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Antivirus Software
- Best antivirus software ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 *Est. $35
- Free antivirus software AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 *Est. $0
- Security suite with antivirus software Norton Internet Security 2009 *Est. $45
- Most popular antivirus software Norton AntiVirus 2009 *Est. $20
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- According to reviewers, Avast! 4 Professional Edition is good at detecting existing malware. Some experts like that users can choose between a simple or complex interface. System slowdown is minimal.
- Experts say that phone support for Avast! 4 Professional is foreign based, so there are some language problems from customer service. Some reviewers aren't crazy about the interface. Although reviewers like the free version of Avast!, most say other software is better than the Professional version.
The free version of Avast! is very popular, but the commercial version -- Avast! 4 Professional Edition -- is relatively obscure. The commercial version entitles customers to telephone tech support. Unfortunately, Avast! Professional Edition earns low ratings from all review sources. It doesn't rank in anybody's top five. Lab-test results are mixed; Avast! 4 Professional does very well in some, but did not pass others. When it comes to paid software, we found better reviews for Kaspersky Anti-Virus (*est. $60) and others.
The free version of Alwil Avast! Antivirus gets more attention that the paid professional version. PC World has the best review of Avast! Pro. TopTenReviews.com and CNet.com don't adequately test the program, but have some useful information in their reviews. Consumer Reports only reviews the previous version. We found a handful of user reviews at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. PC World
In conjunction with AV-Test.org, PC World tests antivirus applications, including Avast! 4 Professional Edition, under Microsoft Windows Vista. The reviews are comprehensive and detailed, except that compatibility with leading third-party anti-spyware and firewall programs isn't tested. Editors say Avast! 4 Professional Editing can catch existing malware, but isn't very good at catching new threats.
Review: Virus Stoppers, Ryan Naraine, Apr. 23, 2007
2. PC Advisor
The PCAdvisor.co.uk review is nearly identical to PC World's review. The same writer wrote the reviews for both magazines using the same set of test data. PCAdvisor.co.uk reviews more security programs than PC World, but PC World reveals more of the test results online.
Review: Alwil Avast 4 Professional Edition, Ryan Naraine, Apr. 26, 2007
This very short review covers a few very important points. Foremost, the review reports that Avast! didn't pass the West Coast Labs Checkmark level 1 or 2 antivirus protection test. For that reason, Avast! 4 Professional doesn't make the top ten.
Review: Avast! Pro 4.6, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
4. CNET
CNet's review of Avast! Professional Edition focuses on features and includes only a bit of informal testing. The program is down-rated for lacking other types of protection. The only comparison made is with the free Avast! Home Edition.
Review: Avast Antivirus 4.7 Professional Edition, Robert Vamosi, May 3, 2007
