Avast 2015 gains Home Network Security check, HTTPS scanning, hardware-based virtualization

Avast Software has announced the release of its 2015 product lineup, including Avast Free and Pro Antivirus 2015, Avast Internet Security 2015, and Avast Premier 2015.

All editions now include a Home Network Security option which scans your local network for vulnerabilities: Wi-Fi status, router settings, passwords still set to common defaults, more.

A new Smart Scan option on the main console runs all Avast scans in succession (antivirus, Home Network Security, software updates, junk files). The results are delivered on a single screen and you’re able to resolve them all with a click.

Each package can now scan TLS/SSL-protected connections, enabling it to detect threats in HTTPS traffic.

Avast’s DeepScan can use hardware-based virtualization to run processes in their own virtual machine, isolated from your system, improving security and detection. (Hardware virtualization needs to be supported and enabled on your PC, of course.)

Paid Avast products now include SecureDNS, Avast’s own DNS system, which helps to protect you from DNS hijacking when you’re using unsecured networks.

Help has moved completely online, where it’s both more complete and more up-to-date. And paid users have a smarter support system which automatically adds the key data whenever you submit a ticket.

Avast reports that you should be able to use the in-product updater to grab this version, or just install it on top of your existing setup (your settings should be preserved).

Alternatively, 30-day trials of Avast Free Antivirus 2015, Avast Internet Security 2015 and Avast Premier 2015 are available now.