Avira Antivirus Expert Review

Features

Avira Prime packs all of the features you get with other plans alongside a no-capping VPN. Some of the outstanding features of the product are real-time protection against malware and online threats, PC Cleaner, password manager, unlimited VPN, software update manager, privacy settings optimizer.

You won’t get a lot of add-on features, but you’ll surely get enhanced security and privacy with this antivirus.

General

Automated virus scanning, an advanced VPN, and a mode made exclusively for gaming are just some of the top features here. Plus, if you’re a parent, you’ll be glad to know that Avira comes with parental controls too.

Threat Protection

Avira incorporates all the essential forms of threat protection you could need. Between anti-spyware and anti-trojan detection and removal, there’s no need to worry about malware.

Scanning

Generally speaking, Avira provides several advanced settings that can be used to test specific types of apps and programs. While most users might not want to go that far, the antivirus gives you unmatched customization options for setting up unique scans to meet your device’s needs. 

A quick scan took us almost 32 minutes, which is at par with industry leaders like Kaspersky. With most products, a custom scan is limited to just folders, but Avira offers an array of options, including active process scan, removable drive scan, startup and registry scan, and more.

Privacy and Security

Avira has your privacy and security covered with a number of important, exclusive features. Much of what’s on offer here goes beyond what you can expect from a traditional antivirus provider, and can keep you protected even when you’re not connected to the internet. Between the file shredder, safe shopping tool, and advanced email protection, as well as a VPN built-in, users get the peace of mind they need with Avira. Read on to learn more about these features.

Web Protection

Avira web protection works to ensure every site you go on is thoroughly analyzed and safe. What’s more, any ads and/or tracking tools that are at play are immediately blocked and stopped in their tracks. You’re in total control, though, so if there are useful ads you wish to see, you can change the settings on here no problem.

Phantom VPN Pro

Phantom VPN is available on both desktop and mobile devices, and even comes with a free version. Whether you use it to enhance your privacy, enhance your streaming, or even save yourself some money by unlocking exclusive discounts, Phantom VPN will no doubt work perfectly alongside your antivirus protection.

Email Protection

Every email that comes through your inbox will be first rigorously scanned by Avira’s email protection. It’ll even check outgoing mail for threats like viruses, in case you’re unknowingly sharing these threats with other users. Though it may slow down the process, you get the peace of mind that your email inbox isn’t an entry point for threats like phishing. 

Safe Shopping

This browser extension, though it ensures you can shop securely, is also there to get you the best deals on the products you’re looking to buy. There are so many sites out there claiming to offer coupons and discounts that knowing which ones you can trust isn’t so easy. Avira’s Safe Shopping tool does the hard work for you, bagging you a bargain in the process. 

File Shredder

The file shredder is the best way for you to delete any sensitive or confidential data from your devices for good. Much of what you remove can be reclaimed quite easily if the wrong people get their hands on your devices, but Avira gives you the added reassurance with this tool. It’s just one other way of ensuring total protection for laptops, computers, and mobile phones.

Password Manager

Keep all your passwords secure and locked down with Avira’s password management tool. While the tool manages and encrypts them, it’ll also generate impossible-to-crack passwords that can be accessed remotely should you not be at home when you need them. You’re protected by two-factor authentication as well as bank-level encryption.

Performance and Protection

Compared to other antiviruses in the same league, we found Avira to be lighter on the system. It doesn’t occupy much of the system’s resources and is able to switch between modes depending on usage.

In the October 2019 Performance Test organized by AV-Test, Avira battled it out with 15 other products and received the ADVANCED+ rating with an impressive impact score of 3.6, leaving behind competitors like Panda, and F-Secure.

Malware Protection

We cannot complain about this product’s malware protection. The real-time detection is unmatchable. With frequent virus database updates and cloud monitoring technology, it ensures the removal of even the newest type of threats.

Additional tools like registry startup and USB scanner also make sure that nothing gets into your system without being checked first.

The company has received an ADVANCED+ rating with a 99.6% malware detection rate in the September 2019 Malware Protection Test by AV-Test.

Ransomware Detection

The premium anti-ransomware feature detects the behavioral clues and stops all sorts of attacks before they happen. With real-time and multi-layered protection, you can rest assured that your files will be safe.

From our tests, we conclude that it does an outstanding job of keeping ransomware away from the system and offers comprehensive protection against viruses, worms, and Trojans. It also blocks malicious URLs and infected attachments/software.

Moreover, the AV-Comparatives 2019 Gold certificate that the product received underlines its sheer quality.

Phishing Detection

Another good feature of the Avira security suite, the monitor detects and blocks malicious URLs and attachments in real-time. The Browser Safety is a stable extension available for Chrome, Opera, and Firefox. It blocks phishing websites, pop-ups and ads to make sure you don’t end up losing data.

It’s an AV-Comparatives APPROVED anti-phishing product of 2019 with an 88% protection rate (509 samples).

We were a bit disappointed with missing features like a dedicated safe browser and secure payments, but the no-capping private VPN balances the deal.

Spyware Detection

It does a decent job of blocking spyware. The add-on feature called Spyware Cleaner works simultaneously with the real-time monitor to analyze and quarantine any malicious files or downloads that might have bypassed the preliminary scan.

The company is known to maintain an excellent independent lab score in detecting spyware and other types of malware. In the Nov-Dec 2019 AV-Test for detection of widespread and prevalent malware, Avira was able to detect 100% of 20,428 samples used, quite similar to industry leaders like Bullguard and Norton. 

