standard warnings in it if important PC protection components are disabled.

User interface

Avast main window Free Antivirus 7 has retained the familiar format, familiar to some users from previous versions.

On the left there is a column with menu buttons, when clicked, a list of additional categories appears. To the right of it is located large panel, showing information or options for selected menu items. At the top there are buttons for: logging in social media, receiving various kinds reference information and calling up program settings.

Generally, GUI The program clearly displays many functional processes and looks very nice. It will not be difficult for even inexperienced users to understand it. It is enough to make a few mouse clicks on the menu buttons to understand what certain items are responsible for.

By default in avast! a tab with a characteristic name is activated, reflecting the current state of anti-virus protection, which is quite logical. If on the status panel, which is quite impressive in size, you see green tick and the inscription “PROTECTED”, this means that there is nothing to worry about - all protection systems and automatic updates are included, and the program and virus databases are up to date.

If one of the non-critical protection components is disabled or requires your attention, the wording of the message will change to “ATTENTION” and a yellow exclamation mark will appear on the left.

In this case, the “Fix” button will appear on the right, allowing you, without going into details of the problem, to change the status of the protection components and bring them to an optimal state. Surely you should especially like this option inexperienced users.

However, if you still want to know what the antivirus is “swearing” at, there is a warning below detailed list, which shows the status of its main components and which of them is the problem. Here you will also find links with which you can change the state of security elements that cause an alarm in the application. This method of regulating antivirus components is suitable for those people who deliberately make changes to the operation of certain program services.

There is a third option for notifying users when the message changes to “UNPROTECTED,” clearly indicating that the anti-virus shield is not currently working. Typically this occurs when real-time screens are disabled.

And here to resume normal functioning antivirus, just click on the “Fix” button or use the links in the list below.

Sometimes, in order to clean your computer from dangerous objects, you need to run the threat scan procedure from safe mode, which means that normal antivirus should be capable of this. In our case, after booting the computer into safe mode with the support network drivers, avast! Free Antivirus 7 has launched successfully. At the same time, in the status field, the application informs users that it is running in safe mode and has limited functionality. As expected, the program retained the ability to launch selective scanning of any desired area on storage media. But real-time screens do not work here, but in principle this is not necessary.

In addition to the area showing the protection status located in the program window itself, avast! informs users about its actions using pop-up messages in the lower right corner of the screen, which are accompanied by audio comments.

All messages can be divided into four types:

Informational (on a blue background) - display useful information about the actions of the program.
About updates (on a green background) - inform about latest updates anti-virus databases and application files.
Alerts (on an orange background) - notify about important events that require the user's attention.
Notifications (red background) - report problems and malicious threats.

For example, this is what a pop-up message about a successful virus database update looks like.

Also, Windows users Vista/7 will be able to monitor the status of antivirus protection using a desktop gadget.

In addition to showing the current general status, the gadget has links to the program window and update functions.

Functionality

By clicking the “Scan computer” button, the user will be presented with wide range capabilities to launch scanning of various storage media to detect malicious objects.

Among them quick scan system disk, in-depth system scan, scan removable media and a separately selected folder. For those who find this not enough, you can set a special type of scanning with your own settings.

You can also start the virus scanning process using context menu by right-clicking on any file, folder or drive and selecting “Scan”.

It is worth noting that avast! to search for infected objects it uses not only antivirus databases, stored on your computer, but also cloud technologies that allow the program to accept more right decisions by file reputation and receive information about the latest threats.

To check the status and settings of services running in the cloud, go to the “Services in the cloud” tab of the “Summary” menu item.

avast! Free Antivirus 7 has several protective screens, working in real time. They all track: files and programs on your PC, incoming email, visited websites on the Internet, downloaded peer-to-peer applications (P2P), downloading files from Internet messengers (ICQ, QiP and others), network activity and all scripts executed in the OS, as well as the system for suspicious behavior.

