Avast Antivirus is a family of cross-platform internet security applications developed by Avast for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Avast offers free and paid products that provide computer security, browser security, antivirus software, firewall, anti-phishing, antispyware, and anti-spam, among other services.[2]
Avast Free Antivirus is the base product in the Avast lineup. It provides important security features such as malware protection, phishing protection, data leak tracking and Wi-Fi security scanning.[3] The next level, Avast Premium Security, includes advanced features such as real-time ransomware protection, webcam protection, and remote access protection.[4] Avast Ultimate combines Avast Premium Security with additional services such as Avast Cleanup, Avast SecureLine VPN and Avast AntiTrack.[5]
Avast launched a freeware business product, Avast for Business, in February 2015. It includes antivirus protection, web threat scanning, browser protection, and a cloud management console.[6]
As of January 2015 Avast had the largest share of the market for antivirus applications.[7]
In January 2020, multiple news sources reported that Avast Antivirus, through a subsidiary, was selling the browsing history of Avast Free product users. Though the company claimed all data was "de-identified", it was reported that the sold data could possibly in some instances be linked back to people's real identities, exposing every click and search they had made.[8][9][10] In response, Avast announced that it would close the subsidiary over the data privacy backlash.[11] In February 2024, the Federal Trade Commission fined Avast $16.5 million for collecting user data.[12]
See also
References
- ^ "NEW Avast version 24.12". community.avast.com. December 17, 2024.
- ^ "AVAST Software s.r.o.: Private Company Information". Bloomberg. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
- ^ "Free antivirus". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Avast Premium Security". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ "Avast Ultimate". Avast. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
- ^ Kovacs, Eduard. "Avast Launches Free Security Solution for Businesses", Security Week 24 February 2015. Retrieved on 23 March 2015.
- ^ "Avast worth 'upwards of $2 billion'; no IPO before 2017" Reuters. Published on October 29, 2015.
- ^ "The Cost of Avast's Free Antivirus: Companies Can Spy on Your Clicks". PCMAG. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
- ^ Cox, Joseph (2020-01-27). "Leaked Documents Expose the Secretive Market for Your Web Browsing Data". Vice. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
- ^ "Avast packaged detailed user data to be sold for millions of dollars". Engadget. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
- ^ "Avast to Commence Wind Down of Subsidiary Jumpshot". Avast. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "Avast to pay $16.5 mln to settle US charges linked to user data sale". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
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