Firewall Protection

You get a basic firewall with this antivirus. It’s just an extension of the Windows Firewall but with some added functionalities. We didn’t like the fact that the firewall module doesn’t come pre-installed. We had to add it from the Apps and Features screen, then restart the system to use this feature.

Even after doing so much, all we had were a few network management options that stand no chance against the advanced firewall features offered by Intego or 360 Total Security.

Device Optimization Tool

Avira’s device optimization program is a smart cleaning tool that can be used on Mac, Windows, and your mobile devices too. By freeing up space and removing the files and software that’s unnecessarily taking up storage space, you’re making your devices much quicker and also creating room for any essential downloads you expect to make down the line. 

Battery Saver

The battery saver works by configuring the areas your device is bleeding energy, whether manually or automatically. It could be certain apps you’re using or leaving open in the background, the number of auto-updates that are taking place, or even the level of brightness you’re used to. Extend your battery life and make that annoyingly quick drainage a thing of the past.

Game Booster

The Avira Game Booster is designed to enhance speeds and protection from common attacks with nothing more than just a click of a button. It optimizes your settings so that all efforts are performance ability is directed into ensuring running your game and the connection to gaming servers.

Avira For Mobile

Avira offers free mobile security for both iOS and Android devices, with both coming with a free VPN to increase your protection even further. Using mobile devices, as we all do, means you’re always left unprotected while using public WiFi zones like on trains, in restaurants, and even while you’re waiting to catch a flight at the airport. Using Avira for your Android or iOS device means you can maintain the levels of security your at-home devices receive and won’t fall foul of any bad actors in these areas.

It’s especially useful for iPhone users since the app you install will prevent Siri from recording any of your conversations, so targeted advertising and general snooping will be a thing of the past. As for Android users, Avira examines your storage usage and cleans and removes and files and apps that you aren’t using, freeing up space for more important needs.

Pricing Plan

Lab Test Results

Avira has a long list of successful independent lab tests and certifications. We’re considering the most-recent lab test results to check how this antivirus stands against the competitors. In 2019, Avira was a part of Windows 10

Tests alongside 18 other products where it was able to detect 100% of 25,933 widespread and prevalent malware samples tested between September to October and 20,428 samples from November to December.

This outstanding performance earned the company an AV-Test Certified Windows Top Product, thus placing it on the same platform as industry leaders like Avast and AVG. 

AV-Comparatives also updated its 2019 Summary Report for all the existing antivirus suites wherein Avira won five ADVANCED+ ratings and 1 ADVANCED rating. It also received GOLD certifications for Malware and Real-World Protection Tests, and a SILVER certification for a low number of False Positives. 

Other than Windows, the software performs equally well on Mac too. In the AV-Comparatives June 2019 Mac Security Test and Review, Avira was able to detect 99.8% of 585 samples.

There has always been a concern about the product’s impact on the system, and the 2019 Performance Test cleared all doubts as the product received an ADVANCED+ rating with a total impact score of 3.6 (lower the better). ESET topped the chart with a score of 1.3.

Ease of Use and Interface

We appreciated the sleek and easy-to-understand interface. Avira has made sure to not cram everything into the dashboard, and this makes it easier for first-timers to get used to the application.

The main screen tells you what key defenses you have allowed, including security against ransomware and phishing. There is a big button for running a quick scan, too.

Check the "scan" tab in the left-hand panel for more search choices. The product provides three main types of scans: Complete, Quick, and Custom. The custom scans come with presets and an active process and rootkit scans.

You can also add as many custom scans as you need and save them within the application.

Under the modules menu, there are additional features like real-time protection, ransomware protection, firewall, etc. You will find more settings under the gear icon.

Overall, we think Avira has a well-segregated and clean interface that allows you to use it as is or customize on deeper levels – a feature most premium antiviruses overlook.

A direct feedback option is a nice touch, and we appreciate the minimal-click approach throughout the design.

Customer Support

Avira has a good support segment consisting of an in-depth knowledge base and a YouTube channel, alongside quick email and phone support. However, direct assistance is only available for customers who have the Prime subscription.

Nonetheless, online resources are well-managed and detailed. They’ve been properly grouped, making them easier to find, but there’s no direct way to navigate through topics. Additionally, you can search for questions and resolved answers under the FAQ section.

Video tutorials that are available on YouTube also seem a bit inconsistent but get the job done. They’re lengthy and well-detailed which is a great choice if you have less experience in installing and customizing antiviruses.

We tried checking deeper to see existing customer satisfaction scores, but Avira doesn’t have Better Business Bureau accreditation. The company has claimed their Trustpilot profile, receiving a 4.5/5 rating based on 19,558 reviews.

Setting Up and Uninstalling Avira

Avira has made it extremely simple and straightforward to install the product. Before installing, make sure that you get rid of any existing antivirus. Once handled, complete the following steps:

1)    Go to the official website and download the file.

2)    Run the installer and choose the installation type (Express or Custom).

3)    Enable/disable the rest of the choices as they show up on your screen.

4)    Click Accept and Install.

5)    Restart the system when prompted and double click on the icon from the desktop to get started.

To uninstall the product from your Windows device, you can open Apps and Features, then select the program, and click on Uninstall.

Alternatively, you can also download a third-party uninstaller and let the tool do it for you.

Our Verdict

Avira is a powerful antivirus that’s been the first choice for thousands of businesses and individuals for almost three decades. Alongside its pocket-friendly prices, here’s a tool that supports all platforms and provides a seriously user-friendly interface. What’s more, its enhanced protocols for both security and online protection can be counted on when it comes to all kinds of threats. Based on lab scores, pricing, features, and all other relevant aspects, Avira is one of the best antivirus progams.

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