Top Features
Avast Premium Security offers advanced protection with:
- Award-winning virus protection
- AI-powered Avast Assistance for real-time guidance against scams
- Includes advanced firewall
- Email and online scam protection
- Stop unauthorized PC remote access and webcam hackers
- Lower app security risks
- Upgrade to Ultimate for VPN, cleaning, and anti-tracking
- 30-day money-back guarantee
About Avast
Avast is widely respected online for its cybersecurity tools. We appreciate the selection of standalone products and bundles for security, privacy, and performance. Choosing a well-known provider to protect your desktop and mobile devices can increase confidence in the reliability of your security, the strength of threat protection, and the quality of customer service.
Free Avast Antivirus: Review of Protection
The free Avast Antivirus for a single device has online security features, malware protection, and Wi-Fi network scanning. The software has millions of downloads, per Avast’s site, and several notable awards, including Top Rated Product from the independent testing lab AV-Comparatives. That speaks highly to Avast’s reliability, user-friendly protection, and performance.
Avast’s Premium Security Antivirus includes that award-winning protection and builds on it with advanced features. While the free version is competent, Premium Security goes beyond the basics to better protect your privacy and personal data, including helping you avoid online scams. The premium version is also available on multiple devices, unlike the free one. Let’s compare them further.
Free Antivirus vs Premium Security
While both are compatible with the same operating systems, they vary in the number of devices and the extent of protection.
OS Compatibility
Both the Avast Antivirus versions – the free one and the Premium Security Antivirus – are compatible with the major operating systems:
- Windows PC
- macOS
- Android
- iOS (iPhone/iPad)
The minimum system requirements for each one are clearly laid out on the Avast site. Being available on several platforms makes the applications usable by more people.
Number of Devices
A clear distinction between these two Avast Antivirus versions is the number of devices that they are usable on:
- Free Avast Antivirus – Limited to single device installations.
While you can download individually onto each device and activate the license separately each time, there is no central management or multi-device license. You must maintain each device independently.
- Avast Premium Security Antivirus – Choose the option for your needs. There is a plan for one device and a plan for up to 10 devices (across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS).
A multi-device plan suits those who have more than one device or families to protect all devices with one license, so none of them are exposed. With central management in your account dashboard, ensure that protection is consistent across your devices.
While the free version has utility, you may look for a more cohesive security and privacy bundle. With that in mind, let’s discuss the additional features of Avast Premium Security.
Avast Premium Security Antivirus Review: Pros and Any Limitations
With the Avast Antivirus called Premium Security, you get everything the free antivirus offers, plus more robust security features and seamless use across several devices.
Going beyond basics might be right for you if you want antivirus protection across more than one device and protection against more complex threats, as well as features like protecting your webcam. If so, Avast Premium Security provides those more advanced qualities. Understanding the benefits and potential limitations helps you decide if it suits you.
Real-Time Malware Protection
The software continually scans files and apps for spyware, viruses, and other threats for real-time protection. That provides ongoing security, beyond scheduled scans. The real-time shields include:
- Web Guard – Monitors online traffic to block dangerous websites and downloads.
- Email Shield – Scans emails for dangerous attachments and links.
- Behavior Shield – If any apps start to behave suspiciously, you receive an alert so you can act immediately.
- File Shield – If you download an attachment, the real-time File Shield scans it immediately. If it is malicious, Avast blocks or quarantines it before it runs.
- Remote Access Shield – Control which IP addresses are allowed to connect to your device and block all other connection attempts. That reduces brute-force attacks and connections from high-risk IP addresses.
Wi-Fi Network Security
The Avast Premium Security Antivirus has Wi-Fi network security for a safer connection. Network Inspector identifies security issues in your home network and detects if an unknown device is connected, alerting you in case of a possible intruder. The sophisticated software tells you if there are weaknesses in your router, such as outdated firmware or insecure settings, and checks for unsafe network connections. A weak Wi-Fi encryption or public networks could leave you vulnerable to eavesdropping, so Premium Security tells you if these issues are detected.
Scam Protection
An Avast Assistant uses AI to help you identify online scams and suspicious emails. The software uses AI to analyze potential scams in emails, messages, or websites, and explains in clear language why something might be unsafe. The assistant then suggests practical next steps, such as not clicking a certain link. We like that this feature goes beyond just flagging scams to also explaining them to you for a better understanding. That is especially useful for those who are not tech-savvy. You will also get alerts of compromised passwords, ransomware protection, and shields to block malicious sites and unsafe email downloads.
