Customer Reviews on Sophos Antivirus for Android Mobile

Sophos Overview April 2022

Sophos has been developing antivirus software for decades, so I was curious to know if it was still any skillful in 2022. I particularly wanted to compare its free version with the paid packages, and find out whether information technology's worth the upgrade.

My squad and I ran Sophos through a series of tests on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. In short, Sophos has fantabulous malware detection rates on both free and paid plans. I'm pleasantly surprised by the costless version. While it does lack avant-garde ransomware protection and a few other security features, it provides fairly good protection against most types of cyberthreats at naught cost.

The paid Sophos packages were okay, but I don't retrieve the prices justify the extra cost. You tin hands notice much better value for money from manufacture-leading antivirus brands. For instance, even Norton 360'southward cheapest programme has a 60-mean solar day money-back guarantee , password manager, parental controls, and VPN. That beingness said, you might not want (or need) maximum security for your devices. If so, you'll find the Sophos gratis programme is skillful plenty for bones malware protection.

Try Sophos for free today!

• Fast and effective virus scans — Sophos detected 100% of real-time threats, but I noticed a significant touch on on my CPU while information technology was running. Find out more than about Sophos' security features.
• Extra features are lightweight and customizable — Features are strong and like shooting fish in a barrel to utilize, just at that place aren't as many options every bit other antivirus programs. Click here to see an in-depth review of each characteristic.
• Desktop apps are simple to use only inconsistent — Windows version offers more options than Mac, while Android mobile app is more comprehensive than iOS. See how the apps compare hither.
• Support site is thorough and easy to navigate — However, live chat and email back up are but available for paid customers. Meet how well Sophos' customer support responded to my queries.
• No business relationship necessary for the gratis plan — Sophos provides excellent security features at no cost, but the premium program is a little expensive compared to similar services. Take a wait at what each Sophos program has to offer.

Security - 8

Sophos impressed me with its high-quality security, particularly equally most of its anti-malware features are available on its free plan. While it did have a pregnant touch on organization performance, I was thrilled with its fast virus scan and effective real-time protection. I was also pleased with its success rate at blocking harmful downloads and scam websites, with test scores like to what you'll find in top-rated security services like Norton. That said, new malware threats are released every day. While Sophos performed well in tests, my results may differ from yours.

Virus Browse — Scans Are Fast but Have Express Options

Unlike other antivirus packages, Sophos simply has a single scan option — at that place'southward no fast scan and nix customization options (even on the cardinal Dashboard). This left me wondering exactly what Sophos had inspected on my Windows PC, especially considering the initial scan took a piffling over ten minutes to consummate. In comparing to Norton'southward 12 minute total-system scan, this is pretty fast.

Details were very limited, with no information on how many files were scanned. The only data I was given was that Sophos discovered 99 tracking cookies on my figurer. No other malware or threats were found on my device and subsequent scans were fast, taking equally little equally v minutes to complete.

Even so, when I clicked "Delete All," I was disappointed to find that all but 3 cookies failed to delete. In that location was no reason given for the failure, even on the Sophos Dashboard. Fortunately, this turned out to not exist a big deal — Sophos successfully deleted all tracking cookies after I ran a 2nd browse. I'm not sure why Sophos failed to delete the cookies the first time, but after running multiple test scans I didn't accept any more issues.

96 tracking cookies were left on my device after multiple attempts to delete them

On the plus side, Sophos didn't flag whatever files or apps as malicious when they're not — for reference, the manufacture average is xvi false reports. This saved me time, equally it meant I didn't accept to manually sort through any alerts or quarantined items that are safety.

Curiously, the "Scan" button is one of the only items on the desktop app that functions without needing to admission the central Dashboard. If you lot want to schedule a scan rather than manually start one when you boot your computer, y'all tin do and then through the Dashboard. I establish arranging scans to happen automatically on a daily basis really useful every bit I knew Sophos was consistently checking for malicious files.

Real-Time Protection — Constructive Defence force Through Artificial Intelligence Threat Detection

In tests, Sophos detected 100% of malware discovered in the previous 4 weeks. This proves to me that Sophos stays updated with the latest cyberthreats — although it's important to remember that new malware is released daily, so my test results may differ from your own.

