Avast 4.8 Home Edition review

Version 4.8?

Why would you review version 4.8 of Avast when version 5 is now available? It has a pretty much completely re-designed interface as well. I can't see the point in reviewing an outdated version of a program like this. :-|

By Trippynet on 11 Mar 2010

Out of date review - Version 5 is out

A fair review but a bit out of balance and out of date - Avast 5 has been out for a month or two now - think someone at PC 'Pro' missed this!!

While I agree that the 4.8 interface is a nightmare, there are many skins, and each can be added pretty easily - this was not mentioned.

As a user I too found Avast 4.8 a lot lighter on resources than AVG 9 free. It also offers offers flexibility over AVG to tailor security levels to your individual needs - Web shield, P2P, Messenger apps, Mail Shield and more. Avast 5 is a huge improvement in the intreface design - as good as paid for AV programs, none of which are perfect!

As to firewalls there are some useful comparative tests by matousec.com that show that the paid for paid for "all in one" security suites aren't up to scratch so let's have a bit of balance please!
For the record I use Avast 5, Comodo Firewall.

By Rahere on 11 Mar 2010

Out of date review - Version 5 is out

A fair review but a bit out of balance and out of date - Avast 5 has been out for a month or two now - think someone at PC 'Pro' missed this!!

While I agree that the 4.8 interface is a nightmare, there are many skins, and each can be added pretty easily - this was not mentioned.

As a user I too found Avast 4.8 a lot lighter on resources than AVG 9 free. It also offers offers flexibility over AVG to tailor security levels to your individual needs - Web shield, P2P, Messenger apps, Mail Shield and more. Avast 5 is a huge improvement in the intreface design - as good as paid for AV programs, none of which are perfect!

As to firewalls there are some useful comparative tests by matousec.com that show that the paid for paid for "all in one" security suites aren't up to scratch so let's have a bit of balance please!
For the record I use Avast 5, Comodo Firewall.

By Rahere on 11 Mar 2010

Why bother with Skins?

I have used Avast 4.8 for about a year now; it is an excellent product. I use it in conjunction with ZoneAlarm's free firewall.

Like the reviewer I dislike the default Skin, but it is easy to change to a "Simple User Interface":

Uncheck the tick-box "Enable Skins for Simple User Interface" on the Settings - Common page.

With this configuration you get a standard looking pop-up Window. It has a typical Windows Title with Toolbars below and a detailed choice of scan options to select.

Give Version 4.8 a try it is really good.

For the record I have tried Version 5 which is OK, but I do not like the new presentation. Too gimicky for my taste. I will continue to use 4.8 which is simple to use and very effective.

By houndog on 11 Mar 2010