Avast
Avast Software s.r.o. is a Czech multinational cybersecurity company headquartered in Prague, specializing in antivirus and internet security software, founded in 1988 by software engineers Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera during the era of Communist Czechoslovakia.[1][2][3] The company initially developed as a cooperative to create anti-malware tools, evolving into a provider of consumer and business security solutions, including Avast Free Antivirus, which gained widespread adoption for its freemium model offering basic protection against viruses, spyware, and phishing.[4][5] Avast's products, such as Avast Premium Security and Avast Business Antivirus, have received high marks in independent testing for malware detection and system performance impact, with the company earning awards like AV-TEST's Best Protection for Windows and macOS users in 2023, and blocking billions of cyber threats monthly across its user base.[6][7] However, Avast faced significant scrutiny for privacy practices, as its subsidiary Jumpshot collected and sold detailed user browsing data to third parties from 2014 to 2020 without adequate consent, despite marketing its software as privacy-protective, leading to a $16.5 million settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in 2024 and a prohibition on selling such data for advertising purposes.[8][9][10] In 2022, Avast was acquired by NortonLifeLock for over $8 billion, after which the parent company rebranded to Gen Digital, integrating Avast's technologies into a broader cyber safety portfolio while continuing operations under the Avast brand.[11][12]
History
Founding and Early Development
Avast was founded in 1988 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, by software engineers Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, who established it as the ALWIL cooperative amid the constraints of the communist regime.[4][13] Baudiš, while working at a research institute, encountered the Vienna virus on a floppy disk brought from abroad in May 1988 and developed an early removal program for it, marking the inception of their antivirus efforts.[4][13] This initiative stemmed from their shared background in mathematics and computer science, where they recognized the emerging threat of malware to personal computers in Eastern Europe.[14] Following the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which ended communist rule, Baudiš and Kučera separated from the broader cooperative and formalized ALWIL Software, s.r.o., in spring 1991 to develop and distribute antivirus products via floppy disks.[4][15] Early offerings focused on detecting and removing boot sector viruses prevalent on MS-DOS systems, with distribution limited by the era's technological and economic barriers in post-communist Czechoslovakia.[4] In 1995, Ondřej Vlček joined the team, co-authoring the company's first antivirus solution for Windows 95, which expanded compatibility to graphical operating systems and laid groundwork for broader market penetration.[1][4] During the late 1990s, ALWIL prioritized heuristic detection methods to combat evolving threats like polymorphic viruses, while maintaining a small team and bootstrapped operations without significant external funding.[14] The antivirus engine, initially named avast! (derived from "AV" for antivirus and "last" for comprehensive protection), gained traction among Eastern European users through shareware models and virus signature updates shared via bulletin board systems and early internet connections.[16] This period solidified ALWIL's focus on lightweight, effective scanning tools suited to limited hardware resources of the time.[17]Growth and Key Milestones
Avast's growth accelerated following the introduction of its free antivirus version in the early 2000s, which adopted a freemium model to expand its user base rapidly. By 2004, the company had approximately 1 million users, surging to 20 million by 2006 due to widespread adoption of the no-cost offering.[18] This strategy positioned Avast as a dominant player in consumer cybersecurity, with user numbers reaching 200 million across PCs, smartphones, and tablets by November 2013.[19] A pivotal expansion occurred on July 7, 2016, when Avast acquired AVG Technologies for $1.3 billion in an all-cash deal at $25 per share, integrating AVG's technology and user base to enhance scale in antivirus and IoT security.[20] The merger propelled Avast's total active users beyond 400 million, strengthening its global market presence.[21] The company achieved a major financial milestone with its initial public offering on May 10, 2018, on the London Stock Exchange, raising $200 million in primary proceeds and $616.6 million in secondary proceeds at a valuation of $3.23 billion.[22] This marked the largest technology IPO in Europe for 2018 and one of the top five tech listings historically on the LSE.[23] In June 2020, Avast was admitted to the FTSE 100 index, reflecting sustained revenue growth and market recognition.[24] Growth culminated in Avast's acquisition by NortonLifeLock (later rebranded Gen Digital), completed on September 12, 2022, in a transaction valued at over $8 billion combining cash and shares.[11][18] This integration expanded Avast's reach within a larger cybersecurity portfolio, maintaining a combined user base exceeding 435 million as of recent reports.[25]Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration into Gen Digital
