Avast Anti-Virus

2020: Availability of Ransomware Shield in free Avast antivirus

On July 30, 2020, Avast announced that it has released updated versions of its security solutions specifically aimed at protecting against ransomware around the world related to the COVID-19 pandemic . Avast added the Ransomware Shield feature to its free Avast antivirus. Previously, this feature was available only in the paid version of Avast Premium Security antivirus. Also for Avast Premium Security, the company introduced Remote Access Shield.

Avast Premium Security

According to the company, in recent years, Avast has monitored the growth of attacks using the remote desktop protocol (RDP). This protocol is used to conduct ransomware attacks. In March 2020, at the peak of the pandemic, Avast saw a 20% increase in these attacks worldwide. Due to the fact that millions of people around the world used RDP daily to remotely access their business network, this tool has become very actively used by attackers.

To improve existing threat detection technology, Avast introduced an additional layer that protects files from ransomware and other malware that attempts to modify files. Ransomware Shield prevents extortionists and other unreliable programs from modifying, deleting, or encrypting personal photos and files in protected folders. This feature protects images, documents, and other folders from any unauthorized changes.

Additional updates that have now become part of Avast Free Antivirus include:

• Simplified protection for USB drives - Avast will now invite users to scan USB drives when they connect to their computer.
• Botnet Protection - Enhanced Web Shield prevents malware from connecting to malicious servers through the user's device.

To address remote desktop vulnerabilities, Avast has added Remote Access Shield for Avast Premium Security users. Remote Access Shield protects your personal data:

• Remote Access Shield allows you to choose who can remotely access a protected computer: now users can determine which specific IP addresses or ranges of IP addresses can access their computer, and Avast will block all other IP addresses. By default, RAS already blocks IP addresses that appear to be invalid.
• Remote Access Shield automatically blocks rerun attacks that attempt to crack the accounts data of the protected computer.
• Remote Access Shield automatically blocks connections by attempting to use remote desktop exploits, such as BlueKeep, to gain control of the protected computer.
• Remote Access Shield automatically blocks remote desktop connections from dangerous IP addresses.

The remote access screen is available as of version 20.5 of Avast Premium Security.

Throughout self-isolation around the world, Avast monitored threats that arose from massive remote work. We have seen an increase in attacks through RDP - this has become another problem for people trying to work and learn through the Internet. Everyone has the right to online security, so we have expanded our free antivirus system and provided additional levels of protection. told Michal Pehoucek, Avast Technical Director

2019: Start of online sales in the Czech Republic

April 22, 2019 it became known that AVAST Allsoft Ecommerce they continue to expand their partnership in Eastern. To Europe Having launched online sales in, antivirus To Poland Allsoft begins online sales of electronic vendor licenses in. Czech Republic The Allsoft Ecommerce platform is a flexible solution for online sales of digital products and services around the world. It allows you to increase the amount of the average check, supports -, and emailmarketing also has wide opportunities to work with abandoned baskets - when the buyer chose and put the goods in the basket, but did not pay for it.

For a project with AVAST, the online shopping cart was completely localized taking into account the requirements of the local market. Payments are accepted in Czech currency - CZK. Buyers can pay for the order with one of the convenient payment methods, including payment by credit card, online bank with access to the most popular banks in the Czech Republic, classic bank transfer and PayPal. Customers are assisted by the Allsoft Ecommerce Contact Center in Czech in 12/7 mode by phone and e-mail. They communicate by mail, receive incoming calls and make outgoing calls, helping with all issues related to the purchase and installation of software.

We studied the Czech online sales market and offered the client a customized solution Allsoft Ecommerce, which is optimally suited to Czech users. This helped increase the AVAST basket conversion by 33% in the number of orders, compared to another ecommerce provider. In February and March 2019, A/B testing was conducted in which AVAST shared the traffic of its site between two ecommerce providers. Allsoft Ecommerce has shown an effective performance, showing better results compared to a competitor.

2017

Avast 2017

On February 7, 2017, Avast Software announced the release of Avast 2017, both in a free and premium version.

Avast 2017 has a more powerful security module, analysis tools based on the cloud architecture, faster detects threats, has additional levels of protection for users from cybercriminals.

