Avast is one of the most popular free antivirus software programs, and it is currently in its seventh incarnation. Although Avast began several years ago to very little fanfare, it has since become among the top free antivirus programs available today.

Installation

Avast is simple to install on any computer system. It offers several unique options, including one that allows you to install the program in conjunction with other antivirus programs, which has traditionally been a surefire way to reduce the effectiveness of any antivirus system. For those who become confused about all of the installation options, accepting the default installation will provide sufficient protection.

Interface

The Avast interface has recently been made over with a sleek and visually appealing design. It provides an extremely user-friendly experience, and all of the options are clear and organized. Avast did an excellent job of improving its past interface, which was designed to look like a media player for no apparent reason.

Features and Improvements

The new version of Avast offers more than just a slick interface and new installation options. It also includes several new features. The auto sandbox feature automatically segregates suspicious programs from the rest of your system by opening them in a secure environment. Once it has been determined that suspicious programs are safe, they can be manually edited to open outside the sandbox.

Another new feature of Avast is remote assistance. Activating this feature allows a user to connect to the computer from a remote location via the Internet. This eliminates the need to try to follow confusing instructions over the phone. Whoever is permitted to enter the system can directly fix any problems through a secure connection. The only caveat is that both systems have to be running Avast 7.

Other features of Avast include the following:

• Cloud-based file service

• Automatic update streaming

• Improved browser protection

• Import or export settings and options

• Compatible with Windows 8