Sophos' real-fourth dimension protection is supported by its Artificial Intelligence Threat Detection. This engineering is constantly learning and growing its database of online threats to stay up-to-appointment with the latest malware. Past continuously evaluating threat signatures, Sophos' AI is able to accurately predict and detect the newest malware. This means Sophos can protect your devices from zero-day attacks — and this AI technology is fifty-fifty available on the gratis program!

Web Protection — Blocks Dangerous Downloads, Websites, and Phishing Links

Phishing scams and malicious downloads are some of the easiest means to infect your device with viruses. That'south why I'm happy to report that Sophos is extremely constructive at detecting online threats. Better still, this protection is available on both free and paid plans.

During my tests, I attempted to download files known to contain malware. Sophos blocked every file earlier the download fifty-fifty started, then nothing harmful was saved to my device.

Sophos prevented malicious files from harming my computer

When I visited a website known to host malware, I was blocked from accessing it every fourth dimension. In fact, I couldn't enter whatsoever of the dangerous sites.

I constitute Sophos effectively stopped admission to dangerous websites

Ransomware Protection — Restores Device if Ransomware Locks Yous Out

With ransomware condign more sophisticated, some antivirus programs can't discover the different threat signatures linked to emerging attacks. These attacks lock yous out of your files and devices, enervating that y'all pay to have access restored — but even if you pay the bribe, at that place's no guarantee you'll get your personal data dorsum.

To protect you from ransomware, Sophos continually checks the processes that interact with your files and devices. This vigilance means that if a suspicious interaction occurs betwixt a process and your valuable data, the process is immediately blocked. Should the procedure offset to encrypt your data to lock you out, Sophos stops the attack and rolls back your device to a previous safe state earlier the encryption took place. This means you retain admission to your data.

While this technology is impressive, I'one thousand disappointed that ransomware protection is only available if you upgrade to Sophos' premium packages. However, this isn't unusual — free plans from Panda and Bitdefender don't include ransomware protection either.

Organisation Performance — Significantly Slows Down Desktop Devices

Sophos is cloud-based so I expected very fiddling impact on my device. Unfortunately, this proved to be the contrary case. I noticed an immediate slowdown of my whole calculator after downloading Sophos. Webpages took upward of xxx seconds to load (if they loaded at all), while starting up and logging in to my device was sluggish.

Sophos doesn't have whatsoever tools for system optimization or operation boosting either. This is disappointing as costless options from services similar Panda have features designed to optimize device performance. The Sophos file is also larger than I expected despite mostly being hosted in the deject. You'll need at least 1GB RAM and 1GB of gratuitous disk space to download and run Sophos.

Features - 6

Based on my tests, Sophos' extra security features provide good protection — especially for a gratis antivirus service. I'thou most impressed with its Web Protection characteristic, as it consistently secured my device against attacks from malicious sites. I would've liked to see a greater range of options like those offered past Norton or TotalAV. For instance, a password manager or VPN would provide Sophos with more well-rounded security.

Remote Direction — Protect Your Devices From a Single Central Dashboard

Sophos is designed to exist used remotely so that you can monitor and secure your mobile and desktop devices from anywhere. This is why settings and features can't be configured from the app — everything is controlled through the central Dashboard, which you can access on whatever web browser (as long as you have your login details available).

I scheduled scans for all of my devices from my phone'due south browser

I constitute the Remote Management useful for keeping my laptop security up-to-date without having to sit at my computer. As Sophos' scans aren't automatically scheduled, I was able to configure the settings and arrange scheduled scans for my computer from my iPhone browser. This meant I knew the next time I booted upwardly my laptop, Sophos would run a scan without me having to open up the desktop app.

Having all settings in a central dashboard is convenient, especially when you have multiple devices to monitor. This does brand the desktop apps pretty redundant, however — they have very little functionality due to Sophos' remotely-controlled design.

Cyberbanking Protection — Secures Confronting Keyloggers and Dangerous Browsers

Everyone banks and shops online, and then it's vital to protect our sensitive financial information. Sophos helps yous keep your financial details private by blocking keylogging malware and ensuring the browser you apply is secure.

