AVG TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES AVG MOBILATION FOR ANDROID, AND NOW THE FIRST SECURITY SOLUTION FOR TABLET DEVICES.

WORLD’S MOST POPULAR ANDROID SECURITY APP GOES TABLET.

AMSTERDAM, March 23, 2011– AVG Technologies announces its new Android security solution for Android tablets. Building on the success of AVG Mobile Solutions’ popular Smartphone application, ANTIVIRUSFree for Android is now designed for the needs and possibilities of the new wave of tablet devices.

According to recent industry reports, 2011 will be the year when tablet devices go mainstream as millions of people will be browsing, loading personal data and using multiple apps on their tablets.

With ANTIVIRUSFree for Android tablets (AVG Mobilation for Android), Android tablet users now have peace of mind knowing that their valuable data and device is protected, using cloud-based security technology that is simple to use, always up-to-date, and light on the device and battery life.

AVG Mobilation for Android tablet can scan apps, settings, data and media files in real time for viruses and other malware. And if the tablet gets lost or stolen, it can be remotely traced and wiped to protect privacy. The backup feature also protects contacts, call logs, bookmarks, messages and installed applications to an SD card. The ‘app locker’ can password protect any app on the tablet to prevent children using certain applications or data.

"Mobile devices are vital to most people’s lives and have practically developed into full computers in your pocket," said J.R. Smith, CEO, AVG Technologies. "IDC predicted that nearly 50 million tablets will be sold this year, meaning more users will carry more of their digital life world with them, everywhere. As a result, securing these devices and protecting data becomes ever more crucial."

"A mobile device is more personal than your computer at home, as it goes next to your wallet and your house keys and contains relevant data, your contacts, your family photos and memories," said Omri Sigelman, VP Marketing and Products, AVG Mobile Solutions. "AVG Mobilation for Android tablet protects you from the threats that target precious data in mobile devices. It can even help you to locate your device on Google Maps and remotely wipe it if it should get stolen lost or stolen."

AVG TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT FOR NEW $235 MILLION CREDIT FACILITY

AMSTERDAM, March 21, 2011– AVG Technologies, the world’s leading provider of consumer security software, today announced it has entered into a new credit agreement with a syndicate led by J.P Morgan and Morgan Stanley, its first-ever capital markets transaction. The $235 million secured, five-year credit facility will provide the company with the resources to realize strategic growth opportunities, as well as paying a dividend to its shareholders.

J.R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, AVG commented, "AVG has created one of the world's largest installed customer bases for anti-virus software, and has delivered powerful security technologies and solutions that are proven and well-respected in the market. The potential and growth opportunities for our business are extraordinary, and we are delighted that the market has recognized that potential with this new credit facility led by two of the most respected global institutions, Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan. This agreement further strengthens AVG’s market position, provides additional financial flexibility, and enhances our ability to execute our strategic plans. AVG firmly believes that basic internet protection should be free, and we continue to offer the most robust free offering in the market which forms the cornerstone of our financial success through the company’s unique business model. We look forward to continuing to address the expanding needs of the global security software market through improved technology and broader language and platform support."

"We are very pleased with the outstanding support received from our lending group and their validation of our strategic approach and our ability to simultaneously deliver top-line growth, solid cash generation, and a lean cost structure," said John Little, Chief Financial Officer of AVG. "It also was compelling to offer our first ever public capital markets transaction mainly to U.S. investors, given the majority of our revenues are derived from the U.S., and the extensive interest in our sector from the U.S. market."

AVG TECHNOLOGIES ANNOUNCES “AVG LIVEKIVE”

FREE CLOUD-BASED STORAGE SOLUTION FOR ARCHIVING AND SHARING CONTENT

AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO – February 17, 2011 – AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free antivirus software, announced today the beta launch of AVG LiveKive™, a free, cloud-based storage solution that offers customers a completely new approach to safeguarding their most valuable information. AVG LiveKive™ provides simple, safe and reliable storage that makes the process of archiving and sharing content as intuitive and secure as keeping money in a bank.

„With AVG LiveKive™, AVG is taking its passion and expertise in free security technology to the cloud-based storage market," said J.R. Smith, chief executive officer of AVG Technologies. „By storing information on our safe and secure servers, customers significantly reduce the temptation for thieves and hackers to attempt accessing files stored on an individual PC or mobile device.“

By LiveKiving™ their files, users can take advantage of five free gigabytes of leading-class secure storage as well as immediate access to content from all their synced devices. Moreover, AVG LiveKive´s ease of use transforms the perception of archiving from a cumbersome, memory-intensive process into a quick, efficient and natural method of guarding relevant information and content.

AVG LiveKive™ will be released in Beta version next week.

