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

Ink

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Thread author
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Jan 8, 2011
22,361
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
1561055586346.png 1561055631735.png


Installation completion & Data collection

1561056221519.png 1561056316012.png


Avast Mobile Security & Referral Scheme
  1. Let's Android users protect their devices
  2. Rewards for new Avast users to share with others
1561056413869.png 1561056471150.png


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)
1561056641144.png 1561056720565.png


Outdated apps
  1. Users are shown vulnerable apps
  2. Some apps can be automatically updated with Avast
1561056779033.png 1561056810451.png


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
1561056870959.png 1561057792359.png 1561057779231.png 1561058244552.png


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)
1561058448771.png 1561058620659.png 1561058807901.png 1561058996096.png


Activate your Free Antivirus
  1. No thanks
1561059159049.png 1561059235628.png


SCREENSHOTS ONLY

PROTECTION of Free Antivirus Features

1561059568028.png 1561059586031.png 1561059599968.png 1561059614330.png

MODERN SETTINGS for Virus Scan and Core Shield

1561060665585.png 1561060683219.png

PROTECTION overview & Ransomware Shield (Padlocked)

1561059762223.png 1561059847019.png 1561060359828.png

PRIVACY overview & Anti-Track Premium

1561059778839.png 1561059930614.png 1561059959287.png 1561059990271.png 1561060006138.png 1561060024301.png

PERFORMANCE overview & Cleanup Premium

1561059806191.png 1561060063001.png 1561060162833.png 1561060177459.png

MODERN SETTINGS for Software Updater and Do Not Disturb

1561060247289.png 1561060729573.png 1561060716443.png

ABOUT VERSION: 19.5.x

1561060966926.png


You have reached the end.
 

uninfected1

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Jan 28, 2016
525
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.
 

Windows_Security

Level 24
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Mar 13, 2016
1,298
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.
 

Ink

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Thread author
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Jan 8, 2011
22,361
@Seyyed Akram
As suggested above, you can Customise Installation on this screen - remember to deselect Chrome browser on previous screen.

1561378737644.png

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.

1561379168858.png

@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.

1561379262816.png 1561379278750.png 1561379289366.png 1561379683548.png

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.

1561379577396.png
 

Divine_Barakah

Level 29
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Top Poster
Well-known
May 10, 2019
1,854
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.
 

oldschool

Level 81
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Top Poster
Well-known
Mar 29, 2018
7,044
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. (y)
 

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