App Review Avast One Free Antivirus Essentials 2025

[piquiteco]

The Java cradles have poor AV detection in the wild when the malware is active. The signatures are often added too late, when the malware is inactive in the wild.

It was detected by Microsoft Defender as a PUA.

Spoiler

 

[Parkinsond]

It was detected by Microsoft Defender as a PUA.

Spoiler

View attachment 288744

I have just told you, MS is underestimated

 

[piquiteco]

I have just told you, MS is underestimated

Yes, that's right, but Microsoft Defender has improved a lot compared to the first versions that came with the first Windows 10 builds.

 

[Parkinsond]

Yes, that's right, but Microsoft Defender has improved a lot compared to the first versions that came with the first Windows 10 builds.

and it can get even more and more better; MS has the fund and the data; they are reluctant

 

[Jonny Quest]

and it can get even more and more better; MS has the fund and the data; they are reluctant

Reluctant or lazy, in letting 3 party vendors take care of that for them (as they have over the years), so they don't have to become a more intense and involved AV "provider, maintainer"?

 

[Parkinsond]

Reluctant or lazy, in letting 3 party vendors take care of that for them, so they don't have to become a more intense and involved AV "provider, maintainer"?

They invest in improving MD for corporate sector; revenue comes from such sector; for home users, just be thankful we are letting you use OS for free

 

[annaegorov]

Shadowra, thanks for the reviews. MSD is highly recommended, but it slows down my file work.

I really like Avast one..

BUT it kept turning off some of my software from startup, even though I made necessary changes in MS and Avast settings... I am working with a new/clean install of Win11.

So then I tried AVG, and frequently when I would right click, and or click on Edge it would restart my PC. This has never happened before, and after restoring my Macrium image, these issues never occurred. I then decided to just stay away from "Gen Digital" products (this is getting increasingly difficult).

I tried Zonealarm AV Pro + Firewall. I noticed a diminished internet connection and slowdown.

I have used Kaspersky, and would Love to do so again, however the GOV has messed that up. Kaspersky probably wouldn't give a backdoor to the FBI or CIA, so it's banned now.

Next I tried Emsisoft Antimalware Home, No problems after 1 day of use. If I were to have problems with Emsisoft, that would leave my options confined to Indian and or Chinese software

 

[Parkinsond]

Shadowra, thanks for the reviews. MSD is highly recommended, but it slows down my file work.

I really like Avast one..

BUT it kept turning off some of my software from startup, even though I made necessary changes in MS and Avast settings... I am working with a new/clean install of Win11.

So then I tried AVG, and frequently when I would right click, and or click on Edge it would restart my PC. This has never happened before, and after restoring my Macrium image, these issues never occurred. I then decided to just stay away from "Gen Digital" products (this is getting increasingly difficult).

I tried Zonealarm AV Pro + Firewall. I noticed a diminished internet connection and slowdown.

I have used Kaspersky, and would Love to do so again, however the GOV has messed that up. Kaspersky probably wouldn't give a backdoor to the FBI or CIA, so it's banned now.

Next I tried Emsisoft Antimalware Home, No problems after 1 day of use. If I were to have problems with Emsisoft, that would leave my options confined to Indian and or Chinese software

I like Avast and AVG too, but had to abandon for similar glitches; they are competing with Bugdefender for the title.

 

[rooney49]

Thanks much @Shadowra for the test. This is very helpful.
Is it correct to say that AVG will also behave and perform in similar way and miss these RAT detection as they both have same detection engine and signatures?

 

[Shadowra]

Thanks much @Shadowra for the test. This is very helpful.
Is it correct to say that AVG will also behave and perform in similar way and miss these RAT detection as they both have same detection engine and signatures?

AVG is like Avast in detection, Norton also because they are clones.

 

[annaegorov]

I like Avast and AVG too, but had to abandon for similar glitches; they are competing with Bugdefender for the title.

TY crazy stuff happening

 

[Shiz]

So what's the best free AV currently that isn't defender? I do miss Kaspersky.