A summary of the operation of all existing screens in real time can be viewed by clicking on the “Protection Status” tab in the “Real Time Screens” menu item. By hovering your mouse over each screen icon, you can get additional information about its operation.

In order to go to the control window of any specific screen, you can click on its icon or select the corresponding menu item on the left.

As additional security elements in avast app! are used:

AutoSandbox feature that allows you to run suspicious programs in the sandbox;
The WebRep module, which is an addition to browsers and is designed to provide additional protection;
Remote assistance function;
Blocking websites by URL.

It should be noted that, in general, the program has good functionality, especially considering its free distribution.

Threat scanning and detection

If any threats are detected, such as an infected file, avast! Free Antivirus 7 immediately notifies the user of this with a red pop-up window in the lower right corner of the screen, which clearly describes what happened.

By default, the malicious file is placed in quarantine - a special isolated folder, until you decide what to do with it next. If you consider the blocked file to be normal, you can mark it as " false alarm"and the antivirus will subsequently not pay any attention to it.

All program actions are stored in logs that each screen and scan operation has. Thus, you can always see the events that occurred and the results. In our example, malware locked the file system screen, so to see the details, just open its log. A link to it is located in the lower right corner of the “File System Screen” window (see the previous picture).

As you can see, the file system screen not only detected threats and warned us about it, but also independently took action to neutralize them. But keep in mind that if you initiated scanning of any folder, file, disk yourself or planned it in advance, then avast! will not take any actions automatically, but will wait for your decisions. These are the default program settings.

In order to deal with the threats found, you need to select the “Scan logs” item in the “Scan a computer” section, where the entire chronology of scans is stored.

To view the results of a particular scan, you must click on the “View results” button.

In the “Scan Results” window that opens, in the “Action” column, you can select one of four options for each specific threat: treat the infected file, move it to quarantine, delete it, or do nothing. You can also apply one action to all objects at once. After completing the selection, just click the “Apply” button.

If every time after a manual or scheduled scan you want the antivirus to apply to the infected objects found specific action automatically, then for this you need to set the necessary parameters in the settings of various types of scanning.

Here, it is worth noting one unpleasant moment. Antivirus avast solutions! they do not know how to treat infected files, which has been proven experimentally, and the presence of this item not only causes confusion, but also misleads many users.

True, due to the absence of attempts to treat infected objects, the program’s scanners work very quickly. Thus, a folder containing 11,200 malicious files, approximately 200 MB in size, was scanned by the application in just 52 seconds. For comparison, for some other antivirus solutions this procedure takes more than half an hour. At the same time, 11,069 infected files were deactivated and deleted. We must admit this is an excellent result.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, antivirus program avast! Free Antivirus 7 deserves praise in many ways. Its interface, having a modern and visual design, is logical and concise, which allows even inexperienced users to easily find required functions and information.

The application has reasonable settings and a default configuration, visually and clearly informs about the current state of protection, as well as important events, actions it takes and reactions to the detection of various types of threats.

Despite being free, avast! has good functionality, having in its arsenal not only several screens working in real time and tracking various user actions, but also additional funds are protected. At your service is a sandbox, browser add-ons, and a tool for blocking certain websites by their addresses.

It is impossible not to note the outstanding scanning speed and the high percentage of detection of infected files that the program demonstrated while scanning a test folder with malicious objects. The application settings system, which allows you to flexibly configure almost any of its components, left an equally pleasant impression.

Avast of course! Free Antivirus7 also has its drawbacks. So, the program has not yet learned how to treat infected files, although this function stated in it. In any case, in our test archive, all detected threats were removed, although some other antivirus solutions managed to cure some of them. This feature can be very useful, for example, if an important document is infected, the deletion of which is unacceptable.

It is also worth noting the not so obvious behavior of the warning system at the moment when antivirus protection disabled. This can simply not be noticed, since the program does not display any warnings in this regard, although the appearance of a pop-up window here would be appropriate. Calmly responds to all disabled screens and Windows Support Center.

