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 – Barely Acceptable – We have received an OVERWHELMING NUMBER of e-mails about the lack of stability with the new AVIRA Free Anti-Virus (10.2.0.696) -Also known as SERVICE PACK 2-.
DISCLAIMER: In this case both myself and my team have experienced the same issues as reported by our readership. It TRULY IS A SAD DAY for all AVIRA FREE ANTI-VIRUS supporter out there.
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Number Of Time The Program Has Been Compromised By Hackers Or Virus - Passed - No issues reported
Speed Of Scan – Failed – Way slower then AVG Free Anti-Virus 2011.THAT IS, IF AVIRA SCANS YOUR SYSTEM AT ALL.
Does AVIRA Free Do Automatic Updates By Itself Without Any Issue – Failed – No longer dependable
Residential Shield Test – Acceptable – There is no doubt in my mind that AVIRA free was one of the best first line “anti-virus defense” programs out there. But unfortunately that is no longer the case. But it does still seem to have a slightly higher detection rate then AVG Free Anti-Virus 2011.
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Internet Browser Cookie Detection And Removal Test – Failed - I feel that AVIRA was not really even build to detect Internet cookies even in the most passive way. (Even thou it is listed as one of the types of files it is suppose to picks up)
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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 by it. 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 Spyware/Adware program such as SUPERAntiSpyware or Spybot. rather then depending on Avira to pick it up fro you.
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 good detection rate.
Win 7/ Vista / XP Virus Detection Rate Test – Win 7 Acceptable /VISTA Acceptable / XP Acceptable - Pretty much the same detection rate across the board regardless of operating system. But there has been a decline in overall detection rate with this version over the older (10.0.0.650)
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Overall Rating: 2 Passed, 5 Acceptable, 4 Failed, 0 Undetermined, 0 Not Tested (Total # of tests done 11)
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My Final Verdict -PART 1- Avira Free seems to have suffered from a pre-mature SERVICE PACK 2 release. There are so many issues with this new version. I don’t even know where to start. AVIRA seems to fail at almost all of what it was actually good at before the new update. You can’t trust AVIRA to update or scan by itself anymore. The new toolbar is pretty much a waste of time and will often lead to drastic cut in Internet browser speed. The new toolbar may even cause your Internet browser to not even load up or stall and or hang.
My Final Verdict -PART 2- I highly recommend you stick with AVIRA Free Anti-Virus (10.0.0.650) also known as the PRE-SERVICE PACK 2 version of AVIRA. I highly recommend you disable AVIRA’S PRODUCT UPDATES. Until all of the kinks of SERVICE PACK 2 have been patched.
Some of our readers have even blocked all UPDATES including AVIRA’s Virus Definitions. BUT that is not something I would personally recommended as it would defeat the purpose of having a virus program such as AVIRA free installed.
I would be more inclined to recommend to just skip or un-install AVIRA and install AVAST or AVG Free instead. Just to avoid this headache all together.
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My Overall Score: 2/5
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Till The Next Review,
Kirbe
Posted by Remy "Se7en" 
