Avira
Encyclopedia
Antivirus software
Antivirus or anti-virus software is used to prevent, detect, and remove malware, including but not limited to computer viruses, computer worm, trojan horses, spyware and adware...
company. When founded, the company was called "H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH". Its antivirus applications are based on the AntiVir scan engine also known as "Luke Filewalker" (referring to Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...
), first launched in 1988. For aesthetic reasons, the name was changed to Avira. Avira's engine has been licensed to Ashampoo
Ashampoo
Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG is an international computer software company based in Oldenburg, Germany. They are best known for Ashampoo Burning Studio and Ashampoo WinOptimizer. They are general members of the Blu-ray Disc Association and a member of the Intel Software Partner...
, Ad-Aware
Ad-Aware
Ad-Aware is an anti-spyware and anti-virus program developed by Lavasoft that detects and removes malware, spyware and adware on a user's computer...
, and Webroot
Webroot Software
Webroot provides Internet security software for consumers, enterprises and small and medium–sized businesses. Originally started in Boulder, CO the company is now headquartered in Broomfield, CO, the company has operations in Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Japan and the United Kingdom.-...
WebWasher. Avira is one of the most widely used antivirus programs in the world, with 100 million users worldwide . The company supports the Auerbach Stiftung, a foundation created by the company's founder and CEO, Tjark Auerbach. It supports charitable, social, cultural, and science projects.
"Avira security software" refers to a range of antivirus and Internet security
Internet security
Internet security is a branch of computer security specifically related to the Internet. Its objective is to establish rules and measures to use against attacks over the Internet. The Internet represents an insecure channel for exchanging information leading to a high risk of intrusion or fraud,...
software for the Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, FreeBSD
FreeBSD
FreeBSD is a free Unix-like operating system descended from AT&T UNIX via BSD UNIX. Although for legal reasons FreeBSD cannot be called “UNIX”, as the direct descendant of BSD UNIX , FreeBSD’s internals and system APIs are UNIX-compliant...
, OpenBSD
OpenBSD
OpenBSD is a Unix-like computer operating system descended from Berkeley Software Distribution , a Unix derivative developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It was forked from NetBSD by project leader Theo de Raadt in late 1995...
, and Solaris computing platforms by Avira.
On October 17, 2008, a major update to the search engine was released, which increased scanning speed by 20%.
Avira Operations periodically "cleans out" the virus definition files, by replacing specific signatures with generic ones, which results in a general increase in performance and scanning speed. A database clean-out was made on October 27, 2008, which caused problems to AntiVir Personal users when updating because of its large size (15 MB
Megabyte
The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage or transmission with two different values depending on context: bytes generally for computer memory; and one million bytes generally for computer storage. The IEEE Standards Board has decided that "Mega will mean 1 000...
) and because of AntiVir Personal's slow servers. For that reason Avira added an additional 6 GB
Gigabyte
The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information storage. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units , therefore 1 gigabyte is...
of bandwidth to the AntiVir Personal Servers and changed the updating process: Nowadays there are 32 smaller definition files which are updated regularly to avoid peaks in the download of updates.
Products
Avira AntiVir Personal is for personal use only and free of charge. Like much antivirus software, it can run a scan to check disks for malwareMalware
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming that is designed to disrupt or deny operation, gather information that leads to loss of privacy or exploitation, or gain unauthorized access to system resources, or that otherwise exhibits abusive behavior...
, and can also run as a background process which checks every file opened or downloaded. It can detect and possibly remove some rootkit
Rootkit
A rootkit is software that enables continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding its presence from administrators by subverting standard operating system functionality or other applications...
s. It updates its virus definitions over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, daily by default, also opening a window with an advertisement suggesting that the user purchase Avira AntiVir Premium or Avira Premium Security Suite. Avira updated all its products to version 10.0 in March 2010.
Avira offers a rescue CD image which may be downloaded as an ISO file free of charge and used to write a bootable
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
CD. The CD has its own Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
-based operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
so it does not depend on the host PC's; it can be used to clean an unbootable PC, and may be able to find malware which uses the host's operating system to hide (e.g., some rootkit
Rootkit
A rootkit is software that enables continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding its presence from administrators by subverting standard operating system functionality or other applications...
s). The CD image contains the AntiVir program and the virus database current as of the time of download; it boots the machine into the AntiVir program, then scans for and removes malware, possibly also restoring normal boot and operation.
