Avira has added two good features to its free edition security software: Cloud protection and browser safety. The former was a premium edition only feature. This should happen per gHacks within the next three months. This works by virtually fingerprinting the files to be uploaded and they are inspected for safety for other Avira users. “Browser Safety” is included when you install Avira Antivirus.
Avira browser safety has been around as a beta for some time as a Firefox and Chrome extension.
“When you enable the extension -- you need to install it separately as it won't be installed automatically -- you will benefit from the following features:
- Safe Search - Can be opened with a click on the icon or by moving the mouse cursor to the small dark area that it displays at the top of the browser window. Safe Search uses Google, but adds verification to each search result.
- Tracker identification and blocking - It will block all sorts of tracking scripts on the Internet, including most advertising scripts. You can disable the tracking on select websites.
- Malicious site blocking - Blocks malicious sites that can infect your computer. “ – gHacks
There’s a nice review on the gHacks site which discusses these features further.
Other good news? No popups anymore, and no bundled toolbars. Kudos to Avira!
For now, Browser Safety is an optional component (that’s temporary, it will become permanent) and you’ll have to install it manually. Cloud Protection is a major and indispensable plus and it increases the ‘real time’ malware detection.
Source:
http://www.ghacks.net/2014/03/05/avira-adds-cloud-protection-browser-safety-free-antivirus/?_m=3n.0038.1176.hj0ao01hy5.17wt