AVG TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER

COMPANY RESEARCH REVEALS DISCONNECT BETWEEN SMB SECURITY AWARENESS AND LEVEL OF PROTECTION; ONE IN SEVEN SMALL BUSINESSES ARE NOT PROTECTED AGAINST IT SECURITY THREATS

AMSTERDAM, February 11, 2010 – AVG Technologies, makers of small- and medium-sized business (SMB) and consumer anti-virus security products, today announced the launch of its web-based Business Resource Center. The Resource Center provides SMB business owners and IT managers with informative guides, blog posts, videos, demos and tools to help them protect their businesses from internet and network security threats.

AVG’s Business Resource Center was designed in response to the AVG SMB Market Landscape Report 2010, which shows that despite the fact that 83 percent of businesses surveyed recognize the need to protect against Internet security threats, a surprisingly high proportion, 1 in 7, are not deploying any IT security solutions. The Resource Center, developed in partnership with GFK Roper, is a one-stop-shop for SMB internet security and anti-virus needs. The site features downloadable AVG Small Business Security Guides that provide SMBs with a blueprint for creating effective, secure business environments. The site also offers a vibrant SMB blog with topical commentary and intelligence on emerging threats.

For those that like to work interactively, the Resource Center offers sales support via phone or email to help SMBs make the right decisions for their businesses. It also provides case studies, downloads and tutorials, many of which are illustrated with instructional videos to bring the online learning experience to life.

"As our research shows, small businesses have a fundamental understanding that Internet security threats can be a hazard to their businesses, but they obviously lack the time or the resources to adequately protect their businesses from cyber criminals who may try to steal valuable company information," said Robert Gorby, Global Head of SMB Propositions, AVG Technologies. "AVG’s Small Business Resource Center is designed to educate small- and medium- sized business owners about online threats to their businesses and provide them with a myriad of resources to help protect themselves from these threats."

AVG and Netlog Partner to Help More Than 24 Million Social Networking Users Stay Safe

Integration of AVG LinkScanner Adds Additional Layer of Protection for all Netlog Member-Posted Links

AMSTERDAM, February 1, 2011- AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, announced today that it has teamed up with Netlog to launch a co-branded Security Center within the popular European social network now available at www.netlog.com/go/helpdesk/security/. The Security Center powered by AVG, will inform and educate users about Internet security, provide tips and help users protect themselves from malware, spyware and other attacks by cybercriminals while they surf online. Additionally, all links within Netlog will be automatically scanned by AVG LinkScanner, warning users to refrain from opening a link when a threat is detected.

With more than 72 million members and over 150 million visitors per month, Netlog is one of the fastest-growing and most popular social networking sites amongst European youth between the ages of 18 and 25. The Security Center will be initially rolled out to 24 million Netlog users in the top six countries of the Netlog user base, which are Belgium, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Romania and Turkey. As part of the educational initiative, Netlog users will also be able to download AVG Free and Paid products at a discounted price while receiving bonus Netlog credits at en.netlog.com/go/downloads/. Users can also visit a dedicated AVG page to learn more about the company and apply exclusive AVG monster ‘brand skins’ to their own page at www.netlog.com/internetsecurity/.

“AVG is delighted to work with Netlog on this strategic initiative. Social media has become the heartbeat of our society and as such, it is particularly vulnerable to the criminal elements,” said Rocco Donnino, senior vice president of Global Strategic Alliances, AVG Technologies. “Netlog is taking incredible measures to create a safe and secure environment for their members, thus it’s imperative that Netlog users have the most up-to-date security software and information available so that they stay protected while surfing online.”

"A significant amount of Netlog users are aged 13 to 20. This age group tends to be relatively more vulnerable to online threats, which is why we attach a great deal of importance to online security. Other than guaranteeing the safest possible experience on our own site, we can now offer our users a way to protect themselves wherever they go on the web, thanks to our partnership with AVG," said Lorenz Bogaert, CEO of Massive Media.

The agreement is part of the AVG’s Global Strategic Alliances (GSA) group and “Trust Alliance” program focused on development, licensing initiatives and strategic partnerships in security, social media and the online community.

AVG Study Shows Young Kids Learn Tech Skills before Life Skills

AMSTERDAM, January 19, 2010 - Small children today are more likely to navigate with a mouse, play a computer game and increasingly – operate a smartphone – than swim, tie their shoelaces or make their own breakfast. This is according to a new ‘Digital Diaries’ study from Internet Security Company AVG (www.avg.com). AVG Digital Diaries is a series of studies looking at how children's interaction with technology has changed.

