An antivirus that lets me make the decision

dortmunder said:

Hi. I've just given Avast a try and the initial scan identified the usual tracking cookies and one 'vulnerable software'. There was no way to find what software it was referring to and the only action offered was 'resolve all'. Was it intending to update the software or remove it, I don't know.

There is indeed a piece of software on my system that isn't the current version but that's the way I want it. Avast, then, is no use to me and I wonder if, instead of going through them all, someone here could tell me of an AV that tells you exactly what it's found and lets you decide what to do about it. Thank you.

Hi.
I don't have Avast on my system at present, but I have used it in the past, and have installed it on many other computers I work on.
First, I don't install the whole shebang. I only install the 4 shields and the software updater.
Second, if you go into the settings, you can tell Avast exactly what you want it to do when it finds things. It is separated by Virus, PUPs/PUMs, and Suspicious files. It allows you to go through 3 steps for each type of detection, and tell Avast what to do.

I believe the default settings wait for your action when something is found, depending on what it found. Still, I'm pretty sure you can set it up just the way you like it. It's a very good AV and quite customizable even in the free version. Once you get the settings the way you want them, be sure to export the settings, so you have them to restore in case you need that in the future.

Edit: You can also go into the software updater feature and tell it to ignore a particular software.

I have used Avast for the last ohh 16-17 years (originally installed Avast free in 2006) very customizeable program, Software updater advises which 3rd party software needs updating, and then can update it either thru Avast or manually if prefer, (Free Version updates software only manually)

Very customizeable on actions as well, virus chest if happens to get a false positive, Scan speed nice and quick for most scans, pua protection

Have tried other antivirus software, but always end up usually falling back to using Avast once again, still installed on most household systems here in fact, minus the laptop currently, but think when Spring Creators installed probably reinstalling it, some reason still trust it more than Defender

(Currently trying Defender on main Desktop and Laptop) but may end up back on Avast Free after Spring Creators update installed, not for sure yet, but debating on staying with Avast at the moment--as not 100 percent sure I trust Defender as yet, I know a lot of folks do, figured i'd give it a long try this time)--After Spring Update officially released 90 percent sure will be sticking to Avast for Protection On the Computer systems here) A few things that i don't really like with Defender after giving it a longer trial on 2 of the 4 systems)