Hol

Slipping through time, imagine yourself in 1988 Prague. Two figures, Eduard Kučera and Pavel Baudiš, huddle over a floppy disk. They’re not playing games. They are battling the Vienna virus, a digital menace threatening the nascent computer world. This moment marks the birth of Hol, or rather, the company that would eventually call this place home: Avast. Hol, this locality in Prague, now resonates with the echoes of Avast’s journey from a small cooperative to a global cybersecurity giant. Avast, originally called Alwil, began in the era of floppy disks and the Vienna virus. Its founders, Kučera and Baudiš, met at the Research Institute for Mathematical Machines. Their shared passion for computers blossomed in the unlikeliest of places, under the watchful eye of the Communist regime. Avast’s early success story is intertwined with the Virus Bulletin’s accolades, a testament to their dedication and ingenuity. Their antivirus program, first written for Windows 95 by Ondřej Vlček, became a shield against the growing threats of the digital age. Fast forward to 2016, and Avast had grown exponentially. They moved into their modern headquarters in Prague’s Enterprise Office Center, a space designed to foster collaboration and innovation. Picture wide stairways connecting seven floors, buzzing with activity. Imagine 45 meeting rooms, filled with discussions about cybersecurity strategies. Envision a Silicon Valley-style cafeteria, where employees relax and connect over free meals. Hol, the locality where Avast is located, has witnessed the company’s transformation. From its humble beginnings, Avast has become a global player in the fight against cybercrime. Their story, born from the ashes of the Vienna virus, continues to unfold here in Hol, protecting millions from the ever-evolving threats of the digital world.