Latest news with #Avast
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Avast Makes AI-Driven Scam Defense Available For Free Worldwide
Press Release – Avast Avast Assistant provides 24/7 AI-powered scam protection guidance on suspicious websites, SMS messages, emails, links, offers, and more, allowing people to engage in open dialogue when theyre unsure about a potential scam. Driven by a commitment to make cutting-edge scam protection available to everyone, Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has unveiled Avast Scam Guardian, a new AI-powered offering integrated into its award-winning* Avast Free Antivirus. Cybercriminals continue to abuse AI to craft increasingly convincing scam attacks at an alarming rate. Available at no cost, the new service marks a significant step forward in democratising AI scam protection. A premium version, Avast Scam Guardian Pro, has also been added to Avast Premium Security, giving customers an enhanced layer of AI protection against email scams. 'Today's scams aren't crude or obvious – they're tailored, targeted, and AI-enhanced, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between truth and deception,' said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. 'As scammers take advantage of rising data breaches and leaked personal information, anyone anywhere can become a victim of scams. That's why it's never been more important to make powerful AI-powered scam protection available to everyone, everywhere. We're levelling the playing field with world class scam defense that helps people strengthen their digital and financial safety.' According to the recent Q1/2025 Gen Threat Report, breached records of individuals surged by more than 186% between January and March 2025, revealing sensitive information such as passwords, emails, and credit card details. Over the same timeframe, reports of phishing scams rose by 466% compared to the previous quarter, making up almost a third of all scam submissions observed by Gen. As data breaches rise, so do the opportunities for attackers to exploit leaked information to launch targeted, hyper-personalised scam campaigns that are harder than ever to spot. Like a seasoned scam investigator, Avast Scam Guardian uses proprietary AI trained on scam data from Gen Threat Labs to go beyond just detecting malicious URLs – it also analyses context and language to more effectively identify signs of deceptive or harmful intent. Avast Scam Guardian also helps to pull back the curtain on hidden threats in website code and neutralises them to keep people safer as they browse and shop online. Key features available in Avast Scam Guardian for Avast Free Antivirus, include: Avast Assistant: Provides 24/7 AI-powered scam protection guidance on suspicious websites, SMS messages, emails, links, offers, and more. Allows people to engage in open dialogue when they're unsure about a potential scam and uses natural language to better understand queries and deliver clear advice on what to do next. Available on Windows and Mac. Web Guard: Uses the collective power of Gen Threat Labs telemetry and AI trained on millions of frequently visited websites to continuously analyse and detect hidden scams in content and code** – offering unique visibility into dangerous URLs. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS**. Avast Scam Guardian Pro includes everything in Avast Scam Guardian, plus: Email Guard: Uses AI to understand the context of emails and the meaning of words to detect scams. Scans and flags safe and suspicious emails before you open them, helping to protect your email wherever you check it, no matter what device you use to log in. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS***. Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro are available to download now as part of Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. Later this year, additional AI-powered tools will be added to Avast Scam Guardian Pro for greater protection against sophisticated scams targeting other communication channels, including SMS and phone calls. For more information, please visit *AV-Comparatives, 'Top-Rated Product 2024 Award' & AV-Comparatives, 'Real-World Protection 2024 Award' – Jan-Dec 2024. **Content and code scanning is only available on Windows and Mac. **Email Guard is included, but mobile platforms do not have the Scam Guardian user interface. About Avast Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac, and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at
Techday NZ
3 days ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Avast launches free AI scam protection in antivirus for NZ users
Avast has integrated its AI-powered scam protection features into its range of cyber safety products, including free access for customers in New Zealand via Avast Free Antivirus. The new offering, known as Avast Scam Guardian, is now available to users worldwide at no additional charge. There is also a premium tier, Avast Scam Guardian Pro, which enhances protection against email scams and is included in Avast Premium Security. Scam landscape Recent data highlight the scale and sophistication of the threat. According to the Q1/2025 Gen Threat Report, the number of breached personal records rose by more than 186% between January and March 2025. This data includes sensitive information such as passwords, email addresses, and credit card details. In the same three-month period, phishing scams increased by 466% compared to the previous quarter, accounting for almost a third of all scam submissions identified by Gen. Avast notes that cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to develop scams that are more convincing than ever before and harder to detect. The integration of Scam Guardian aims to provide more robust protection at a time when the risk to consumers is growing. "Today's scams aren't crude or obvious – they're tailored, targeted, and AI-enhanced, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between truth and deception," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "As scammers take advantage of rising data breaches and leaked personal information, anyone anywhere can become a victim of scams. That's why it's never been more important to make powerful AI-powered scam protection available to everyone, everywhere. We're levelling the playing field with world class scam defense that helps people strengthen their digital and financial safety." Scam Guardian is powered by proprietary AI models trained on scam data from Gen Threat Labs, going beyond the detection of malicious URLs to include analysis of context and language cues. This enables a more nuanced assessment of websites, emails, and other