cloud934221.baby

Avast Premium Security Review 2025: Features, Performance, and Value

Written by

admin

in

Before you begin — preparation checklist

  • System requirements: Make sure your device meets Avast’s minimum requirements (modern Windows ⁄11 or a supported macOS).
  • Existing security software: Uninstall other antivirus programs to avoid conflicts. Windows Defender will remain but integrates with Avast.
  • Backup important data: Create a current system or file backup before installing new security software.
  • Stable internet connection: Needed to download the installer, updates, and threat definitions.
  • License/key: Have your Avast Premium Security activation code or account ready.

Step 1 — Download the official installer

  1. Open your browser and go to Avast’s official website.
  2. Locate the Avast Premium Security product page and click the download link, or sign in to your Avast account and download from your subscriptions.
  3. Save the installer file to your Downloads folder.

Tip: Avoid third-party download sites — they can bundle unwanted software.

Step 2 — Install Avast Premium Security

Windows:

  1. Double-click the downloaded .exe file. If prompted by User Account Control, choose Yes.
  2. The Avast setup wizard will open. Click Install.
  3. Choose either the default installation (recommended for most users) or Custom installation if you want to select components and install location.
    • If choosing Custom, enable or disable modules such as Firewall, Ransomware Shield, Sandbox, and Email Shield per your needs.
  4. Wait for installation to complete. Avast will automatically download the latest virus definitions and apply updates.
  5. Restart your computer if prompted.

macOS:

  1. Open the .dmg file and double-click the Avast installer.
  2. Follow on-screen steps to allow required permissions (System Preferences → Security & Privacy → grant Avast permissions).
  3. Approve kernel extension or system extensions if macOS requires them.
  4. Complete installation and restart if asked.

Step 3 — Activate your subscription

  1. Open Avast and click Menu → My Subscriptions or Account.
  2. Sign in with your Avast account or choose Enter a valid activation code.
  3. Paste your activation code and click Activate.
  4. Confirm subscription status shows Premium (or the name of your plan).

Step 4 — Initial update and full system scan

  1. After activation, open Avast and let it finish downloading virus definitions.
  2. Go to Protection → Virus Scans and run a Full Virus Scan (sometimes called Deep Scan).
    • A full scan may take a while; run it when you don’t need heavy system resources.
  3. Quarantine or remove any detected threats following the prompts.

Step 5 — Configure core protection modules

Use these settings to maximize protection while minimizing false positives and performance impact.

  1. Real-Time Shields (Protection → Core Shields)
    • Ensure File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, and Mail Shield are all enabled.
    • Set File Shield sensitivity to High if you handle high-risk files often; otherwise keep Default for balance.
  2. Ransomware Shield (Protection → Ransomware Shield)
    • Enable and add important folders (Documents, Desktop, Downloads) to the Protected Folders list.
    • Turn on Controlled Folder Access if available for your OS.
  3. Firewall (Protection → Firewall) — Windows only
    • Enable the Firewall and set network types (Home/Work as Private; Public networks more restrictive).
    • Set default rules to block unknown inbound connections and allow trusted apps explicitly.
  4. Sandbox (Protection → Sandbox)
    • Use Sandbox to run suspicious executables in isolation. Enable auto-sandboxing for unknown software if you frequently test new apps.
  5. Real Site & Web Shield (Protection → Web & Email)
    • Enable Secure DNS/Real Site to prevent DNS hijacking.
    • Turn on HTTPS scanning (if available) to inspect encrypted traffic — note this may require installing Avast’s certificate and can trigger some site warnings.
  6. Email Shield
    • Enable scanning of incoming and outgoing email. Configure integration with your email client (Outlook, Thunderbird).
  7. CyberCapture / Behavior Shield
    • Keep these enabled so suspicious files are uploaded to Avast for analysis and blocked when malicious behavior is detected.

Step 6 — Configure automatic updates and scheduling

  1. Update frequency
    • Protection → Settings → Update: Ensure Virus definitions and Program updates are set to automatic.
  2. Scan scheduling
    • Protection → Virus Scans → Schedule a Smart Scan or Full Scan weekly (or more often for high-risk users).
    • Schedule scans for times when your computer is on but idle (e.g., early morning).
  3. Automatic cleanup
    • Enable automatic cleanup prompts to remove tracking cookies, unnecessary data, and outdated apps.

Step 7 — Harden browser and online protections

  1. Extensions / Browser Cleanup
    • Install Avast’s browser extensions (if desired) for anti-phishing and tracking protection. Remove suspicious browser extensions.
  2. Anti-phishing & Web Shield settings
    • Enable protection against fraudulent websites and downloads.
  3. Wi-Fi Inspector (Privacy → Network Inspector)
    • Run Wi-Fi network checks to find weak passwords, vulnerable devices, or intruders. Change router/passwords if issues are detected.
  4. Passwords & SecureLine VPN (optional)
    • Consider adding Avast Passwords and SecureLine VPN for credential and privacy protection; these may be separate subscriptions.

Step 8 — Tweak performance and exclusions

  1. Performance impact
    • Settings → General → Troubleshooting: Use Silent Mode or Gaming Mode to suppress notifications and reduce interruptions during full-screen apps.
  2. Exclusions
    • Add trusted applications or folders to Exceptions if Avast incorrectly flags them. Do this sparingly to avoid security gaps.
  3. Do not disable core shields permanently; temporary pauses only for troubleshooting.

Step 9 — Advanced settings for power users

  1. Behavior settings
    • Increase sensitivity for Behavior Shield and set strict actions for suspicious activities.
  2. Network rules & application control (Firewall)
    • Create granular outbound and inbound rules for specific network ports and apps.
  3. Certificates & HTTPS scanning
    • Manage Avast root certificate under Settings → General → Privacy → HTTPS scanning. Export or remove certificate if necessary.
  4. Logs & reports
    • Regularly review Protection → Protection History to see detections, blocked events, and actions taken.

Step 10 — Responding to detections and incidents

  1. Quarantine management
    • Review quarantined items and restore only if you’re certain a file is safe.
  2. False positives
    • Submit false positives to Avast for analysis (Protection → Virus Chest → Submit).
  3. If infected
    • Disconnect from the internet, run a full scan in Safe Mode if necessary, and use Avast Rescue Disk or Boot Scan for stubborn infections.

Maintenance — weekly/monthly checklist

  • Weekly: Update definitions, run a Quick or Smart Scan, check Firewall logs.
  • Monthly: Run a Full System Scan, verify firewall rules and exclusions, review quarantined items.
  • After major OS updates: Re-check Avast permissions and re-apply any needed system extensions.

Common troubleshooting

  • Installation fails: Temporarily disable Windows Defender or use Avast Clear (official removal tool) to remove remnants of previous antivirus software, then reinstall.
  • Browser HTTPS errors after enabling HTTPS scanning: Install Avast’s certificate in the browser/system trust store or disable HTTPS scanning for that browser.
  • Performance slowdowns: Enable Gaming Mode or adjust scan schedules to off-peak times; exclude large, trusted folders.

Final security tips

  • Keep OS and all apps updated — security is a layered approach.
  • Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where possible.
  • Back up important files offline and/or to an encrypted cloud backup.
  • Be cautious with email attachments, links, and unknown USB devices.

Avast Premium Security offers a broad toolkit; configuring core shields, firewall, ransomware protection, and automatic updates correctly will provide robust, layered protection with minimal performance cost.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts