Avast Sweetens its Free Version

What computer user hasn't heard a virus-gone-wild horror story that sent virtual shivers down his or her spine? Many people consider Avast Antivirus 5.0 to be the best free malware protection software available. For the millions of people who use Avast's free antivirus software, there is now welcomed news. The company has unveiled plans to extend the same virtualization protection that has previously been available only to paying clients to users of the free version of their antivirus software in the soon-to-be-released Avast Free Antivirus Version 6.

Avast Free Antivirus software will soon include technology that enables you to create a virtual machine, or "sandbox," within your physical computer to isolate suspected malware. If the suspicious code proves to be a virus, the virtual computer will shut down, thereby isolating the potential infection so it cannot spread to your computer's main system.

When a dialogue box warns you that Avast has discovered a suspicious file, you have the option to open the potential malware application in the virtual sandbox. You can also access a pull-down menu to allow the application to run outside the sandbox, or choose to cancel execution of the file altogether.
People who use Avast's free antivirus software will certainly welcome this new feature because it addresses the gray zone of uncertainty in which some legitimate freeware may trigger an unwarranted malware warning. In January 2011, Avast announced that users of the free version of their antivirus software can expect the upgrade soon.

Scanning for malware on a personal computer with Avast Free Antivirus occurs in real-time as you access the files. Scanning options in version 5 include a quick scan, full scan and user-customized scan. You also have the option of running a boot-time scan that checks your computer for root kits upon startup. By using a heuristic engine to monitor your computer's processes, Avast Antivirus will detect malware that it may have missed through analyzing all signatures.

According to a post on the company blog, Avast has a base of 130 million live users. When the software firm receives samples of suspicious code from this vast pool of users who are voluntary members of the Avast Community IQ system, it analyzes these samples – to the tune of 13,000 a day. If the suspicious code turns out to be a virus, Avast distributes the virus' signature to all users automatically.

Gamers will appreciate the option of activating a silent-mode feature that allows for uninterrupted gaming. Marathon gamers need not suffer the distraction of audible warnings or pop-up interruptions from this antivirus software.

The company offers two paid versions of its security software: Avast Pro Antivirus, which offers real-time security features and customization options, and Avast Internet Security, the software company's top-of-line product. Avast's Internet Security software extends protection to email and chat applications and curbs spam. Avast software works on both Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems.

Avast antivirus software's auditory warning has been known to pop up in some unexpected places. The Avast warning alert warning that the software has detected a virus has been heard on live telecasts of sporting events. The culprit: malware-protected computers in the announcers' booth. It's a humorous reminder to us all that viruses can reside in the even the most conspicuous of locations.

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