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” (User Interface) glitch (On the report screen display. It is still somewhat delayed)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 thus far
Speed Of Scan – Acceptable – Way slower then the new AVG Free Anti-Virus 2011
Does AVIRA Do Automatic Updates By Itself – Passed – Absolutely no issues reported -Other then they re-added the add nag screen to their update process-
Residential Shield Test – Passed – But there is no doubt in my mind that AVIRA free is one of the best first line “anti-virus defence” programs out there. With regards to the quick turn around of detection. Before full blown infection of your system.
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Internet Browser Cookie Detection And Removal Test – Failed - I feel that AVIRA was not really even build to accommodate in the most passive Internet cookie detection. (Even thou it it listed as one of the types of files it picks up)
**PLEASE PEOPLE: If there is an option I am missing. Please feel free to chime in (Via comment or e-mail us @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com) and tell me I am dead wrong about this fact. IF not, it needs to be addressed in the next update.
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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 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 AVIRA a mainstream adware or spyware detection program. You are much better off with a dedicated one such as SUPERAntiSpyware or Spybot
Root Kit Detection Rate – Passed – Even thou AVIRA does not have a dedicated Root Kit scanner like the new AVG 2011 does. It still has really rather great detection rate.
Win 7/ Vista / XP Virus Detection Rate Test – Win 7 Passed /VISTA Passed / XP Passed - Pretty much the same detection rate across the board regardless of operating system, so far anyways.
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Overall Rating: 7 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 it’s residential shield. AVIRA will track down incoming virus like nobody’s 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. (and in some cases it is game over for your computer at that point)
On another important note it looks as if. AVIRA free has once again ADDED thous very very annoying ad or nag screens. That seem to frustrate all of us by this point.
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The Reason For My Score: Now the main reason my score is not a 4/5 or 5/5 is due to the lack of new features AVIRA has. Both AVAST and the new AVG 2011 has drastically stepped up and added some really new and interesting features (Mind you they don’t all work as advertised and some are just straight out teases to buy additional features. Such as the new AVG 2011 “LiveKive” or their “PC Analyzer”)
AVAST’s even has a standard P2P file sharing protection and AVG Free 2011 Identity protection. I had to lower the overall score just based on that aspect alone. But AVIRA”S main strength still remains its residential shield and overall detection rate. Keep it up AVIRA your product still remains one of the best freeware virus scanner out there. And it will remain so at least for me for the foreseeable future.
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My Overall Score: 3.5/5
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Till The Next Review,
Remy “Se7en”
Posted by Remy "Se7en" 
