What Is Hacking?
We all have some concept of hacking - but do you really know what it is? Read our full hacking definition here.
Free
Avast Premium Security
Be alerted to potentially suspicious emails before you open them.
Check possible scams messages or offers with our new AI-powered Avast Assistant.
Get advanced security with our award-winning virus protection.
Check possible scams messages or offers with our new AI-powered Avast Assistant.
Get advanced security with our award-winning virus protection.
2020
Cybersecurity Breakthrough
Cybersecurity Breakthrough
February 2025
Approved Endpoint Protection
Approved Endpoint Protection
Get advanced protection with powerful antivirus, plus:
New: Get AI-powered anti-scam guidance within seconds (Avast Assistant).
Get email and online scam protection, backed by smart AI.
Enjoy more protection for your privacy and personal data.
Reduce app security risks.
2020
Cybersecurity Breakthrough
Cybersecurity Breakthrough
February 2025
Approved Endpoint Protection
Approved Endpoint Protection
Get AI-powered automatic protection — feel more confident in your digital world
We can keep you safer from website scams using Web Guard’s smart AI. Plus, our new Avast Assistant can give you scam guidance in seconds. Our Email Guard also scans your emails to flag any that could be suspicious. To add, we can strengthen your defense against computer and webcam hacking too. This is in addition to our real-time antivirus protection. We can also help stop hackers from accessing your sensitive personal documents or files on your device.
Here’s what you get with Avast Premium Security
Avast Premium Security offers award-winning antivirus, plus protection against more sophisticated threats — so you can relax knowing that you’re better protected.
Email scam protection
Stay ahead of potential email scams
Connect Avast Email Guard with just a few clicks on your Avast Premium Security desktop app. It flags potential email scams, phishing, and infected attachments before they get to you on Gmail, Outlook, and other popular email providers — no matter which computer you’re using.
Step 1
Install Avast Premium Security
Follow the on-screen instructions and set up the app.
Step 2
Open Email Guard in the app
Click or tap on Email Guard. Sign in to your Avast account, and then add up to five email accounts.
Step 3
Get alerts when you receive a suspicious email
We let you know right away if any new emails in your inboxes look potentially dangerous.
Step 4
Keep your email inbox safer from online scams
We monitor your chosen email accounts 24/7 for possible scam emails.
Website scam protection
Shop, bank, and pay online more safely
Shop and pay online safely
Avast Premium Security scans websites to make sure they’re legitimate, so you can better avoid fake websites trying to steal your information. Shop, bank, and pay more securely without worrying about losing money to hidden scams.
Avast Premium Security scans websites to make sure they’re legitimate, so you can better avoid fake websites trying to steal your information. Shop, bank, and pay more securely without worrying about losing money to hidden scams.
Why not use our anti-scam AI assistant too?
If you suspect an online offer or message is trying to fool you, our Avast Assistant can help you identify if it’s a scam. It gives you easy-to-read guidance in real time.
If you suspect an online offer or message is trying to fool you, our Avast Assistant can help you identify if it’s a scam. It gives you easy-to-read guidance in real time.
How fake websites work
Spoofed websites are commonly used by cybercriminals to steal your data and personal information. A spoofed website looks like the legitimate version but is fake and designed to steal information like your passwords and other personal data. Avast Premium Security alerts you to unsafe websites before you load them up, so you can live your online life with more confidence.
Whichever devices you use, we’ve got you covered
Boost your PC’s defense against hackers trying to gain access
Viruses, ransomware, scams, and other attacks have always targeted Windows more than any other operating system, but what’s concerning is the rise of remote access attacks. The last thing you need is a hacker remotely taking control of your PC and infecting it with malware or locking your files with ransomware. But no need to worry — Avast Premium Security helps protect your PC against such attacks.
How Remote Access Shield works
Our Remote Access Shield helps protect against cybercriminals trying to get unauthorized access to your PC via Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) by:
- Blocking brute-force attacks and associated IP addresses.
- Secure known OS vulnerabilities and prevent RDP exploit attacks.
- Automatically block all IP addresses known to distribute malware by exploiting RDP ports.
Use Avast Assistant to help detect online scams
Receive handy info about possible scam messages, offers, and more.
Block digital threats in real-time
Stop viruses, spyware, and other threats with the help of our smart shields.
Get advanced ransomware protection
Enjoy extra peace of mind because your files are safer from ransomware.
Keep unsafe emails away more easily
Automatically block suspicious emails with the help of advanced filters.
Identify and avoid fake websites
Keep yourself safer when you’re doing online shopping or banking.
Block hackers out with our firewall
Stop unauthorized access to your computer with the help of our firewall.
Prevent webcam spying
Enhance your privacy and help stop strangers from watching you.
Protect your saved passwords
Keep your browser-stored passwords better protected against theft.
Stop remote access hacking
Prevent unwanted remote access to your PC with the help of our shield.
Block spyware from accessing files
Keep your private files more secure from hackers using spyware.
Delete sensitive files permanently
Wipe away files so they can’t be recovered again by anybody.
