Avast buying guide
Your Avast buying guide
Because every cybersecurity need is unique...
Imagine an entrepreneur managing his very small business from his laptop. His objective? Protect their data without breaking the bank. On the other hand, a large company needs to secure an entire network against cyber-attacks. And then there's the individual who wants to protect his online purchases and his privacy.
One antivirus for everyone? That's impossible.
That's why we offer several brands of cybersecurity solutions: Avast, AVG, Norton, Avast Business and CCleaner.
Whatever your size, needs or budget, we have THE ideal solution for you.
How to choose the best antivirus?
Surfing the Internet without antivirus software is like leaving your car with the keys on the dashboard in a poorly-lit area...
The emergence of artificial intelligence, international tensions and the appetite for easy money are increasing digital threats (ransomware, data theft, online scams, etc.). Choosing solid, reliable antivirus software has become essential, whatever your status (private individual, parent, company).
But with a plethora of antivirus products on offer, how can you make the right choice?
In this guide, we'll help you to understand the essential criteria to take into account when choosing your antivirus according to your profile and your needs, without technical jargon or marketing blah-blah.
Whether you're looking for the cheapest antivirus possible or an all-in-one solution with VPN, firewall, Here's some practical advice on choosing the best antivirus!
Why use antivirus software in the 21st century?
As cyber threats become more numerous and sophisticated, even a cautious user is no longer safe from danger. All it takes is a moment's inattention, an inadvertent click on a link or the opening of a web page that looks healthy but isn't, to lose your data or damage your computer.
According to a study by FEVAD, 67% of French companies faced at least one cyber attack in 2024 (compared with 53% in 2023), representing a cost of 100 billion euros for French businesses. Companies of all sizes face cyber attacks. There is therefore an urgent need to protect businesses against cyber threats!
Antivirus is your first line of defence against ransomware based on artificial intelligence, sophisticated malware, ultra-realistic phishing emails or infected mobile apps.
Effective antivirus software analyses the files and websites you visit in real time. It blocks attempts to phish and spy on your online activities. It also protects your passwords and online purchases against the theft of your bank details. It detects security flaws on your devices (PC, Mac, smartphone and tablet). It can also include a VPN which adds an extra level of protection to your Internet connections by allowing you to browse anonymously.
Criteria for choosing the right antivirus?
1. Safety level :
The first criterion for selecting an antivirus should always be its effectiveness in detecting different types of computer virus. A good antivirus relies on two types of detection to block malware.
Real-time detection, i.e. your antivirus works in the background of your PC and blocks corrupted documents, emails and websites in real time to prevent the infection from reaching your device. This type of detection detects known threats, those that your antivirus has already encountered in the past.
Behavioural analysis is the second type of detection used by modern antivirus software. Thanks to automatic learning technology (Machine Learning) your antivirus software must be able to detect threats that are not yet known, those that it has never encountered. Threats evolve very quickly and hackers' imaginations know no bounds, so it is vital that your antivirus software detects threats before they are known.
Thanks to Machine Learning, your antivirus is trained to recognise the typical behaviour of each type of file, email or website you try to open, and if a file, email or web page doesn't behave as it should, then the antivirus blocks it. For example, if a PDF file behaves like an executable file (.EXE) and tries to execute malicious code to hack into your PC, an antivirus with behavioural analysis will detect the malicious behaviour and block the file before it can execute its code.
The good news for you is that all Avast and Norton antivirus solutions offer both real-time detection and behavioural analysis!
2. Ease of use :
The second criterion to take into account is the ease with which you can install your antivirus and use it via an intuitive interface. In fact, a good antivirus should never require any technical skills to install and use, as this could frustrate the user who ends up with useless software because he won't be able to install or use it.
Avast has designed antivirus software that is very easy to install and has an intuitive interface that is easy to understand, even for cyber security novices. And for those who are totally unfamiliar with computers, our human 100% technical service (without AI or automatic messages) is here to help you!
3. System performance and impact :
As we have seen, an anti-virus works permanently, in the background, to protect your online activities. So it needs to be light enough to avoid slowing down your machine and your applications.
To find out about antivirus performance levels, independent testing bodies as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives tests anti-virus software both for its level of security and its impact on your system resources, and ranks anti-virus software according to its ability to protect you and not slow down your computer.
