We protect digital freedom for everyone
We believe that wherever you live, whatever you love, wherever you’re going, and whatever you do, you have the right to live freely and safely online.
Hello, we’re Avast
435m+
monthly active users
30+
years of proud innovation
1.5bn+
cyberattacks blocked every month
Hello, we’re Avast
Putting your digital identity back in your own hands
The more we engage, the more possibilities emerge for us to access and explore new online experiences. But to do so, we’re often sharing our personal information with little control over how or where it’s used.
Avast is committed to ensuring everyone is able to control what they share online and who they share it with.
Learn more about how we’re putting digital identity services at the heart of our mission to protect your digital freedom.
A history of global protection
Destroying a virus — the start of something big
Pavel Baudis defeats the Vienna virus, and he and Eduard Kucera establish the ALWIL cooperative in Prague to distribute and sell their newly created software.
Founding a company — ALWIL Software is launched
Following the fall of Communism after the Velvet Revolution of 1989, Pavel and Eduard break off from the rest of the cooperative, establishing ALWIL as a company.
Joining Avast — Ondrej Vlcek
Ondrej Vlcek, now the CEO, joins Alwil as a software developer.
Avast goes global
After refusing an offer to be acquired, Alwil instead licenses its Avast antivirus to McAfee, and watches its global distribution grow rapidly.
Free security for all
Avast makes the defining decision to change the traditional antivirus business model and offers a fully featured, free antivirus to all.
Surpassing one million users
Within 30 months of going free, Avast is used by over 1 million people around the world.
20 million users strong
The number of people using Avast continues to grow exponentially, doubling twice in one year, reaching 20 million.
Welcoming new leadership
Vincent Steckler is appointed CEO of Avast.
Becoming Avast
Summit Partners comes on board as an investor. Alwil is rebranded as Avast to match the name of our iconic software.
Getting down to business
Avast expands into business security, focusing on the SMB market.
Bringing the best to mobile
Avast Free Mobile Security becomes the best-rated security app on Google Play. Avast Free Antivirus is the most downloaded software on Download.com
Gaining momentum with mobile carriers
Avast's mobile family apps hits the 1,000,000 subscriber milestone through mobile carrier partnerships.
Rising up with the mobile boom
CVC Capital Partners becomes a strategic investor. Our mobile products reach the 100 million download milestone faster than any other mobile security tools in Google Play history.
Celebrating our brand new headquarters in Prague
Avast opens its new Prague headquarters, bringing Silicon Valley style to the Czech Republic.
Joining forces, better together
Avast acquires fellow Czech-based cybersecurity giant AVG, doubling our total number of users and bringing in new talent and technologies. The acquisition gives Avast the largest and most advanced threat detection network, based on our massive user base, and further diversifies our product portfolio, geographic base, and revenue streams.
Serving 435 million active users
All versions of Avast antivirus protect against WannaCry, BadRabbit and NotPetya ransomware as well as Emotet crypto-mining attacks, without requiring a single product update. Avast reaches $811M in adjusted billings. Avast acquires Piriform, bringing our total active users to over 435 million.
Going public on the London Stock Exchange
In May 2018, Avast is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Leading a new phase of growth
Ondrej Vlcek is appointed CEO.
FTSE 100
In 2020, Avast entered the FTSE 100 index, which tracks the stocks of the largest firms traded on the London Stock Exchange.
How we keep you safe
But that doesn't mean you have to compromise your safety, privacy, or identity.
Leadership team
For more information on company structure and governance, visit our Investor site
Diversity at Avast
