14 DAY TRIAL // Czech security vendor AVAST Software has just released version 6.0 of its anti-malware product line, bringing some innovative features to the world of free antivirus solutions.
With over 120 million active users Avast! Free Antivirus is one of the most popular non-commercial anti-malware programs around.
In fact, AVAST's free offering demonstrated in previous comparative tests that it can match or even exceed the level of protection offered by some paid-for products.
One of the most notable changes in the newly released version is the addition of the Script Shield, a protection component previously found only in avast! Pro and avast! Internet Security products.
This move was made possible by the introduction of a SafeZone virtual desktop feature to the company's paid offerings, which allows users to perform sensitive tasks like online banking without having to worry about infections on the system.
Script Shield is part of avast!'s Web protection layer along with the Web Shield and a new Site Blocking functionality.
Another feature avast! 6.0 has added to its anti-malware arsenal is called the AutoSandbox and its purpose is to execute potentially dangerous applications in a safe environment from where it cannot affect the host system.
WebRep, a combination of automatically gathered Web threat intelligence and manual user input is also a very nice addition to the free product. AVAST hopes to tap its massive user base to transform into the most accurate Web reputation service on the market.
Other notable changes include improvements to the Behavior Shield, Web Shield, boot-time scanner and the antivirus engine itself, as well as full 64-bit support for Windows 7 and Vista.
"With our new avast! 6.0 Free Antivirus, we’ve added advanced capabilities that aren’t in any mainstream AV product. Once again, we are providing a free antivirus that often exceeds the protection offered by other paid-for products," said Vince Steckler, CEO of AVAST Software.
We have also published a more in-depth review of avast! Free Antivirus 6.0 which can be read here.