Avast consistently achieves top marks in independent tests because it protects you effectively without slowing down your device.
4. Additional features :
To select the antivirus best suited to your needs, you also need to be able to compare the different functions it offers. It's rare for a company to need parental controls (although...), whereas a family with preadolescent children who are just starting out on the Internet and are not doing anything else, will find it very useful to be able to control what their little ones do on the net...
Someone with an ageing PC that crashes will probably need an optimisation tool like Avast Cleanup Premium whereas a business owner with 60 PCs will need a solution like Avast Essential Business Security which includes a management console for centralising the management of your IT estate.
As you can see, everyone has their own cybersecurity needs, and to help you find the antivirus that's right for you, we've prepared comparison tables just for you, so you can see at a glance the features that each antivirus :
COMPARE AVAST ANTIVIRUS
COMPARE AVG ANTIVIRUS
COMPARE NORTON ANTIVIRUS
COMPARE CCLEANER
5. Compatibility :
Another important criterion to take into account is, of course, the antivirus's compatibility with your device's operating system (Windows, macOS, Android or iOS). Needless to say, if the antivirus you've bought doesn't install on your device, it won't be of any use to you...
To find out the exact version of your operating system, go to your device's settings.
6. Prices and subscription options :
The most important criterion is obviously the price, and that's just as well, because we're always offering special offers! For over 20 years, our credo has been to offer the best antivirus to everyone, whatever your budget. Consult our catalogue to see which promotion is currently on offer.
What's more, if you're a loyal customer, you can benefit from 30% discount on your renewal and we also have discounts that apply depending on your company's status. You can find out more on this page.
If you're planning to buy antivirus software but need help selecting the right antivirus solution at the best price, then contact us or request a quote online. All requests are processed in less than 24 hours!
FAQ - Everything you need to know about antivirus software
What's the best antivirus for family use?
It all depends on your family structure.
If you are a young parent with young children, a solution like Avast Premium Security which includes both PC and smartphone protection with an anti-ransomware shield, will keep your most precious files, such as the video of your baby's first steps, safe.
Whereas a family with teenagers or pre-teens will surely need a solution that includes parental controls to keep an eye on their loved ones' Internet activities. In this case, Norton 360 Deluxe will be the best option.
Is a free antivirus enough?
Free antivirus software is very limited. It protects against viruses, spyware and some web threats, but not all. If you shop online, check your bank accounts on the Internet or use social networks, we recommend that you upgrade to a paid version.
Free antivirus software is for testing, but for serious security, it's better to invest a few euros a year, especially since some multi-user antivirus software costs less than €10 per workstation per year !
Can I use the same antivirus on my PC and my smartphone?
Yes, of course, most multi-user antivirus solutions, such as Avast Premium Security, Avast Ultimate or Norton 360 Premium can protect Windows PCs, Macs, Android smartphones and iPhones.
Simply select the number of devices you want to protect and place your order. You will receive an activation code valid for the number of devices you wish to protect.
If in doubt, you can also request a quote online. You'll then get a quote for the antivirus, the number of workstations and the duration you've chosen.
Is it necessary to install an antivirus on a Mac?
Legend has it that Macs are immune to malware. Unfortunately, this is just an urban legend! Macs are targeted by highly sophisticated threats such as malware masquerading as legitimate apps, malicious browser extensions, ransomware attacks and phishing attacks. Mac security is just as important today as it is for Windows.
Avast Premium Security for Mac detects and blocks macOS threats, features a system cleanup tool and real-time web, email and file protection as well as behavioural analysis to keep your Mac safe.
I only use my PC to read my emails, do my taxes and read the news. Is it really necessary to use antivirus software if I don't use my PC much?
Yes, you need to protect your PC, because even minimal use of the Internet exposes you to phishing e-mails, potentially infected e-mail attachments and imitation administrative or banking sites that look exactly like the real thing, except that they have just one objective: to steal your bank details in order to hack into your bank account or to steal your personal information in order to carry out scams by pretending to be you.
A PC that is used very little is often a PC with software that is not updated regularly, creating security loopholes that hackers can exploit.
Simple, inexpensive protection such as Avast Premium Security ensures your peace of mind by protecting your PC, however you use it. You don't have to keep asking yourself whether you're safe, because with Avast Premium Security, There's no doubt about it, you're protected!