digital content, as well as the ability to identify deceptive or harmful intent in communications. Feature set There are several key features included in Avast Scam Guardian for Avast Free Antivirus users. Avast Assistant operates around the clock to provide AI-driven guidance on suspicious online activity, covering websites, SMS, emails, links, and offers. Users can interact with this assistant to discuss concerns about potential scams and receive clear, practical advice on how to proceed. This service is available on both Windows and Mac platforms. Another component, Web Guard, leverages telemetry from Gen Threat Labs and AI analysis of millions of websites to detect hidden scams within content and code. This offers additional visibility into dangerous URLs. Web Guard covers Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS systems, although content and code scanning is only available on Windows and Mac. The premium Avast Scam Guardian Pro includes all the standard protections and adds Email Guard. This feature uses AI to interpret the context and meaning within email messages, flagging suspicious or safe emails before the user opens them. It works across devices including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. However, while Email Guard is included for mobile platforms, they do not feature the Scam Guardian user interface found on desktop versions. Looking ahead Avast said that further AI-powered features would be added to Scam Guardian Pro later in the year, addressing new vectors of attack such as SMS and phone call scams. These forthcoming tools are intended to strengthen protection against the evolving and increasingly sophisticated nature of cyber scams. Both Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro are currently available to download within Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security products. In New Zealand, Scam Guardian features are included in the free offering without extra cost.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Avast Makes AI-Driven Scam Defense Available For Free Worldwide
Driven by a commitment to make cutting-edge scam protection available to everyone, Avast, a leader in digital security and privacy and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), has unveiled Avast Scam Guardian, a new AI-powered offering integrated into its award-winning* Avast Free Antivirus. Cybercriminals continue to abuse AI to craft increasingly convincing scam attacks at an alarming rate. Available at no cost, the new service marks a significant step forward in democratising AI scam protection. A premium version, Avast Scam Guardian Pro, has also been added to Avast Premium Security, giving customers an enhanced layer of AI protection against email scams. 'Today's scams aren't crude or obvious – they're tailored, targeted, and AI-enhanced, making it harder than ever to tell the difference between truth and deception,' said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. 'As scammers take advantage of rising data breaches and leaked personal information, anyone anywhere can become a victim of scams. That's why it's never been more important to make powerful AI-powered scam protection available to everyone, everywhere. We're levelling the playing field with world class scam defense that helps people strengthen their digital and financial safety.' According to the recent Q1/2025 Gen Threat Report, breached records of individuals surged by more than 186% between January and March 2025, revealing sensitive information such as passwords, emails, and credit card details. Over the same timeframe, reports of phishing scams rose by 466% compared to the previous quarter, making up almost a third of all scam submissions observed by Gen. As data breaches rise, so do the opportunities for attackers to exploit leaked information to launch targeted, hyper-personalised scam campaigns that are harder than ever to spot. Like a seasoned scam investigator, Avast Scam Guardian uses proprietary AI trained on scam data from Gen Threat Labs to go beyond just detecting malicious URLs – it also analyses context and language to more effectively identify signs of deceptive or harmful intent. Avast Scam Guardian also helps to pull back the curtain on hidden threats in website code and neutralises them to keep people safer as they browse and shop online. Key features available in Avast Scam Guardian for Avast Free Antivirus, include: Avast Assistant: Provides 24/7 AI-powered scam protection guidance on suspicious websites, SMS messages, emails, links, offers, and more. Allows people to engage in open dialogue when they're unsure about a potential scam and uses natural language to better understand queries and deliver clear advice on what to do next. Available on Windows and Mac. Web Guard: Uses the collective power of Gen Threat Labs telemetry and AI trained on millions of frequently visited websites to continuously analyse and detect hidden scams in content and code** – offering unique visibility into dangerous URLs. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS**. Avast Scam Guardian Pro includes everything in Avast Scam Guardian, plus: Email Guard: Uses AI to understand the context of emails and the meaning of words to detect scams. Scans and flags safe and suspicious emails before you open them, helping to protect your email wherever you check it, no matter what device you use to log in. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS***. Avast Scam Guardian and Scam Guardian Pro are available to download now as part of Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. Later this year, additional AI-powered tools will be added to Avast Scam Guardian Pro for greater protection against sophisticated scams targeting other communication channels, including SMS and phone calls. For more information, please visit *AV-Comparatives, 'Top-Rated Product 2024 Award' & AV-Comparatives, 'Real-World Protection 2024 Award' - Jan-Dec 2024. **Content and code scanning is only available on Windows and Mac. **Email Guard is included, but mobile platforms do not have the Scam Guardian user interface. About Avast Avast is a leader in digital security and privacy, and part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Avast protects hundreds of millions of users from online threats, for Mobile, PC or Mac, and is top-ranked and certified by VB100, AV-Comparatives, AV-Test, SE Labs and others. Avast is a member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware, No More Ransom and Internet Watch Foundation. Learn more at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How Is Gen Digital's Stock Performance Compared to Other Software - Infrastructure Stocks?
