# Avast Software

> Czech security software company

**Wikidata**: [Q2247432](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2247432)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avast)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/avast-software

## Summary

Avast Software was a business [1] founded on January 1, 1988  by Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš . It operated as a public company  headquartered in the Enterprise Office Center , specializing in the software industry and computer security . The company developed software and the Avast product line [1].Avast Software employed 495 people as of 2016 [2]. It was dissolved on September 12, 2022 , following its acquisition by Gen Digital, which became its parent organization .

## Summary
Avast Software is a Czech security software company founded in 1988 that develops antivirus and cybersecurity solutions. It was acquired by Gen Digital in 2022 and is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1988 by Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš in Prague, Czech Republic
- Acquired by Gen Digital (formerly NortonLifeLock) in 2022 for $8.6 billion
- Employs approximately 1,353 people as of 2021
- Generated revenue of 18.83 billion Czech koruna in 2021
- Parent company of AVG Technologies and Piriform
- Listed on both Prague and London Stock Exchanges under ticker AVST
- Official name is Avast Software s.r.o., formerly ALWIL Software a.s.

## FAQs
### Q: What does Avast Software do?
A: Avast Software develops antivirus and cybersecurity software for consumers and businesses, including products like Avast Free Antivirus, Avast Premium Security, and various enterprise security solutions.

### Q: Who owns Avast Software?
A: Avast Software is owned by Gen Digital, an American software company, which acquired Avast in September 2022 for $8.6 billion.

### Q: Where is Avast Software headquartered?
A: Avast Software is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, where it was originally founded in 1988.

## Why It Matters
Avast Software represents one of the most significant success stories in the Czech technology sector, growing from a small antivirus project in the late 1980s to a global cybersecurity leader. The company's software protects hundreds of millions of devices worldwide, making it a critical player in defending against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Its acquisition by Gen Digital in 2022 created one of the largest cybersecurity companies globally, combining Avast's consumer-focused solutions with Norton's established brand presence. Avast's impact extends beyond just software - it has created thousands of jobs, contributed significantly to the Czech economy, and helped establish the Czech Republic as a notable technology hub in Central Europe.

## Notable For
- One of the world's largest cybersecurity companies with over 400 million active users
- Successfully developed freemium business model in antivirus software
- Created AVG Technologies, one of the most recognized antivirus brands globally
- Acquired Piriform, developer of popular CCleaner utility software
- Listed on both Prague and London stock exchanges, demonstrating international market presence

## Body
### History and Founding
Avast Software was founded in 1988 in Prague, Czech Republic by Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš. The company began as a small project to create antivirus software during the early days of personal computing. Originally named ALWIL Software a.s., the company rebranded to Avast Software s.r.o. in 2010.

### Growth and Expansion
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Avast experienced rapid growth, expanding its product line beyond basic antivirus to include comprehensive security suites, mobile security applications, and enterprise solutions. The company successfully implemented a freemium business model, offering basic antivirus protection for free while charging for premium features.

### Key Acquisitions
Avast has made several strategic acquisitions to expand its market presence:
- Acquired AVG Technologies in 2016 for $1.3 billion, combining two major antivirus brands
- Purchased Piriform in 2017, adding popular utilities like CCleaner to its portfolio
- Acquired by Gen Digital in 2022 for $8.6 billion, creating a cybersecurity powerhouse

### Products and Services
The company offers a wide range of security products including:
- Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security for consumers
- Avast Business Antivirus and endpoint protection for enterprises
- Mobile security applications for Android and iOS devices
- VPN services and password management tools

### Financial Performance
As of 2021, Avast reported:
- Revenue of 18.83 billion Czech koruna
- Net profit of 4.48 billion Czech koruna
- Total assets of 36.23 billion Czech koruna
- Employee count of 1,353

### Market Position
Avast maintains a strong presence in the global cybersecurity market with:
- Over 400 million active users worldwide
- Software available in multiple languages
- Presence in over 150 countries
- Strong brand recognition in both consumer and business markets

## Schema Markup
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  "url": "https://www.avast.com/about",
  "foundingDate": "1988",
  "founders": [
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      "name": "Eduard Kučera"
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      "name": "Pavel Baudiš"
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  "headquartersLocation": {
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      "addressCountry": "Czech Republic",
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  "parentOrganization": {
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    "name": "Gen Digital"
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## References

1. National Software Reference Library
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Czech National Authority Database
4. [Source](https://or.justice.cz/ias/content/download?id=953c3d569048401cb503404f9b9d7dcf)
5. [Source](https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/vypis-sl-detail?dokument=54103389&subjektId=719557&spis=294284)
6. [Source](https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/vypis-sl-detail?dokument=58525318&subjektId=719557&spis=294284)
7. [annual report](https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/vypis-sl-detail?dokument=63111648&subjektId=719557&spis=294284)
8. [annual report](https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/vypis-sl-detail?dokument=71852348&subjektId=719557&spis=294284)
9. Google Knowledge Graph
10. YouTube API
11. [Seznam datových schránek : Právnické osoby. Ministry of the Interior](https://www.mojedatovaschranka.cz/sds/datafile?format=xml&service=seznam_ds_po)