Update apps to reduce security risks
Update popular PC apps automatically to help avoid security loopholes.
Open suspicious files safely
View risky files in a safe, isolated space to help protect your PC.
With Avast Premium Security for Windows, you also get
Smart Scan
Scans your device for hard-to-find vulnerabilities in hidden places.
Web Guard
Use intelligent AI to help block scam websites and dangerous internet downloads.
Hack Alerts
Get an alert if a password connected to your email account has been compromised as part of a hack or leak.
Mail Shield
Help prevent yourself from sending or receiving malicious email attachments.
Network Inspector
Helps detect weaknesses in both your home Wi-Fi network and public networks.
Do Not Disturb Mode
Automatically block distracting pop-ups and other interruptions when you’re gaming, watching movies, or presenting in full screen.
CyberCapture
Scan all downloaded files and help fix, quarantine, or even delete them if they’re potentially dangerous.
Behavior Shield
Alerts you if any of your apps start behaving suspiciously.
File Shield
Scans all downloaded files and attempts to fix, quarantine, or delete them if they’re potentially dangerous.
Rescue Disk
Scans your device while your system’s switched off, so you can more safely remove malware.
Quarantine
Stores potentially harmful files and completely isolates them from the rest of your operating system.
Real-time updates
Push security updates to yourself so you always have our best protection.
Powerful protection for your Mac
Your Mac is not immune to malware. And malware isn’t the only threat Macs face. Malicious websites and vulnerable Wi-Fi networks can also jeopardize your safety — unless you have the right protection. Help to keep your Mac secure and better protect your personal files against sophisticated online threats, like ransomware attacks.
How anti-ransomware protection works
Avast’s anti-ransomware protection ensures that your personal and sensitive files, photos, and documents stay safer from hackers looking to access and exploit them by holding you to ransom. Avast’s Ransomware Shield automatically prevents untrusted applications from modifying, deleting, or encrypting your files, giving you the peace of mind you need.
Free
Use Avast Assistant to help detect online scams.
Help block viruses, spyware, and other threats in real-time.
Keep scams away from your email more easily.
Enjoy more peace of mind with advanced ransomware protection.
Be instantly alerted to Wi-Fi network weaknesses and intruders.
Avoid fake websites more easily for safer online shopping and banking.
With Avast Premium Security for Mac, you also get
Smart Scan
Scans your device for hard-to-find vulnerabilities in hidden places.
Web Guard
Use intelligent AI to help block scam websites and dangerous internet downloads.
Mail Shield
Helps prevent you from sending or receiving malicious email attachments.
Network Inspector
Help detect weaknesses in both your home Wi-Fi network and public networks.
Wi-Fi Security Alerts
Get a warning in real time about network weaknesses and intruders.
File Shield
Scans all downloaded files and attempts to fix, quarantine, or delete them if they’re potentially dangerous.
Do Not Disturb Mode
Automatically block distracting pop-ups and other interruptions when you’re gaming, watching movies, or presenting in full screen.
Get powerful malware and antivirus protection for Android
Android phones are vulnerable to both malware and theft. So having the powerful anti-malware protection in your pocket can save you a lot of headaches (and money) in the future.
Free
Help block viruses, spyware, and malicious app installations.
Lock private photos and apps with a PIN code or fingerprint.
Help protect your devices against potentially risky links in messages and emails.
Scan your device daily and identify security risks.
With Avast Premium Security for Android, you also get
Photo Vault
Hides your private photos in an encrypted vault that only you can access.
App Lock
Locks any or all apps with a PIN code, pattern, or fingerprint.
Network Inspector
Helps detect weaknesses in both your home Wi-Fi network and public networks.
Junk Cleaner
Frees up space for more apps and photos by removing unnecessary junk files.
File Scanner
Scans individual files and folders for security threats
Wi-Fi Speed Test
Lets you check your download and upload speeds on any Wi-Fi network.
Your iPhone is not immune to all threats
iOS security isn’t about unnecessary antivirus and malware protection — it’s about making sure iPhone and iPad users are safer every time they go online. Unsecure Wi-Fi networks and identity theft can put anyone at risk.
Free
Helps block dangerous websites and internet downloads.
Monitor up to 5 email addresses for password leaks.
Hide unlimited private photos in our encrypted photo vault.
Browse the web more securely and privately with our built-in VPN.
Avast is award-winning by nature, not just by name
We can help protect you against advanced online threats, backed by one of the globe’s biggest Cyber Safety networks. And we’ve been proud winners of different awards over the years. Check out some of our more recent ones below.
One solution for your online security needs
Get advanced protection with powerful antivirus, plus:
New: Get AI-powered anti-scam guidance within seconds (Avast Assistant).
Get email and online scam protection, backed by smart AI.
Enjoy more protection for your privacy and personal data.
Reduce app security risks.
You may still be wondering...
How to install
Get protected right away by following these 3 easy steps:
Step 2
2. Open the file
Open the downloaded file and approve the installation.
Step 3
3. Install the file
Run the installer and follow the simple instructions.
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