Cybersecurity in 2026 is no longer only about blocking viruses. Phishing messages, AI-generated scams, fake websites, account takeovers, ransomware and fraudulent calls have become part of the everyday threat landscape. For resellers, IT service providers and businesses across Africa, security now needs to protect people, identities and online activity as well as devices.

Avast, AVG and Norton are all responding to this shift. Their latest solutions continue to provide established antivirus and malware protection, but increasingly combine artificial intelligence, scam detection, privacy tools and multi-device security. Through Avert IT Distribution (Avert ITD), African resellers and organisations have a regional route to these products, licensing and support. Avert ITD is the official distributor of Avast and AVG in Africa and also distributes Norton solutions to partners and organisations.

Avast: AI-powered scam protection takes centre stage

One of the most important developments in Avast is its expanding focus on scam prevention. Avast’s Scam Guardian technology combines automated protection with Avast Assistant, an AI-powered tool that can analyse suspicious messages, links, offers and screenshots and provide understandable guidance.

On mobile, Avast Premium Security now includes Scam Guardian Pro. The suite brings together SMS Guard, Call Guard, Email Guard and Avast Assistant to help identify suspicious texts, scam calls, phishing emails and deceptive content. This matters because many modern attacks no longer start with a malicious file; they start with a convincing message designed to persuade the victim to click, pay or reveal information.

Avast One also continues to combine antivirus, privacy and performance tools in one application. For organisations still managing legacy environments, Avast says Avast One can continue protecting Windows 10 devices even though Microsoft’s general Windows 10 support ended in October 2025.

AVG: familiar security with stronger AI and mobile defence

AVG remains a practical choice for customers who want straightforward, accessible cybersecurity. AVG AntiVirus now prominently features AI-powered protection against scam websites, malicious links, unsafe downloads and other online threats, while AVG Internet Security adds broader protection against ransomware, phishing, hackers and fraudulent websites.

Mobile protection is becoming increasingly important too. AVG’s current Android offering includes Scam Guardian features such as Web Guard, while Scam Guardian Pro adds Call Guard, SMS Guard and Link Guard. These capabilities help users identify or block suspicious calls, messages and websites on the device where banking, shopping, messaging and authentication often happen.

For business customers, AVG Business continues to support centrally managed endpoint protection. AVG’s Cloud Console gives administrators visibility into managed devices, policies, antivirus versions and security status, helping resellers and IT teams manage larger customer environments more efficiently.

Norton: broader digital-life protection and major VPN upgrades

Norton’s portfolio has also moved far beyond conventional antivirus. Norton 360 plans now include AI-powered Scam Protection designed to help detect phishing, scam texts, fraudulent websites and deepfake-related threats. Norton Genie adds an AI assistant that can help users assess suspicious content and answer cyber-safety questions.

For SMEs, Norton Small Business combines device security with a secure browser, software updating, password management, dark web monitoring and 250GB of cloud backup. Norton Small Business Premium expands the package with features including Secure VPN, 500GB cloud backup, financial monitoring, social-media monitoring, Driver Updater and 24/7 Business Tech Support.

Norton has also made significant VPN improvements in 2026. On 31 July 2026, Norton announced an upgrade to ML-KEM-1024 post-quantum encryption, faster and more reliable mobile connections, and servers in 11 additional countries. The new locations include Ethiopia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania, making the expansion particularly relevant to African customers and partners. Norton says its internal testing showed mobile connection times falling by more than half and connection failures dropping by more than 60%.

Why Avert ITD matters for African resellers and businesses

Technology is only one part of a successful cybersecurity deployment. Product selection, licensing, renewals, technical guidance and local support are equally important. Avert ITD gives African resellers, partners and organisations regional access to all three brands, along with licensing, renewals and technical guidance.

This provides an important advantage for African channel partners. Instead of relying only on international purchasing and support routes, resellers can work with a regional distributor that understands the local market and can help match solutions to customer needs.

The sales conversation is changing as well. Customers are no longer simply asking, “Which antivirus should I buy?” They increasingly need help protecting employees from phishing, securing mobile and remote users, safeguarding online identities, reducing scam exposure and managing security across multiple devices.

The direction for 2026 is clear: cybersecurity is becoming more proactive, AI-assisted and user-focused. Avast is pushing strongly into interactive and always-on scam protection; AVG is combining familiar antivirus with stronger AI-driven web and mobile defence; and Norton is broadening its all-in-one approach across security, privacy, scam prevention, backup and connectivity.

With Avert ITD providing distribution and regional support across Africa, resellers and businesses can turn these latest developments into practical protection for their customers in an increasingly complex digital world.

Contact Avert ITD on WhatsApp
Avert ITD has opened a WhatsApp support channel for partners and customers who need quick assistance, have questions about Avast or AVG licences, or want to discuss business requirements. The company says the channel enables rapid responses across Africa without lengthy e-mails or waiting for a callback. WhatsApp on +27 605 180001.

Avert ITD positions its partner programme as an investment in reseller growth, offering a range of cybersecurity solutions intended to protect both customers and reseller reputations.

Founded in 2004, Avert ITD serves partners across Africa and says accountability, integrity and commitment underpin its approach to distribution.

To become an Avert ITD reseller, complete this form or contact sales on +27(0)10 007 4430 (Johannesburg) or +27(0)21 007 2655 (Cape Town), or e-mail [email protected]. Find Avert ITD on LinkedIn.

About Gen
Gen is a global company dedicated to powering digital freedom with a family of trusted brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, Avira, AVG, ReputationDefender and CCleaner. Our trust-based solutions help protect nearly 500 million users in more than 150 countries.