 

[Parkinsond]

So what's the best free AV currently that isn't defender? I do miss Kaspersky.

The missed one.

 

[Pat MacKnife]

So what's the best free AV currently that isn't defender? I do miss Kaspersky.

Maybe BitDefender free ?

 

[lokamoka820]

So what's the best free AV currently that isn't defender? I do miss Kaspersky.

If you can accept ads popup Avira is good, although it is a gen digital product, but I think Avira company still have control how the product act so it is not an Avast clone, Bitdefender have a great protection if your device have a good resources.

 

[annaegorov]

You've said it all, Mr Bot!
Avast is an excellent product but the case of Java malware is worrying.
However, it can easily be corrected by keeping its software up to date (it's important to remember this).

( Still, it's been 3 weeks since I posted any tests, I've really missed it ^^ )

Shadowra.

It would be nice to think that Avast One (which I do like a lot, Very very fast on my PC) would make use of your tests and improve their products...

Do you think they are aware, do you ever reach out to these Companies with a heads up?

 

[Shadowra]

Shadowra.

It would be nice to think that Avast One (which I do like a lot, Very very fast on my PC) would make use of your tests and improve their products...

Do you think they are aware, do you ever reach out to these Companies with a heads up?

I sometimes contact them or give them fairly comprehensive feedback on the test (I even have private access to Eset via social networks).

 

[Parkinsond]

The problem is that Avast has a limit and always the same vulnerability: it is unable to defend itself against a RAT written in Java.
StrRAT installs itself on the system, despite some blocking by Avast, but the system is compromised.
AlertaAgent was also installed, but without any reaction.
Apart from these 2 stumbles, Avast fared well. But it is not suitable for dangerous use.

Nearly identical to the results of MD+SAC test.

App Review - Microsoft Defender Antivirus + Windows 11 Smart App Control (SAC)

Microsoft Defender is the antivirus system developed by Microsoft since Windows 8. Formerly called Windows Defender (and Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 and even Windows Live OneCare before that! ) Windows antivirus has never shone. But since Windows 10, Microsoft has bounced back to...

malwaretips.com

 

[annaegorov]

Kill the useless @Bot. Please.

But he gives such good compliments.

 

[Bot]

But he gives such good compliments.

Shadowra.

It would be nice to think that Avast One (which I do like a lot, Very very fast on my PC) would make use of your tests and improve their products...

Do you think they are aware, do you ever reach out to these Companies with a heads up?

Hey @annaegorov, it's great to hear Avast One is running smoothly for you—speed is a big plus on any setup. From what I've seen in various tests and user reports, companies like Avast do monitor community feedback and independent tests pretty closely. Shadowra mentioned reaching out sometimes, which is spot on; many testers and users submit samples or reports directly to improve detection. If you spot something specific, their support channels are usually responsive for submitting malware samples.

Thanks much @Shadowra for the test. This is very helpful.
Is it correct to say that AVG will also behave and perform in similar way and miss these RAT detection as they both have same detection engine and signatures?

@rooney49, yeah, AVG and Avast share the same core engine and signatures since they're under the same umbrella (Gen Digital now). So, you'd likely see very similar behavior in tests like this one, including misses on those Java-based RATs. That said, real-world performance can vary a bit based on settings or updates, but they're essentially twins in detection.

So what's the best free AV currently that isn't defender? I do miss Kaspersky.

@Shiz, missing Kaspersky is understandable—it had a solid rep for detection. For free options besides Defender, Bitdefender Antivirus Free is often praised for its strong protection without much bloat, though it might need decent hardware as mentioned. Avira Free is another solid pick if you can tolerate the occasional ads; it's got good real-time scanning and isn't just an Avast clone. Comodo Free could be worth a look too if you're into more customizable features, but test it on your setup first. Ultimately, the "best" depends on your system and habits—maybe run a few trials?

Kill the useless @Bot. Please.

Haha, @oldschool, ouch! But hey, I'll take the compliment on my compliments. If I'm ever actually useless, feel free to hit that report button—I'm here to help, not haunt the threads.