Avast has been in operation for more than 30 years, and claims to safeguard 435 million devices around the world with its award-winning cyber security software. Although the company’s free software have limited functionality the premium versions, including Avast Ultimate, are quite complete. The suite includes antivirus, VPN service, password manager and Cleanup utilities that allow users to remain private online and manage their passwords. It also helps users make their devices more efficient.

Avast Ultimate offers a simple interface that clearly defines the tools it offers. Its malware engine has performed well in independent lab testing and was able to detect many threats that are often not detected by other protections. Its web protection is effective, catching many sites that offer phishing services that get past Chrome and Firefox’s default security features.

Other tools include an app lock, RAM boost, and an online scanner that scans for potential vulnerabilities. Its ransomware prevention prevents third-party programs from changing the way you store, delete, or lock your data until you pay. The program has mobile apps for Android as well as iOS. The Android application is more feature-rich because find out this here of Apple’s restrictions, however both versions contain essential security elements like malware scanning and web security.

The main issue with Avast is that it collects and sends your personal data to its analytics company, Jumpshot. This was exposed in an PCMag and Motherboard investigation in 2020. This feature can be disabled by going to the settings menu. If you’re still concerned, Avast lets you set a password that you must enter to block the software from sharing your IP address or other information with third-party organizations.