Screenshot of the software window, (2017)

This is the first release of Avast for personal computers since the acquisition of AVG in September 2016. All Avast 2017 user protection products - Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security and Avast Premier upgraded:

• CyberCapture: Avast's own cloud smart file scanner is faster. Real-time CyberCapture isolates unknown files into a secure cloud environment for deeper analysis and automatically establishes two-way communication with Avast Threat Labs to speed discovery. CyberCapture analyzes about 10,000 new files a day, making decisions on more than half of the files within five minutes or less.
• Behavior Shield: This feature monitors the suspicious behavior of any software running on your computer and automatically protects your user from instant threats, malware, and cyber espionage for passwords and bank details, which is usually not possible with traditional detection methods. Behavior Shield is effective in the event of ransomware threats.
• Continuous play: Gameplay is no longer interrupted with Avast's new Game Mode. It automatically determines the launch of the game and allows you to achieve maximum speed and efficiency. When Avast 2017 goes to Game Mode, it not only pauses all notifications and background processes of Avast, but also delays other notifications, and also pauses Updates Windows , which other antiviruses do not do.
• Password management: Avast Passwords are redesigned to enhance the security of PC and Mac users. User passwords are protected. Avast Passwords automatically manages passwords from all online accounts. In the premium version of the product, the user automatically receives a notification if his account data is revealed on the Internet, and also has access to password blocking on the computer from the phone.
• Wi-Fi Inspector: Avast Wi-Fi Inspector, first launched in 2014 as part of Avast Home Network Security. Wi-Fi Inspector automatically scans home networks to identify vulnerable devices, and provides step-by-step instructions to address security issues.
• Passive Mode: This mode allows users to run two antiviruses at the same time, choosing the features that they prefer in each of the solutions, without reducing the efficiency of the PC and without requiring removal or new installation of solutions.

The latest version of Avast 2017 appeared after the company released updated AVG products in early January 2017. The collaboration of the two threat laboratories has improved the security of users.

The Avast Threat Detection Network uses behavioral analysis based on cloud architecture, artificial intelligence technology, and access to networks of more than 400 million end users to detect and neutralize threats in real time.

AVG behavioral analysis technology is integrated into the Avast 2017 product line of custom products, which allows you to more effectively detect threats.

The release of new Avast and AVG releases is an important stage for the company after combining our teams and technologies. Each product now represents the best sides of Avast and AVG - the most reliable threat detection to date and even higher quality than our customers are used to expecting. This not only requires a high level of teamwork, but also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing security solutions that can respond to new threats to IoT security. Our shared experience with machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies means that we are now identifying and eliminating threats at an unprecedented level, protecting 400 million users around the world. Vince Steckler, CEO of Avast

Upgrade AntiVirus FREE, AVG Internet Security and AVG TuneUp

In January, Avast Software announced the release of updates to the version of the flagship AVG 2017 products: AntiVirus FREE, AVG Internet Security and AVG TuneUp.

Users of the AntiVirus FREE and AVG Internet Security products will receive protection against all types of cyber threats from AVG in real time thanks to the cloud-based intelligent file CyberCapture scanner now - proprietary development of the company. These versions of antivirus protect users from viruses and malware, including ransomware, prevent hacking, ensure security when working on the Internet and with email, as well as privacy of personal data. The new user interface makes it easy to install, navigate, and manage all program components from one location.

The products include a free PC performance optimization tool based on the AVG PC TuneUp program, which will help users remove unnecessary and outdated programs and data and maintain computer performance at the highest level. The AVG TuneUp enhanced with an automated third-party update tool, Software Updater, which automatically checks and installs the most up-to-date updates to popular and mission-critical PC applications, eliminates vulnerabilities, fixes errors, and updates features.

AVG AntiVirus FREE: the rapid increase in cyber threats and the irreparability of their consequences quite eloquently shows that today it is more important than ever to provide every PC with reliable anti-virus protection; The following features are available for free version users:

• Computer Protection - Automatically updates your PC to ensure that your PC is free of viruses, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, trojans, and other dangerous malware. With the help of innovative artificial intelligence technologies and real-time analysis, the program is able to detect even the latest threats and block any encroachment on users' computers.
• Online and email protection - Blocks unreliable links, downloads, and suspicious files in the mail.
• Priority update: provides instant protection; previously, this feature was available only in paid versions of programs.
• New passive mode: Allows you to personalize your PC's protection, allowing you to use two security solutions simultaneously on the same PC.
• New online filter: scans for dangerous sites, links and downloads to protect users when they visit their favorite pages on the network.

