Freeware antivirus Avast 5 debuts today with several new features, but longtime fans are most likely to notice that the old interface has gone to wherever interfaces go when they die. Along with the new interface, Avast Free, Avast Professional, and the new Avast Internet Security introduce an overhauled feature set that keep the suite highly competitive. Arguably, the free version provides the most complete free antivirus on the market.
Before detailing the new features, the importance of this interface change can't be understated. Gone is the music player default look, which was skinnable but confusing. In its place is a sleek user interface that new users should find far more manageable. The gray and orange color scheme stands out well on the screen, and the tab-based navigation on the left makes it much easier than before to navigate between features. Highlighted with the familiar security colors of green for safe and red for dangerous, the Summary tab gives up-to-date info on shield status, auto-updates, virus definitions, the program version, and whether the new silent/gaming mode is on. There's also an unobtrusive ad to Avast Internet Security.
More: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10436072-12.html
Before detailing the new features, the importance of this interface change can't be understated. Gone is the music player default look, which was skinnable but confusing. In its place is a sleek user interface that new users should find far more manageable. The gray and orange color scheme stands out well on the screen, and the tab-based navigation on the left makes it much easier than before to navigate between features. Highlighted with the familiar security colors of green for safe and red for dangerous, the Summary tab gives up-to-date info on shield status, auto-updates, virus definitions, the program version, and whether the new silent/gaming mode is on. There's also an unobtrusive ad to Avast Internet Security.
More: http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10436072-12.html