Information technology's like shooting fish in a barrel to configure Sophos to protect your online banking and shopping

Keylogging malware is designed to record everything y'all type on your estimator, including banking passwords and your credit bill of fare number when you brand purchases. Sophos detects keylogger malware and blocks it earlier it can record your keystrokes. Working together with its Safe Browsing feature, Sophos checks websites for hosted malware and exploits that could leave your devices vulnerable (even on secure browsers like Chrome).

I'd recommend leaving this setting on if yous take a Premium subscription — unfortunately, banking protection isn't available on the free plan. However, the free program does protect your device confronting spyware and keyloggers are almost often deployed as role of larger spyware attacks.

That being said, I wouldn't recommend using the complimentary plan as your only protection if you're frequently banking and shopping online. Information technology's improve to upgrade to a more comprehensive antivirus solution. You can even use top brands similar Norton 360 or McAfee for complimentary for a limited corporeality of time if y'all're a first-fourth dimension customer.

Parental Controls — Blocks Inappropriate Web Content for Kids

Kids are increasingly tech-savvy and information technology only takes a wrong click or two for them to country on an inappropriate website. Sophos lets parents take control back past making it easy to choose exactly what content their children tin access.

I constitute the parental controls in the Web Filtering setting on the Dashboard. The fix-up is uncomplicated with unlike content-censoring options, like adult websites and social media.

All of Sophos' filtering options are clearly laid out

I chose a few unlike settings for Sophos to cake every bit a office of my tests. I'm pleased to written report that when I tried to access websites with gambling or gaming content, Sophos blocked them all. I tried this with several different websites and browsers, and had more luck with some than others. Gambling sites were finer blocked on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari — just some adult content (similar violence and pornography) passed through the filter on Chrome.

I recommend using Sophos' Web Filtering alongside the Windows or Mac parental controls to ensure total coverage.

Webcam Protection — Alerts You to Unwanted Webcam Access

Sophos' Webcam Protection characteristic sends y'all a notification every time your webcam is accessed by an outside source. This could be a video chat app, website, or potential malware designed to allow hackers spy on you without your knowledge or consent.

When I switched this on and visited a website that let me take pictures using my webcam, I was alerted by Sophos that the site was accessing my webcam. However, the site and webcam access weren't blocked. This is a concern, as even with the feature active unauthorized users could potentially access my webcam.

While alerts don't disappear until they're clicked, I feel they could exist easily overlooked. Compared to Norton 360's Safecam and its ability to fully cake unauthorized access, Sophos' webcam protection could be improved for better security.

Whitelist Feature — Allow Specific Websites to Bypass Sophos

If yous have the Parental Control settings on high, Sophos' Website Exceptions characteristic is a great way to allow access to certain sites that may fall nether a restricted category. For example, when I had the "Gaming" restriction active, zero gaming websites could be accessed (even kid-friendly sites!). After adding specific sites to Sophos' whitelist, my kids could visit those sites without accessing any inappropriate games.

You lot can add together as many websites as you lot want to the Website Exceptions setting

You tin find Website Exceptions on multiple different settings, including Spider web Protection and Web Filtering.

Alerts Log — View Alerts, Threats, and More than From the Central Dashboard

If you have several different devices on your Sophos plan, you tin continue up-to-date with alerts, potential threats, and other action using the Alerts Log feature. I particularly like that I tin can filter activeness depending on what I want to bank check — there are options for threats, website alerts, and quarantined items.

All activeness for protected devices is accessible from the dashboard's History tab

I found this specially useful for keeping an eye on what my other devices were accessing. Equally Sophos is designed for remote command, everything is visible from the dashboard. Many antivirus plans can be used on multiple devices but lack a centralized dashboard. This is a feature unique to Sophos and very useful if you lot have more than ane device to protect and monitor.

Ease Of Employ - 7

Sophos Home is compatible with Windows (7, 8, eight.one, and ten), and Mac (10.12, ten.thirteen, 10.14, and 10.15), Android, and iOS. I institute Sophos very easy to prepare as it did all the work for me — I but clicked the "Free Download" push and followed the prompts to install information technology on my devices. Information technology took less than 5 minutes to complete the installation, although the on-screen prompt suggested it could take up to x minutes.

I too discovered that Sophos is incompatible with most every other antivirus program on the marketplace today. After installation, Sophos detected that I had other antivirus programs on my PC and suggested uninstalling it, claiming that it could "reduce my overall security."

