Avast! is an antiviruscomputer program developed by AVAST Software a.s. (former ALWIL Software a.s.), a company based in Prague, Czech Republic. It was first released in 1988. Avast! is based on a central scanning engine that is certified by ICSA Labs[1] and West Coast Lab's Checkmark process[2] and incorporates anti-spyware technology, also certified by West Coast Lab's Checkmark process,[3] as well as anti-rootkit and self-protection capabilities. It is a multiple recipient of the Virus Bulletin VB100 Award, for detection of 100% of "in-the-wild" viruses,[4] and is a past winner of the Secure Computing Readers' Trust Award.[5] The name Avast is derived from "Anti-Virus – Advanced Set".[6] Its trademarked name is styled in all lower-case.
Avast! Free Antivirus is the freeware version of Avast! antivirus software available to Microsoft Windows and Linux users, while Avast! Pro Antivirus is offered to businesses and users who want additional features. Priority updates are delivered automatically using PUSH update technology in Avast! Pro Antivirus. Avast! Pro Antivirus also has a command line scanner and a script blocker.[7]
Avast! Antivirus is a widely used antivirus program, with 130 million users worldwide as of September 2010.[8]
Features
Antivirus kernel based on certified antivirus engine.
Resident protection comprising individual modules or "shields", each of which can be individually configured or disabled:
File System Shield — Real-time protection against viruses and other malware threats. Scans files as they run on your computer to keep viruses from being able to execute.
Web Shield — HTTP protection (local transparent proxy). Version 4.8 also allows the blocking of URLs. Scans URLs and incoming data for viruses, and aborts connections to the site if one is found.
P2P shield — Scans P2Pfiles from file share programs.
IM shield — Instant Messaging protection. (Scanning of files transferred through instant messaging applications)
Script blocker — Professional version only; scans webpages for malicious scripts, and disables them from infecting your computer, though they can still be used. (for example, a clickable button)
Network Shield — Basic protection against well-known network worms. Acts as an Intrusion Detection System.
Behavior Shield — Reports suspicious behavior by analyzing the behavior of programs
Self-Protection — Prevents malware from terminating avast! processes and damaging avast! files.
Automatic incremental updates — Updates of both the program and the virus database which is used to identify potential threats — Avast! updates its virus definitions on a regular basis (sometimes multiple updates daily) and this process is automated by default.
Audible alarms — Vocal warnings and notices such as "Caution, a virus has been detected!" and "Virus database has been updated."
Boot-time scan — Users can schedule a boot-time scan to remove infections that load during Windows startup.
Virus Chest — Quarantine; folder where infected files can be stored. The virus chest also stores vital system files to protect them from damage by malware. Users can also add their own files to the virus chest. Once in the chest, a file cannot be executed; double-clicking the file will instead display information about the file.
The free version of Avast! Antivirus is for personal, non-commercial use only. It can be downloaded and used for free for 30 days. After 30 days, the free Edition must be registered (for free) in order for the program to continue functioning. After the registration, Avast! can continue to be used free of charge for 12 months.[9] After 12 months, it is necessary to re-register, in order to continue using it free of charge.[10]
However, if a user has version 4.8 and upgrades to the latest version, then they are given an automatic 14-month license.
Versions
The latest stable Windows version is 6.0. The Avast! product range comprises the following:[11]
Avast! Free Antivirus 6.0 — freeware for personal, non-commercial use only
Avast! Pro Antivirus 6.0 — shareware for both personal and commercial use
Avast! Internet Security 6.0 — Shareware for both personal and commercial use
Other versions
Avast! 4 Windows Home Server Edition — Shareware for use on Windows Home Servers.
Avast! 4 Professional Family Pack — Shareware for use in the home by families with multiple computers. Includes 10 licenses of Avast! Professional Edition and one license for Avast! Windows Home Server Edition.
Avast! Mac Edition — Shareware for the Mac platform. The Mac+PC Edition includes both Avast! Mac Edition and Avast! Professional Edition for Macs also running Microsoft Windows.
Avast! 4 Server Edition — Shareware for businesses running Windows Server - may be extended by additional modules for MS Exchange Server 2000/2003/2007, MS Proxy/ISA Server, SMTP Server, MS Sharepoint Server (Portal Server 2001/2003, Windows Sharepoint Services 2003 and MS Office Sharepoint Server 2007)
Avast! Distributed Network Manager — allows network administrators to manage the Avast! antivirus product line across the whole enterprise.
Avast! 4 Small Business Server Edition — Shareware for Windows Small Business Servers, including Exchange server or ISA server
Avast! Linux Home Edition — Freeware for personal, non-commercial use only — for use on Linux workstations.
Avast! for Linux/Unix Servers — Shareware designed to run on Linux and BSD servers running x86kernels only. Packages are available as RPM, Debian or in Tarball form.
Avast! for Kerio — Shareware designed to work with Kerio products such as their secure mail servers.
Avast! U3 Edition — Shareware for the protection of U3 smart drives from viruses and other forms of malware.