Avast expanded its capabilities through a series of acquisitions targeting complementary security, privacy, and analytics technologies. A pivotal deal was the acquisition of rival antivirus provider AVG Technologies, announced on July 7, 2016, and completed later that month for $1.3 billion in cash and shares, which added AVG's established user base and product lines to Avast's portfolio.[26][27] Subsequent purchases included data analytics firm Jumpshot in April 2017 for an undisclosed amount, aimed at enhancing threat intelligence through user behavior insights.[28] By 2022, Avast had completed at least seven such transactions across software and related sectors in multiple countries.[28] On August 10, 2021, Avast agreed to a merger with NortonLifeLock Inc., structured as a mix of cash and stock valuing the transaction at $8.1 billion to $8.6 billion, pending regulatory approvals.[29][30] The deal received clearance from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority on September 2, 2022, and closed on September 12, 2022, via a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under which Avast shareholders received consideration equivalent to approximately £6.6 billion.[31][11] Upon completion, NortonLifeLock changed its corporate name to Gen Digital Inc., reflecting the combined entity's focus on broader cyber safety solutions beyond traditional antivirus.[32] Post-merger integration efforts centered on consolidating operations, technologies, and internal controls to create a unified platform serving over 500 million users with annual revenues approaching $3.5 billion.[30] Gen Digital continued to allocate resources toward product innovation, leveraging Avast's expertise in consumer security to address evolving threats, though the process involved ongoing harmonization of processes as noted in regulatory filings through late 2022.[33][34] The merger positioned the enlarged company as a leader in consumer cyber protection, with Avast's brands and technologies retained within Gen Digital's ecosystem.[11]Products and Services
Core Antivirus Offerings
Avast's core antivirus offerings encompass a freemium model with tiered products emphasizing real-time scanning, behavioral analysis, and multi-layered shields against malware, viruses, and phishing threats, compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS platforms.[35] These products leverage a shared engine featuring cloud-assisted detection and AI-driven scam identification to address evolving cyber risks.[36] Avast Free Antivirus serves as the baseline offering, delivering fundamental protections via Core Shields including File Shield for real-time inspection of files during access or transfer, Behavior Shield for flagging anomalous program actions, Web Shield for intercepting malicious URLs and downloads, and Mail Shield for scanning email attachments and links.[36] It supports full system Smart Scans to detect vulnerabilities and quarantines threats for user review, relying on signature-based matching augmented by heuristic and cloud analysis without premium ransomware-specific defenses or firewall enhancements.[36] As of 2025, this free version powers protection for hundreds of millions of devices worldwide, focusing on lightweight installation and basic efficacy against common threats.[36] Avast Premium Security builds on the free edition with advanced components such as a dedicated Ransomware Shield to block encryption attempts and rollback affected files, an intelligent Firewall for inbound/outbound traffic monitoring, and Webcam Protection to alert on unauthorized microphone or camera activation.[37] Additional antivirus-centric features include Email Guard for phishing detection in communications and automatic software updating to close exploitable gaps, enabling coverage across up to 10 devices under a subscription model priced at $69.48 for the first year.[37] This tier targets users requiring fortified defenses against sophisticated attacks, with independent evaluations confirming high detection rates in real-world scenarios.[38] Avast One functions as the integrated flagship product line, incorporating core antivirus elements like AI-enhanced scanning for malware, spyware, and ransomware alongside unified Web and Email Guards for proactive threat blocking.[39] Distinct from Premium Security by its modular structure—offering free Essential, paid Gold ($59.88 first year), Platinum, and Ultimate bundles—it prioritizes holistic device safeguarding with embedded performance tools, while maintaining the same foundational shields and detection heuristics.[35] Available for multi-platform deployment, Avast One's antivirus core emphasizes seamless updates and behavioral monitoring to counter zero-day exploits, positioning it as a comprehensive entry point for users valuing extensibility over isolated AV functions.[39]Complementary Security and Privacy Tools
Avast offers SecureLine VPN, a virtual private network service that encrypts internet traffic using AES-256 encryption and supports protocols such as OpenVPN and IKEv2 to mask users' IP addresses and protect against eavesdropping on public Wi-Fi networks.[40] The tool allows simultaneous connections on up to 10 devices and includes features like a kill switch to prevent data leaks during connection drops, as well as Smart VPN for automatic server selection based on location and load.[41] Independent tests have confirmed its ability to avoid IP and DNS leaks, though its server network of around 700 locations across 34 countries is smaller than some competitors.[42] AntiTrack functions as an anti-fingerprinting tool that actively disrupts online trackers by injecting randomized "noise" data into browser requests, such as fake browser fingerprints and digital personas, to obscure users' true identities from advertisers and websites.[43] It scans for and blocks tracking attempts in real-time, clears cookies and cache traces, and supports major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, with reported effectiveness in evading common fingerprinting techniques during controlled tests.[44] Unlike passive blockers, AntiTrack's proactive randomization has been noted for reducing profile-building accuracy, though it may slightly impact page load times due to added processing.