Frequently asked questions about Avast
What type of company is Avast?
Avast is a publicly traded (LSE: AVST) cybersecurity company offering security, privacy, and productivity software that protects people from threats on the internet and the evolving IoT threat landscape. While most of our primary services are offered under the Avast and AVG brands, the company additionally markets productivity software through its subsidiary, CCleaner.
Where is Avast headquartered?
Avast is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic.
Who are Avast’s founders?
Pavel Baudis and Eduard Kucera founded Avast, formerly known as Alwil Software, in 1988. Baudis was inspired to develop antivirus software after obtaining a sample of the Vienna Virus at a computer science conference.
Who is Avast’s CEO?
Ondrej Vlcek was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Avast in July 2019. Vlcek joined Avast in 1995 as an intern and held key positions including Chief Technology Officer and Head of Product before ascending to his current position. He is the company’s third CEO.
Does Avast have a conference?
In 2019, Avast launched the CyberSec & AI Connected conference alongside Czech Technical University to bring together the AI, cybersecurity, and machine-learning communities. The conference has since been moved to a virtual format to allow professionals from around the world to engage with their peers. Learn more at: https://cybersecai.com/
What awards has Avast won?
Avast has won many prestigious editorial and technical awards, most recently Editors’ Choice by PC Magazine.
How does Avast test its software?
Avast uses third-party testing institutions such as AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, SE Labs, VB-100, and others to certify its performance in a variety of real-world conditions.
What is the best antivirus in 2022?
Avast Free Antivirus has won multiple awards and was recently named best antivirus by PC Mag, receiving the Editors’ Choice award.
Do you need antivirus in 2022?
Yes, all computers need antivirus to protect users against the evolving threats they face today on the internet. An effective antivirus, such as Avast Free Antivirus, can protect against viruses, ransomware, and other malware.
Does Windows 10 need antivirus?
Yes, Windows 10 needs antivirus protection. Although it comes with Microsoft’s Windows Defender, you need a third-party antivirus solution to guard against the full range of cyberthreats that put your Windows 10 device at risk. Protect yourself against new and unknown virus and malware strains, as well as phishing attacks, Wi-Fi intruders, and scams with Avast Free Antivirus.
Is antivirus strong enough to protect my computer?
Yes, Avast Free Antivirus is definitely strong enough to protect your computer. Avast is supported by the world’s largest threat-detection network and we block more than 60 million cyberthreats every day. With features such as Wi-Fi Inspector, Smart Scan, and Behavior Shield, Avast Free Antivirus defends against all the dangers and malicious software the internet could throw at you.
Avast Free Antivirus is more than enough to keep your computer safe against all types of viruses and malware, as well as phishing attacks, Wi-Fi intruders, and much more.
Avast Free Antivirus is more than enough to keep your computer safe against all types of viruses and malware, as well as phishing attacks, Wi-Fi intruders, and much more.
Does Avast protect against hackers?
Avast protects against hackers in many ways. For starters, it detects and blocks the most common methods they use to attack devices, such as phishing and ransomware. But it doesn’t stop there: Avast also checks Wi-Fi networks for vulnerabilities that hackers could use to access your device without your permission. Using the world's largest threat database, we’re always one step ahead of malware and hackers.
Can Avast remove Trojan viruses?
Yes, Avast Free Antivirus scans for and removes Trojan viruses hiding on your device — and prevents future attacks from Trojans and other types of malware. Plus it's 100% free and easy to use.
Is Avast Free really free?
Yes, Avast Free Antivirus is 100% free. It’s also an award-winning cybersecurity solution and one of the best free antivirus programs available. It prevents ransomware, spyware, and other types of malware, blocks phishing attacks, and detects Wi-Fi intruders on your home network, all completely free.
How long does Avast Free last?
Avast Free Antivirus is free forever — you’ll never have to pay to continue using it. Avast Free Antivirus automatically activates after installation, and you don’t need to register it. If you’re ever prompted to reactivate your free software, follow the instructions in our Avast Free Antivirus activation support guide.
How much does Avast cost per month?
The cost of Avast’s cybersecurity products depends on your needs, and can range from 100% free to $119.99 per year for the ultimate level of protection — which works out to less than $10 per month. For the best free protection available, try our award-winning, world-class free antivirus solutions for PC, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
Is it worth paying for Avast Premium?