This second piece of research polled 2,200 mothers with Internet access and with children aged 2-5 in the U.S., Canada, the EU5 (U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Spain), Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The mothers were given a list of tech skills and a list of life skills and asked which ones their very young children had mastered. The key results are as follows:

1 - More small children can play a computer game than ride a bike. 58 percent of children aged 2-5 know how to play a 'basic' computer game. For the U.K. and France that jumps to 70 percent. Even 44 percent of 2-3 year olds have the ability to play a computer game. By comparison, 43 percent of kids 2-3 can ride a bike

2 - More kids aged 2-5 can play with a smartphone application (19 percent) than tie his or her shoelaces (9 percent). Almost as many 2-3 year olds (17 percent) can play with a smartphone application as 4-5 year olds (21 percent)
3 - More small children can open a web browser (25 percent) than swim unaided (20 percent)

4 - There is no tech gender divide between young boys and girls. As many boys (58 percent) as girls (59 percent) can play a computer game or make a mobile phone call (28 percent boys, 29 percent girls)

5 - Mothers aged 35 and over are slightly better at teaching their kids 'life skills.' For example 40 percent of toddlers with mothers aged 35-plus can write their own name compared with 35 percent of toddlers with mothers aged 34 or younger

6 - European children aged 2-5 lead their U.S. counterparts in knowing how to make a mobile phone call (44 percent in Italy vs. 25 percent for the U.S.), playing a computer game (70 percent U.K. vs. 61 percent U.S.) and operating a computer mouse (78 percent France vs. 67 percent U.S.)

“Technology has changed what it means to be a parent raising children today – these children are growing up in an environment that would be unrecognizable to their parents. The smart-phone and the computer are increasingly taking the place of the TV as an education and entertainment tool for children,” said AVG CEO, J.R. Smith. “As our research shows, parents need to start educating kids about navigating the online world safely at an earlier age than they might otherwise have thought.”

AVG Digital Diaries is a series of studies looking at children of different age groups. With this year long piece of research, AVG aims to conduct a comprehensive study about children's technology habits. The first piece of research, entitled ‘Digital Birth’ released in October 2010, found that most babies and toddlers have an online footprint by the time they are six months old.

End of Support for AVG 8.5

With AVG 8.5 coming to the end of its life, now’s the time to make sure your clients are upgraded to AVG 2011.

Throughout December and until the end of January 2011, all AVG 8.5 users will be getting pop-ups telling them the news and directing them to a page where they can upgrade free of charge to the latest AVG version.

Upgrade your clients today!

Please contact us at +65 6455-2789 if you have any questions.

AVG now offers security for Android devices!

AVG Technologies announced the acquisition of Tel Aviv-based DroidSecurity, a pioneer in cloud-based mobile security. DroidSecurity is the only company of its scale exclusively focused on protecting smartphones, tablets and other devices running on the Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOG) Android™ operating system. The acquisition enables AVG’s Mobile Solutions Team (MST) to extend its security offerings for its more than 110 million consumers and small businesses in 170 countries to include the rapidly expanding mobile security arena.

“The potential that exists within the mobile space is extraordinary, and we predict that devices like smart phones will overtake PCs in 2012,” said J.R. Smith, Chief Executive Officer, AVG.

This strong momentum for Android is being witnessed directly by DroidSecurity and is evidenced in the company's user stats. Of the 100,000+ apps currently available on the Android market, DroidSecurity antivirus free consistently ranks in the top 50 of most popular apps. According to company estimates, over 4.5 million Android mobile devices have downloaded DroidSecurity, making DroidSecurity among the largest and fastest growing providers of anti-virus apps for the Android market and among the fastest growing apps today.

The Most Popular Antivirus for Android™ Devices

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• Check apps for malware before downloading from app stores
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• Locate lost or stolen device using GPS
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• Lock device and wipe content
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• Basic protection from SMS Spammers

Ultimate protection for Android™ Smartphones, Tablets and E-Readers. Anti-Virus PRO has all the features of Antivirus FREE, plus:

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AVG LinkScanner® for Mac Stays One Step Ahead in Keeping You Secure

Free Product Offering Ensures Mac Users Remain Safe from Increasing Intensity and Sophistication of Web Attacks

Amsterdam – June 14, 2010 – AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today unveiled AVG LinkScanner® for the Mac operating system. AVG LinkScanner® for Mac is the first free AVG product designed for Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard and supports internet browsers Safari 3.x, Safari 4.x, Safari 5x and Mozilla Firefox 3.x and higher.

According to AVG research, 99 percent of all malicious threats are delivered through the web and cannot be stopped with traditional antivirus software. These threats can come and go within hours and can live on familiar, big-name sites and even on third-party applications on popular social networking sites, without users even noticing. And with the growing popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and others, the bad guys are using these sites as their main vehicle for spreading malware.