AVG Internet Security: For protection, users can switch to AVG Internet Security, which has additional premium features: hacker protection, privacy and payment security.

• Protection against: hackers Protects your files, photos, and passwords from any encroachment. cybercriminals
• Personal Data Protection: Allows users to store their most private photos and files in encrypted form or destroy unwanted materials without the possibility of recovery.
• Payment security: Ideal for browsing, shopping, or banking online. Blocks spam and switching to fake sites so that the user does not accidentally transfer his passwords or credit card numbers to attackers. Uses Avast Secure DNS to protect online payments.
• New Secure DNS - Checks the site's IP address using secure DNS servers so that the user is not redirected to fake sites when shopping or banking online. Thus, protection against deception, fraud and the phishing attacks is provided.

AVG TuneUp: users get a number of new and improved features:

• Automatic Software Update: AVG TuneUp improves its main strengths - removing unnecessary files and optimizing PC performance - with patented technologies to update the most commonly used applications, such as Skype, Adobe Reader, Flash and Chrome in the background. AVG users can choose to update automatically or check for updates manually if necessary.
• Sleep Mode: AVG's patented advanced Sleep Mode technology TuneUp increases speed, including sleep mode for applications that are not used, and leaving only the necessary ones active. This minimizes power and traffic consumption, and the PC works as new.

2016: Avast Antivirus Nitro

On June 23, 2016, Avast Software introduced an upgraded version of Avast Antivirus Nitro.

Threat control technology transports part of the malicious code detection and analysis software processes to the cloud, making antivirus "easier" and faster. Using Avast Antivirus Nitro Update, according to developers, improves computer performance, speed, system boot, providing more reliable protection against all types of malware.

Screenshot of the software installer window, (2016)

An independent study by AV-Comparatives showed that a PC with Avast Antivirus Nitro Update works faster than a Windows Defender pre-installed on Windows 10. During the test, the impact of Avast on system resources turned out to be half that of Windows Defender - such results were achieved by moving part of the software processes for analyzing and detecting threats to the cloud.

This freed up the computing power of the computer and allowed it to be used to solve basic problems.

Avast Antivirus Nitro, (2016)

CyberCapture technology in Avast Antivirus Nitro increases the level of detection and analysis of current threats. This cloud-based feature helps users gain real-time protection from all types of threats, including previously unknown ones.

CyberCapture isolates unknown files into a secure environment and automatically establishes a two-way communication channel between the user and online threat lab virus analysts. Avast

After the file has been analyzed, Avast provides the user with information about whether the file has turned out to be dangerous - this mechanism allows you to speed up the time to respond to emerging threats, and also makes a great contribution to improving overall security on the Internet.

Our priority has always been to provide users with maximum protection against new threats. At the same time, we want to be sure that our product works quietly - no one likes antivirus to slow down the computer. With the Nitro upgrade, we provide a tool that not only provides good protection, but minimizes system impact and allows PCs to run even faster. Vince Steckler, Chief Executive Officer of Avast

Along with standard protection, the Nitro release is equipped with the following features:

• Reducing System Impact
  • with this version of Avast Antivirus, the computer began to boot, on average, 11% faster. The anti-virus load has accelerated due to the smaller size of the program, security analysis in the cloud frees up the processing power of the processor for other tasks. According to an independent study by the AV-Comparatives test laboratory, Avast affects the system twice as much as Windows Defender installed on Windows 10.

• CyberCapture
  • CyberCapture technology developed by Avast Threats Labs to analyze unidentified files protects and alerts users to new threats. This allows Avast's team of virus analysts to protect against any new threats before they occur in real time.

• Monthly Updates
  • Avast releases monthly updates ON and its components for faster threat detection and security. Updates occur automatically.

• Scanning HTTPS traffic
  • Avast scans all HTTPS sites for malware through Web Dynpro. Today, about 30% of all Internet traffic passes through HTTPS. On average, Avast detects 50,000 infected unique HTTPS URLs every day, and protects about 3.2 million users every month from downloading malware or accessing sites that support HTTPS and distribute malware. An independent study by Concordia University in Montreal (Canada) showed that Avast offers the most efficient HTTPS traffic scanner.

