AVIRA Free Anti-Virus Version (10.0.0.609) – Freeware Review

Results Breakdown:

Passed – Did well in all of our tests

Acceptable – Could go ether way. But in most cases AVIRA passed

Failed – AVIRA did not work at all or only worked 1 out of 10 times we ran the test

Undetermined – Too soon to tell or lacking evidence to provide a solid answer

Not Tested – Has yet to be requested or there is some limitations to prevent accurate test results

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Stability Of Program – Passed – But there still remains a very minor UI  glitch (On the report screen display. It is still somewhat laggy) But by no  means a deal breaker for me.

Number Of Time The Program Has Been Compromised By Hackers Or Virus - Passed - No issues reported thous far

Speed Of Scan – Acceptable – Way slower then the new AVG Free Anti-Virus 2011

Does AVIRA Do Automatic Updates By Itself - Passed - There has been some very very minor issues with automatic update. But they are so rare that most people will never see one. Unless you are looking really really hard.

Residential Shield Test – Passed – Has some odd detections at times. But there is no doubt in my mind that AVIRA Free is one of the best first line defense programs out there. With regards to the quick turn around of detection before full blown infection of your system.

Internet Browser Cookie Detection And Removal Test - Failed - You have to change the default setting to even pick up the most basic Internet cookies.

Spyware/Adware – Failed – Seems to have missed every types of Spyware/Adware I tested it with 180souloutions, weatherbug, Zango and many many more. I am not sure why AVIRA is says it picks up adware and spyware. When I have no reports of even the most basic spyware or adware being picked up. AVIRA has detected some infected websites. But thats just about it and I would not really call that mainstream adware or spyware detection.

Root Kit Detection Rate – Passed – Even thou it does not have a detection Root Kit scanner like the new AVG 2011 does. It still has really great detection rate.

Win 7/ Vista / XP Virus Detection Rate Test – Win 7 Passed /VISTA Passed / XP Passed -  The same detection rate  across the board regardless of operating system, so far anyways.

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Overall Rating: 8 Passed, 1 Acceptable, 2 Failed, 0 Undetermined, 0 Not Tested (Total # of tests done 11)

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My Final Verdict: Avira is way better then AVG 2011 Free or Paid and with regards to both stellar detection rate and residential shield. AVIRA will track down incoming virus like no bodies business and it also detects virus before they infect your computer. While other virus programs will not detect a virus until it runs a full system scan. At which point your computer has already been infected.

On another important note it looks as if. AVIRA free has re-introduced thous very very annoying ad or nag screens that frustrated all of us at one point.

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The Reason For My Score: Now the main reason my score is not a 4/5 is due to the lack of new features AVIRA has. Both AVAST and the new AVG 2011 has stepped up and added some really new and interesting features. Such as AVAST’s standard  P2P file sharing protection and AVG Free 2011 Identity protection. I had to lower the overall  score just based on that. But AVIRA”S main strength still remains its residential shield and overall detection rate.

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My Overall Score: 3.5/5

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Till The Next Review,

Danny + Remy “Se7en”