Avast! Internet Security Editor's Review

Avast! Internet Security is a full-featured security software suite with both commecial and free editions. The free edition provides good general malicious code detection and blocking, taking care of millions of viruses and other malware, including spyware. It also offers other useful features such as the sandbox, a virtual environment in which to run and test untrusted programs so that they can't affect your systen; real-time monitoring of files and programs; and malicious site detection which can protect you from attack sites that try to hijack your browser or download malicious code onto your computer. The free edition is only for non-commercial users.

As well as everything in the free edition, the commercial edition also provides extra security for shopping online, more advanced protection against online threats, and a mail filter that helps protect you from spam and "phishing" emails. The commercial edition can also be used by businesses.

Avast! Internet Security's free edition is one of the better free security options available. In tests it performs well, detecting most threats. This includes more novel threats, such as Trojan horse programs, that are often missed by general security software. The attack site detection is very effective at protecting against "browse-by" downloads of malicious code. Avast! is relatively light on system resources: it has no appreciable effect on stability and reduces speed only slightly. 

Avast! Internet Security falls down somewhat on on malware removal. It can't get rid of all the malicious code that it finds, especially spyware.

Pros: Comprehensive, free edition.

Cons: Imperfect malware removal.

Conclusion: A solid security package that offers good protection and fast scans, but leaves some malware remnants.