Company Overview
Founded in 1988 by Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera as a research project in Prague, Czech Republic, Avast is a global leader in cybersecurity. It launched the free Avast Antivirus in 1996, which became one of the most downloaded antivirus products worldwide. In 2016, Avast acquired AVG Technologies, and in 2022 it merged with NortonLifeLock to form Gen Digital, one of the largest consumer cybersecurity companies in the world.
Headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, Avast serves hundreds of millions of users globally with comprehensive digital security and privacy solutions.
Related providers: Avast Service Provider
Core Products
| Product Name | Product Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Avast Free Antivirus | Free Antivirus | Basic virus protection with global leading downloads |
| Avast Premium Security | Paid Security Suite | Advanced antivirus, firewall, anti-phishing and more |
| Avast Cleanup | System Optimization Tool | Cleans junk files, optimizes system performance |
| Avast SecureLine VPN | VPN Service | Encrypts internet connection, protects online privacy |
| Avast Passwords | Password Manager | Securely stores and manages passwords |
| Avast BreachGuard | Data Breach Monitor | Monitors personal data leak risks |
| Avast Omni | Smart Home Security | Protects IoT devices and home networks |
Key Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Founded by Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera as a research project in Prague |
| 1996 | Launched free Avast Antivirus, becoming one of the most popular antivirus products worldwide |
| 2016 | Acquired competitor AVG Technologies |
| 2022 | Merged with NortonLifeLock to form Gen Digital |
| Present | Continues serving hundreds of millions of users with cybersecurity solutions |
Market Position
Avast holds a significant position in the consumer cybersecurity market, competing with the following companies:
| Competitor | Description |
|---|---|
| Norton (Gen Digital) | Same group company under Gen Digital, direct competitor |
| Bitdefender | Romanian cybersecurity firm offering similar antivirus and security suites |
| Kaspersky | Russian cybersecurity company competing in antivirus space |
| ESET | Slovak security company known for lightweight antivirus products |
| McAfee | US cybersecurity company serving consumer and enterprise markets |
| Trend Micro | Japanese security company with presence in personal and enterprise sectors |
