AOL has introduced free antivirus software that is likely to become the highest-profile alternative to security software you pay for.
Active Virus Shield, Powered by Kaspersky, Provides Real-Time Scanning and Protection against Viruses, Spyware and Other Online Threats
AOL recently launched a new anti-virus program — called Active Virus Shield — for all online users at no cost. Active Virus Shield offers basic protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software, AOL said in a statement.
The product is available to all Internet users, not just to subscribers to AOL’s Internet access service.
"Antivirus protection is too important to make people have to pay for it," an AOL representative told CNET News.com in an e-mail interview. We want to make sure that everyone is protected from viruses and spyware, and we believe that making Active Virus Shield available for free will help make the Internet a safer place for all.
Active Virus Shield is not the only free antivirus product available, but it is likely to become the highest-profile alternative to for-pay products from vendors such as Symantec, McAfee and Microsoft. Other no-cost antivirus options are Grisoft’s AVG Anti-Virus, Alwil Software’s Avast, and ClamWin, which is based on the open-source Clam AntiVirus engine.
A study released in December by AOL and the National Cyber Security Alliance found that more than half (56%) of the participants either had no antivirus protection or had not updated it within the previous week, which exposed them to serious security threats.
More information about the AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study can be found at http://www.staysafeonline.info/news/press_dec07_2005.html.
The protective tool is being delivered in partnership with Kaspersky Lab, a well-respected Russian antivirus software maker.
Active Virus Shield is based on software from Internet security developer Kaspersky Lab, one of the largest Internet security solutions providers in the world, and offers advanced detection technology.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus has won numerous honors, including five stars (out of five) from Computer Shopper magazine and 2006 Anti-Virus Product of the Year at the Techworld.com Network Awards.
Active Virus Shield aims to stop viruses, Trojans, spyware, and other malware before they can attack a Windows-based PC; the software also offers real-time scanning of incoming files and both incoming and outgoing email to check for infected files and other potential dangers. The software automatically updates itself every hour via the Internet to pick up the latest virus and danger definitions, offering an easy and convenient way for consumers to protect themselves from the thousands of new Internet threats created each month.
"The consumer PC security experience is long overdue for re-invention. With so many consumers online with inadequate security safeguards, it is time to make things like virus protection a fundamental right, not a risk," said John McKinley, President of AOL Digital Services in a statement.
"AOL has always been committed to protecting online users from threats to their safety, and Active Virus Shield is a key product in AOL’s comprehensive free line-up of safety and security offerings, which range from free protection and diagnostic tools like Active Security Monitor to all-in-one security services. To us, it is a simple value proposition—AVS is a great free anti-virus solution for today’s online households and is one of the most advanced offerings in the market."
Active Virus Shield also has features which notify users of their current protection status and can back off from virus scans and other actions during periods of peak users’ activity to avoid impeding the computer’s performance at a user’s tasks.
Key features of Active Virus Shield include:
- A combination of traditional signature-based detection with in-depth scanning to protect against a broad range of known and new viruses
- Always-on, automatic hourly updates
- Real-time file protection to scan individual files, catalogs and disks on access or the ability to focus solely on critical areas of the operating system or new and modified files
- E-mail protection by scanning both incoming and outgoing email
"In today’s environment of organized cybercrime and ever-changing online threats, it is more important than ever for consumers to have comprehensive virus and spyware protection that is continuously updated and easy-to-use," said Steve Orenberg, President, Kaspersky Lab, Inc. "By powering Active Virus Shield with our award-winning anti-virus and anti-spyware technology, AOL can offer a new breed of high detection and rapid response protection to guard Internet users against these new and evolving security threats."
Active Virus Shield can be downloaded at www.activevirusshield.com and set up in minutes. Once installed, it regularly notifies users of their current protection status and provides recommendations to handle security threats. During times of increased user activity, Active Virus Shield allocates more resources and processing power to the user to help ensure that virus scans do not slow down other activities.
With the Active Virus Shield download, AOL is also offering a free toolbar for Internet Explorer which provides real-time data on their computer’s security, as well as a pop-up blocker, password manager, and tools to look up Whois domain registration information on potentially dicey sites via Active Security Monitor.
It also includes an AOL Web search box, which can drive traffic to AOL Search.
In addition to Active Security Monitor and Active Virus Shield, AOL’s other security offerings include the AOL Safety and Security Center, a comprehensive security suite available for free to all online users, and AOL Total Care, a premium package of security and computing tools (currently in beta testing).
While AOL does not ask for money, Active Virus Shield users have to agree to let AOL and its partners deliver ads to them. "As a condition for your use of the software, you agree to receive promotions and periodic e-mail messages from us and our affiliates," according to the fine print in the license and user agreement of the software.
Active Virus Shield collects a host of information that may be used for marketing purposes, starting with the e-mail address required to download and run the product, according to the fine print. Other data collected include usage stats, responses to ads and details about the PC, according to the AOL agreement.
“We know that online security is not a [one size fits all] proposition," the AOL representative said. "That is why we are offering a comprehensive line-up of safety and security products. The thought is that users will choose the solutions that best suit their needs."
Active Virus Shield is free of charge, and there is no obligation or AOL membership required to use it, although the company does want an email address before you download.
Active Virus Shield works with Windows XP (home & Professional), NT, 2000, ME, & 98, Internet Explorer 5.5 and above, and requires about 50MB of spare disk space.