Avast is a popular antivirus program for PCs. It offers protection against ransomware and various other malware, including spyware, bots, and Trojans. It also provides many useful tools, including a password manager and VPN. This program also comes with a feature called Device Lock that can help you locate lost devices and keep your data safe from any unauthorized access. It uses a behavioral analyzer to detect new threats and anchor can run a system scan with only one click.

The program’s malware detection is not flawless and takes some time to complete system scans. This isn’t ideal for users who are busy. Its heuristic analysis tool isn’t as sophisticated as those in premium software, and it is susceptible to false positives. Sandbox technology isn’t nearly as effective as those of other competitors,, but it does work well enough to keep most malware off your PC.

Despite these shortcomings, it still provides good file, Wi-Fi and ransomware security. You can customize your settings and add exceptions to the scanning rules, and the application’s Scan Central and Online Security web extensions make it simple to manage and locate all your security features.

Upgrade to Avast’s paid-for plan and you’ll be able to take advantage of a variety of extra features. These include an algorithmic scan that runs your files on an isolated system in order to identify more sophisticated malware, as well as a privacy advisor that can help to adjust your account settings for Facebook, Reddit and Twitter to protect your privacy. Additionally, you’ll get a PC speedup, a secure web browser, and a password manager.