• Upgraded Home Network Security
  • The Nitro update offers improved router security, which includes 12 additional types of vulnerabilities and protecting users from threats such as swapping DNS for fraudulent, bank hacks, and full protection of network drives and routers.

• Enhanced SafeZone Browser
  • SafeZone browser is available to all users of Avast free and paid antivirus products. In the new version, the browser works even faster, protecting the privacy of users by automatically moving sessions to an isolated environment - for absolute privacy when browsing websites, making purchases and banking online. The browser offers more comfortable navigation and contains an ad blocker.

2013: avast! 2014

On October 15, 2013, AVAST Software announced a new version of its own development solution - avast! 2014.

Changes

The solution includes a unique function of scanning during the boot of the operating system, the new version improves the performance, download, installation, privacy and protection of the PC.

Updated Features:

• Do Not Track is a browser plugin. This feature allows users to preview the list of companies that monitor their online activity, and only after previewing, allow some of them to monitor their activity on the network. In paid AVAST solutions, the SafeZone feature provides additional security for financial transactions.
• enhanced protection with DeepScreen technology - allows avast! Detect and remove false code, spyware, and other methods that virus creators use to mask and distribute their malware. When removing layers of fussed code, avast! 2014 is able to recognize the binary level of commands in malicious, ON to detect instructions contained in malicious code.
• Hardened Mode - a new feature, allows users to turn on the "white list" mode, which blocks the start of files when it is unclear whether the file is infected.
• creating a bootable antivirus disk on USB, CD or DVD - If the PC is infected, the user can use the antivirus disk to clean and restore the PC.
• Rescue Disk is built on WinPE and allows the user to download a PC using USB, CD or DVD even when the operating system is not functional. Rescue Disk is available in all AVAST products and is an integral part of the recovery module introduced in the new version.
• this release implements a new user interface. It is intuitive and simple, allowing the user to easily find all the necessary functions. In addition, the interface leaves all functions in the same places in both paid and free versions, which makes migration easier.

"avast solution! 2014 is a big step forward, "said Onjay Vlcek, Chief Technical Officer of AVAST. - About 250 micro-updates each day are aimed at detecting and preventing zero-day attacks. By protecting millions of devices, we can recognize and understand threats, which means providing users with better anti-virus protection. "

Availability

2014 version is available on 4 AVAST products translated into more than 40 languages: avast! Free Antivirus, avast! Pro Antivirus, avast! Internet Security и avast! Premier. AVAST also provides first-class protection for businesses and mobile devices.

2014: Avast 2015

On October 23, 2014, Avast Software announced the release of^[1] with the Avast 2015 home^[1], the latest version of the information security product, which is used by more than 175 million people worldwide. All versions of the product include a feature designed to protect your home network from hacking. Additional features and enhancements such as DNS interception protection, HTTPS scanning, reduced information messages in the product or pop-up windows, a simplified and friendly interface, and a quick software update that improves performance and provides better protection.

All Avast 2015 products are equipped with the free Avast Home Network Security feature, which will launch a one-click scan of the network to identify potential security threats. Avast scans for errors in Wi-Fi networks, routers with weak or factory passwords, wireless and vulnerable routers, unprotected Internet connections, and activated but unprotected IPv6.

One of the biggest risks facing vulnerable router users is DNS interception. Avast SecureDNS encrypts Internet traffic between Avast protected devices and the DNS server to prevent the user from being redirected to fake sites. In addition, HTTPS scanning, the web content filtering component now scans HTTPS sites for viruses and threats. Finally, the new Smart Scan allows users to scan the device with a single click for threats, software updates, network problems, and performance.

The main changes in the product include a simplified user interface that provides intuitive program management, such as the ability to turn on/off features and tools with one click of a button.

Quickly update your antivirus program and update third-party programs to keep your device secure, and a simplified online support request form will allow users to get help even faster.

Avast 2015 also presents the Avast Rewards bonus system, which was developed to make Avast's security features more interactive, rewarding the user with karma points and badges for taking measures to protect the device.

Additional protection includes an additional buffer with support for hardware virtualization, creating a virtual "test zone" for automatic analysis of suspicious files. PNP detection (potentially unwanted programs) identifies programs that may have been installed without the knowledge of the user, and offers the option of removing such programs in order to improve the overall performance of the PC.

Avast 2015 is available in four versions in 45 languages - Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Pro Antivirus, Avast Internet Security and Avast Premier.Avast also provides world-class security for organizations and mobile devices.

