Avast is a well-known antivirus program for PCs. It protects against ransomware and other malware such as bots, spyware and Trojans. It also includes many useful tools, like a password manager, and VPN. The program also includes a feature called Device Lock that can help you locate lost devices while keeping your data secure from unauthorised access. It uses a behavioral analyzer to identify new threats and can run a system scan with a single click.

The malware detection capabilities of the program are not perfect and it takes a while to complete system scans. This isn’t ideal for those who are busy. The program’s heuristic analysis isn’t as advanced as the best software and could result in false positives. Its sandboxing technology is not as effective as its competitors but it does the job well enough to keep the majority of malware off your system.

Despite these limitations, it provides solid protection for Wi-Fi, files and ransomware. You can modify your settings and add additional exceptions to scanning rules, while the app’s Scan Central and Online Security web extensions make it simple to access and manage the security features you have.

Upgrading to one of Avast’s paid plans gives you a bunch of extra features, including a heuristic scanner that runs your files in a secure environment to detect more sophisticated threats, as well as an advisor to privacy that can help you adjust your settings on Facebook, Reddit, Twitter and other websites to guard your privacy. Additionally, you’ll get a PC speed increase, a secure web browser and password manager.

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