Maximized security: Avira AntiVir Version 10

Version 10 of Avira AntiVir adds behaviour-based detection "ProActiv" to the proven IT security solution; introduces single-click malware removal

Tettnang, 23 March 2010 – IT security expert Avira is enabling its 100 million-plus users to become active virus fighters by introducing behaviour-based virus detection and prevention with the latest generation of its anti-virus software, Avira AntiVir Version 10.

Version 10 also introduces generic system repair for damage that may be caused by new variants of viruses and malware.

Key innovations in Avira AntiVir Version 10:

• Behavior-based protection with AntiVir ProActiv
• Enhanced security, thanks to shared intelligence on emerging viruses from the 100 million-plus strong Avira Community
• Generic repair of registry data and infected files
• Express installation, transparent user interface, slide-up virus information with one-click removal feature
• Parental Control feature in the Avira AntiVir Suite, including control over Internet surfing hours

New ProActiv technology is introduced in the Premium and Professional editions of Version 10 of Avira AntiVir. This adds an extra fourth layer of protection by introducing analysis of programs’ behavior patterns to help detect malware in addition to heuristic, generic and pattern-based scanning methods. Threats can be eliminated immediately by blocking suspicious programs.

Avira AntiVir Version 10 users who join the Avira AntiVir ProActiv Community (the in-the-cloud component of ProActiv) benefit from even more protection, as members can automatically run an advanced check on suspicious files: those will be sent to Avira’s security experts for analysis and the results are then used to further refine the behaviour-based detection.

The new version of Avira AntiVir also cleans up after as-yet-undetected viruses: its generic repair feature searches for any residual data and removes this from the hard disk and registry after an infection has been detected – helping to remove traces that may otherwise allow a PC to become compromised.

Avira makes it easier to handle viruses

The revised Avira AntiVir user interface provides a better overview of available features in the security solution. Color coding is used to provide a simple at-a-glance overview of system health: green means everything is OK and red signals that user attention is required. Slide-ups are deployed when the real-time scanner detects a problem. These are discreet information boxes that slide up in the corner of the screen. Malware findings are displayed in a summary report and access to suspect files is blocked automatically, making it impossible to accidentally run infected files. Suspicious files can be removed with just one mouse-click and the program will also try to repair the system.

“Our antivirus solutions minimize our users’ malware worries and maximize their PC security. It is very important to us that our solutions should be even more user-friendly,” says Travis Witteveen, Head of Sales and Marketing at Avira. “We are also making online life easier for parents by including Parental Controls the AntiVir Suite that provide more powerful tools to protect their children while surfing the net – for example by allowing them to monitor what there are doing and seeing online, and by defining surfing times and days.”

Avira introduces three new editions of Avira AntiVir Version 10. The company continues to provide Avira AntiVir Personal - Free antivirus at no cost to users. More extensive security solutions are also available: Avira AntiVir Premium, costing $36.99 per year, uses WebGuard to filter out malware before it reaches the web browser, while MailGuard stops harmful mail in its tracks. Avira Premium Security Suite adds a firewall to prevent net-based attacks, plus parental control, anti-spam and backup functions, and costs $59.99 per year.

All editions of the new version are available for free download from Avira’s online shop. Existing current subscribers to the full version will receive a free upgrade to Version 10.

About Avira

Avira wants its customers to ‘live free’ from spyware, phishing, viruses and other internet-based threats.
The company was founded 25 years ago on Tjark Auerbach's promise to "make software that does good things for my friends and family." More than 100 million consumers and small businesses now depend upon Avira’s security expertise and award-winning antivirus software, making the company the number-two market share leader globally. Avira provides IT-security protection to computers, smartphones, servers and networks, delivered as both software and cloud-based services.

In addition to protecting the online world, Avira's CEO promotes well-being in the offline world through the Auerbach Foundation, which supports charitable and social projects. The philosophy of the foundation is to help people to help themselves.

For more information, please visit www.avira.com or join the community at www.facebook.com/avira.