Antivirus News

It is believed that around 20 million users of AVG’s free anti-virus software will lose their protection on February 18 because they have not downloaded the next version.

Grisoft, the company behind the software warned users of its free anti-virus package last year that the software was being upgraded; users need to download the new edition, version 7.5.

Anyone still on version 7.1 of the free software will find that it stops working on February 18, the cut-off date set by Grisoft.

The company said that of the 45 million people across the world who use its free edition, roughly half are still using the old version, and will not be protected from new viruses after the cut-off date.

This could have major side-effects, such as allowing virus writers to target unprotected AVG users and take over their PCs to be used for sending further viruses or carry out other criminal activity.

Unlike normal upgrades, which are downloaded and installed automatically by the program, the new edition requires a complete reinstallation.

A representative of Grisoft said that because the new version includes large files, it is easier for users to download it from the website.

Users have the option of upgrading to the free version 7.5 or the paid-for edition which includes technical support and some additional features, such as a firewall.

MILLBURN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GRISOFT, the developer of AVG security software, today announced the extension of user product support for AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.1 through February 18, 2007. Product support for users of version 7.1 had been scheduled to expire on January 15^th. This change will provide additional time for users to upgrade to AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5 or other AVG products. The Free Version 7.5 provides all the benefits of the previous version, but also offers better virus protection and improves ease-of-use for users.

With version 7.5, users receive improved virus detection based on better heuristics and NTFS data streams scanning, smaller update files and improved user interface. Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5 is also Windows Vista-ready and is available via Windows Security Center as a security solution. To upgrade to free version 7.5, users can visit: http://free.grisoft.com.

�??As we have millions of satisfied users who enjoy using our free anti-virus software, we continue to offer the free version 7.1, which has been updated in our AVG 7.5 security product portfolio,�?� said Larry Bridwell, vice president of Global Security Strategies. �??We�??ve extended user support so that they can continue receiving daily computer threat updates as they transition to our improved Anti-Virus Free Edition or take advantage of the additional benefits with our commercial AVG products that protect against a myriad of computer threats.�?�

GRISOFT�??s AVG 7.5 security portfolio offers users several commercial security products with advanced benefits not included in the free editions. While AVG Free only provides anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, the AVG commercial products offer more security with a variety of options including additional anti-spam and firewall programs, as well as tools to detect and prevent identity theft attempts, bundled into one package such as the new AVG Internet Security 7.5.

The commercial AVG products also offer 24/7 professional technical support, high-speed updates and customizable settings. Users can upgrade to the AVG commercial security products at: http://www.grisoft.com/doc/5/lng/us/tpl/tpl01.

All AVG products have reliable and frequent automatic updates, low level use of computer resources, and unified and easy-to-use interface.

About GRISOFT

www.grisoft.com

GRISOFT is a leading provider of antivirus, firewall protection and security solutions for consumers and SMEs. It is one of the fastest growing companies in the industry with more than 40 million users around the world that rely on GRISOFT AVG products to protect their computers and networks.

Established in 1991, GRISOFT employs some of the world�??s leading experts in antivirus software, specifically in the areas of virus analysis and detection, software development, and antivirus support. GRISOFT award-winning products are distributed globally through resellers and the Internet as well as via AVG Anti-Virus Software Developer�??s Kit (SDK) to interested partners.

The Czech company achieved global sales revenues of US$40 million for the 2006 calendar year. The company achieved sales of US$19.5 million in 2005.

Bridwell said the company’s use of a free, trial version of the company’s AVG products had been the key factor in driving sales of licenses to SMBs and small enterprise organisations.

�??People are definitely attracted by the free aspect of our software - AVG Anti-Virus Free and AVG Anti-Spyware - for private, non-commercial, single home computers. It then leads people to purchase licences for their business or recommend the purchase of licences,�?� said Bridwell.

Although the company sells its products online, over half of AVG�??s licence sales have been for companies with 100 seats or more, he said.

�??People tend to say ‘I have been using a free product and I don�??t have a problem with it, I�??m going to continue on with the licensed product for the business because I know how to use it,’�?� he said.

In Australia and New Zealand products are distributed through Avalanche.

Bridwell remained cautious and said sales will slow down in the coming year.

AVG, which is best known for its free Windows antivirus tool, is developing a version of its security application for Apple’s OS X platform. However, the company is not yet sure if the product will make it out of the lab.

Speaking at a media luncheon in Sydney on Thursday afternoon, Larry Bridwell, global security strategist at parent firm Grisoft, revealed that the company’s research and development teams have been looking at porting its antivirus application to OS X.

“We are in the process of looking at that and seeing what the benefits of that are — especially since we have done the [Linux] BSD version, which makes it a little bit easier to port to the Mac.

“It is in research and development right now to see if it is going to come out,” said Bridwell.

Security experts have for some time been predicting that Apple’s OS X platform will be targeted by the type of malware that is usually associated with Microsoft’s Windows operating system. However, apart from a few proof-of-concept samples, OS X seems to have remained untouched.

Bridwell, who admits to using OS X and Linux at home, argued that there is no such thing as a secure operating system.

“If you are buying OS X to be totally secure you are in a dream world. There is no such thing — on the open market at least — as a secure operating system.