The free version of Avast Mac Security includes scans of home networks of The Home Network Security and SecureDNS from the first quarter of 2015.

"Security threats now target not only desktops, but also home networks, as electronic devices increasingly connect to the Internet through a home router. As a result, home networks have become the basis of home information space, "said Avast CEO Vince Stackler. - Our study found that almost 80% of the home routers used today have poor security and simple passwords, making routers an easy access point for hackers to the home network. Avast 2015 solves these problems with several new features. "

2012: Avast Free Antivirus 7 for Mac

Avast released in the spring of 2012 a beta version of a new anti-virus package for the Mac platform called Avast Free Antivirus 7 for Mac. Among other innovations, the inclusion of Web Shield proprietary technology, which is widely recognized in Avast products for Windows, can be emphasized. Apparently, Czech developers are serious about working with a platform that was previously famous for its resistance to viruses. It remains only to find out how seriously the Mac user himself will take this.

The introduction of a new version of Avast antivirus for the Mac platform took place just a few weeks after the disclosure of data on the Flashback virus epidemic on Mac computers - already the third virus epidemic in four months of 2012. In the Mac version of their antivirus, the developers moved the modern interface and the best technologies from the Windows version. In particular, Web Shield technology is designed to protect users from invisible downloads of malware on web pages - this is the method used by Trojans such as Flashback. In addition, new versions of the File Reputation Shield and Mail Shield modules are implemented. The new add-on to the web browser will WebRep ensure the security of such popular browsers as Safari, Firefox and Chrome. Finally, antivirus for the first time supports fully automatic updating of the antivirus mechanism and executable files.

The Mac version of Avast antivirus has other features similar to Windows, which is not surprising. As usual, registration is required to run a free version of antivirus. With user consent, anonymous information collection is included in Avast's database to improve the product. If the user does not agree to anonymous collection of information, this database will still be useful, so in each case users will have to decide whether they will contribute to the development of Avast antivirus technologies.

As the first beta tests in real conditions show, the updated antivirus does not have a noticeable negative effect, and the branded add-on WebRep to control the reputation of sites correctly works with Mac versions of the Safari, Chrome and Firefox browsers. Scanning is fairly fast, which is very, very good for a free antivirus package with minimal resource consumption. One way or another, this product deserves to be used to provide basic protection for Mac systems against new viruses.

2011

avast! 6.0

In March 2011, developers of the Czech antivirus solution Avast reported that their free product Avast Free Antivirus became the most downloaded software in Russia. They made this conclusion, based on the data of a large software store with open statistics Softportal.com, after on the morning of March 2, 2011, Avast bypassed the number of downloads of a long-time rival AdobeAcrobat Reader, and became the most popular portal application, bypassing Skype and Firefox.

Citing their own data, Avast developers reported that in February 2011, the installation base of their antivirus amounted to 7.27 million users. This number, according to Avast, includes only those copies of the antivirus that have requested updates to the database at least once in the last 30 days.

If Avast's own calculations are correct, then this means that over the past year the market share of free antivirus has grown by about 56%, increasing from 4.6 million in the first half of 2010.

The main difference of the avast version! 6.0 is the enabling of AutoSandbox technology to run suspicious applications and open suspicious files in an isolated virtual machine, and this technology will be available even to users of a free version of antivirus.

According to the developers, the future product avast! 6.0 will be the first antivirus in the world to offer virtualization support in a free version. Virtualization technology AutoSandbox creates a secure boundary between deliberately dangerous and deliberately secure content. Combined with powerful traditional antivirus technologies, avast! 6.0 should provide users of paid and free versions with the highest level of threat blocking.

One click is enough to enable the test virtual machine - all suspicious files are then opened in this virtual machine. If the open file turns out to be malicious, the virtual machine will simply stop, and the user's main computer will remain intact. The user of AutoSandbox technology has three options for actions with potentially dangerous files: start the file in the virtual machine AutoSandbox, start the file without virtualization, completely cancel the action to open the file.

Avast

Antivirus software for operating systems Microsoft Windows and GNU/, Linux as well as for PDAs on the platform Palm and. Windows CE Developed by ALWIL Software, founded in 1988 in. Czech Republic The head office of the company is located in (To Prague 90 people). It is produced in the form of several versions: paid and free for non-commercial use.

Notes