Valued at a market cap of $18 billion, Tempe, Arizona-based Gen Digital Inc. (GEN) is a leading provider of cyber safety solutions for individuals, families, and small businesses. Its portfolio includes well-known brands such as Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, CCleaner, and ReputationDefender. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as 'large-cap' stocks, and Gen Digital fits this criterion perfectly, exceeding the mark. The company delivers trusted services in cybersecurity, online privacy, identity protection, and performance optimization. Robotaxis, Powell and Other Key Things to Watch this Week The 7 Signs Your Stock Is A Buyout Target Looking to Gamble on Hard-Hit Solar Stocks? This Is the Top-Rated Ticker Now. Tired of missing midday reversals? The FREE Barchart Brief newsletter keeps you in the know. Sign up now! Shares of Gen Digital have dipped 8.5% from its 52-week high of $31.72. GEN stock has increased 6.1% over the past three months, underperforming the broader iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF's (IGV) return of 12.8% during the same period. Longer term, GEN stock has soared 19.1% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind IGV's 23.9% return over the same time frame. However, Gen Digital's shares have risen 5.4% on a YTD basis, slightly outpacing IGV's 4.9% gain. The stock has climbed above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since early May. Shares of Gen Digital surged 8.2% following its strong Q4 2025 results on May 6, with adjusted EPS of $0.59 exceeding estimates and rising 11.3% year-over-year. Revenue grew 5% to over $1 billion, driven by heightened demand for AI-powered cyber safety solutions amid rising digital threats. The company reported an increase in its direct customer base to 40.4 million and improved its customer retention rate to 78%. Additionally, an upbeat fiscal 2026 guidance, projecting up to $4.8 billion in revenue and EPS as high as $2.56, fueled investor confidence. In comparison, its rival, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), has underperformed GEN stock, with shares of MSFT rising nearly 6% over the past 52 weeks. Nevertheless, MSFT stock has gained 13.1% on a YTD basis, exceeding GEN's performance. Despite the stock's outperformance relative to its industry peers over the past year, analysts are cautiously optimistic, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from seven analysts. It is currently trading below the mean price target of $32.28. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Digital Trends
16-06-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Avast's most complete antivirus plan is 70% off right now
Avast has been popping off with incredible deals this month. The antivirus company recently offered 70% off its Premium tier of virus protection. For the next 30 days, Avast is extending that offer to its Ultimate tier of protection. That means you can protect one device with Avast Ultimate for $33 for a year, down from its usual $110. If you want to cover 10 devices, you'll only pay $42 instead of $140. Let's dive into what Avast Ultimate offers and why you might want it over the free tier or the Premium plan. This deal is live now, and will stick around for the next four weeks. Why should should buy Avast Ultimate Avast Ultimate starts with covering everything that the Premium plan does. That means ransomware protection and several forms of browsing protection. Avast will verify that the public Wi-Fi networks you're joining are safe and legit, then protect you while you're browsing with notifications for unsafe, fake, or phishing sites. You'll also be protected against remote access attacks. When you choose the Avast Ultimate tier over the Premium, you get even more resources for protecting your computer: a VPN, identity masking software, and PC cleanup software. Avast's VPN is called SecureLine VPN. It has all the perks you'd expect from a VPN, such as private browsing, the ability to spoof an internet connection in a different country, and security from anyone trying to nab your browsing data. Avast says the VPN won't impact your connection speed because of its many secure servers set up across the world. Avast's AntiTrack, also included with the Ultimate plan, has a similar goal as a VPN: obscure your identity from websites trying to track you. This includes all targeted ads. Have you ever looked at a plane ticket, closed the tab, and come back to find it more expensive than the first time you checked it out? AntiTrack is designed to block that sort of thing from happening. And to round out the Avast Ultimate experience you have Cleanup Premium, which does exactly what it sound like. It declutters your computer, organizing and deleting old files that you didn't even know where there. It's an easy way to speed up your computer. Avast Ultimate is 70% off for the next four weeks, bringing the price of your first year down to just $33 for one device or $42 for 10 devices. If you've been living on the edge without antivirus, this is a great way to keep your computer safe, secure, and clean.
