A new interface designed for Windows 8 and several interesting new security features take route in Avast 8. Hi, I'm Seth Rosenblatt for CNET.
And today we're taking a first look at Avast 8 premier and all the new features that have been crammed into it.
Don't worry Avast 8 free fans, we're also gonna be taking a quick look at what's in the free version.
Much like the Windows 8 operating system that it's been designed for, you either going to love or hate the new Avast
interface.
Personally, I like it.
I think it's easier to navigate.
I find the big icons are easier to see and read.
The marquee functions have been reorganized or tweaked to be easier to use and it still offers advance settings and configurations for power users and Avast obsesses.
In addition to its highly rated infection prevention tools, the new Avast has several new features.
Most of them are in fact excellent.
The new browser and clean-up tools available in all versions of Avast.
It checks the internal storage and registry for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.
Searches for plug-in and toolbar references and then it helps you uninstall the ones you don't want.
The new software updater doesn't just tell you when your program is out of date.
It provides links update them directly from within Avast.
Its level of automation depends on which version of Avast you're running, the free or one of the paid suites.
But even in free, it'll automatically download the update and open its installer for you.
Premier on the
other hand goes whole hug and runs the update silently.
Two new features are only available to people who splurge on Avast 8 premier, a data shredded and a remote access tool called Access Anywhere.
While the utility of the data shredded is readily apparent gets rid of stuff you don't want left on your computer.
The Access Anywhere tool is a bit under baked and requires both ends of the connection to have Avast installed.
Other players in this space like Teamviewer or LogMeIn are much
simpler to use.
Still, Avast continues to earn high scores from independent testing agencies for protecting you.
It also remains one of our favorite free solutions.
The first look at Avast 8, I'm Seth Rosenblatt.