Like AVG’s extremely popular free LinkScanner for Windows offering which has more than 95 million users, LinkScanner for Mac allows users to surf, search, email, shop and use social network programs online with the confidence that the pages they visit are safe and the places they choose to visit online are safe to enter personal and private information. LinkScanner updates continuously with data garnered by AVG’s industry-leading research team and user community, checking each web page a user visits in real-time before it opens on the Mac, warning users to refrain from opening them if LinkScanner detects threats.

“Mac users have traditionally been less vulnerable to virus threats and attacks because of their lower market share, but that is quickly changing and no operating system is immune, as these attacks are leveraging the web to deliver malware that target web browsers and application vulnerabilities,” said J.R. Smith, CEO, AVG Technologies.“LinkScanner for Mac takes the first step to ensure customers are safe and won’t end up losing their money, identities and precious digital memories. In addition, this new product has been enhanced to better protect users from being scammed, phished and entering personal information into infected games, quizzes, surveys, etc. on social networking sites. We want to help you keep your private personal information private! And, because AVG believes strongly that security software like LinkScanner is critical, we believe it should be free.”

AVG’s Free LinkScanner for Mac product protects users against the ever increasing online web-threatsby dynamically scanning the web pages before they open in your Mac to see if they are genuine sites. If it detects something suspicious, Linkscanner notifies the user that the web site is malicious. LinkScanner for Mac is available for free and included as part part of all AVG anti-virus and Internet security products for Windows. Download LinkScanner from the AVG Download web page free of charge, or at www.download.com.

AVG Researchers Identify New Social Network Application Threats

Political Hacktivists Deface Facebook Members’ Pages to Make Statement

Amsterdam – June 8, 2010 – AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today announced that it had discovered a new threat to Facebook: “Political Hacktivism,” or the nonviolent use of illegal or legally ambiguous digital tools in pursuit of political ends. Over the weekend of June 5-6, 2010, AVG researchers noticed that a number of Facebook accounts had seemingly been hacked by Turkish hackers in retaliation for the recent Gaza blockade incident.

AVG researchers first identified the threats, which seem to be take two forms and, researchers note, probably indicates that there are two individuals or groups involved, and it appears they are Turkish hackers. These tools include web site defacements, redirects, denial-of-service attacks, information theft, web site parodies, virtual sit-ins, virtual sabotage, and software development."

“The number of hacked accounts is fairly small, so far lass than fifty, which would indicate that it is not an automated attack, but the number is still increasing, albeit slowly,” said Roger Thompson, AVG Chief Research Officer. “This is the first time, as far as I am aware, that Facebook has been a victim of political hacktivism.”

Thompson continued, “Given that the attack seems to be being run by Turkish hackers, and that Turkish hackers had once claimed a world record for defacing 37k pages in a single day, we should not discount the thought that they might find an automated way to move, and we should be extra vigilant with what we click. Think before you link.”

This hacktivisim on Facebook is another in a continuing string of malicious attacks to the popular social networking site. AVG recognizes the power that social networking brings to our professional and personal lives and does not advocate giving up on the technology altogether. However, AVG does have some recommendations on how to best protect yourself:

• Make sure you practice safe surfing. AVG LinkScanner is a free web tool that can identify threats in real-time and let you know if a page or link is poisoned, before you click.
• If you ever have to install a viewer to watch a video, something is probably not right. Go to the video player application’s official website and download the application there. Never download through a link
• Make sure your anti-virus and security software is up to date. If you don’t have anti-virus software, you can download AVG Free here.

AVG Secures Access to Social Networks Via Updated Browser Toolbar

Facebook, Skype Presence and Status Update Functions Delivered Through AVG Notifier App

AMSTERDAM, May 19, 2010 – AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today announced that it has updated its browser toolbar to include secure access to Facebook, Skype and weather updates. The toolbar functions as a secure portal through which alerts, pokes, friend requests, event invitations and status updates can be made. A proprietary Facebook Notifier feature can be configured to show only alerts that users want to receive.

“Our virus researchers have been warning consumers for the past year of hacks and scams that can be perpetrated via the social networks, so we are looking for ways to better align into these networks and begin to help make these interactions more secure,” said J.R. Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. “By adding this functionality into our toolbar, we are starting on a path to help keep our customers protected when they work, play, listen, view or connect online. AVG is protecting people, not PCs, and this addition to the tool bar gives them a convenient and secure channel through which to update Facebook status, launch Skype and get weather alerts.”

The AVG toolbar is available now and included for free as an optional installation in all of AVG’s security software products. Current AVG customers will receive the new toolbar functions as part of their next scheduled update; users with the AVG Security Toolbar already installed will be prompted to update. New customers can get the toolbar by downloading any of AVG’s home security or business security software products here: www.avgantivirus.biz

AVG Researchers Identify Massive Propagation of Rogue Applications through Social Network Application

Adware Uses Subterfuge to Entice Facebook Members to Click

AMSTERDAM, May 18, 2010– AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today revealed research into a very aggressive, expansive push by rogue applications on Facebook this past weekend. AVG researchers indicated that from midnight to 9 am EST on Saturday, May 15, 2010, AVG software detected and blocked more than three hundred thousand rogue applications. That rate was more than three times the rate of the number two for the day for rogue anti-spyware.