“There are operating systems that can be locked down to be more secure but as long as human beings use them and as long as humans are susceptible to social engineering and susceptible to making mistakes, those products will have vulnerabilities,” he said.

AVG, which is best known for its free Windows antivirus tool, is developing a version of its security application for Apple’s OS X platform. However, the company is not yet sure if the product will make it out of the lab.

Speaking at a media luncheon in Sydney on Thursday afternoon, Larry Bridwell, global security strategist at parent firm Grisoft, revealed that the company’s research and development teams have been looking at porting its antivirus application to OS X.

“We are in the process of looking at that and seeing what the benefits of that are — especially since we have done the [Linux] BSD version, which makes it a little bit easier to port to the Mac.

“It is in research and development right now to see if it is going to come out,” said Bridwell.

Security experts have for some time been predicting that Apple’s OS X platform will be targeted by the type of malware that is usually associated with Microsoft’s Windows operating system. However, apart from a few proof-of-concept samples, OS X seems to have remained untouched.

Bridwell, who admits to using OS X and Linux at home, argued that there is no such thing as a secure operating system.

“If you are buying OS X to be totally secure you are in a dream world. There is no such thing — on the open market at least — as a secure operating system.

“There are operating systems that can be locked down to be more secure but as long as human beings use them and as long as humans are susceptible to social engineering and susceptible to making mistakes, those products will have vulnerabilities,” he said.

Grisoft global security strategist Larry Bridwell told IT Wire that the company is “very active” in trying to gain ownership the AVG.com domain — no surprise given that the product name is arguably much better known than that of the company itself. 

The domain has been registered since 1994, and is listed as being owned by Original Web Ventures of Canada. The site currently displays a search portal linked to paid advertising site Information.com.

The Internet presents other challenges for Grisoft as well. Bridwell said a frequent source of aggravation was companies registering plausible-sounding domains and then charging users fees to download the free version of AVG.

The strategy of allowing home users free access to its anti-virus systems, first adopted in 2000 when Grisoft expanded into international markets from its Czech homebase, has proved successful in marketing the product. “AVG Free was a bit of a masterstroke,” said Peter Cameron, managing director Australian Grisoft distribution partner Avalanche Technology Group.

Perhaps surprisingly, that strategy has also proved successful in attracting enterprise customers as well. “Over half of the purchased licences globally are sold under a licence for 100 seats or more,” Bridwell said.

Bridwell also confirmed earlier reports in IT Wire suggesting that Grisoft could easily port its current FreeBSD version of AVG to Mac OS/X, though he said there were no immediate commercial plans to do so.

A Mac user himself, Bridwell said the security benefits of the platform had nonetheless been overstated. “If you’re buying OS X just because you think you’re totally secure, you’re living in dreamland.”

Bridwell noted that while Microsoft’s move into platform security should not be underestimated — they are “a force to be reckoned with” — corporate users would be reluctant to embrace such solutions. “They have some great perception issues that they have to overcome, and that will take a few years.”

Millburn, N.J., 5th December 2006 - GRISOFT, the developer of AVG security software, today celebrates 15 years of innovation since its launch in 1991. During this time, GRISOFT grew from a regional company to a global Internet security leader. According to recent surveys, AVG is the fourth, most well-known brand in computer security. For the consumer and SMB markets, GRISOFT’s estimated market share is about 50 %.
“The success of the company has been driven by quality products connected to great services like regular updates, improved versions and free technical support,” said Larry Bridwell, Global Security Strategist of GRISOFT. “Our customers have provided us with invaluable product feedback and a lot of our sales are generated via their word of mouth. We’ve responded to our customers by offering them two-year licensing and very competitive prices as well as continuing to grow our product portfolio.”
The AVG Free Edition and all-inclusive suite AVG Internet Security, which protects users against all common Internet risks like viruses, spyware, spam and hacker attacks, has helped raise awareness of the AVG product line. AVG Anti-Virus is the flagship product of GRISOFT’s portfolio and is installed on more than 40 million PCs globally.
GRISOFT’s strong growth is illustrated by its increased sales and revenue. In 1992, GRISOFT’s revenue was $105,000 and thirteen years later it was $19.8 million. In 2006, the GRISOFT group expects worldwide revenue of $40 million. In the last two years, the number of employees has grown to now include 200 software engineers, support specialists and back office workers.
The company is preparing for expansion into new markets and strengthening its position in North America and EU countries. Continued success in the North American market will be important for the future growth of GRISOFT as this market represents half of the $4,5 billion global security market.
“We started only with AVG (Anti-Virus Guard) in 1992 and now have grown the portfolio to include several new security products as well as an all-inclusive Internet Security program,” said Tomáš Hofer, Sales Director and co-founder of GRISOFT. “With our first product, viruses were considered exotic, spreading almost exclusively on floppy disks. Because of their rarity in PC security, only tools to fight specific viruses were developed,” adds Hofer.

For more detailed information please contact:
Fran Bosecker
PR@vantage for GRISOFT
(845) 536-1416
fbosecker@pr-vantage.comJim Gildea
North American Marketing
Grisoft, Inc.
(973) 218-0688
jgildea@grisoft.com