Sophos recommend that I delete all other antivirus programs on my computer

Unfortunately, the free version doesn't provide plenty protection on its own. There'south no malware removal, ransomware protection, or advanced web security. You need to pair the costless version of Sophos with another comprehensive antivirus, or you'll be exposing your device to security risks.

Desktop Apps — Windows and Mac Apps are Simple but Redundant

As presently as I downloaded Sophos to my Windows laptop, I had to run a scan on my device — in that location was no selection to abolish or reschedule the scan. This isn't a huge event, but I'd adopt to choose when I run a scan rather than being forced to (although you can abolish the browse after it's started).

I soon discovered the desktop app is largely unnecessary. Information technology's about impossible to configure any settings, check recent activity, or add a device in the Sophos app. Every clickable push button redirected me to the Sophos Dashboard in my web browser. The only exceptions are purchasing Premium, running a browse, or accessing the help department.

You lot can just run a browse, upgrade to premium, or seek help on the desktop app

The reason for this is that Sophos is mainly designed for remote use, and then the central web-based dashboard is the only place you can control every option. I institute this pretty frustrating, peculiarly as it sometimes took more than 30 seconds for the webpage to load. If y'all want to change a setting while sitting at your figurer, yous may detect it ho-hum and tedious. I'd rather run across the dashboard in-app than have it open in a split window.

The remote Dashboard is simple to navigate with no complex menus

That being said, Sophos' Dashboard is well laid out and very intuitive to employ. All of the options are clearly labeled and like shooting fish in a barrel to customize, fifty-fifty if you're a beginner user. At that place aren't any overly complex settings or menus to navigate through — you tin can make sure your devices are secure, check your recent activeness, and edit Spider web Filtering and general protection settings.

Protect your devices with Sophos

Mobile Apps — Strong Android Offer, but Lacking Features on iOS

Sophos has a mobile app called Intercept Ten. This app offers some basic security, like a countersign safe and Wi-Fi security checks. It'south bachelor for Android (5 or higher) and iOS (11.0 or after).

At first glance, both Android and iOS apps are very similar in appearance. Only while Sophos has more thorough Android protection, it'southward lacking in features for iOS users.

Android and iOS apps are similar in appearance simply different in functionality

For Android users, Sophos has the following features:

• Authenticator — This feature generates time-based and/or one-time passwords for accounts that use multi-gene authentication, giving you a safe way to cosign your account log-ins
• Countersign Safe — Like a password manager, Sophos' Password Condom securely stores all of your passwords so yous tin log in to accounts speedily using a single master password
• QR Code Scanner — Allows you to access data from QR codes including web addresses, WiFi configurations, and new contacts
• App Protection — Secures apps that you want to remain individual past request for a password every time y'all open the app
• Privacy Counselor — Clearly details which mobile apps have access to your mic, camera, personal details, and more

The mobile app also protects your Android device with Web Filtering, which blocks malicious links in not-browser apps, checks WiFi security, and scans your device for existing malware. While I'd like to encounter parental command options and a spam call blocker like Norton, I found the Sophos Android app provides good coverage and plenty of features.

On iOS, Sophos lacks App Protection, the Privacy Counselor, and malware detection. This is fairly standard for iOS apps as they tend to exist "sandboxed," meaning one app cannot admission disquisitional information well-nigh others. Nevertheless, Spider web Filtering is even so included so Intercept 10 will block suspicious links and websites. The app also checks device security — as soon as I downloaded information technology to my iPhone, I was alerted to a new system update and prompted to update every bit soon every bit possible.

I like that the iOS app is easy to employ and monitors my device and network for suspicious activity — but like the Android app, it could use some extra features to make it really worth downloading.

While Sophos' mobile protection is adequate if you're just using the free version, I'd recommend using Norton 360 for avant-garde security on Android and iOS. In addition to powerful malware scanning and real-time protection, it too includes total-featured versions of Norton's password manager, VPN, and parental controls. You tin test these features for free with Norton'south 60-solar day money-back guarantee .

Support - 6

Sophos' client support is expert but it could be amend. Live chat and email are available but only for Premium subscribers — if you're using the free plan, you're restricted to the support site. However, Sophos' support site is comprehensive, with many troubleshooting and installation guides as well equally FAQs available. Near of the questions you have tin be answered by checking the site.

