In the modern digital age, online security is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. As our lives increasingly move online for work, entertainment, socializing, and financial management, so too do the risks of falling victim to cybercrime. According to the FBI‘s Internet Crime Report, there were over 847,376 complaints of cyber attacks in 2021 alone, resulting in more than $6.9 billion in losses.[^1] These threats are only becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, with a new attack happening every 39 seconds.[^2]
To protect yourself and your loved ones from the dire consequences of malware infection, identity theft, and financial fraud, you need a powerful and reliable antivirus solution. Avast Premium Security is the top choice of experts and users alike for its advanced threat detection, multi-layered defense, and rich set of security features. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into what makes Avast Premium Security the gold standard in online protection and how you can get the most value from your subscription.
Why You Need Premium Antivirus Protection
In the early days of the internet, having a basic antivirus program was enough to defend against the relatively simple viruses and worms in circulation. However, today‘s online threats are far more advanced, employing techniques like stealth, encryption, polymorphism, and social engineering to evade detection and trick users. Free or built-in antivirus programs are no longer sufficient to protect against the latest dangers:
Malware – Short for "malicious software", malware includes any program designed to harm or exploit your system, such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware. Malware can steal your data, spy on your activity, destroy your files, or even take over your device for nefarious purposes. Avast blocked over 1.5 billion malware attacks in 2021.[^3]
Phishing – Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that uses fake emails, websites, or text messages to trick you into revealing sensitive information like your login credentials, credit card numbers, or Social Security Number. Phishers often impersonate legitimate companies or authorities to pressure you into acting quickly. 1 in every 99 emails is a phishing attack.[^4]
Ransomware – Ransomware is a devious type of malware that encrypts your files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks have surged by 105% in 2021, targeting both individuals and large organizations.[^5] Without proper precautions, you could lose access to your precious data or be forced to pay a hefty ransom.
Identity Theft – Identity theft occurs when a criminal uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes in your name. By piecing together details like your name, address, birthdate, and Social Security Number, identity thieves can open fake accounts, drain your bank balance, file false tax returns, and destroy your credit score. Identity theft affects over 15 million Americans per year.[^6]
Public Wi-Fi Hacking – When you connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot at a café, airport, or hotel, you‘re sharing the network with dozens of strangers. Hackers can intercept your data as it travels over an unsecured network, stealing your passwords, emails, photos, and financial details. 81% of public Wi-Fi hotspots are unencrypted, exposing your data to prying eyes.[^7]
These are just a few of the many online threats that can jeopardize your digital and financial well-being. Without the advanced protection of a premium antivirus suite, you‘re leaving the door wide open for cybercriminals to infiltrate your devices and wreak havoc on your life.
How Avast Premium Security Protects You
Avast Premium Security is an award-winning antivirus and internet security suite that provides complete protection against the latest online threats. By combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence, advanced heuristics, and cloud-based analytics, Avast offers proactive, real-time defense for all your devices.
At the core of Avast Premium Security is the intelligent antivirus engine that scans every file and program on your system for signs of malware. Using a constantly updated database of millions of malware signatures, as well as behavior-based detection, Avast can identify and stop threats that other antiviruses miss. In AV-Comparatives‘ Real-World Protection Test, Avast scored a perfect 100% protection rating with zero false positives.[^8]
Surrounding the antivirus engine are multiple security shields that provide layered protection against specific types of threats:
- The Web Shield scans every website you visit and every file you download for malicious code, phishing attempts, and other online dangers. It also verifies the security of e-commerce sites to ensure safe shopping.
- The Mail Shield scans your incoming and outgoing emails for malware, phishing links, and dangerous attachments, neutralizing threats before they reach your inbox.
- The File Shield monitors all file activity on your system in real-time, scanning every file you open, save, or copy for malware. It can also scan external storage devices automatically.
- The Behavior Shield identifies suspicious behavior from programs installed on your computer, blocking them before they can do harm. This allows Avast to stop never-before-seen malware that doesn‘t match existing signatures.
- The Ransomware Shield prevents unauthorized changes to your files, photos, and personal data, creating protected copies that can be restored in case of a ransomware attack.
In addition to its core malware defenses, Avast Premium Security provides essential privacy and data protection features:
- The Sensitive Data Shield secures your confidential files like tax documents, health records, and business plans in an encrypted virtual vault, keeping them safe from hackers and snoops.
- The Webcam Shield prevents spyware and other programs from accessing your webcam without your consent, preserving your privacy during video calls and remote work.
- The Data Shredder permanently deletes your sensitive files using military-grade encryption, ensuring they can‘t be recovered by data thieves.
- The Password Manager securely stores and organizes your passwords, credit card details, and other sensitive information with unbreakable 256-bit AES encryption. It can also generate and autofill strong passwords, saving you time while boosting your security.
On top of these advanced security layers, Avast Premium Security includes bonus features for a faster and smoother online experience:
- The Browser Cleanup feature detects and removes invasive browser extensions, adware, and toolbars that can slow down your browsing and track your activity.
- The Software Updater checks for available security patches and updates for your other programs, helping close vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.
- The Do Not Disturb Mode silences all notifications and pop-ups while you‘re gaming, watching movies, or presenting, preventing distractions and embarrassing interruptions.
- The Smart Scan combines a malware scan, browser cleanup, software update check, network inspection, and performance tune-up in one click, saving you time and effort.
