Avast Free Antivirus in 2019 [Let's Compare 2017 vs 2019]

[Ink]

Re-visiting Avast Free Antivirus after 2 years and comparing the difference.
Compare - Visit original thread (May 2017)

System Environment:

• Running Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit under Hyper-V
• Available with 2GB RAM and 80 GB Storage

Default and Customise Installation

1. Google Chrome is still offered, but also now an option to make it the default browser
2. Under Customise, the recommended protection suggests all 13 components (previously 15 components)
3. Improved layout and larger font size for readability

Installation completion & Data collection




Avast Mobile Security & Referral Scheme

1. Let's Android users protect their devices
2. Rewards for new Avast users to share with others

Avast Main UI & First Scan

1. Subtle prompt to perform their first Smart Scan
2. The banner reassures the user they have made the right choice -- thoughts?
3. Users are shown what checks are being made (browser threats, outdated app, viruses and malware, advanced issues)

Outdated apps

1. Users are shown vulnerable apps
2. Some apps can be automatically updated with Avast

Advanced Issues - AKA SCAREWARE

1. Identifies protections that are clearly not available in Free Antivirus!
2. Asks users to BUY Avast Internet Security (ATTEMPT 1)
3. If ignored, a Trial of Internet Security for 60-days is offered, but payment details are required (ATTEMPT 2)
4. Skip for now completes the first scan

Privacy Issues - AKA SCAREWARE

1. Alarming Privacy issues about being tracked online, an exposed IP address and known location
2. Asks users to BUY Avast SecureLine VPN (ATTEMPT 3)
3. If ignored, a Trial of SecureLine VPN for 60-days is offered, but payment details are required (ATTEMPT 4)

Activate your Free Antivirus

1. No thanks

SCREENSHOTS ONLY​

PROTECTION of Free Antivirus Features



MODERN SETTINGS for Virus Scan and Core Shield



PROTECTION overview & Ransomware Shield (Padlocked)



PRIVACY overview & Anti-Track Premium



PERFORMANCE overview & Cleanup Premium



MODERN SETTINGS for Software Updater and Do Not Disturb



ABOUT VERSION: 19.5.x




You have reached the end.

 

[oldschool]

Wow, I wasn't aware of how much c**p they hit you with upon install/setup. AVG doesn't have all of Avast's features but it doesn't use these scare tactics either. I made the right choice, relatively speaking.

 

[WinXPert]

Why I never used Avast! since 2017, because it's bloatware and slows down my PC

 

[Captain Awesome]

I am a happy user of avast!.
I disable all the c**p.
Recently in Beta section the new avast doing great job.
If you are a free user you have to deal with that.

 

[uninfected1]

No surprise Avast's reputation has taken a big knock in recent years. It's clearly quite a challenge for an experienced user to avoid all their traps (and that's what they are because they are deliberately using scare tactics and making things confusing) so I've no doubt many Average Joes will get totally confused and unwittingly install stuff by mistake or worse.

 

[gery79]

the only problem i have is the way they treat paid users by bombarding them with stupid ads and their privacy is like you being more willing to be hit by a virus than having avast. shame on avast for such policy

 

[Windows_Security]

Due to the improvement of WD, the conversion from free users to paid users has declined from 25% (Yes that high in 2015) to below 10% Figure what that does to Avast's business model. The reduction of voluntary free-to-paid conversion is inversely proportional with the increase in aggressive tactics to convince free users in buying a paid subscription.

In contrast (I don't know this is still factually true at the moment) Panda always surprised me with their GUI options in the free version to refrain from ads and messages.

Still I am thanking the free AV-providers, without them WD probably would not be as good to day.

 

[South Park]

Thank you for the thread, Spawn. I had used Avast from 2005-2013 and was curious about how it is nowadays. I can see that I'm not missing anything of value

 

[Divine_Barakah]

God! Avast used to be a good product Now it is bloated, very bloated

 

[stefanos]

God! Avast used to be a good product Now it is bloated, very bloated

You can do a custom installation and install only the antivirus. And with Evjl's Rain tweaks is one of the most light and secure antivirus

 

[Ink]

@Seyyed Akram
As suggested above, you can Customise Installation on this screen - remember to deselect Chrome browser on previous screen.



The First Smart Run will still show "Advanced Issues", but you can Ignore these, as well as the following "Did You Know" Ad for SecureLine VPN.



@stefanos
Paid features remain present with Padlock in the Avast UI. They cannot be "not installed" or hidden, nor can Driver Updater (placeholder) see in Performance tab. As expected, interacting with locked features will prompt for an upgrade, or may install separately, as shown at the end of this post with Driver Updater.



Extra Stuff: Avast Driver Updater does not get installed by default. Users have to manually Agree to the terms before it's allowed. If you accidentally install it, you can remove via Control Panel (Windows), or a 3rd-party uninstallation tool. It cannot be removed from Avast Troubleshooting options.

 

[stefanos]

And block with firewall the AvastGui and overseer

 

[Divine_Barakah]

You can do a custom installation and install only the antivirus. And with Evjl's Rain tweaks is one of the most light and secure antivirus

@Seyyed Akram
As suggested above, you can Customise Installation on this screen - remember to deselect Chrome browser on previous screen.

View attachment 215501

The First Smart Run will still show "Advanced Issues", but you can Ignore these, as well as the following "Did You Know" Ad for SecureLine VPN.

View attachment 215503

@stefanos
Paid features remain present with Padlock in the Avast UI. They cannot be "not installed" or hidden, nor can Driver Updater (placeholder) see in Performance tab. As expected, interacting with locked features will prompt for an upgrade, or may install separately, as shown at the end of this post with Driver Updater.

View attachment 215504 View attachment 215505 View attachment 215506 View attachment 215508

Extra Stuff: Avast Driver Updater does not get installed by default. Users have to manually Agree to the terms before it's allowed. If you accidentally install it, you can remove via Control Panel (Windows), or a 3rd-party uninstallation tool. It cannot be removed from Avast Troubleshooting options.

View attachment 215507

Thanks @stefanos and @Spawn
I know that I can customise Avast installation but ,to be honest, this is a no go to me. Avast has gone made; they forgot that they were essentially an antivirus product. They include nonesense in their product. I know Avast is really great when it comes to protection but I cannot simply ignore the cons especially when it comes to privacy. I am sorry if I went a little off-topic.

 

[SeriousHoax]

Have you checked AVG too? I mean, AVG and AVAST are basically the same product now except UI differences, right? So, curious to know if AVG is as annoying as AVAST too?

 

[oldschool]

Have you checked AVG too? I mean, AVG and AVAST are basically the same product now except UI differences, right? So, curious to know if AVG is as annoying as AVAST too?

Same basic protection, except Hardened Mode is medium in AVG. No comparison regarding scarware. Just be mindful to install only components you want/need. AVG is Avast's secret. Long-time users know this and other seekers learn about it.

 

[gery79]

You can do a custom installation and install only the antivirus. And with Evjl's Rain tweaks is one of the most light and secure antivirus

but not the most privacy friendly

 

[oldschool]

but not the most privacy friendly

I don't know about Avast but AVG Free has multiple privacy opt-outs now.

 

[stefanos]

I don't know about Avast but AVG Free has multiple privacy opt-outs now.

Avast the same And if you block the overseer with the firewall .....

 

[marcopaone]

Avast is

 

[Ink]

Have you checked AVG too? I mean, AVG and AVAST are basically the same product now except UI differences, right? So, curious to know if AVG is as annoying as AVAST too?

I'll have a look.

Edit: Discuss - Let's compare AVG Free Antivirus to Avast in 2019 [50+ Screenshots]