Unfortunately, alive chat and e-mail options aren't 24/7. Instead, back up agents are available from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.yard. EST. This is frustrating as it means if I accept an outcome on the weekend, I have to wait to get assist. Making matters worse, in that location'southward no phone support bachelor for more urgent issues and service is only available in English.

Alive Chat — The All-time Mode to Contact Sophos

I was impressed by Sophos' live conversation, which continued me to an agent in less than 2 minutes. I asked a question about accessing information through the app rather than on its Dashboard, equally it opens in a new browser window. The agent who helped me was quick to respond, detailed in their answers, and made sure that I was fully satisfied before ending the chat.

Sophos' live chat continued rapidly — my question was answered in less than v minutes

Afterward I finished my alive chat, a copy of the transcript was sent to my email address. This is a useful feature, especially if you take a very technical question and want to refer back to the answer at a later date. Unfortunately, Sophos' live chat support is only available to Premium subscribers — if you're using the gratis version, you'll have to check the back up website for aid instead.

Website — Comprehensive FAQ and Troubleshooting Sections

Sophos' support site has a lot of articles roofing topics like installation, troubleshooting, and how to manage your business relationship. For basic questions (like how to change the linguistic communication of your desktop app), I'd recommend visiting the support site. It's like shooting fish in a barrel to navigate and has articulate sections detailing the included articles. There's besides a search bar then that yous tin can blazon a few keywords and find the assistance you lot're looking for.

Sophos' support site is clearly laid out for piece of cake navigation

If you tin can't find the information you need or want to request a feature, you have the option to submit a ticket request. I tested it to encounter how long it took to become a response and asked again about configuring settings from the desktop app rather than the Dashboard. I was pleased to find that I had a reply to my question through email in less than 3 hours. Like live chat, email back up is only bachelor for Premium subscribers.

Social Media — Free Advice and Prompt Responses on Twitter

Sophos has an active social media presence, especially on Twitter. The team is regularly available during standard hours (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to viii p.thou. EST) and answers questions through Direct Messages (DMs). Responses come rapidly but questions aren't ever totally resolved. I had a response to my DM on Twitter in less than x minutes but was directed to a page on the Sophos' support site rather than being given the answer.

Price - seven

Here'south a tip: Sophos' gratuitous plan comes with a 30-solar day trial of its premium subscription — and y'all can get some other xxx days of chance-free apply by using the coin-back guarantee Sophos offers every client!

Like to other gratuitous antivirus providers like Avira and Panda, some of Sophos' features are only available when you subscribe to its premium plan. The free version isn't the almost comprehensive option on the marketplace (even the premium program is lite on features) merely Sophos makes up for its shortcomings with ease of use and excellent real-time virus protection.

That said, I wouldn't recommend paying for the premium programme — it'south light on features, particularly compared to other paid antivirus providers. For example, Norton, McAfee, and TotalAV all take a larger prepare of features and fifty-fifty better performance at a similar cost (or lower!).

Sophos Home (Gratuitous) — Best for Basic Coverage

You tin use Sophos Home for complimentary for an unlimited corporeality of fourth dimension. Yous don't even need to provide whatsoever payment details or create an account if you lot don't want to. With this option, you get real-fourth dimension antivirus protection, parental controls, web security, and remote management for up to three devices.

This plan excludes ransomware protection, malware removal tools, or extra features like banking and webcam protection. However, its cloud-based protection provides strong security confronting the most common threats. Unlike other free antivirus competitors, there were no endless pop-ups asking me to subscribe to a premium plan either.

When you sign up for the complimentary plan , you'll automatically enrol into a 30-twenty-four hours costless trial of the premium program. After the 30 days are upwardly, y'all're automatically reverted back to the free plan. This makes a change from the experience I usually have with antivirus gratuitous trials, which attempt to upsell a subscription or terminate working in one case the trial ends.

Sophos Habitation (Paid) — Powerful Malware Protection merely Lite on Extra Features

With Sophos' paid plan, y'all have the option of protecting up to 10 devices with the post-obit features:

• Malware Remover
• Real-Time Antivirus
• Ransomware Protection
• Banking Protection
• Privacy Protection
• Spider web Security
• Parental Spider web Filtering
• Remote Management

The paid subscription provides more comprehensive coverage, as it includes features that the free plan is missing similar privacy, cyberbanking, and ransomware protection. Compared to similar plans from other providers, Sophos is reasonably priced.