“This latest issue really underscores how powerful, while at the same time vulnerable, social networking applications are. This attack was actually stunning in terms of scale,” said Roger Thompson, AVG’s Chief Research Officer. “Facebook is very responsive to threats when we identify them, and removing these applications as soon as they find them, but they’re still able to generate huge traffic, just because of the viral nature of social networks. It is staggering how many threats were propagated before they were stopped.”

Ironically, the attack, which offers a picture of a girl in a bikini to entice the victim to install an adware-supported viewer, was not viral according to AVG researchers, and was first seen in different forms last week. AVG’s system is set servers to alert the research team when certain nefarious behaviors and activities are detected. By 9 am EST, AVG’s servers had detected more than 200,000 of this particular threat. By comparison, the second highest detection at that same time was about twenty-four thousand of a particular rogue anti-spy, so at one point, this push was nearly ten times the number two detection.

Last week’s rogue push peaked at about 80,000 for the day, and had dwindled to just a couple of hundred per day by Friday, May 14, 2010. At that point AVG researchers were hopeful that the adware attack would cease; however, all indications point to the fact that they were just gearing up for a fresh start… and a powerful one at that.

Thompson added, “Interestingly, they launched it on a Saturday. I guess they figure we don’t watch on the weekend, but malcode researchers are all cut from the same cloth as Inspector Gadget… we’re always on duty.”

AVG recognizes the power that social networking brings to our professional and personal lives and does not advocate giving up on the technology altogether. However, AVG does have some recommendations on how to best protect yourself:

• Make sure you practice safe surfing. AVG LinkScanner is a free web tool that can identify threats in real-time and let you know if a page or link is poisoned, before you click.
• If you ever have to install a viewer to watch a video, something is probably not right. Go to the video player application’s official website and download the application there. Never download through a link.
• Make sure your anti-virus and security software is up to date. If you don’t have anti-virus software, you can download AVG Free here.

End of Support for AVG 7.5

Please be informed, as of April 30, 2009, older versions of Windows operating systems (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT/Windows NT Server, Windows Me) no longer support  AVG 7.5.

The end of support for older versions of Windows operating systems is due to the fact that the new AVG scanning engine and on-access scanner, as well as the whole AVG technology cannot work on older operating systems. Older operating systems are insecure and have not been maintained by the vendor for several years, more importantly these systems do not include features and functionality that is necessary for the proper detection and removal of malware. For the above reasons we cannot guarantee sufficient protection of the mentioned operating systems.

Please note that AVG Technologies reserves the right to discontinue the support provided that AVG Technologies informs thereof 15 days prior to the effective date on its website.

We recommend that you upgrade to a more secure operating system or acquire a new computer with the latest operating system software installed.

AVG Goes Back to Basics with AVG 9.0

New product offerings deliver 50 percent faster speed, improved performance, and ease of use

Amsterdam, October 5, 2009 - AVG Technologies, developers of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today announced that its family of free and paid internet security products, AVG 9.0, would be generally available to the market in October 2009. Boosted by significant enhancements in speed and levels of protection, AVG 9.0 is also easier to use and improves end user experience. AVG’s new technology products ensure that users are safe in whatever activities they undertake in today’s online world.
“AVG 9.0 will provide home computer users with a more powerful and more streamlined solution that adds protection without impacting user experience, taking us back to our core strength of low impact, high performance security,” said J.R. Smith, CEO, AVG Technologies. “We’ve always believed that everyone has the right to a safe online experience. With AVG 9.0, we are providing first-class assistance to our users in their development of tools and measures for their safety from all of the threats posed by cybercriminals and identity thieves, whether they’re working, playing, banking or shopping on the web.”

