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Checking your computer for viruses using Avast. Run a startup scan in Avast Antivirus

Is it possible for free high-quality protection? Perhaps Avast antivirus is practically the only product that, after some time of operation, gives a positive answer to this question. Of course in to a certain extent paid antiviruses have advantages, but Avast has no equal in terms of price/quality ratio. Free home version Avast antivirus is able to reliably protect your computer from most threats. If this were not so, then Avast would not be so popular among users. Having received an improved design, Avast has only become better, as it is now even easier to work with. Protection is provided by screens, each of which is designed to protect certain “zones”. These are screens file system- continuously monitors the activity of all processes of the operating system, mail - blocks threats from emails, web screen - protects against malicious sites...

Avast Free- It is not simple free antivirus, this is a quality product that easily competes with well-known commercial antiviruses.

PS: To install the antivirus, an online installer is used, i.e. it will not be possible to install without an Internet connection.

Updated: 01/21/2015 | Groups: ---

Tags: Avast Free 2015 free download for Windows 7 / 8 / avast antivirus free download

Avast Free Review

Interface Antivirus Avast Free It looks modern, and most importantly, it is intuitive. It is necessary to pay special attention that the free version is a stripped-down Avast features Pro, so a number of functions are present in the interface, but are not available for use; their purpose is to demonstrate the capabilities of the paid version.

Main Features and Components

  • Protection is carried out by the following screens: file, mail, web.
  • Flexible antivirus settings.
  • HTTPS scanning - checking sites using the HTTPS protocol.
  • 5 types of system scanning.
  • Tools: Rescue Disk, Cleaning the Browser.
  • A special type of scanning is Screensaver.
  • Scanning at system boot.
  • home network security check

Activating Avast Free Antivirus

For Avat Free activation it is very necessary to produce complex registration.
Enter any data in the fields and click " Register" . Confirmation e-mail addresses not required, you can enter any, but if you want to create an account in Avast, then you need a working “box”. Without registration, the antivirus works for 30 days.

The registration status can be viewed in " Settings - Registration".
By the way, it is issued for a year, and after a year it is renewed.

Scan with Avast Free.

The scanning process is not particularly different from other antiviruses, although there are 5 types offered here. But 2 of these are from the paid version. First paid " Scan for outdated software "and he is Software Updater. The second one is paid " Scan for performance issues " - aka GrimeFighter. To be honest, it has nothing to do with defense at all, but entirely relates to the system optimization section. Now let's see what's left for free.

Smart Scan

This type is a sequential scan of several types: express virus scan, Software Updater, home network and GimeFighter. 2 of which, as mentioned above, are paid.

Virus Scanning

This is a more serious look. Presented here various modes virus scanning.

  • Express scanning - searches for viruses only in particularly important and most potential threat locations.
  • Full scan - speaks for itself, everything is checked, the task time will depend on the size of the disks and the number of files on them. It is recommended to carry out a full check periodically.
  • Scanning removable media- disks, flash drives, cards...
  • Selecting individual directories - selects one or more folders for scanning.
  • Scanning at OS (operating system) boot

From the drop-down list you need to select the type you need and click “start”.

Each type of scan has its own settings; by clicking settings, a window will appear where, for example, you can schedule a scan (Scheduling). For example, for express daily, for full weekly. Sensitivity level, excluded paths, actions when a threat is detected, performance, etc.

Scan on boot

Very useful feature implemented in Avast, this is a scan before loading the operating system, i.e., having launched this type of scan, you need to restart the PC, after which the scanning of disks will begin, and you will see a blue screen and text with information about the progress of the scan. (similar to the process of checking disks for errors). This gives much more advantages to the antivirus, since viruses do not have time to start, since the system itself is not running, plus the quality of the search for “pests” improves. Recommended for use in cases of obvious infection. It would not be superfluous to periodically perform such a procedure for prevention. To enable, select this type from the list and click start. A message will appear that the next time you start the OS, a check will be performed.
By clicking Settings, you can specify the drives or folders that you want to scan. Specify the desired drives, folders... For example, you can only check the system drive, which will take much less time compared to full check. Or just selected folders. It is also recommended to determine Avast’s reaction to detected threats: you can set it to delete or move to quarantine

To stop the scan before loading, press the ESC key.

A special type of scanning.

Using this type, you create your own set of paths (folders) and scanning settings. It's real useful tool. It turns out that you create your own scanning “preset”, and you can make as many such presets as you need. To start creating, click on “Set a special type of scan” at the bottom of the window. A window will appear where Specify unique name to your preset and indicate everything required parameters: areas, sensitivity, actions, exceptions..

Special Scan: Screensaver

Another very useful look antivirus scan appeared in the sixth version is "Screen Saver". The meaning is simple when the computer is standing certain time without action, the scanner is launched simultaneously with the screensaver. It is very useful while you are away from your PC, Avast is busy searching for viruses; as soon as you move the mouse, the scanning process stops along with the screen saver. To enable this mode in Windows7 you need to " Screen Personalization - Screensaver". And among the available screen saver themes, indicate Antivirus Avast.

This does not mean that you cannot now use your favorite screensaver. After clicking on "Options" in the screensaver properties window that opens, specify the screensaver you need.
While the screensaver is running, information about the progress of the test will be shown in a small rectangular block moving across the screen; the speed mode can also be selected in this window. When a virus is detected, the block turns red.

To disable this type of scanning, go back to "Settings" screen saver"switch to any other screensaver.

Quarantine and Scan History

Quarantine - special zone where do they move suspicious files. Quarantine is located in Avast Free: in the main window " Virus scans", at the bottom of the window is the "quarantine" button.

