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.
Comments
gerryg31 said: 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 75
ismet said: link doesnt work of kasper ads pls help by the way nice thinking
brian eley said: Will It update everytime you switch on wich is very anoying
Givin'ItSome said: How about some encouragement instead of asinine derogatory comments Hey everyone is entitled to give their own views which may reflect their own life styleYour attitude is akin to what lets MS serve us up with a pile of Vista dog messNot only that you give out the picture that youre 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 buyHeavy weight downloaders would never dream of using AVG And where is the free firewallWhatAn anti-virus suite without a built-in firewall Larrys a hooking-in the dumbos
Mark Greensall said: 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 Its 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 wont slow it down
Nev said: How about some encouragement instead of asinine derogatory comments Good for you Larry if AVG 80 can combine the benefits of AVGs security and the former Exploits Link Scanner Pro without any noticeable CPU-grabbing time-wasting properties I look forward to using itAnd yes Carlos I DO have a clue
Carlos said: Yes I believe that Avg is for simple useage freeloaders who aint got a clue So I always buy a proper AV and Firewall
askanybear said: 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 teachers petMaybe Matt you should have informed the big L that porn pulls in more hits than searches with Google top of the heapConclusion - the majority of red-hot surfers will do anything to avoid using Safe Search and Safe Surfing toolsSo wake up dull Larry and watch the pulsating and invited virus laden video with the rest of usCorrrLovely