An unpleasant surprise was the fact that avast! allows you to completely disable real-time protection, even if you log into Windows system under standard account user. And although the program issues its own warning before this, it can be ignored by pressing the OK key. In our opinion, this opportunity should only be available to administrators. Especially if we're talking about about a family computer with several users.

Ultimately, we can say that even without a firewall, anti-spam, parental controls and some other functions available in comprehensive antivirus products, today avast! Free Antivirus 7 is one of the best free solutions for basic protection of your computer.

Today, every computer should have an antivirus program, since Lately appeared great amount threats not only for PCs, but also for personal information. In this case, you need to know how to install correctly good antivirus, namely Avast! Free Antivirus.

What is Avast! Free Antivirus

Avast! Free Antivirus is an antivirus for home computer with free distribution. This antivirus was developed quite a long time ago and is very widespread throughout the world. Besides, this antivirus provides excellent protection for your home computer, and is able to compete with commercial analogues. In this case, there is no point in paying money for high-quality protection, if you can download and install this antivirus yourself.

To work with this antivirus, no professional knowledge or experience is required. The entire antivirus installation procedure does not require much effort and does not take much time, so you can do without a specialist.

It is worth noting that there are paid Avast developments, so you can use them if you are not satisfied with something basic version antivirus. To do this, you just need to buy a license for full weight antivirus.

You can download the utility from the developer’s official resource. You can also download from third party sources, but only the official resource allows you to get current version antivirus. Having gone to the antivirus website, you need to go down and set the computer protection level, since you need to get free version, then you need to indicate “Main” and click on “Download for free”.

After that it will download exe file. This is not an anti-virus program, but an installation utility, so during installation you need to check the Internet.

Installation Avast antivirus! Free

After downloading the file, you can begin installing the antivirus on your computer. Installation can be carried out on almost any version of the Windows operating system. Initially, you need to run the downloaded file. To do this, you need to double-click on it, which will launch the anti-virus program's splash screen.

After this, the “Install Avast Free Antivirus” window will appear. Here you are asked to choose a standard or custom installation. You can also install Google Chrome web browser by default, and will also add a panel Google tools into the IE browser. If you don’t want to figure this out for a long time, then it is recommended to choose “ Typical installation» and leave marks on all points. If all this is not needed, then you should uncheck the appropriate items.

After this you need to accept license agreement and agree that the antivirus will collect information. It is worth noting that the latter can be abandoned in the future. On at this stage you have to agree. Then the antivirus will start downloading and installing it, which will take very little time. It all depends on the speed of the Internet and the capabilities of the computer.

At the end of the process, the antivirus will be installed. The application will notify you of this with a corresponding notification, which will say that it will launch quick check PC. Here you need to click “Done”. After this, a shortcut to launch the antivirus should appear on the desktop. In the case of the “seven”, a special gadget will appear on the screen.

After this you need to register. If you do not do this, then the antivirus will only work for a month. There is no need to worry about this, since registration is simple and free. IN in this case you need to run the program double click. The main program window will appear asking you to register. It is worth noting that the program interface changes from version to version.

Here you need to click “Register” and then indicate “ Basic protection", then click "Select". As a result, a registration window will appear. Here you can register through social networks or enter your data manually, and then click “Register”. After this, a window will appear, which you can simply close or click “Leave basic protection.”

Then you should check your email, where you should receive a confirmation message. You must follow the link provided in it. After this, the antivirus will be installed on the computer. Now you can safely work with the program for a year, and after that you need to register again.

It is worth noting that the antivirus in automatic mode updates its databases, so the user does not need to worry about this. In addition, the antivirus itself is also capable of updating, but with a notification. In this case, a notification will appear when a new version of the program is released. It is recommended to update the program yourself or set up auto-update. This allows you not to remember about the antivirus until re-registration.