avast! Free Antivirus 12.3.3154.0

A free anti-virus program with multiple areas of action.

When it comes to free malware protection, Avast! is one of the most popular, and with the latest update it is again easy to see why. Avast! offers complete protection for your computer with eight separate 'shields' covering everything from infected files on your computer to malicious downloads and websites to any infections you may acquire over IM, P2P and email. Script Shield is a particularly useful element, as it detects malicious scripts on webpages and prevents infection, while still allowing the script to be used. Previously, it was only available in the commercial 'Pro' version.

Web Reputation is another weapon in Avast's arsenal that is particularly appealing. It uses the power of Avast!'s 165 million users to rate websites. Users can rate webpages in ten categories to give an overall opinion on a site. 

Pros: Malware effectively handled by the boot-time scan, Auto-Sandbox allows for suspicious programs to run while keeping your computer safe, website rating and categorisation, installation does not require a reboot, intuitive interface, good customisation options.

Cons: Scanning at boot-up requires input from the user, not effective against all threats. 

Conclusion: Avast! has a good interface and allows you to customise it to your own preferences. However, protection of your computer is the most important factor, and while Avast! is comparable with or even better than some other free programs, there are still opportunities for infection. Of course, being free, there is no reason not to install it and come to your own conclusions.