AVG 9.0 Delivers Speed and Layered Security Protection

Because AVG knows scanning time is critical to its customers, scan optimization is a top priority for AVG 9.0’s combined anti-virus/anti-spyware scanner, which employs new technology. This marks files as safe or potentially unsafe during the initial scan, and skips the safe files in future scans unless the file structure changes. As a result, users experience dramatically reduced scan times – by up to 50 percent depending on system configuration – as well as improvements of 10 to 15 percent for boot times and memory usage. In addition, in order to face the increasing threats of today’s online world, AVG 9.0 combines all modern technologies to optimize real time protection. Starting with the foundation of signature-based protection to deal with known threats, AVG 9.0 builds on top of that behavioral, in-the-cloud, and white listing technologies to address the tens of thousands of new threats daily.
Revolutionary in AVG 9.0 is the integration between the Resident Shield, firewall, and identity protection modules. This enables the modules to share malware information with each other, increasing AVG’s ability to detect and remove most malicious types of malware, rootkits, and ID Theft threats, for which signatures have not yet been issued. The firewall enhancements include a complete redesign to reduce intrusive firewall ASK dialogues by 50 percent. This also makes the firewall application significantly quieter and less intrusive, as its new trusted database of applications and application certificates allows the application, without user intervention, to see whether it is safe to allow communication of the application or if it should be blocked. Additionally, because the new firewall works behind the scenes with the behavioral detection technology in the AVG Identity Protection module, it can deliver one of the most accurate detection levels of new and unknown threats.
Additionally, AVG 9.0 delivers improved anti-phishing detection through enhancements to its LinkScanner offering, which can now more quickly and accurately determine whether or not a web page is hosting a phishing attack. This is accomplished by allowing the software to apply more than 100 different potential threat indicators to a page. If the result is inconclusive, LinkScanner then makes a call to the cloud to check a multitude of phishing feeds plugged into the AVG research network to make a final determination regarding threat potential.
AVG 9.0 delivers a solution that is laser focused on user concerns and protection, and is marked by a new look and feel designed to significantly improve user experience and ease of use. Responding to customer feedback, the AVG installation process has been shortened by 50 percent and the user protection process is dramatically simplified. Finally, it is also significantly easier for users to detect and remove any third-party security product that could cause conflicts with AVG 9.0 and interfere with the user’s level of protection.

AVG Gives Users Additional Tools to Fight Identity Theft

According to the 2009 Federal Trade Commission report, as many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen yearly and more than a quarter of the more than 1.2 million complaints received during the 2008 calendar year involved identity theft. Because identity theft takes many forms, from online fraud when shopping and banking on the web to offline fraud when paying a bill at a restaurant or shopping at a store, AVG now provides additional protection against identity theft in the physical world, the AVG Identity Theft Recovery Unit (ITRU).
Added Smith, “Our addition of the identity theft protection and support services is game changing for the security space, as no other vendor is addressing this critical issue with an offering to its customers, free of charge. This is further evidence of AVG’s unparalleled commitment to its customers.
ITRU is a service that will provide AVG customers in the US who have been a victim of identity theft support from a team of dedicated identity theft recovery experts who will help resolve issues, free of charge. AVG is the only security vendor to offer this type of unique service for free to its customer, which will be accessible through the AVG Security Toolbar. AVG sees this as an extension of its ability to provide users with the latest technologies that keep them safe while using the internet and ensure they are protected from today’s threats. If an AVG user believes they may be a victim of identity theft, they will call the ITRU. Intersections’ experienced fraud specialists which consult with the user, help them obtain and review their credit reports and enroll in daily credit file monitoring and alerts for six months, as well as assist in filing police reports, placing fraud alerts and filing disputes with the three major national consumer credit reporting agencies. The entire ITRU process will be provided to AVG users at no cost.

AVG Technologies Receives Yet Another Virus Bulletin 100 Certification

AVG Internet Security Network Edition Obtains VB100 Certification

Amsterdam, June 17th, 2009 - AVG Technologies, a leading developer of Internet security software, announced today that AVG Internet Security Network Edition received VB100 certification from UK based Virus Bulletin.

AVG Internet Security Network Edition (version 8.5) was tested. “AVG proved very stable and reliable, and achieved excellent detection rates across the board. A superb performance which comfortably earned a VB100 award,” stated Virus Bulletin Test Team Director John Hawes. Certification testing for products running on the 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003 took place during April and May.
February 2009 saw the introduction of Reactive And Proactive (RAP) testing to the VB100 comparative reviews, measuring products' reactive and proactive detection abilities against the most recent malware that has emerged around the world. AVG Internet Security Network Edition was one of only four products to achieve a RAP score exceeding 80%.

VB100 Test Procedures

The VB100 (virus) award is granted to any product that passes the test criteria under test conditions in the VB lab as part of the formal VB comparative review process. Basic requirements are that the product delivers in its default settings:

• 100% detection of malware listed as 'In the Wild' by the WildList Organization at the time of the review
• No false positives when scanning Virus Bulletin’s collection of known-clean files

“We are pleased to receive the latest VB100 certification from Virus Bulletin,” stated Karel Obluk, Chief Technology Officer for AVG Technologies. “Valid testing and certification by qualified organizations benefits both vendors and customers. It holds us to a higher performance standard in developing solutions. It gives customers knowledgeable 3rd party validation of the products they are evaluating for use on specific platforms.”

Other recent comparative tests in the last year where AVG Technologies obtained VB100 certification were for Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista x64, and Windows XP Professional platforms. AVG has received VB100 certifications in every test it has entered over the past year.

