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Ranked #3 out of 20 Antivirus
There were times when only malware used to attack your devices and take control of your accounts, but digital attacks have come a long way. At this point, a standalone antivirus may not be enough to protect your devices and online accounts. Therefore, most people need to get a holistic security suite that covers a lot of bases.
Most security software developers offer a 360-degree security package for popular platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, etc. Avast One Premium fits the description, as it offers what most people need nowadays. For those unaware, Avast has been active in the security industry for decades. It has maintained its spot among the most popular antivirus software for different platforms.
Headquartered in the Czech Republic, its presence has expanded into various continents. In the past couple of years, Avast merged with Norton, another pioneer in the security industry. With the help of Norton’s inventory and expertise, Avast has enhanced its products and services. Today, we shall examine one of the flagship packages from the company: Avast One Premium.
| 🐞 Malware detection rate | 100% |
| ⚔️ Advanced threat protection | Yes |
| 🔥 Firewall | Yes |
| 🌐 VPN | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes |
| 💵 Pricing | $4.19 per month onwards |
| 💻 Operating Systems | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Plans start from $4.2 per month
- 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
- Secures up to 5 devices
- Unlimited VPN access to over 50 locations
- Integrates with the Windows OS and other apps
- Pricing plans are reasonable
Cons
- Certain features missing from mobile versions
- Lack of identity theft protection
- Remote support options are not available
About Avast One Premium
Avast One Premium is the paid version of Avast One Essential that we reviewed recently. This all-in-one security suite protects devices from common threats and optimizes performance and privacy. The Avast One Essential package, though free and impressive, has limited security features at your disposal. Avast One Premium is not restricted by any factor, offering all features in their full glory.
Furthermore, it is helpful that you can use this security suite on multiple platforms, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. For this review, however, we have focused on the PC version of Avast One Premium. Some features may not be available on macOS or Android. Let’s begin with the basic system requirements so that you know whether your Windows PC can run Avast One Premium and all the features in the package:
Your PC must run Windows 7 or later to install Avast One Premium. Even though the security suite can run with RAM as low as 1 GB, the recommended number is 8 GB. The PC must also have free storage of at least 1 GB. Most modern Windows PCs released within the past half decade meet the requirements. You have to worry about compatibility only if you have an ancient PC.
Security Features of Avast One Premium
We will now move on to exploring the Avast One Premium package in more detail and tell you how the features impact your overall security and privacy. Please keep in mind that the list of all the individual features of Avast One Premium would be too extensive, and hence we have grouped some of them together.
Anti-malware Protection
One of the core components of Avast One Premium is the anti-malware protection engine that can keep your PC safe from viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other types of malware. With the help of full system and real-time scanning, you can feel confident about your system security. You will receive on-time notifications and quarantine features as and when some file tries to infect your system.
This engine works hand in hand with the firewall and app monitoring. While the firewall prevents threat actors from accessing your computer, app monitoring keeps problematic apps in the sandbox. So you can worry less about local and network-level threats. We also found it convenient that Avast One Premium works in sync with third-party email apps. So, if these apps receive an email with malicious attachments, Avast can remove them in seconds.
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Anti-scam Protection
Avast One Premium offers comprehensive threat protection and includes dedicated protection from scam attacks. The security suite does this through multiple methods. At the first level, Email Guardian will monitor your email accounts to recognize scam-related messages and remove them as soon as possible.
At the second level, you can use Avast One Premium to protect all your sensitive documents in an ultra-secure space, which remains unreachable for scammers. Last but not least, the security system can also identify scam websites and warn you against using your payment methods on those.
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360-degree Online Privacy Protection
There are quite a few online privacy-centric features in the Avast One Premium package that work in sync. For instance, the premium subscription gives you access to a VPN service with unlimited bandwidth, which lets you connect to up to 50 different locations. Similarly, Avast One Premium uses several techniques to encrypt your browsing data. As a result, these two features allow you to enable a secure internet experience in a few clicks.
You can also use the features to stay ahead of data breaches and protect your webcam and microphone from remote access. Lastly, Avast One Premium can also enhance the protection of the passwords you have saved on the web browser.
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Performance Optimization
Avast One Premium is an all-in-one security suite that also contains numerous utilities to help you keep your device running smoothly. One of these utilities automatically updates all the apps on your computer, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on important security patches. Another utility can clean up your disk, shortcuts, and web browsers, which can help free up space and improve performance.
You can also use the app optimizer to reduce the overall impact of many apps on system performance. Finally, you can use its user-friendly interface to update all the system drivers, which can help prevent crashes and other problems.
Some of the features we discussed here are not available on mobile devices. For example, there are restrictions on how browsers can be secured on Android devices. Additionally, apps can be updated from a central location on all Android smartphones and tablets. However, you can still expect an overall better line of protection across devices, even if some features are not available.
