Avast

Avast is a Czech cybersecurity software brand and subsidiary of Gen Digital. It developed from Alwil Software, a cooperative founded in 1988 by Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera after Baudiš created a program to remove the Vienna computer virus. The company initially focused on antivirus technology for personal computers and later expanded into endpoint security, mobile protection, browser security, password management, virtual private networking, privacy tools, and business security administration. The brand's major commercial turning point came in 2001, when Alwil adopted a freemium distribution model. A free version of Avast antivirus made the product accessible to a broad international audience, while premium features and commercial products generated revenue. The strategy accelerated adoption from approximately one million users in 2004 to approximately 20 million in 2006. Avast subsequently became one of the most widely used consumer antivirus brands, distributing its software in many languages and operating across consumer and business markets. During the 2010s, Avast expanded through investment and acquisitions. The company adopted the Avast name in 2010, acquired mobile developer Inmite in 2014, purchased AVG Technologies for approximately $1.3 billion in 2016, and acquired Piriform, the maker of CCleaner, in 2017. The AVG transaction added a major antivirus and security portfolio and strengthened Avast's position in desktop and mobile protection. Avast completed an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in 2018 and was also associated with the Prague Stock Exchange before its acquisition. Avast's consumer portfolio has included Avast Antivirus, Avast One, Avast SecureLine VPN, Avast Secure Browser, Avast Online Security, Avast Passwords, and related privacy and device-maintenance utilities. Its business offerings have included endpoint protection, managed workplace services, Wi-Fi and network security, identity protection, data protection, and tools for administrators to deploy and manage security software. The brand has generally used a free-plus-premium model, with basic protection available without charge and advanced capabilities offered through subscriptions. The company also faced significant privacy controversy. Investigations published in late 2019 and early 2020 reported that Avast browser extensions and antivirus products collected detailed browsing-related information and that the information was commercialized through its subsidiary Jumpshot. Avast announced in January 2020 that it would close Jumpshot. The Czech data-protection authority opened a preliminary investigation, and the United States Federal Trade Commission announced a $16.5 million settlement and related order in 2024 concerning the collection and sale of browsing data. NortonLifeLock announced discussions to combine with Avast in 2021. Avast shareholders approved the transaction, and the acquisition was completed in September 2022 after regulatory review. The combined company was renamed Gen Digital, bringing Avast together with Norton, LifeLock, and other security brands. Avast remains an active consumer-facing brand within that portfolio, although it is no longer an independent publicly listed company.

Avast originated in 1988 when Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, researchers at Czechoslovakia's Research Institute for Mathematical Machines, created a cooperative known as Alwil Software. Baudiš had encountered the Vienna virus on a floppy disk and developed a removal program before inviting Kučera to help develop the business. The company operated during the transition from a state-socialist economy to a market economy and became a joint partnership in 1991. The company developed antivirus software for personal computers and expanded its technical capabilities during the 1990s. In 1995, employee Ondřej Vlček wrote an antivirus program for Windows 95. Recognition in Virus Bulletin testing helped build the product's credibility, although Alwil experienced financial pressure by the end of the decade. Its adoption of a freemium model in 2001 became the key growth decision: a free core product generated a very large user base, while subscriptions and business products supplied revenue. User numbers reached about one million in 2004 and about 20 million in 2006. Vince Steckler, formerly associated with Symantec, became chief executive officer in 2009. In 2010, Alwil Software changed its corporate name to Avast and raised venture capital. The company filed for a public offering in 2011 but withdrew the application in 2012, citing market conditions. In 2012, Avast ended its relationship with outsourced support provider iYogi after concerns about misleading sales practices. By 2013, the company reported approximately 200 million users across 38 countries, with its software available in 43 languages. Avast broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and investment. CVC Capital Partners acquired an interest in 2014, and Avast bought mobile developer Inmite to support mobile applications. In 2016, Avast acquired AVG Technologies for approximately $1.3 billion. The transaction combined two major antivirus businesses and added desktop, mobile, and business security capabilities. Avast acquired Piriform in 2017, adding CCleaner and related utility software. The company went public in London in May 2018 and was also connected with the Prague Stock Exchange. Ondřej Vlček became chief executive officer in July 2019. During the same period, controversy developed around Avast browser extensions and the handling of user information. Investigations reported that extensions collected detailed browsing activity. A later investigation by Motherboard and PCMag reported that antivirus-derived data was sold through Jumpshot, an Avast subsidiary. Avast shut down Jumpshot in January 2020. The Czech data-protection authority announced a preliminary investigation in February 2020. Avast continued product development, including a secure mobile browser based on technology obtained from Seattle startup Tenta in 2020. Its principal platform evolved toward Avast One, which organized antivirus, privacy, browser, VPN, and related services under a common consumer experience. Avast also maintained a business portfolio covering endpoint protection, managed workplace services, network security, identity protection, and data security. NortonLifeLock announced negotiations to combine with Avast in July 2021. Avast's board agreed to an offer reported at approximately $8 billion in August. Following competition review, including approval by the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority, the acquisition completed in September 2022. NortonLifeLock and Avast became part of Gen Digital. Avast therefore continues as a brand and product family within a larger cybersecurity group rather than as an independent listed company. In 2024, the FTC announced a settlement relating to allegations about the collection and sale of browsing data, extending the privacy controversy into the post-acquisition period.