AVG Anti-Virus Network Edition provides antivirus, antispyware, and anti-rootkit protection for workstations and file servers. The combination of LinkScanner®, its real-time scanner, comprehensive web shield, and high-speed automatic updates ensures that customers are protected around the clock. Centralized installation and configuration delivers easy implementation.

www.virusbtn.com

Virus Bulletin started out in 1989 as a magazine dedicated to the anti-virus industry. Virus Bulletin quickly became the leading specialist testing body in the field of viruses and related malware. Today, Virus Bulletin is an online security information portal and certification body. Virus Bulletin provides users with independent intelligence about the latest developments in the anti-malware and anti-spam fields, as well as conducting bimonthly certifications of anti-malware and anti-spam products. Virus Bulletin is supported by an Advisory Board comprising some of the world's leading anti-malware and anti-spam experts.

www.avg.com

AVG is a global security solutions leader protecting more than 80 million consumers and small business computer users in 167 countries from the ever-growing incidence of web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cyber crime and one of the most advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free online, downloadable software model allows entry-level users to gain basic anti-virus protection and then to easily and inexpensively upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense in both single and multi-user environments. Nearly 6,000 resellers, partners and distributors team with AVG globally including Amazon.com, CNET, Cisco, Ingram Micro, Play.com, Wal-Mart, and Yahoo!.

Vexing computer worm to evolve on April Fool's Day

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - - A tenacious computer worm which has wriggled its way onto machines worldwide is set to evolve on April Fool's Day, becoming harder to exterminate but not expected to wreak havoc.

A task force assembled by Microsoft has been working to stamp out the worm, referred to as Conficker or DownAdUP, and the US software colossus has placed a bounty of 250,000 dollars on the heads of those responsible for the threat.

The worm is programmed to modify itself on Wednesday to become harder to stop, according to Trend Micro threat researcher Paul Ferguson, who is part of the Conficker task force.

"There is no evidence of it going into attack mode or dropping any particular payload on April 1st," Ferguson said in an interview.

"What people controlling the botnet are doing is building in survivability because of efforts by the good guys to lessen the harm of this thing.

"The worm, a self-replicating program, takes advantage of networks or computers that haven't kept up to date with security patches for Windows RPC Server Service.

It can infect machines from the Internet or by hiding on USB memory sticks carrying data from one computer to another. Once in a computer it digs deep, setting up defenses that make it hard to extract.

Malware could be triggered to steal data or turn control of infected computers over to hackers amassing "zombie" machines into "botnet" armies.

A troubling aspect of Conficker is that it harnesses computing power of a botnet to crack passwords.Microsoft has modified its free Malicious Software Removal Tool to detect and get rid of Conficker."As this threat continues to evolve, Microsoft and other collaborative companies will continue to identify new ways to disrupt the Conficker threat to give customers more time to update their systems," said Christopher Budd, security response communication lead for Microsoft.

Computer users are advised to stay current on anti-virus tools and Windows updates, and to protect computers and files with strong passwords.Conficker is programmed to reach out to 250 websites daily to download commands from its masters.

On Wednesday, the worm will begin connecting with 50,000 websites daily to better hide where orders originate, according to Mikko Hypponen of F-Secure computer security firm."

They basically upped the ante; trying to make our lives more difficult," Ferguson said. "They realized the good guys were starting to intercept their communications.

"The infection rate has slowed from a fierce pace earlier this year, but computers that are not updated with a software patch released by Microsoft remain vulnerable, according to security specialists.Hypponen wrote in a message at F-Secure's website that Conficker is in one to two million computers and that most of those machines are believed to have an early version of the malicious software lacking the April 1 trigger.Conficker was first detected in November 2008.

Among the ways one can tell if their machine is infected is that the worm will block efforts to connect with websites of security firms such as Trend Micro or Symantec where there are online tools for removing the virus."Once a machine is infected, it becomes very hard to clean up," Ferguson said.

"There is no indication anywhere of (Conficker) doing anything but just sitting there. We don't know whether another shoe is going to drop, or if there is another shoe at all.

"Hackers have taken advantage of Conficker hype by using promises of information or cures to lure Internet users to websites booby trapped with malicious software, according to security specialists.

"It seems that every other day you see some story about the Internet being hobbled together with bubble gum and paper clips," Ferguson said.

"Conficker could be the biggest non-story of the year; at least that's what I hope it is."

