If you’re searching for antivirus software, you’ve probably noticed that many developers put out different levels of protection so you can decide which one suits your needs. One of the antivirus programs that does so is Avast!, which has two different packages on offer: Avast! Internet Security and Avast! Pro Antivirus. But how do you decide which one is most suitable for your situation? Do they both provide essentially the same thing or does one have a significant advantage?
For starters, there is a difference in terms of cost between Avast! Pro and Avast! Internet Security, but it’s not really that much. Pro sells for $69.95 (it’s advertised on the Amazon.com site for $39.95) and Internet Security is $99.95 if you purchase from the developer’s site. You might find a free copy floating around on internet forums and boards, but generally speaking they’re not worth the time they take to download and install because you’ll have difficulty getting updates and such.
Exactly what advantages does the Internet Security package offer that the Pro version doesn’t? Both programs provide protection until April 2013. Both contain anti-spyware and antivirus features. The most significant difference appears to be that Internet Security provides hacker protection, which often just means a firewall, together with a filter providing email spam protection. These are the major differences.
When it comes down to it, most people will find that the Pro version provides adequate protection for their needs. Generally, online users will already get firewall protection from their internet provider, and the vast majority of email programs typically have a spam filter built right in.
Then there’s the “scam filter” provided by Avast, which raises some questions. Really, how is an internet security and antivirus program able to differentiate between legitimate mail and a scam? You might end up losing an important message simply because the software has classified it as a scam.
Although Avast! Pro Antivirus does not seem to offer as much protection as Avast! Internet Security on the face of it, the fact is that the majority of computer users do not need all of those bells and whistles. The product is simply marketed in such a manner as to make you feel that you are receiving the ultimate in security. But when it comes right down to it, the core package is essentially just fine for most needs, and for the price it is a real bargain. The Pro package has the capacity to block viruses, worms, Trojans, along with other malicious programs, at a significant cost savings over the more advanced version.
More product information at Amazon.com.
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