[45] BreachGuard provides data breach monitoring by scanning public databases and the dark web for exposed personal information tied to users' email addresses and credentials, delivering alerts within 24 hours of detection.[46] The service includes unlimited email monitoring, password change guidance, and credit monitoring in select regions, with users able to add multiple accounts for comprehensive coverage.[47] It integrates risk assessment tools to prioritize threats, such as leaked credentials from past incidents like the 2019 Capital One breach, and has been utilized by millions to respond to over 10 billion detected leaks as of 2023.[48] Additional privacy-focused extensions, such as the Online Security & Privacy browser add-on, block phishing sites and malicious trackers while rating website reputations based on community data from over 400 million users.[49] These tools are often bundled in suites like Avast Ultimate, enabling cross-device protection without standalone antivirus overlap.[50]Technology and Efficacy
Core Detection Mechanisms
Avast's core detection mechanisms rely on a multi-layered architecture that integrates static analysis, dynamic emulation, behavioral monitoring, and artificial intelligence-driven classification to identify known and emerging threats. The system processes files and behaviors across six defensive layers, leveraging vast telemetry from over 435 million users to enhance accuracy and speed.[51][52] Static analysis forms the initial barrier through the Static Scanner, which examines file structures—such as Portable Executable (PE) headers and linker information—without execution, employing machine learning models for pattern recognition and similarity matching against known malware variants. Heuristic elements within this scanner apply algorithmic rules to flag anomalies in code obfuscation or packing techniques, reducing reliance on exact signature matches. These methods enable proactive detection of polymorphic or repackaged threats before runtime.[51] For unknown or suspicious files, dynamic analysis occurs via emulators and DeepScreen technology, which simulate execution in isolated virtual environments, including full virtual machines hosted in the cloud for deeper scrutiny. DeepScreen correlates findings with global threat intelligence to classify evasive samples, while CyberCapture automatically uploads rare binaries (processing up to 1 million files daily) to Avast Threat Labs for clean-room dissection, revealing hidden payloads through binary command inspection and providing zero-second blocking for Nitro Edition users via immediate reputation checks against the FileRep database of over 5 billion files.[51][53] Behavioral detection complements these through Behavior Shield, which monitors active processes for malicious actions like process termination (e.g., disabling Windows Update) or unauthorized hardware access (e.g., webcam activation), quarantining threats in real-time. Advanced behavioral threat fingerprinting uses graph neural networks (GNNs) to model system events as interconnected graphs—nodes for actions like file writes or network calls, edges for sequences—identifying fingerprints of attacks such as ransomware encryption or loader injections, with multi-output predictions for threat type, severity, and tactics aligned to MITRE ATT&CK.[51][54] Machine learning underpins the ecosystem with multiple engines applying deep convolutional neural networks (Deep CNNs) for feature extraction from code and behaviors, trained on petabyte-scale datasets from endpoint sensors. Models update within 12 hours of new threat emergence, enabling rapid adaptation to zero-days like WannaCry, with cloud orchestration ensuring low-latency deployment across devices. This AI integration prioritizes false-positive minimization through ensemble methods and explainable outputs.[55][52]Performance in Independent Evaluations
Avast has demonstrated strong performance in independent antivirus evaluations conducted by organizations such as AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives, often achieving top ratings for malware detection, protection, and system impact across Windows, macOS, and mobile platforms.[56][57] In AV-TEST's assessments for Windows 11 home users, Avast Free Antivirus versions from 24.8 through 25.7 consistently earned "top product" status in tests from October 2024 to August 2025, scoring full points (6/6) in protection, performance, and usability categories, which totals the maximum 18 points possible.[58][59] This performance contributed to Avast receiving the AV-TEST Award 2024 for sustained excellence in long-term testing.[60] In AV-Comparatives' evaluations, Avast excelled in real-world protection and malware detection. For instance, in the Real-World Protection Test for July-August 2025, Avast achieved high blocking rates with minimal false positives.[57] The Malware Protection Test in September 2025 similarly highlighted Avast's efficacy against advanced threats.[57] In the April 2025 Performance Test, Avast scored 90 out of 100 overall, with a 96.2% system impact score and only 3.8% slowdown, tying for second place among tested products and outperforming several paid competitors in resource efficiency.[61] AV-Comparatives' 2024 Summary Report recognized Avast Free Antivirus as a "Top Rated Product," awarding "Advanced+" ratings in six of seven tests and "Advanced" in one, based on consistent high detection rates exceeding 99% for zero-day and prevalent malware.[62]| Test Organization | Test Type | Date | Key Metrics for Avast |
|---|---|---|---|
| AV-TEST | Windows 11 Home Protection | August 2025 | 6/6 Protection, 6/6 Performance, 6/6 Usability (Top Product)[58] |
| AV-Comparatives | Performance Test | April 2025 | 90/100 Overall; 96.2% Score; 3.8% Impact[61] |
| AV-Comparatives | Anti-Phishing Certification | Recent (2025) | 96% Detection; 0 False Alarms[63] |