Setting up Screens

Protection Avast computer provides so-called screens. Like other antiviruses, each module is responsible for protecting the area assigned to it. This division in defense has proven its effectiveness, and in addition, it implements easy access to the settings of each security element. IN free version The following screens are available:

  • File system screen: constantly monitors all processes, running programs, opening files, etc.
  • Mail screen - checks emails for viruses.
  • Web Screen - provides Safe Browsing web sites.

To configure screen operation parameters, go to the section Settings - Active Protection.

The operation of each screen can be customized to suit your preferences. Although the default settings are, in principle, suitable for many users. An example of setting up a file system screen where you can set parameters such as: exceptions, actions upon detection, sensitivity of heuristics, enable scanning of archives, this will increase the level of protection, but will somewhat slow down the scanning process.

Tools

Most of the list of tools are paid.

Cleaning the Browser

The browser cleaner tool will help you protect yourself from dangerous extensions.

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If you suspect your PC contains malware, you can schedule Scan on boot in a programme Avast Antivirus, which will start the next time you boot your computer. This feature allows you to scan your PC for all known types of malware and remove threats before starting the operating system and other services. Scanning at boot time increases your chances of detecting and removing malware before it has a chance to act.

Scan on boot is an advanced feature designed to scan your system for threats. It usually takes some time to complete. It is designed to be run on an as-needed basis, not for regular use.

Schedule and run boot scans

To schedule and run Scan on boot in a programme Avast Antivirus

The scan usually takes a few minutes, but the duration depends on the speed of the system and the number of files that need to be scanned. Once the scan is completed or skipped, Windows will continue to boot.

To skip scanning, press Esc on keyboard.

Changing scan-on-boot settings

in order to change standard settings functions Scan on boot, follow the steps below.

Carefully select automatic actions to scan on boot. When false alarm important system file may be detected as infected and removed during boot scan, if so set automatic action. Although in Avast program There are many measures in place to prevent similar situations, a false alarm may still occur.

  • Avast Ultimate 17.x
  • Avast Premier 17.x
  • Avast Internet Security 17.x
  • Avast Pro Antivirus 17.x
  • Avast Free Antivirus 17.x
  • Microsoft Windows 10 Home/Pro/Enterprise/Education - 32 or 64 bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1/Pro/Enterprise - 32 or 64 bit
  • Microsoft Windows 8/Pro/Enterprise - 32 or 64 bit
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate - SP 1, 32-bit or 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate - SP 2, 32-bit or 64-bit
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional/ Media Center Edition - SP 3, 32-bit

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. Current version has a volume 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 necessary components on one's own. 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 contain 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 settings! 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 with operating system Windows 7 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, Center Windows support 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, scanning of 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.

In addition, you can start the virus scanning process using the context menu by clicking right click mouse over any file, folder or disk 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, allowing 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 elements protection in avast app! are used:

  • AutoSandbox feature that allows you to run suspicious programs in the sandbox;
  • WebRep module, which is an addition to browsers and is designed to provide it 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. The 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 go to the settings various types scan, set the required parameters.

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. So the folder containing 11200 malicious files, about 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 high percentage of detection of infected files, which 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 others antivirus solutions Some of them were cured. 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 your computer.

How to check your computer for viruses using Avast.

In fact, everything is very simple and intuitive. Open the Avast program.

Open the “Scan computer” tab. Click “Scan”.
In the program window that opens, we can select modes for scanning the computer for viruses. By moving the slider located on the right, select the “Express scanning”, “ Full scan”, “Scanning removable media”, “Select a folder to scan”. Each of the names speaks for itself. For example, we select “Express Scan”, since it takes a relatively short time, and press the “Start” button. When connecting flash drives to a computer, I recommend doing “Scanning removable media”.

At the top we see control buttons, at the bottom there are infected files.

When the virus scan is complete, click the “Show results” button.

We see that a virus has been found.

First, let's try to cure the virus using Avast antivirus. Select “Treat”, click “Apply”.

It was not possible to cure, we see an error in the results. Select “Delete” and click “Apply”.

The action was completed successfully and the virus was removed.

Avast antivirus suggests that we reboot the system to scan the computer for viruses before start windows. I recommend doing this action. But you must be prepared for the fact that the verification will take a very long time. It runs on my computer for several hours.

You can also schedule a computer scan for viruses when the system boots.

And in the scan logs tab you can see the results of scanning your PC for viruses.

Is there some more online check files for viruses from Avast:


Finding and neutralizing a virus using the Avast program is a mere trifle. There would only be desire and time.

Well, is the situation critical? By various reasons no antivirus in this moment? Do not despair. In this case, scanners will come in handy. They can check your computer for viruses online right away, via the Internet.

Here are some of them:

* Dr.Web Online- direct check
* ESET Online Skanner— removes viruses via a web browser (free download)
* Kaspersky File Scanner- Leads in virus detection
* McAfee FreeScan- Very convenient scanner(free download)
* Rambler antivirus— check using Kaspersky
* Online scanner Jotti— antivirus with several programs inside (free download)
*avast! Online Scanner— uses Avast technologies
* Virustotal online scanner- makes it easier quick finding viruses directly
* Panda NanoScan- newest online antivirus
* F-Secure Online Scanner — cleans from viruses (free download)
* BitDefender QuickScan — quick method find out what your computer is infected with (free download)
* Emsisoft Web Maiware Scan- extremely good antivirus(free download)
* Symantec Security Check- a proven way to find out if your computer is infected
* Windows Live OneCare Online — free service for your PC.

These programs should make life easier for both you and your to an electronic friend, and still do not forget: when checking your computer, an online antivirus can download up to 15 MB of data, which is quite comparable to the average desktop antivirus.