Alwil is a software company based in the Czech republic, that produces Avast!, a virus scanning program. The program comes in a freeware version for home users and a shareware version that has several additional features.

The latest version of Avast! includes optional components for protecting popular Instant Messaging and File Sharing programs, and scanning of POP3 email without need for any setup of your email software.

ICSA Labs has certified Avast! as a virus detector, but not as a virus cleaner as of November 2003. Avast! has passed several Virus Bulletin tests, and has a better success rate with these tests than other paid for programs. See the links below to get a better idea of what these tests entail; they are very stringent.

External links

• http://www.avast.com/ - Alwil homepage
• http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archives/products.xml?avist.xml - Avast!'s VB 100% record
• http://www.icsalabs.com/html/communities/antivirus/certification/certprod.shtml (Currently shows that Avast! has passed their virus detection tests)
• http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,113462,pg,1,00.asp - PC World article comparing four free anti-virus programs including Avast!