AVG 8.5 is out

AVG launches new protection against identity theft, boosts free product protection

Latest upgrade aims to prevent newest digital threats from becoming digital disasters

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (March 2nd, 2009) - Identity theft is now the number one Internet-based crime and claims almost ten million online and offline victims at a cost of $48 billion in the US alone, according to the Javelin Strategy & Research, 2008 Identity Fraud Survey Report published last month. CIFAS, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, estimates that identity theft is costing that country’s economy over $3.4 billion annually. To help users protect their personal and private information online, AVG Technologies, developer of the world’s leading free computer security product, today introduces AVG Identity Protection (IDP).

AVG Identity Protection gives computer users an additional layer of protection on top of their existing security software. IDP is specifically focused on helping to prevent thieves from using carefully-targeted attacks to steal passwords, bank account details, credit card numbers, and other digital valuables. It uses a technology called behavioral analysis to make sure all the programs running on a user’s computer are operating the way they should. If it spots something suspicious that could indicate an attempted ID theft attack, it shuts that activity down, preventing any possible theft from happening. It doesn’t matter whether users are running AVG software or security software from another vendor; IDP runs smoothly alongside all popular programs to keep users safer when they’re online.

“Computer users need to be confident that when they’re banking and shopping online, they won’t become a victim of identity theft,” says AVG Technologies CEO JR Smith. “Anti-virus alone can’t give users the level of security people need in today’s complex, fast-moving threat landscape. AVG Identity Protection gives them the confidence that they’re safe from the bad guys.”

AVG Identity Protection is the headline product in today’s launch of an across-the-board upgrade to the AVG family of security software for home and small business users. The technology in IDP has also been combined with the company’s Internet Security suite, which provides total protection for all aspects of users’ online lives. In addition to the new Identity Protection, AVG Internet Security defends against viruses, spyware, worms, hackers, botnets, poisoned web pages, trojan horses, spam, and other cyberthreats with a full arsenal of digital weaponry. Whether users are surfing, e-mailing, instant-messaging, or downloading files, Internet Security stops threats from becoming problems.

“We know the security challenges users face in their daily lives,” says Smith. “Our products are designed to prevent those challenges from becoming problems, leaving users free to get on with their digital lives. They’re easy to set up, easy to use, easy to find – and some of them are even free, for ever.”

AVG’s Free product also gets a boost with this upgrade, adding Active Safe-Surf real-time protection to the existing anti-virus, anti-spyware, instant message security and safe-searching capabilities. Today’s web threats move at lightning speed and only stay around long enough to scoop up their victim quota, so real-time detection is vital. Active Safe-Surf checks the web page behind every link for hidden threats at the only time that matters – when users are about to click on that link.

Improvements to the small business products focus on the company’s Exchange Server products, which gain a long-awaited upgrade to centralized anti-spam protection that will make life much easier for those tasked with managing networked e-mail.

A peek under the hood

AVG Identity Protection is based around the technology AVG acquired when it bought the Sana Security company earlier this year. This technology helps to prevent identity-related attacks by analyzing the behavior and characteristics of malicious programs and using the knowledge gained to create protection that doesn’t require “signature updates” to stay current. The software is continuously learning and improving its protection, based on information drawn from real threats encountered by real users, ensuring that users are always protected against new and unknown threats.

“Tens of thousands of new virus samples arrive in security companies’ labs every day,” says AVG Technologies CTO Karel Obluk. “It is simply not feasible for traditional signature-based anti-virus to keep up with this level of activity from the bad guys. So while it’s important to continue to use anti-virus to protect against the known viruses that are out there ‘in the wild’, it’s vital for users to have an additional protective layer against the unknown.”

AVG Active Safe-Surf further enhances users’ protection against unknown threats by analyzing web pages in real time for hidden threats and exploits such as drive-by downloads. Unlike other safe-surf products which rely on historical data acquired by periodically scanning sites across the Internet based on a variety of criteria, Active Safe-Surf bases its safety ratings on real-time analysis of individual web pages, ensuring an accurate assessment of a page’s current status.

The new anti-spam module in AVG’s Internet Security for SBS and E-mail Server Edition is based around the widely-used Mailshell engine, ensuring stability, compatibility, and ease of management from a central point. This ease of use is further enhanced with the addition of a single installation process for all components.

Product availability and pricing

The complete AVG 8.5 family of products is available now online and through retail and reseller channels.

For more information on the complete range of AVG security products for consumers and small businesses, please visit www.avgantivirus.biz

Follow AVG Security on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/avgsecurity

About AVG Technologies

www.avg.com
AVG is a global security solutions leader protecting more than 80 million consumers and small business computer users in 167 countries from the ever-growing incidence of web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cyber crime and one of the most advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free online, downloadable software model allows entry-level users to gain basic anti-virus protection and then to easily and inexpensively upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense in both single and multi-user environments. Nearly 6,000 resellers, partners and distributors team with AVG globally including Amazon.com, CNET, Cisco, Ingram Micro, Play.com, Wal-Mart, and Yahoo!.