Avast Premium Security is fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7 SP1 or higher, as well as macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or higher. Your subscription also covers your mobile devices, with feature-rich apps for both Android 5.0 or higher and iOS 13.0 or higher. You can conveniently manage your protection on up to 10 devices from your online Avast Account.
How to Get Avast Premium Security
The easiest way to get Avast Premium Security is to purchase a subscription directly from the official Avast website at http://www.avast.com. Avast currently offers three pricing plans to fit different needs and budgets:
| Plan | Price | Devices Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Security (1-Year) | $69.99/year | 10 |
| Premium Security (2-Year) | $139.99/2 years | 10 |
| Premium Security (3-Year) | $209.99/3 years | 10 |
Avast frequently runs promotions for new customers, such as a 20% discount on your first purchase or a free upgrade to the Ultimate plan that includes an unlimited VPN and identity monitoring. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
Once you complete your purchase, you‘ll receive a confirmation email with your activation code and a link to download Avast Premium Security. Simply run the installer on your PC or Mac and enter your activation code when prompted. The entire process takes just a few minutes, and you‘ll be protected immediately.
If you‘re hesitant to commit to a subscription, you can try Avast Premium Security risk-free for 30 days with the free trial. The trial gives you access to all Premium features without any credit card needed. Be sure to cancel before the 30 days are up if you decide not to continue, or you‘ll be automatically charged the annual subscription fee.
For even bigger savings, you can often find Avast Premium Security activation codes at a discount from third-party retailers, deal sites, or rewards programs. However, always exercise caution when purchasing from an unknown seller, as the activation code may be expired, used, or illegally obtained. Stick to reputable sources like Amazon, Newegg, or the Avast Affiliate Reseller Program to ensure you‘re getting a genuine and legal license.
Here are some additional ways to save on Avast Premium Security:
- Take advantage of seasonal sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Avast‘s birthday month (June) for discounts up to 50% off.
- Check coupon sites like RetailMeNot, Groupon, or Slickdeals for limited-time promo codes.
- Earn cashback on your Avast purchase by shopping through portals like Rakuten, TopCashback, or BeFrugal.
- Redeem gift cards or rewards points from Avast partners like Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
- If you‘re a student, teacher, or faculty member, you may be eligible for an academic discount through the Avast Education Discount Program.
With so many ways to save, there‘s no excuse to leave your devices unprotected. Invest in your online security today with Avast Premium Security.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Avast Premium Security
To fully benefit from Avast Premium Security‘s powerful protection, follow these tips:
Keep Avast updated: Always allow Avast to download and install the latest virus definitions and program updates. This ensures you‘re protected against the newest threats and vulnerabilities.
Run regular scans: Schedule deep virus scans to run automatically when you‘re not using your device, ideally at least once per week. Also scan any external storage devices before opening their files.
Use the Avast secure browser: Browse the web with Avast Secure Browser for built-in protection against phishing, malicious ads, and online tracking. The browser also forces encryption on compatible sites.
Protect your passwords: Store all your account logins in Avast Password Manager and use it to generate strong, unique passwords. Enable two-factor authentication on your most important accounts for an extra layer of security.
Backup your data: Regularly backup your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage service. This protects you from data loss in case of hard drive failure, malware infection, or ransomware attack.
Secure your connection: When using public Wi-Fi, always connect with a VPN to encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address. Consider upgrading to Avast Ultimate for unlimited VPN access on all your devices.
Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest online threats and security best practices through resources like the Avast Blog, Cybersecurity 101 Course, and online forums. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself.
By following these tips and making the most of Avast Premium Security‘s advanced features, you can enjoy true peace of mind in your digital life. From safe browsing to data protection to identity safeguarding, Avast has your back.
Final Thoughts
In today‘s hyper-connected world, online security is everyone‘s responsibility. You lock your doors at night to keep out burglars; you need to lock down your devices to keep out cybercriminals. Avast Premium Security is your key to the ultimate defense against the constant barrage of online threats.
Don‘t let the fear of viruses, phishing, ransomware, or identity theft keep you from making the most of the internet. With Avast‘s award-winning antivirus technology, multi-layered security shields, and privacy protection features, you can browse, stream, work, bank, and shop online with total confidence.
Over 400 million users worldwide trust Avast to safeguard their devices and data.[^9] For a small price, you can join this global community of satisfied customers and experience true digital freedom. Try Avast Premium Security free for 30 days and see the difference for yourself.
Protect Your Digital Life with Avast Premium Security Today!
[^1]: "2021 Internet Crime Report." FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf[^2]: "Hackers Attack Every 39 Seconds." Security Magazine, https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/87787-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds
[^3]: "Avast Threat Landscape Report: Q1 2022." Avast, https://press.avast.com/hubfs/media-materials/kits/Avast_Q1_2022_Threat_Report.pdf
[^4]: "Spam and Phishing in Q1 2022." SecureList, https://securelist.com/spam-and-phishing-in-q1-2022/106260/
[^5]: "Ransomware in 2022." Marsh & McLennan, https://www.marsh.com/us/services/cyber-risk/insights/ransomware-in-2022.html
[^6]: "Facts + Statistics: Identity Theft and Cybercrime." Insurance Information Institute, https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-identity-theft-and-cybercrime
[7]: "Don‘t Use Public Wi-Fi Without a VPN." Norton, https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-privacy-risks-of-public-wi-fi.html
[8]: "Real-World Protection Test." AV-Comparatives, https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/real-world-protection-test-feb-mar-2022/
[9]: "About Avast." Avast, https://www.avast.com/en-us/about
