Avira Antivirus Review

If you are looking for antivirus software that combines simplicity of use with powerful tools, then look no further than Avira AntiVir Personal. With more than 100 million downloads and numerous awards, it’s one of the world’s best and most popular antivirus software applications. Although it's not perfect, Avira antivirus combines fast scanning with award-winning tools to detect and disinfect viruses and a host of other threats.

Compared to most other protective software, Avira AntiVir is sleek and light on extras. However, don’t let the measly 21MB this software takes up on your hard drive fool you. There’s a lot packed into that little space. Much of Avira's meteoric rise in popularity is because it is simply effective software. Although it isn't perfect, its heuristic detection is excellent. There will always be some false positives, but Avira doesn't return as many as some of its competitors.

One of the best in terms of keeping its users updated with new definitions, Avira antivirus software features the ability to detect all common archive types, including nested archives and smart extensions. Netbook support helps the software run more efficiently on low-resolution laptops. A function called Guard provides excellent real-time coverage. Among other goodies, the Avira antivirus software includes on-demand, simultaneous high-speed scanning, which is better known as multithreading.

Avira antivirus is one of the easiest security applications to install. The user interface, although well organized and user friendly, can be a bit technical for some users. Setting up scans is easy with the Setup Task Scheduler. With the push of its cool little Quick Removal button, Avira eliminates detected viruses. Avira’s Premium Security Suite includes, among other things, WebGuard, AntiDrive-by, AntiPhishing and EmailScanner.

A higher number of false positives than most other antivirus software require you to exert a bit of extra care, so brush aside its requests for your input at your own peril. Avira antivirus software has always been known for product pop-ups. The software lacks a game mode that can be a real irritation if it starts a scan while you're in the middle of a game, especially if it doesn’t tolerate interruptions very well.

At one time, it was easy to make the argument that you can’t expect to have everything from free antivirus software. Since there are so many free and equally good antivirus software applications available these issues just don’t make sense anymore. Still, Avira gives you a free and high-quality security software application that’s effective at warding off all sorts of viruses and other malware.

Customer support for the free version is limited to a FAQs page and an easy-to-use, comprehensive help center. The free version is hard to beat. Even if you pay $27dollars or so for Avira AntiVir Premium, it’s still a bargain. Especially if you take into account the fact that roughly seven dollars from every sale goes to charitable causes. For only $20 more, you can purchase Avira’s Premium Security Suite. Either way, you will discover why Avira has such a huge following.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™