Exclusive: Avast Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server – Preliminary Details

By on August 6, 2007 in Add-ins & Apps, Software, Windows Home Server

Those of you running the Windows Home Server beta will no doubt have noticed the lack of Anti-Virus products available for your system. The new home server category sits in between the traditional “server” and “home computer” categories which have been traditionally served by specific anti-virus products which vary greatly in price. A number of anti-virus developers are working on products for Windows Home Server – F-Secure have previously announced a solution for Windows Home Server, and rumours have been circulating that ALWIL are also working on a WHS anti-virus product.

This morning, I received the first preliminary details of Avast Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server – note these are subject to final confirmation as the product’s still in development, but they’re from a reliable source.

So, what’s in store?

  • Server grade anti-virus protection – the product is, in effect, similar to Avast’s Server/Small Business Server product, at a cheaper price.
  • Remote administration of home computer anti-virus protection (as long as those machines are running the free Avast Home Edition). Connected machines will show their up-to-date status and highlight any issues on shared directories.
  • Pricing will be set at an introductory $39.95 for the first six months of release, following which it will rise to $50.
  • A public beta will begin in September – keep an eye on the Avast website for more details.

Whilst we still have to see how remote administration will work with Windows Home Server (particularly with regard to updates), it’s fantastic to hear that the home server product will allow remote administration of Avast’s free Home product (rather than forcing users to upgrade every computer to the home server product).

I’m hoping to get an early look at Avast Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server in the coming weeks – stay tuned for more.


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About Terry Walsh

Terry Walsh is the founding editor and owner of We Got Served. Since February 2007, the site has provided detailed coverage and analysis of the emerging home server category, and has subsequently grown into a trusted outlet for digital home news and reviews.
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  • peter

    try PC tools Antivirus for your WHS (it´s free ,-)

  • http://form-asian.net Gary

    i have been using Sophos Anti-virus on my WHS for over 1 month with no problems… i would recomend this product to other users

  • Pingback: Avast Anti-Virus for Windows Home Server - Public Beta October 1st, Shipping End October

  • http://www.copiatech.com CopiaTECH Antivirus

    Avast is a great tool for the home user. We prefer other solutions for our corporate clients, but still consider Avast a top notch player.

    A. Saresh, Systems Engineer

  • http://aboutnewtech.com Dave Williams

    After evaluating more than 8 separate packages my company has standardized on Symantec Endpoint Protection. In detection and cleaning, our in-house tests revealed that Avast’s latest offering was every bit as good as the much more expensive Symantec product and knocked the socks off the Norton and Symantec Small Business solutions. In the end our companies choice came down to central management ability v.s. ease of use.

    Our solution was Symantec at the office, but I run Avast at home and on my families computers since it works very well, is priced for home users and my family members can even operate it.

    Excellent thread/post! Thanks!