Comodo Antivirus Advanced 2011 vs. Avast Pro Antivirus 2011

Every PC needs protection, but sometimes it seems that there are too many options to choose from, and the average user doesn’t know where to go for information. At TopTenREVIEWS, we have an extensive list of the best antivirus software, with BitDefender as our highest-rated and best-selling option. Let’s look and compare at two antivirus software applications that also do the trick: Comodo Antivirus Advanced 2011 vs. Avast Pro Antivirus 2011.

In the comparison of Comodo vs. Avast, both applications include strong feature sets and advanced detection capabilities. Currently, the industry standard is software with real-time shields to defend against Trojans, worms, viruses, spyware and any other electronic beasts that might do harm to your system. Both antivirus software suites come with real-time and heuristic detection, which means that the antivirus software checks your computer for files that behave like malware to guard against new threats with definitions that haven't yet been added to virus-signature libraries and are therefore undetected by less-capable antivirus software. These features mean that both Comodo and Avast are highly proficient at locating malware and protecting your system from it. Finally, both antivirus software applications are fully compatible with all versions of Windows OS. So what sets these two products apart?

Comodo Antivirus Advanced 2011 stands out with its Auto Sandbox Technology. In antivirus software terminology, a sandbox is a safe area in on a computer where you can run an unknown program or process without threatening the rest of the computer. A sandbox recreates the minimal functionality needed for an application to protect the rest of the system. However, this can lead to problems with clean software that requires full functionality. Comodo Antivirus Advance 2011 also provides Spyware Scanning, which identifies infections on a computer’s registry and disks. Comodo’s Defense+ Technology automatically quarantines threats so that they can't do harm to the system. Comodo’s 24-7 support is also a definite plus for those who are experiencing serious problems.

Avast Pro Antivirus 2011 includes a SafeZone feature that is designed to protect threats from getting into your computer system and sets it apart from other antivirus software. Similar to an AutoSandbox feature, which Avast also has, the SafeZone was created to provide a completely secure space in which you can perform important actions, such as online banking, securely. Furthermore, Avast’s WebRep feature adds a security feature to your web browser that measures website's security rankings based on Avast’s labs and user rankings. This is a solid feature that’s an easy first defense for web surfing.

Because both Comodo and Avast have full feature sets, the true test in Comodo vs. Avast comes down to performance and capability. Comodo’s Auto Sandbox tool has a tendency to quarantine safe software, creating a situation where the software runs essential or desired software with limited functionality. West Coast Labs, moreover, has given Comodo an okay rating for malware detection, but not for malware removal, which is an area in which the software just isn’t up to par. Avast, on the other hand, scored well at AV-Test.org for both repair and protection. Additionally, Avast’s AutoSandbox feature doesn’t sequester safe software.

While Comodo may keep a PC clean, it doesn’t do well at healing infested systems, and the antivirus software’s auto defenses can lead to false positives. If your machine already has a serious infection issue, Comodo isn’t the product to choose. Avast’s comparable features, better designed AutoSandbox, high repair ratings and SafeZone utility put it just ahead of Comodo as the better antivirus software solution.

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