by Playfuls Staff |
8th August 2006
AOL launched a new free
anti-virus program, called Active Virus Shield, for all online users at no
cost. Active Virus Shield is powered by Kaspersky Lab, one of the largest
Internet security solutions providers in the world, and offers advanced detection
technology to stop viruses, spyware, malware and Trojans before [more] they
attack, as well as real-time scanning of files and email. The software
automatically updates every hour, offering an easy and convenient way for
consumers to protect themselves from the thousands of new Internet threats
created each month.
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
Active Virus Shield can be
downloaded at www.activevirusshield.com starting today 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.
AOL will also allow IE users to
install a free security toolbar when they download Active Virus Shield. The
toolbar will include a real-time update on their computer's security status via
Active Security Monitor, a password manager, pop-up blocker, and a link to the
Whois domain registration database to find more information on potentially
suspicious sites.
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).
A study released last December by
AOL and the National Cyber Security Alliance found that more than half (56%) of
the participants either had no anti-virus protection or had not updated it
within the last week. Active Virus Shield is free of charge, and there is no
obligation or AOL membership required to use it. 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.
