LONDON and PRAGUE, March 31 /PRNewswire/ --

- ALWIL Software a.s. is Pleased to Announce the Next Major Release of avast! antivirus, avast! 4.8.

avast! antivirus 4.8 is a major technology upgrade to the avast! product line, which includes the addition of anti-spyware detection, certified by West Coast Lab's Checkmark process, and the implementation of anti-rootkit capabilities, all directly from within avast! antivirus.

Eduard Kucera, ALWIL Software a.s. CEO, said of the release, "While only an upgrade of avast!, this version represents a major evolution of the avast! technology. Many of our competitors charge extra for anti-spyware or anti-rootkit detection, or don't add the functionality at all. We don't think a partial solution in scanning is a solution at all." Mr. Kucera continues, "With the release of avast! antivirus 4.8, we have innovated again in the industry, by adding this functionality to the avast! core scan engine technology."

avast! antivirus 4.8 is available now for download from the http://www.avast.com website. The technology is available in avast! Home Edition (free for non-commercial home use), Professional Edition and avast! Professional Family pack.

All Editions are available from http://www.avast.com, to purchase online, or from authorized resellers worldwide.

Existing avast! Home Edition or Professional Edition users will be prompted to update their programs automatically free of charge.

The full version of this press release, including terminology help, can be found here:

http://www.avast.com/eng/press-release-avast-4-8-released.html

Press Release Ends

Notes to editors:

About ALWIL Software a.s.

Headquartered in Prague, in the Czech Republic, ALWIL Software develops and markets avast! antivirus products that protect every major operating system platform and every major vulnerable device type. Further details about the company and its products can be found on ALWIL's corporate website, http://www.avast.com.

AVAST(R) is a registered trademark in the United States of America and other countries and is used under exclusive license to ALWIL Software a.s.

About avast! antivirus products

avast! is the multi-award winning antivirus product line from ALWIL Software a.s., which is ICSA Labs certified, and Checkmark certified (for anti-spyware). avast! antivirus regularly receives the Virus Bulletin 100% award, for detection of 100% of in-the-wild viruses, and is an SC Awards winning product.

Twenty Years Of avast! technology

2008 marks the 20th anniversary of avast! technology innovation. Keep visiting http://www.avast.com for special promotions and offers (including prizes) during a whole year ongoing celebration to mark this key milestone.

For press contacts, please email press@avast.com; Justin Bellinger, Worldwide Operations Manager, ALWIL Software, Telephone: +420-274-005-742, Fax: +420-274-005-888, Email: bellinger@avast.com Web: http://www.avast.com

For press contacts, please email press@avast.com; Justin Bellinger, Worldwide Operations Manager, ALWIL Software, Telephone: +420-274-005-742, Fax: +420-274-005-888, Email: bellinger@avast.com