Avira continues global expansion with Chinese market entry

Tettnang, 30 March 2010 – Avira, a leading provider of IT security products, today formally enters the Chinese market. The company has established an office in Beijing and is introducing the Simplified Chinese versions of its Avira AntiVir products. The move extends Avira’s expansion into Asia, having already established a presence and opened offices in Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Targeting approximately two million computer users in China, Avira is making the full range of Avira AntiVir products and support available immediately in Simplified Chinese, backed by a local language website (www.avira.cn). In addition to the popular free version of Avira AntiVir, which already protects more than 100 million computer users worldwide, Avira AntiVir Premium and Avira Premium Security Suite are now available in Simplified Chinese.

Chinese customers gain full local language support via a localized knowledge base and online problem-solving via a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) for all versions. Premium customers are also able to take advantage of telephone support via a local hotline.

Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus, Avira AntiVir Premium and Avira Premium Security Suite can be downloaded from partner Sina’s technology zone (tech.sina.com.cn). Through cooperation with Sina, Avira aims to fast-track its product adoption and expand market share.

Tjark Auerbach, Founder and CEO of Avira, says: “Thanks to the free version of Avira AntiVir we already have a flying start in the Chinese market. Avira is already a trusted brand among computer users in China, and known for its high detection rates and fast scanning speeds. Now we are making the very best ‘Made in Germany’ software available to consumers in China to combat computer viruses and malware.”

Chinese market entry is the latest move in Avira’s fast-track global expansion. The company is now adding new customers at the rate of one in every second, having grown its user base by 150 percent from 40 million to well over 100 million users in just 20 months.

Auerbach adds: “China is a vital component of our strategy for global expansion and we believe the high quality and legendary security of Avira’s products will win over customers by bringing more convenience and peace of mind to Internet users in China.”

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.