– AVG putting control over online privacy back in the hands of users – 

MELBOURNE and AMSTERDAM 28 March, 2012 – AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd, the distributor of the award-winning AVG Internet and mobile security software in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, today announces an active “Do Not Track” feature to the mainstream Internet security marketplace. 

Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG (AU/NZ), said: “This new feature is all about putting control of online privacy in the consumer’s hands. AVG helps provide Internet users with peace of mind—and today, making users aware of issues with online privacy is a logical extension of its community-centric platform. We believe all Internet users are entitled to know how their online data is collected and used—and they should have possible solutions available. AVG Technologies continues to work on innovative technologies focused at supporting Internet users to protect and stay in control of their own online privacy.” 

Today, it is commonplace for websites to collect data about users. While not inherently bad, some sites share user data with third parties, and consumers – as well as policy makers – are growing increasingly concerned about this practice. For example, some forms of tracking allow advertisers to follow users around the Internet and deliver targeted advertising across multiple websites in ways consumers are unaware. 

AVG Technologies (NYSE:AVG) CEO JR Smith said: “We continue to listen to our approximately 108 million-strong community and we are constantly focused on driving our research and development to the creation of innovative technologies. Today we deliver another important milestone with an active Do Not Track feature available in the latest version of AVG 2012 and through our latest product update for existing customers. This feature is available free because we believe all consumers have the right to take back control of their online privacy.” 

Last month, the Obama administration proposed a “Consumer Bill of Rights” for privacy and the EU has previously proposed similar initiatives. AVG’s Chief Policy Officer, Siobhan MacDermott, added: “AVG is assuming a leadership role in the future of consumer privacy, and is involved in policy discussions on both sides of the Atlantic.” 

Passive “Do Not Track” was introduced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and relies on users’ voluntary adherence to this feature notification. This W3C Service Pack adds passive Do Not Track and is on by default. However, because compliance is voluntary, it doesn’t give the consumer real control over data collection. By contrast, AVG’s additional new and active “Do Not Track” feature brings online privacy control to mainstream consumers by informing them and offering the choice to block tracking directly or turn it on and off as desired. 

New customers who purchase AVG’s 2012 product and current customers who update AVG’s free and paid 2012 consumer security products with the new Service Pack will be automatically protected from sites and networks that invade their online privacy. At the same time, users can modify this default setting from within the user interface —putting control firmly in the hands of consumers. 

Another new Service Pack feature is WiFi Guard—offering protection from unknown WiFi access points. Laptops that are set to automatically connect to any available WiFi network are convenient when roaming, but can expose users to security risks. For example, cybercriminals can set up rogue WiFi access points using the name of a popular coffee shop chain, hotel or public WiFi provider, and then eavesdrop and breach consumer security. Now, after installing AVG’s 2012 Service Pack, a pop-up window automatically warns users if their device attempts to connect to a never-before-used public WiFi access point. 

The Service Pack for AVG 2012 is available free from www.avg.com.au for the following products:

• AVG Internet Security 2012 – Ultimate protection for everything you do online.
• AVG Anti-Virus 2012 – Exceptional protection that won’t get in your way.
• AVG Anti-Virus FREE – The original FREE virus protection.

For more information on tracking, Do Not Track, WiFi Guard and other changes in the AVG 2012 Service Pack, please visit the AVG blog: resources.avg.com.au.