With millions of active users worldwide, Avast stands as a benchmark in cybersecurity. Why? Because of the quality of its solutions, the reach of its tools and because it is a platform in continuous evolution. A platform that today, once again, places our security at the forefront by reinforcing every layer of defence we already know with artificial intelligence and real-time protections. Let us talk about all the new features.
Avast Free Antivirus is a benchmark, and now it is even better
We all know Avast Free Antivirus for its engine capable of scanning our files in real time and blocking threats before they even have the chance to execute any malicious code. To achieve these capabilities, its detection system is based on exhaustive behavioural analysis to identify suspicious patterns and neutralize any malware, spyware or ransomware, including those previously unknown.
The Network Inspector and Firewall modules, while not new in this version, receive enhancements and continue working to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic on both private and public networks. Network Inspector can alert us to the presence of unauthorized devices on our network and to insecure configurations—while the Firewall applies both the default rules and any that we choose to configure, helping to safeguard our connections with continuous monitoring.
Meanwhile, intelligent quarantine and cloud scanning are now better than ever. These systems isolate suspicious files and send samples to Avast’s specialized servers for in-depth vulnerability analysis. While this approach reduces the risk of false positives, it also speeds up the response to new attack vectors.
Avast Free Antivirus welcomes Scam Guardian
The very first new feature of 2025 is that now, as part of the new Scam Guardian – which includes Web Guard and Avast Assistant. Web Guard inspects every page and detects, among other things, hidden code or malicious links. With this information and through its own detection engine, it can proactively block fraudulent sites and dangerous downloads. Thanks to this continuous scanning of websites and threat detection, Avast allows us to browse, manage our online banking, and shop online with increased confidence.
Another feature introduced by Scam Guardian and the arrival of AI to Avast’s platforms is Avast Assistant. An assistant that responds instantly to our doubts and queries about potential scams. It analyses the context of emails, notifications, advertisements, and other variables to offer clear recommendations tailored to us and our circumstances. A key tool for making secure decisions when interacting with unfamiliar content.
The feature table with the novelties of this version is therefore as follows:
| Feature | Scope | How they protect us |
| Real-time behavioural analysis | Proactive malware detection | Neutralizes threats before they can execute |
| NEW: Integrated Avast Assistant | Scam guidance | Answers questions about suspicious messages instantly |
| NEW: Web Guard | Browsing inspection | Blocks fraudulent sites and malicious links proactively |
| Network Inspector and Firewall | Wi-Fi connection security | Prevents intrusions and protects our networks |
| Intelligent quarantine and cloud scanning | File isolation | Sends suspicious files for detailed examination |
Avast Premium Security: the most secure proposition, ready for the next step
Avast Premium Security goes beyond the free version with features designed for professional environments and for users with higher privacy and security needs. As with Avast Free Antivirus, we find Avast Assistant ready to help us understand what is happening with our security before we must make any decisions about specific content, but there is more.
Sensitive Data Shield, Webcam Shield and Data Shredder protect our privacy by blocking access to the most important folders, preventing unauthorized apps from using the camera and microphone, and irretrievably deleting sensitive files.
Meanwhile, Hack Alerts monitors our credentials and sends us instant notifications if it detects leaks of our passwords on external services. Notifications that allow us to renew our credentials before any misuse can occur.
Of course, all these features revolve around the well-known and recognized antivirus engine that combines signature detection with heuristics for maximum efficiency.
Avast Premium Security goes further with Scam Guardian: this is how Email Guard works
If in the free version of Scam Guardian we enjoy Avast Assistant and Web Guard, in the Pro version we must add a new functionality: Email Guard. Our email has never been in better hands.
Email Guard is an upgrade to the current Email Guardian that analyses every message with AI, identifies phishing attempts and blocks suspicious links before they even reach our inbox. Email Guard applies syntactic analysis to understand context and detect contextual fraud that escapes traditional filters. When a suspicious email arises – even without a link – Avast marks it and offers us clear, easy-to-understand information about the risks before we open it. A proactive filtering of our emails and blocking of malicious links that helps protect our communication without interrupting our sending or receiving of messages.
The feature table with the novelties of this version is therefore as follows:
| Feature | Scope | How they protect us |
| NEW: Email Guard with syntactic analysis | Intelligent email filtering | Detects contextual phishing in every message |
| Sensitive Data Shield and Data Shredder | Privacy protection | Blocks unauthorized access and irreversibly deletes data |
| Webcam Shield | Security and privacy | Prevents unauthorized camera and microphone access |
| Hack Alerts | Credential monitoring | Notifies password leaks in real time |
Practical security for everyday scenarios
So far we have seen the tools that Avast uses to maintain our security. We have also explored the novelties introduced by Scam Guardian. To conclude, let us put a little order into a series of everyday scenarios and see how Avast works seamlessly behind the scenes to keep us safe.
Surfing and shopping online with increased confidence
When we visit online stores and social networks while shopping, Web Guard inspects every page and blocks malicious content before it even loads in the browser and can compromise our information. A detection that works even on newly created pages, since it uses AI to identify hidden threats. We can explore unknown websites with increased confidence and focus on finding the best deal.
Reading email without worrying about potential scams
Before we even check our inbox each morning, Email Guard has analysed the structure and context of messages and flagged those with scam indications. Thanks to intelligent filtering of content, attachments, metadata and other indicators, clearly visible flags let us know we are opening only legitimate emails.
Connecting to public Wi-Fi is safer
When we work from cafés or airports, Network Inspector evaluates the network and warns us if it detects devices attempting to join that could represent a threat. Meanwhile, the Firewall has its predefined set of rules to block unwanted access, protecting our connection without any action on our part.
Protecting our credentials instantly
If any of our passwords are detected in a leak, Hack Alerts notifies us in real time about which accounts might be compromised, allowing us to update our credentials immediately and restore security before any attacker can attempt unauthorized access.
Keeping sensitive files on our device safe (Avast Premium Security)
To safeguard our most important documents, Sensitive Data Shield helps prevent unauthorized access to critical system folders. Once activated, it offers maximum security for our most sensitive information. When it comes time to dispose of that information, Data Shredder permanently deletes files we no longer need, so they cannot be recovered.
Making video calls yes, maintaining our privacy too (Avast Premium Security)
While we are on a video call, Webcam Shield prevents malicious applications from accessing our camera or microphone without permission. A simple click gives us absolute control over the camera and takes care that only apps we authorize can capture audio and video.
Greater protection, greater peace of mind: this is Avast
Protection in such a changing environment requires us always to be up to date. That is why having an application among our allies that updates continuously to take care of our security is the best idea.
With the new features arriving in Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security in the form of Scam Guardian andScam Guardian Pro, our trusted security platform is not only more capable but also prepared for the future. Thanks to AI, we face a system designed to detect and respond to potential threats in real time.
With Avast backing us at every layer of our defence, we can focus on our tasks confidently while a cutting-edge solution is working behind the scenes. And if we want to be more proactive, Avast Assistant is here to help us understand our situation and advise us to make the best possible decision. Meanwhile, we can benefit from Avast’s automatic protection.