Advanced Firewall
Although a firewall is included in the Avast Free Antivirus, it lacks the extra protection of the Premium Security software. Get a stronger firewall with port scan alerts and ARP spoofing protection, for example. These tools are vital for more complex network attacks and data leak risks.
Webcam Protection
Prevent unauthorized access to your webcam with Webcam Shield. This feature prevents deceptive apps and malware from taking photos and videos on your webcam, which could invade your privacy.
Does the Avast Premium Security Antivirus sound like a good fit for you? See what else buyers have to say.
See Buyer Reviews
Enhanced Email and Phishing Protection
Email Guard scans your web-based email account continuously and alerts you to suspicious emails to prevent you from opening or clicking on malware or phishing scams.
Real Site is another useful feature of Avast Premium Security Antivirus to protect against DNS (Domain Name System) hijacking. It secures you against malicious programs that steer you from a real site to an inauthentic one to steal your info, such as login passwords and credit card info.
Sandbox
Being able to browse online or run an app in a safe environment is important so this virtualization tool is handy to have. That way, your device is not at risk if you want to run suspicious apps.
Several Devices
As we’ve discussed, you’re able to add the Avast Premium Security Antivirus to multiple devices. Choosing a plan with up to 10 devices on one license means you’re able to cover devices for the whole household or all of yours, if you have several. That will suit many families, especially given Avast’s cross-platform support.
Data Shredder
You may want to erase files or even entire drives without the ability to restore them, eliminating the risk of anyone mishandling your data. The Data Shredder feature enables you to do so. It can be especially handy when selling or donating your computer, for example.
Online Banking Protection
Protection when accessing your banking website or making a payment online is crucial, so Bank Mode is great to have. This virtual desktop feature helps prevent malicious scripts and other ill-intended actions from third-party apps to protect your sensitive details.
Customer Service
User reviews online are mixed for customer service. While some say online that Avast is excellent for online chat and phone support, others describe long wait times. We like that there are a variety of ways to reach out to the Avast team or troubleshoot an issue yourself:
- Phone
- Online chat
- Email
- Support Center articles (Avast site)
AI-Powered
Get real-time, active protection with Avast’s AI-powered threat detection technology. This advanced tech continually checks applications and processes in your system (behavioral analysis) to flag malware. Rather than relying on known virus signatures, Avast’s AI predicts whether a file or action is malicious, so zero-day threats (malware that is totally new) are often caught before they can hurt your system.
User Friendly
Avast Premium Security Antivirus automatically downloads and installs updates for ease of use. The other included Avast apps (VPN, cleanup software, and anti-tracking tool) are set by default to automatically update, too. You can also manually update each one, if you prefer.
The dashboard is intuitive, with a clean look. That makes it easier to manage the settings, reducing complexity even if you don’t have a lot of tech knowledge. Also simplifying use is the multi-device plan, as it protects up to 10 devices of different operating systems on a single subscription for easier management.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Being able to try the bundle or get your money back, if not totally satisfied, within 30 days of purchasing the Avast Premium Security Antivirus, is valuable. This 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to make sure it’s right for you and, in the rare case you are not totally satisfied, get a full refund, based on Avast’s policy guidelines. Reading the policy on the Avast site can help you understand refund eligibility and related details.
If You Want a VPN, Anti-Tracker, and Cleaning
Avast Premium Security Antivirus protects against online threats, as we’ve discussed, to keep your covered devices safer. If you also want a VPN, consider upgrading to another Avast plan, the Ultimate bundle. The VPN encrypts your internet connection with robust AES-256, protecting your privacy at home and even on unsecured public Wi-Fi, as well as preventing data interception and eavesdropping. It is also useful for streaming TV shows, movies, and sports content, and torrenting privately and more securely.
The Ultimate suite also includes anti-tracking software that blocks online trackers, disguises your online footprint, and keeps your anonymity while online. That reduces the chances of identity theft and profiling. A cleaning tool called Avast Cleanup Premium comes in the bundle, too. By removing junk files and unneeded files, your system is better able to perform well.
Avast Antivirus Review Conclusion
Based on our team’s research and review, Avast Premium Security features a highly respected antivirus with several shields of protection. The reasonably-priced plans are usable across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
The multi-device support will meet the needs of many families and individuals with up to 10 devices. Those who use it are likely to appreciate webcam protection, Bank Mode, and data shredding features. With a user-friendly design and a 30-day money-back guarantee, we consider the Avast Premium Security Antivirus to be high-value.