Yes, Avast Premium Security is absolutely worth paying for because it augments our world-class free antivirus with extra layers of security on up to 10 devices — so you can protect your friends and family, too. With Avast Premium Security, you’ll get 24/7 protection against:
- Spoofed websites and DNS hijacking: Avast Premium Security will automatically redirect you to safe websites.
- Remote access attacks: Avast Premium Security detects and blocks any attempts by hackers to take over your device.
- Network threats: Avast Premium Security has an advanced firewall that keeps your network safe from intruders and malware.
How can I register Avast Free Antivirus for free?
You don’t need to register Avast Free Antivirus because it automatically activates after installation. If you’re ever prompted to reactivate, just follow the simple steps in our Avast Free Antivirus activation support guide.
How can I clean my computer from viruses for free?
You can use the Avast Rescue Disk feature included in Avast Free Antivirus to clean your Windows PC from viruses and other malware. For instructions, refer to this article on Avast’s support website. Having Avast Free Antivirus installed will ensure your device is clean from viruses and other malware.
How can I get a free Avast activation code?
You can easily get a free Avast activation code on our website. Go to our free license page and scroll down to find free trials for Avast AntiTrack Premium, Cleanup Premium, Driver Updater, and SecureLine VPN. You can also get advanced protection with Avast Premium Security with a 30-day free trial — or get free protection forever with our award-winning Avast Free Antivirus.
Does Avast have a free VPN?
Yes, Avast has a free VPN trial that lets you try Avast SecureLine VPN free for 7 days. Get all the benefits of a world-class VPN, including bank-grade 256-bit AES data encryption, the ability to hide your IP address, and access to lighting-fast servers in over 50 locations around the world. Keep what you do online private and access the content you want with our 100% free trial.
Do I need Avast Cleanup Premium?
You need Avast Cleanup Premium if you want to properly clean up and optimize your computer. Use it to automatically speed up your PC, free up disk space, and make your computer run like new.
Avast Cleanup Premium is a powerful PC optimization tool packed with advanced features that will:
Avast Cleanup Premium is a powerful PC optimization tool packed with advanced features that will:
- Remove junk files to free up space
- Get rid of unneeded programs
- Optimize your system settings
- Clear out old registry entries
- Clean up your browser
- Prevent apps from running in the background and slowing you down
- Keep your PC in top shape with automatic maintenance
Do Android phones get viruses?
Android phones don’t get viruses, but your phone can certainly get infected by malware. Android devices have been attacked by adware, ransomware, and various security exploits and zero-day attacks. Protect your Android device against malware, theft, and other threats with Avast Mobile Security for Android.
How can I check to see if my phone has a virus?
Here are a few signs that your phone has a virus or other malware:
- Your phone suddenly seems slower
- Apps frequently freeze or crash
- Your battery is draining faster than usual
- Your phone keeps overheating
- You’re seeing lots of pop-up ads
- There are unfamiliar apps on your phone
- You’ve noticed an increase in data usage or getting higher phone bills
Can a hacker shut down your internet?
Yes, a hacker could shut down your internet connection, but they're very unlikely to do so. Hackers who are also cybercriminals are typically focused on stealing money or data, and shutting down your internet makes that impossible for them.
Can someone hack your computer Wi-Fi?
Yes, Wi-Fi connections can be hacked, or interrupted in a number of ways. If you have a private internet network at home, it’s important to keep your router up to date with the latest firmware and to set a strong administrator password. If you frequently use free, public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to ensure that your connection is encrypted and be sure you’ve got an antivirus on your computer or phone.
How long does it take for Avast to install?
Installation time depends on a device’s performance, internet speed, and the particular Avast app being installed. It usually takes one to five minutes.
How much RAM does Avast use?
It depends on the Avast app. For minimum system requirements, refer to the FAQs on Avast’s support website.
Does antivirus speed up your computer?
An antivirus tool can speed up your computer by removing malware infections. A top-notch cybersecurity tool like Avast Free Antivirus protects your computer without slowing it down. Avast works quietly in the background to protect against ransomware and other threats without sacrificing performance. By cleaning up unwanted infections and other potentially harmful programs, a quality antivirus tool will help speed up your computer.
Does Avast require Windows 10?
Avast Antivirus is compatible with Windows 10, but it also works with Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1.
How do I know if Avast is working?
To ensure your device is protected, refer to this article on how to make sure Avast Antivirus is installed and actively protecting your PC on Avast’s support website.