- Who is behind Avast and who owns it now
- What independent tests say about Avast's protection
- The FTC case: what Avast did with browsing data
- The CCleaner episode people bring up
- How to use Avast without handing over more than you mean to
- Fake Avast support and download scams
- Is Avast safe to install? My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
Avast is a real security company, founded in 1988 and now part of Gen Digital, and its free antivirus has scored well in independent lab tests. The catch is its history: in 2024 the FTC fined Avast 16.5 million US dollars over selling user browsing data through a subsidiary. Download it only from official sources and check its privacy settings.
Avast is one of the most recognisable names in free antivirus, so it's no surprise people want to know if it's safe to put on a laptop. The honest answer has two halves: it's a real security company, and it has also been in trouble over what it did with customer data. I've pulled together what Wikipedia and the public record say so you can judge it yourself.
Who is behind Avast and who owns it now
According to Wikipedia, Avast began in 1988 when Pavel Baudis and Eduard Kucera set up a cooperative called Alwil Software. The product carried the Avast name and the company adopted it in 2010. It was based in Prague in the Czech Republic and was listed on the Prague and London stock exchanges, even sitting in the FTSE 100 until it was taken over.
That takeover matters if you're wondering who you're trusting with your computer. In 2021 NortonLifeLock announced talks to merge with Avast, and Avast's board agreed an offer of 8 billion US dollars. The UK Competition and Markets Authority approved it in 2022 and the combined business became Gen Digital. Wikipedia says Gen Digital is co-headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, and Prague, and that its brands include Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira and AVG.
So Avast isn't an anonymous download from nowhere. It's an established company with named founders, a long history and a large corporate parent.
What independent tests say about Avast's protection
A security product can be a real company and still be weak at its job, so it's worth looking at lab results. Wikipedia reports that in tests by AV-TEST, Avast and AVG each received six out of six points for protection, usability and performance. That's a snapshot from one round of testing, and results move around between rounds, so treat it as one data point rather than a lifetime promise.
It also tells you nothing about privacy, which is where Avast's real controversy sits. Good detection and careful handling of your data are two separate questions.
The FTC case: what Avast did with browsing data
This is the part to read slowly. Wikipedia explains that Avast's subsidiary Jumpshot resold user data collected through Avast and AVG free antivirus products. Avast announced it was shutting Jumpshot down in 2020. In 2024 the Federal Trade Commission fined Avast 16.5 million US dollars for collecting user data and reselling it.
In plain terms, software people installed to protect themselves was also a source of data that others paid for. That's a serious breach of what most of us expect from an antivirus.
Since then the business has changed hands and the Jumpshot arm has been closed, but the case is the main reason many people hesitate. If privacy is your top worry, read the current privacy notice inside the product and switch off any optional data sharing before you rely on it.
The CCleaner episode people bring up
Another thing that surfaces in searches is CCleaner. Wikipedia says Avast acquired Piriform, the maker of CCleaner, in 2017, and shortly afterwards it was disclosed that someone may have created a malicious version of CCleaner containing a backdoor for hackers. That's a supply chain problem rather than a flaw in the antivirus itself, but it shows why you should only ever download updates from official channels.
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| What I checked | What the public record shows |
|---|---|
| Is Avast a real company? | Yes, founded in 1988 in Prague, now part of Gen Digital |
| Who owns it? | Gen Digital, which also owns Norton, LifeLock, Avira and AVG |
| Any lab results? | Wikipedia reports six out of six points from AV-TEST for protection, usability and performance |
| Any regulator action? | Yes, an FTC fine in 2024 over selling browsing data |
| Has the data arm closed? | Jumpshot was shut down, announced in 2020 |
How to use Avast without handing over more than you mean to
If you decide to run Avast, a few habits keep you in control of your own data and your own device:
- Download it from the official Avast website or an official app store, never from a link in an email or a pop-up.
- Read the privacy and data-sharing options during setup and untick anything you don't want.
- Don't stack several antivirus programs on one machine, because they can clash and slow it down.
- Watch for upsell prompts that push extra paid tools, and only buy what you've decided you need.
- Keep Windows or macOS and your browser updated, because antivirus is only one layer of protection.
Antivirus is one part of staying safe, not the whole thing. My notes on spotting a hacked account and a plain guide to choosing a password manager cover the habits that stop most real-world damage.
Fake Avast support and download scams
A well-known security brand is a gift to scammers. Fake pop-ups claim your computer is infected and tell you to call a number. Lookalike download sites bundle unwanted software. Phone callers pretend to be from Avast and ask to take over your screen.
- Avast won't cold-call you to say your computer has a virus.
- Close any browser pop-up that gives a phone number for support, and don't call it.
- Never give a stranger remote access to your computer or your banking details.
- Type the official address yourself instead of following ads or search results that look odd.
Is Avast safe to install? My verdict
Avast isn't a scam. It's a long-running security company with a large owner and solid lab results on protection. But it also paid a fine to the FTC over selling browsing data, and I wouldn't ignore that. If you want it, install from the official source, check the privacy settings straight away and keep your expectations realistic: no antivirus replaces good habits. If you'd rather not use a brand with that history, that's a perfectly reasonable choice too.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avast a real company?
Yes. Wikipedia says it was founded in 1988 by Pavel Baudis and Eduard Kucera and later became part of Gen Digital after a merger completed in 2022.
Did the FTC take action against Avast?
Yes. According to Wikipedia, the Federal Trade Commission fined Avast 16.5 million US dollars in 2024 for collecting user data and reselling it.
Who owns Avast now?
Gen Digital, the company formed when NortonLifeLock merged with Avast. Its brands also include Norton, LifeLock, Avira and AVG.
Has Avast done well in independent tests?
Wikipedia reports that in AV-TEST testing Avast and AVG each received six out of six points for protection, usability and performance. Results vary between test rounds.
How do I avoid fake Avast downloads?
Get it only from the official website or an official app store, and ignore pop-ups or callers who say your computer is infected.
