Avast antivirus offers a comprehensive range of features packed into a compact package. In my tests, its malware engine received an excellent score. Its web security was also effective in spotting phishing websites which slipped through the default detection of Firefox and Chrome systems. And its performance scanner did a good job of keeping its impact on the speed of your system to the minimum. Avast’s performance scan was more efficient than other programs in the reduction of the use of CPU.

Avast also provides a range of other tools. It includes a password management tool and the VPN (exclusive to Avast One), a photo vault, and a data breach monitoring feature. Its security toolkit is quite extensive, with the ability to run programs within and a security scanner to check for potential vulnerabilities.

Avast has a comprehensive support website with a knowledge base should you run into problems. Its search function allows you to locate answers to frequently asked questions. If you can’t find the answer, Avast’s forum www.alvieprimaryschool.org.uk/understanding-the-basics-of-nonprofit-board-management/ is a great place to get help from other users.

While Avast says it no more sells user data however its history of doing this is still fresh in the minds of many users. In January 2020, PCMag and Motherboard revealed that Avast sold the location and other personal information of its users to third party companies through its Jumpshot subsidiary. Avast has been able to stop this practice and now asks users to opt-in when they download new installations of its desktop AV software. The privacy policy of the company states that data from consumers is “stripped and de-identified” before being shared with third parties.