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Software Updater

Avira Internet Security
Tech Optimizer
October 26, 2024

Avira Internet Security

Offering antivirus or security suite protection for free can enhance brand awareness and goodwill among consumers, but financial sustainability is at risk without a significant number of users upgrading to paid versions. Avira Internet Security's annual fee for a single installation is .99, with a three-license subscription costing .99, and a five-license option priced at .99, making it the highest rate for an entry-level security suite. The interface of Avira Internet Security is similar to Avira Free Security, and both versions provide basic features, including real-time protection and a file shredder. Avira achieved an aggregate score of 9.7 in antivirus testing but detected 97% of malware samples. Its Browser Safety extension blocked 98% of harmful URLs, while Web protection achieved 97% effectiveness. Avira's ransomware protection likely functions well, but its efficacy could not be definitively proven. The Software Updater Pro feature allows users to manage application updates, but it requires manual intervention. Avira Password Manager offers unlimited password syncing across devices in its free version, while the Pro edition provides a security status report. The simple firewall included in Avira Internet Security offers basic network protection and is easy to configure. Overall, most valuable features are available in the free edition, and Bitdefender Internet Security is recommended as a superior alternative.
Avira Free Security
Tech Optimizer
October 22, 2024

Avira Free Security

Antivirus protection for personal computers is crucial, and free tools like Avira Free Security offer antivirus capabilities along with features such as a VPN, password management, and ad blocking. However, it lacks a typical security suite experience, missing components like firewall protection, backup, and spam filtering, with many features reserved for paying customers. Alternatives include Avast One Essential for a more streamlined free suite and AVG AntiVirus Free for basic protection, both recognized as Editors' Choice winners. Avira operates under Gen Digital, which includes brands like Avast, AVG, LifeLock, and Norton. The company has undergone several acquisitions since 2016, culminating in Norton acquiring Avast/AVG in 2021. These brands utilize four distinct antivirus engines, with efforts underway to develop a unified engine. Avira's installation process is user-friendly, prompting users to run a Smart Scan after installation. The Smart Scan checks for malware, evaluates privacy settings, identifies performance enhancements, flags apps needing updates, and scans for network threats. In independent lab tests, Avira received perfect or near-perfect scores from three labs, achieving a perfect score of 18 points from AV-Test Institute. It secured Advanced+ ratings from AV-Comparatives and passed tests for banking Trojans and general malware defense from MRG-Effitas. In personal testing, Avira quarantined 73% of curated malware samples, detecting 97% overall, earning a score of 9.3 out of 10. It successfully eradicated all ransomware samples but fell short compared to competitors in overall malware detection. Avira achieved a perfect score of 100% in phishing URL detection, ranking it among the top contenders in phishing protection. Its security features include virus scans, quarantine management, and software updates, though some features require an upgrade to Avira Prime. The privacy suite includes a browser safety extension, VPN with limited functionality, password manager, and file shredder. The performance features aim to optimize system efficiency but are often tied to the separate Avira System Speedup application, which promotes premium features.
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