1. 2024FTC privacy settlement

   The FTC announced a $16.5 million settlement concerning allegations about the sale of browsing data.

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2. 2022Acquired by NortonLifeLock

   The acquisition completed and the combined business became Gen Digital.

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3. 2020Jumpshot closed

   Avast shut down its data-analytics subsidiary after public criticism and investigations concerning browsing-data commercialization.

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4. 2018London IPO

   Avast listed on the London Stock Exchange in an offering that valued the company at approximately £2.4 billion.

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5. 2017Piriform acquired

   Avast acquired Piriform, developer of CCleaner and other device-utility products.

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6. 2016AVG Technologies acquired

   Avast completed an agreement to buy AVG, strengthening its position in consumer and business security.

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7. 2014Mobile and institutional expansion

   CVC acquired an interest in Avast, and Avast acquired mobile developer Inmite.

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8. 2010Alwil adopts the Avast corporate name

   The company changed its corporate name from Alwil Software to Avast and raised venture capital.

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9. 2001Freemium model introduced

   Avast began distributing a basic antivirus product without charge while reserving advanced capabilities for paid versions.

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10. 1995Windows 95 antivirus program developed

    Avast employee Ondřej Vlček wrote the company's first antivirus program for Windows 95.

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11. 1991Business reorganized as a partnership

    Alwil changed from a cooperative structure to a joint partnership during Czechoslovakia's post-revolutionary economic transition.

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12. 1988Alwil Software cooperative founded

    Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera founded the cooperative that developed the Avast antivirus product.

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A mass-market cybersecurity brand using broad freemium distribution to attract users to basic protection and convert a portion of them to paid security, privacy, and performance products. It also serves organizations with endpoint and managed-security tools.

• Avast OneConsumer cybersecurity platform

  Avast One is the brand's integrated consumer security platform. It presents antivirus, privacy, browser, network, and related protection capabilities through a common dashboard. Its model combines free security functions with paid features such as expanded VPN access, data-breach protection, and other premium controls, depending on market and plan.

• Avast AntivirusAntivirus

  Avast Antivirus is the core consumer security product family. It detects malware and other threats, provides real-time protection, and has historically included browser cleanup, network security, password, and related functions. The product has been distributed in free and paid editions, with premium tiers adding capabilities such as firewall, anti-spam, and banking protection.

• Avast SecureLine VPNVirtual private network

  SecureLine VPN is Avast's consumer virtual private networking product. It is designed to encrypt internet traffic and provide a privacy-oriented connection when users access networks such as public Wi-Fi. It has been offered as a paid capability within Avast's broader consumer security portfolio.

• Avast Secure BrowserWeb browser2020

  Avast Secure Browser is a privacy- and security-oriented web browser built around protections such as blocking unwanted tracking and improving browser security. Avast also introduced a secure mobile browser for Android using technology acquired from Tenta, a Seattle-based startup.

• Avast Online SecurityBrowser extension

  Avast Online Security is the brand's principal browser-extension offering. It is intended to provide web safety information and protection while users browse. Avast has also distributed related extensions, including Avast SafePrice and Avast Passwords.

• Avast BusinessBusiness cybersecurity

  Avast Business products serve organizations with endpoint protection, antivirus, Wi-Fi and network security, identity and data protection, password management, and administrative controls. The portfolio has included tools for identifying vulnerable networks, isolating suspicious applications in a sandbox, and centrally deploying and managing security installations.

• Avast Business Managed WorkplaceManaged IT security

  Managed Workplace is an administrative and monitoring service for business environments. It is designed to help IT providers or administrators monitor desktops, manage installations, and assess aspects of an organization's security posture.