Avira AntiVir Premium has several improvements over the free version, including:
- Email scanning (POP3 and SMTP)
- WebGuard to block access to malicious sites
Avira AntiVir Premium Security Suite has some more improvements over both versions, including:
- Anti Spam for E-mailE-mailElectronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
- Firewall blocks hackersHacker (computer security)In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
- Backup System to protect and secure important data
- AntiBot prevents dangerous botnetBotnetA botnet is a collection of compromised computers connected to the Internet. Termed "bots," they are generally used for malicious purposes. When a computer becomes compromised, it becomes a part of a botnet...
s from taking over your system - Parental Controls blocks unsuitable websites for Children and Teens
No antivirus software can detect all malware, particularly new versions; known viruses can be detected by characteristic file or memory content, and programs capable of carrying out suspicious but sometimes legitimate activities such as finding passwords or terminating processes can be flagged for attention.
Product feature summary
| Avira AntiVir Personal 10 (with pop-up ad during update) |
Avira AntiVir Premium | Avira Premium Security Suite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AntiVir | |||
| AntiDialer | |||
| AntiRootkit | |||
| AntiSpyware + AntiAdware | (since version 9) | ||
| WebGuard | (since version 10 SP2) | ||
| AntiPhishing | (since version 10 SP2) | ||
| AntiVirProActiv | |||
| AntiDrive-by | (since version 10 SP2) | ||
| RescueSystem | |||
| MailGuard | |||
| Fast Premium update server | |||
| AntiSpam | |||
| FireWall | |||
| GameMode | |||
| Backup-System | |||
| AntiBot | |||
| Parental Control | |||
| Cost | Freeware Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the... |
Euro The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,... 19.95, £ Pound sterling The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence... 16.66, ¥ Japanese yen The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling... 2,255 |
|
Reviews
AV-Comparatives awarded Avira AntiVir Premium with the highest score, the "Advanced+" distinction, in February, May, and August 2008, earning it the 2008 "AV Product of the Year" award. This large-scale comparative test saw Avira achieve an "excellent" score for its proactive detection performance. In the "Speed" category, Avira made it to the winner’s podium. In the "Summary Report 2010" it received the Silver award for 99.5% detection rate.In January 2008, Avira AntiVir was given a rating of 6.5 out of 8 in tests for detection and removal of rootkits and 71% for proactive virus detection by Anti-Malware Test Lab; both scores qualified for "gold" status, the highest award. Avira achieved the highest Malware Detection rate, along with G-DATA Antivirus, 98%, and was one of five products that achieved a 90% or higher spyware detection rate in the latest AV-Test performed in February 2010. AV-Comparatives also awarded Avira with an Advanced+ rating (the highest) in their latest test. Avira had the highest signature and proactive detection rates in all major independent antivirus tests. In April 2009, PC Pro
PC Pro
PC Pro is one of several computer magazines published monthly in the United Kingdom by Dennis Publishing. PC Pro also licenses individual articles for republication in various countries around the world - and some articles are translated into local languages...
awarded Avira Premium Security Suite 9 six out of six stars and a place on its A-list for Internet security software. In August 2009, Avira AntiVir Personal Antivirus achieved a 98.9% percent overall malware detection rate, and was the fastest for both on-demand scans and on-access scans conducted by PC World
PC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
, who ranked it first on its website. Neil J. Rubenking from PC Magazine
PC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
gave the latest version of Avira (version 10) 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Avira was among the first companies to receive OESIS OK Gold Certification. This shows that both the antispyware and antivirus components of several of their products have achieved the maximum compatibility score with widespread network technologies (like SSL/TLS
Transport Layer Security
Transport Layer Security and its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer , are cryptographic protocols that provide communication security over the Internet...
VPN
Virtual private network
A virtual private network is a network that uses primarily public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or traveling users access to a central organizational network....
and Network Access Control
Network Access Control
Network Access Control is an approach to computer network security that attempts to unify endpoint security technology , user or system authentication and network security enforcement.-Background:Network Access Control is a computer networking solution that uses a set of protocols to define and...
) from Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks is an information technology and computer networking products multinational company, founded in 1996. It is head quartered in Sunnyvale, California, USA. The company designs and sells high-performance Internet Protocol network products and services...
, Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in San Jose, California, United States, that designs and sells consumer electronics, networking, voice, and communications technology and services. Cisco has more than 70,000 employees and annual revenue of US$...
, SonicWALL
SonicWALL
SonicWALL is a private company headquartered in San Jose, CA. It sells a range of internet appliances primarily directed at content control and network security. These include devices providing services for network firewalls, UTMs , VPNs , backup and recovery, and anti-spam for email...
and others.
Avira has also received VB100 awards, the most recent in April 2011 (Avira AntiVir Personal).
Rogue software (with similar name)
In July 2010, a rogue security program called "Antivir Solution Pro" was reported as a threat; it is probably from the family known as AV Security SuiteAV Security Suite
AV Security Suite is a piece of scareware and malware or more specifically a piece of rogue security software, which poses as a pre-installed virus scanner on a victim's computer system...
. This software had nothing to do with nor had any affiliation with Avira, but used a similar name to Avira's software.