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AVG aims to make web surfing safe again

January 29, 2008

As well as the usual antivirus, antispyware and firewall protection, AVG 8.0 - the upcoming internet security suite from AVG - aims to make browsing the internet secure. If it works, it may even protect users from themselves. (I know, it sounds far fetched.)

I was speaking this morning to Larry Bridwell, AVG’s global security strategist. Bridwell was outlining the upcoming AVG 8.0 release, and in particular pointing my scoop-hungry nose in the direction of two new features.

AVG 8.0 will launch in the UK at some point around the end of February. It's in beta now and a release candidate will be out soon. As well as a single antivirus and antispyware engine, AVG 8.0 will have beefed up behavioural support and a brand-new rootkit detection and removal tool.

But enough of such run-of-the-mill niceties, we want sexy security. And Bridwell was most keen to talk about two new functions included in AVG 8.0: Safe Search and Safe Surf.

The fruit of AVG's acquisition of Exloit Prevention Labs, Safe Search and Safe Surf are online pre-scanners intended to help users make good decisions about which sites to visit, and which links to click. They work only with Internet Explorer and Firefox, and any web searches have to be carried out using Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Once AVG 8.0 is installed, each time you search online, Safe Search checks the results on the fly to give you an immediate idea of which websites are safe (or safer) to visit. Unlike McAfee Site Advisor, which relies on a database of blacklisted websites updated by user feedback , AVG's tool checks the code of each page, and even visits the links on it.

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Similarly, if you right-click a link in an email or on a web page, AVG has a quick look to see if it's safe to proceed.

It all sounds very useful indeed, although I wonder about the finger-tapping that may be required while AVG checks out your next destination. And, of course, I've got no evidence as to how 'safe' an AVG-approved site is.

But I like AVG's ideas. Ultimately, this kind of multilayered approach has to be the way forward in an online world where we can never be 100 percent secure. As AVG's Bridwell says, the government's message that everyone needs antivirus, antispyware and a firewall is nothing more than a "good bottom line".

Bridwell reckons that malware these days is almost always intended to steal. And for most of us, computer use equals web use. Just because the internet looks like it did 10 years ago, doesn't mean that it is as safe.

As Bridwell puts it: "Surfing the internet in 1995 was like surfing off Haiwai. Surfing the web today is like surfing through a hurricane."

We think we know what he means.

Posted by: Matt Egan

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Comments

Posted by askanybear on January 29, 2008 :

It looks like Larry is going to end up on a Saga mystery tour bus, full of silver heads, Waitrose surfers and the nasty, sneaky and squealing teacher's pet.

Maybe, Matt you should have informed the big L. that porn pulls in more hits than searches; with Google top of the heap.

Conclusion - the majority of red-hot surfers will do anything to avoid using "Safe Search and Safe Surf"ing tools.

So, wake up dull Larry and watch the pulsating and invited virus laden video with the rest of us!!

Corrr.
Lovely.

Posted by Carlos on January 29, 2008 :

Yes, I believe that Avg is for simple useage freeloaders who ain't got a clue. So I always buy a proper A/V and Firewall.

Posted by Nev on January 31, 2008 :

How about some encouragement, instead of asinine derogatory comments ?

Good for you Larry, if AVG 8.0 can combine the benefits of AVG’s security and the former Exploit’s Link Scanner Pro, without any noticeable CPU-grabbing / time-wasting properties … I look forward to using it.

And yes, Carlos, I DO have a clue !!

Posted by Mark Greensall on January 31, 2008 :

Having used for years 2 'top brand' security suites, I gave the AVG Security Suite a go and must say it has protected me without any problems this past 18 months. It's not as polished as the ones I have used in the past but a big plus is that it is not a resource hog. The user interface could be a bit better in designe but the new version is supposed to be an improvement. I just hope with the new bits this new suite will incorporate won't slow it down.

Posted by Givin'ItSome on January 31, 2008 :

"How about some encouragement, instead of asinine derogatory comments ?"
Hey, everyone is entitled to give their own views which may reflect their own life style.

Your attitude is akin to what let's MS serve us up with a pile of Vista dog mess.

Not only that, you give out the picture that you're a frightened white knuckled middle lane driver. Whereas, I and many others are hyper, doing a 'ton', speeders that require the best brakes and protection that we can buy.

Heavy weight downloaders would never dream of using AVG. And where is the free firewall?
What?
An anti-virus suite without a built-in firewall. Larry's a hooking-in the dumbos.

Posted by brian eley on January 31, 2008 :

Will It update everytime you switch on wich is very anoying

Posted by ismet on February 7, 2008 :

link doesnt work of kasper ads. pls help . by the way nice thinking

Posted by gerryg31 on February 27, 2008 :

Been using AVG8 Release Candidant for a week or two and it is superb. Had a small problem hardwire netwoking 2 machines with firewall at first but much improved on 7.5

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Blogger Daily news, views and thoughts from the PC Advisor staff as they put together the magazine. Collectively the PC Advisor team has over 100 years of computing experience, so as you'll imagine they're never short of an opinion or two.
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