Notwithstanding, Sophos Home (Paid) doesn't offering the same level of robust protection every bit a service like Norton 360. Norton'southward package outperformed Sophos in real-time protection tests and has premium features that aren't available on Sophos (like Cloud Fill-in and a VPN). Best of all, you can try Norton 360 risk-gratuitous for up to 60 days .

Sophos Endpoint Protection — Business organisation Solution for Full Antivirus Security (Cost Available past Quote)

For business users, Sophos offers Endpoint Protection to cover multiple devices through a centralized dashboard. Chosen Intercept X Endpoint, this service provides comprehensive malware, ransomware, and spyware protection also as exploit defenses and a managed threat response. This is designed to secure your business against online threats from every angle, utilizing Artificial Intelligence to mitigate malware risks.

As function of Endpoint Protection, Sophos offers deject protection called Deject Optix. This is designed to provide upward-to-date assay and data for your business for existent-time security. You can see at a glance if in that location are whatever issues and tackle them immediately so your data isn't compromised.

Intercept Ten Endpoint has a costless trial for business users and prices are available on request.

Sophos Mobile Security — Intercept Ten Apps Ever Free for Android and iOS

Much like its Domicile Free program, Sophos' mobile apps are always costless . There's no accuse to use any of the included features and no need to ready an business relationship — you can download them to as many Android or iOS devices as you desire. Only brand sure you download them through links from the Sophos website, as at that place have been reports of malicious files posing every bit legitimate software.

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Uncomplicated Refund Process

Sophos offers a 30-twenty-four hour period money-back guarantee with every paid subscription plan. This is adequately typical, with companies similar McAfee and TotalAV offer similar trial periods. This guarantee ways y'all tin can examination Sophos' premium antivirus plans for up to 30 days and get a total refund.

To make sure the coin-dorsum guarantee is authentic, I tested it for myself by subscribing to the Sophos Domicile Premium programme. Later using Sophos for several weeks and running tests, I contacted customer back up to asking a refund. After submitting my lodge details, I received a response in less than an hour. The back up rep confirmed my request and that my refund was beingness candy, I had my money dorsum in my account in 9 days.

30-Day Free Trial — Attempt Sophos Premium Adventure-Gratis

Sophos offers a 30-twenty-four hours gratuitous trial of its premium plan with every free download. This gave me enough of time to try the software without having to enter any personal or payment details. This complimentary trial is designed to entice you to upgrade in one case yous've seen how much "meliorate" the premium program is. However, the free program offers good antivirus coverage for no cost at all. If you're looking for a basic, no-frills plan with simple configuration, Sophos' free service is worth trying.

Sophos Domicile 1 Year

$44.99 per year

You Save 57%

Sophos Habitation 2 Year

$74.99 per year

You Relieve 29%

Final Verdict

Later thorough testing of all of its features, I can confidently say that Sophos' free plan is a high-quality antivirus package. Its lightweight nature and remote management tools are unique, making it a expert pick if yous take several devices to monitor and protect. While y'all won't accept ransomware, banking, and webcam protection, I don't recall the extra cost is worth upgrading to the premium package.

You don't have to take my word for it though. If you'd like to test the premium plan for yourself, I suggest you download the costless plan every bit you'll automatically get a xxx-day free trial of the premium version . You can fifty-fifty continue using information technology for another 30 days with the coin-back guarantee — just brand sure you request a refund before the 30 days are upward in social club to get your money dorsum without any problems.

? Is Sophos antivirus whatever expert?

Yep, Sophos antivirus offers good protection for your devices. In my tests, Sophos antivirus provides high-quality protection from online threats. Sophos accomplished a 100% detection rating for malware, and blocked malicious sites, phishing scams, and viruses accurately.

? Can I use Sophos antivirus for free?

Yes! Sophos has an antivirus plan that is totally free. When you download the complimentary version of Sophos , you lot don't even accept to enter whatever payment details or create an account. Y'all'll be protected in real-time from all types of malware, except ransomware.

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Source: https://www.wizcase.com/antivirus/sophos/

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