Avast

Small businesses face sophisticated cyber threats in an increasingly digitalized world. For example, ransomware actors can encrypt a firm’s data and demand a ransom to unlock it. This costs significant money, and even if you refuse to pay, considerable time is needed to restore data backups.

However, businesses can take preventative measures against cyber threats, including installing antivirus software on all devices. Antivirus software detects and counters emerging cyber threats before they cause harm.

Avast is one of the popular options for small businesses, owing to its advanced protection features and affordability. You can view the full pricing details on Avast’s website.

This guide explores more about Avast and how it can help small businesses to become more secure and efficient. 

Some of the key use cases of Avast are as follows:

• Malware protection: Avast scans any files you download for malware and takes action if it detects any. It monitors corporate devices for suspicious activities and raises an alarm when it detects any. This way, you can take immediate action and avoid falling victim to malware and zero-day threats.
• Anti-phishing: Phishing is a popular method malicious actors use to attack businesses. It involves impersonating trusted brands or people to trick you into giving up sensitive information. Avast counters this threat by alerting your employees when it detects fake and suspicious websites.
• Ransomware protection: Ransomware is a rapidly growing attack vector in which malicious actors encrypt a business’s data and ask for a ransom to unlock it. Avast prevents this threat by securing your folders and ensuring external actors can’t encrypt them.
• VPN: A VPN masks your IP address and hides browsing activity to prevent third parties from snooping or hackers from intercepting your traffic. Avast offers a VPN in its Premium and Ultimate plans, removing the need to pay for a separate VPN service for online protection.

• Limited budget: If your business has a limited budget, Avast may not be the right tool for you. In that case, you can choose a free antivirus solution like Microsoft Defender. Avast also offers a free antivirus program for PCs, although it doesn’t have the same features as the Business version.
• Product bundles: Some VPN services offer bundles, which include antivirus software. For example, you might have paid for a NordVPN plan, which also includes Threat Protection Pro to scan files for malware and detect risky applications on corporate devices. In that case, there’s no need to pay for a separate antivirus tool when the NordVPN bundle already provides one. 

1. Signing up: The process starts with signing up on Avast’s website. Use this link to open the signup form. After signing up, Avast will send a unique link to your email address to verify ownership. 
2. Choosing a plan: With your account ready, the next step is choosing a plan for your small business: Essential, Premium, or Ultimate. Fortunately, Avast offers a 30-day free trial of the Ultimate plan, allowing you to test all the advanced features before deciding whether to pay. You’ll be redirected to your Avast Business Hub after choosing a plan.
3. Downloading Avast: Click on Add Devices in your Avast Business Hub. This button opens a menu with relevant options, such as the operating system you’re installing Avast on and the features you want to enable on the new device. Avast is compatible with Windows and macOS, the two most popular desktop operating systems. You have three options for downloading Avast:
   • Install it on your current device.
   • Share the download link with the owner of the device you want Avast installed on, e.g., your employee’s device.
   • Install it remotely on any device connected to your corporate network.

Avast offers all-around protection for PCs and mobile phones. It offers many features to keep you safe from cyber threats, including:

PC Scan
You can scan an entire PC for malware and suspicious programs. Avast examines file registries and program codes to check against its database of known viruses. This database is continuously updated because malicious actors keep creating new forms of malware. You’ll be immediately alerted and prompted to take action if it detects any malware.

A complete PC scan can take a long time, depending on the volume of files on the device.

External Storage Scan
Malware doesn’t come from downloads alone. External storage devices (USB sticks and flash drives) can introduce malware to corporate devices. Avast prevents this by scanning external storage devices plugged into work PCs; you can make this action automatic. 

Ransomware Shield
Ransomware is a growing headache for businesses. Malicious actors in faraway countries can break into corporate networks, encrypt files, and demand a ransom to unlock these files for the rightful owner. Small and large businesses are equal targets, so you must take preventive action.

Avast’s Ransomware Shield protects PC files from being modified, encrypted, or deleted by third parties without your consent.

With this feature, Avast encrypts the files on your behalf to prevent malicious actors from modifying them. Avast offers real-time protection called Core Shields. With these shields turned on, you can protect your PC 24/7 instead of waiting for periodic scans to detect threats:

• File Shield lets Avast scan any files opened on a work device for malware.
• Web Shield lets Avast scan your browsing activity and block any malicious downloads.
• Email Shield lets Avast scan your email attachments for viruses. This feature is helpful because email attachments are a common medium for infecting PCs with viruses.

The antivirus industry is very competitive. Avast is one out of dozens of antivirus tools a business can choose. The good thing about this competition is that enterprises can easily migrate from one antivirus solution to another. However, migration must be handled carefully to avoid being vulnerable to attacks when switching from one antivirus tool to another.  

Most antivirus programs are designed to be the sole security solution on a device, with permissions to modify files and monitor the user’s activities. Running multiple antivirus programs concurrently can slow down your PC's performance and interfere with each other’s functions, rendering the protection ineffective.

If you decide to migrate from another platform to Avast, first download the Avast installer on your PC. Then, uninstall the previous program to prevent it from interfering with Avast’s functions and permissions. Afterwards, install Avast on your system and launch the app. You need to give the newly installed Avast permissions similar to your previous antivirus tool, allowing it to monitor device activities. Without these permissions, Avast won’t perform all of its functions effectively.

Unfortunately, there's no way to export your settings on a previous cyber protection platform to Avast. You must manually configure your business's custom policy settings afresh on Avast.

You can integrate Avast with third party tools that offer extra functionality. Avast doesn’t have many integrations, but the few available are helpful.

For example, you can integrate Avast with ConnectWise, an IT management platform. With this integration, you can view security information about your corporate devices on ConnectWise, such as the number of scans and threats detected. This information will be retrieved from Avast and automatically sent to ConnectWise.

Avast also provides a Business API Gateway to let customers build custom integrations. Examples of such integrations include viewing security alerts for external corporate devices, activating and deactivating new trials remotely, and monitoring the status of managed devices. However, custom integrations require technical skills to build and maintain.

As mentioned earlier, Avast doesn’t have many integrations. It lacks built-in compatibility with many popular business IT software. On the bright side, Avast provides a Business API Gateway for customers to build custom integrations they need.

Please note that you should never try to install more than one antivirus product on the same machine, as they may interfere with each other. The results of doing this are unpredictable, and may even crash your system. It is advised to use a single vendor for all your cybersecurity needs. Avast will not work alongside any other antivirus solution.