Installation & Ease of Use
There are a couple of ways you can install Avast One Premium on your Windows PC. Install Avast One Essential, the free version, and upgrade to the premium version. This is the most cost effective option as you get discounts from the company to tempt you to upgrade, and you can upgrade at any time. You can also subscribe to Avast One Premium directly and download the full version immediately. This option gives you access to all of the premium features straight away.
Regardless of how you install, the process is straightforward and just takes a few minutes. The app does not require many permissions, and once it is installed, it integrates seamlessly with Windows OS. The installation wizard is designed in a way that is consistent with the overall user interface philosophy of Windows.
We were impressed by its illustrative UI. While some users may find the UI too basic, it is perfectly usable. This means that you can explore all of the features without them being hidden by the UI. On the other hand, the simplicity of the UI is a boon for beginners and average users. Overall, the UI of Avast One Premium has received positive reviews from thousands of users worldwide.
Performance
Despite how simple the UI is, the product will still protect you from various threats. This also includes a growing number of phishing scams. We wanted to test these features to see if they align with the results from third-party testing sources. In our hands-on testing, Avast One Premium was able to detect and quarantine various common malware threats, including worms, Trojans, and rootkits.
We were able to test it with a limited set of samples, and the list did not include intense threats like ransomware. However, we can confirm that Avast One Premium was able to prevent the rootkit from affecting the booting process. We relied on the test results from AV-test.org and AV-Comparatives to evaluate how Avast One Premium deals with zero-day threats.
In both cases, the security suite showed impressive potential in detecting phishing attacks and taking preemptive action. It also had minimal impact on the speed and performance of the system. For instance, during tests spanning multiple months in the aforementioned third party labs, the anti-malware engine of the Avast One Premium ensured a detection rate of 100%, which is what you need.
Pricing Structure
We will briefly discuss the pricing of the Avast One Premium subscription, as well as the other plans that Avast offers. There are two plans available: Individual and Family. The Individual plan is designed for one person and allows you to protect up to five devices. It costs $4.19 per month or $50.28 per year when paid upfront. The Family plan is designed for a group of if you have more devices to cover. It allows you to protect up to 30 devices. It costs $5.79 per month or $69.48 per year when paid upfront.
Verdict
What’s Good About It?
Avast One Premium ticks a lot of boxes for a comprehensive security suite beyond traditional antivirus protection. It can detect and remove all known malware thanks to its 100% detection rate. Moreover, it is also good at taking care of zero-day threats that have not been exploited yet. It uses real-time scanning and on-time notifications to protect your device from security threats to avoid damage.
It also includes a number of online privacy tools, such as unlimited VPN access to more than 50 locations and robust browsing data encryption. Users can securely browse the internet, shielding their activities from prying eyes and sensitive data leaks. The suite also safeguards webcams and microphones against unauthorized remote access. It is not just about protecting against viruses at the end of the day.
This security suite also optimizes your device’s performance. Automatic updates and disk cleanup ensure your devices remain in optimal condition for smoother, faster operations. Additionally, it minimizes the performance impact to help maintain system speed. This places Avast One Premium on the priority list of users who value efficiency.
Last but not least, it integrates seamlessly with the Windows interface for a more streamlined user experience. These are some key factors that make Avast One Premium accessible to all users, regardless of their technical background.
What’s Not So Good About It?
Avast One Premium is a very good antivirus software, but it does have a few limitations. For example, the mobile versions are limited in features compared to the desktop versions. Meaning, mobile users may not have access to all of the same protection features as desktop users. Additionally, there is no protection against digital identity theft. This threat occurs when someone steals your personal information (your name, address, Social Security number, credit card details, and other sensitive information) and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes online.
Then, the lack of remote support options might make troubleshooting challenging for users. In other words, if you have a problem with Avast One Premium, you will need to contact customer support, and they will walk you through the troubleshooting steps over the phone.
Should You Buy Avast One Premium?
Avast One Premium is a good value for money product for those who prioritize comprehensive, multi-device security. However, it does not provide identity theft protection and remote support options. Plus, the mobile version also lacks some additional features found on its desktop counterparts. If these issues do not concern you, Avast One Premium is a great option.
What Are the Alternatives to Consider?
If Avast One Premium does not meet your needs, consider alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security and Kaspersky Total Security. Bitdefender stands out for its high malware detection rates, light footprint, and enhanced by unique features such as a file shredder. Kaspersky, a reliable brand in the antivirus market, offers a robust password manager and strong malware protection.
Both come with comprehensive security measures, including webcam protection and parental controls. Choose one that aligns best with your specific requirements and preferences.
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