• AVGAntivirus and cybersecurity brand

  AVG became part of Avast after the 2016 acquisition of AVG Technologies. Avast subsequently integrated parts of the AVG and Avast product and business operations while retaining AVG-branded consumer and business security products in the portfolio.

• CCleanerDevice utility software

  CCleaner is a device-maintenance utility developed by Piriform, which Avast acquired in 2017. It is associated with cleaning unnecessary files and managing aspects of computer performance and maintenance. The product became part of Avast's broader software portfolio after the acquisition.

• 2021Agree to NortonLifeLock acquisitionM&A

  NortonLifeLock and Avast sought to combine their cybersecurity businesses and broaden their international consumer-security scale.

  What changed. Avast's board agreed to an offer reported at approximately $8 billion, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

  Aftermath. The transaction completed in 2022 and the combined company became Gen Digital.

  Offer value. Approximately US$8 billion (2021 announced offer)

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• 2020Close JumpshotStrategy

  Public investigations and user criticism focused on the collection and resale of browsing-related information.

  What changed. Avast announced that Jumpshot would be shut down immediately and that its operations would cease.

  Aftermath. The decision ended the subsidiary's data-commercialization activities, but regulatory scrutiny continued.

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• 2016Acquire AVG TechnologiesM&A

  AVG was a major antivirus provider with desktop, mobile, and business security products.

  What changed. Avast agreed to acquire AVG for approximately $1.3 billion and later worked to integrate the two portfolios.

  Aftermath. The transaction increased Avast's scale and broadened its presence in consumer and organizational security.

  Acquisition value. Approximately US$1.3 billion (2016 transaction)

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• 2001Adopt freemium distributionStrategy

  Alwil Software faced financial pressure and needed a model capable of expanding distribution while creating a path to paid revenue.

  What changed. The company made a basic Avast antivirus product available at no cost and charged for advanced features and editions.

  Aftermath. The approach drove rapid user growth and became central to Avast's consumer-market positioning.

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• 2024Federal Trade Commission privacy enforcementControversy

  The FTC announced a $16.5 million settlement and an order addressing allegations that Avast collected and sold browsing information while representing that its products would protect users' privacy.

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• 2020Jumpshot browsing-data disclosuresControversy

  A joint Motherboard and PCMag investigation reported that data collected through Avast and AVG products was resold for advertising and analytics through Jumpshot. Avast announced that it would close Jumpshot and stop its operations in January 2020.

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• 2019Browser-extension data collection controversyControversy

  Investigations reported that Avast and AVG browser extensions collected users' browsing behavior and history and transmitted the information to remote servers. The extensions were temporarily removed from the Chrome, Firefox, and Opera stores before returning.

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• 2022Avast becomes part of Gen Digital

  The NortonLifeLock acquisition of Avast was completed after regulatory approval, and the combined company adopted the Gen Digital name.

  M&A
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• 2021NortonLifeLock announces proposed combination with Avast

  NortonLifeLock announced discussions to merge with Avast, and Avast's board later accepted an offer valued at approximately $8 billion.

  M&A
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• 2021NortonLifeLock enters talks to combine with Avast

  NortonLifeLock announced discussions concerning a combination with Avast, beginning the process that ultimately created Gen Digital.

  M&A
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• 2021Avast board accepts NortonLifeLock offer

  Avast's board agreed to an offer from NortonLifeLock valued at approximately $8 billion.

  M&A
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• 2018Avast completes London Stock Exchange listing

  Avast completed an initial public offering in London, becoming one of the United Kingdom's larger technology listings at the time.

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• 2018Avast completes London listing

  Avast conducted an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange, with the listing valuing the company at approximately £2.4 billion.

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• 2017Avast acquires Piriform

  Avast bought Piriform, the developer of CCleaner, adding a widely used PC utility portfolio to its software business.

  M&A
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• 2016Avast acquires AVG Technologies

  Avast agreed to purchase the competing antivirus company AVG for approximately $1.3 billion, expanding its consumer and business security portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2014Avast support forum compromised

  A compromise of Avast's online support forum exposed names, passwords, and email addresses associated with approximately 400,000 accounts.

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• 2012Avast dismisses outsourced support provider after misleading-sales allegations

  Avast ended its relationship with outsourced technical-support provider iYogi after reports that customers were being encouraged to purchase services they did not need.

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• 2001Avast adopts a freemium antivirus model

  The company began offering a no-cost basic antivirus product, helping it scale internationally while reserving advanced features for paid customers.

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1. Avast
2. FTC finalizes order banning Avast from selling browsing data
3. Avast official website