– AVG examines the motives, methods and impact of the world’s most unscrupulous spammers – 

MELBOURNE – 29 May, 2013 – AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the provider of Internet and mobile security, privacy and optimisation to 150 million active users, has today published the third edition of its monthly newsletter, AVG Insight.

The May AVG Insight focuses on the despicable spammers who attempt to profit from human tragedy. Using last month’s Boston Marathon bombings and Waco fertiliser factory explosion as examples, the AVG Web Threats Research Team examines the motives, methods and impact of such spam.

Not surprisingly, a spammer’s main motivation is financial gain, and they play a simple numbers game: send out enough spam messages – usually measured in the millions – and somebody, somewhere will bite. Once a victim has clicked on a malicious link, the spammer’s malicious code will try to do one or both of the following:

• Secretly add your machine as a botnet ‘node’ – allowing the spammer to use it and its Internet connection to serve his or her future illicit plans

• Steal personal and financial information, or lock your computer using ‘ransomware’

The Insight goes on to briefly explain what a botnet is, and then describes the spam that followed the Boston and Waco incidents. Lastly, it offers three golden rules to follow to help people avoid becoming victims of spam.

To read the full AVG Insight on the AVG Media Center, or to download a PDF copy, please click here.

New Logitech G Line of Accessories Proves Science Wins

Logitech has released its new Logitech® G line, reflecting its new approach to PC gaming. The new lineup includes six redesigned mice and keyboard favorites and two new headsets.

“With Logitech G, we put our passion for science to work for you,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, general manager of the Logitech gaming business group. “Just as gamers are compelled to beat levels, our engineers are compelled to test scientific theories. For close to 20 years the relentless pursuit of what’s next has been our game – and we’re pretty darn good at it. With Logitech G we will continue to push the limits of speed, precision, reliability – even intuitiveness. We do it because gamers expect us to push the limits as far as they do. Every inspired design choice and late-night engineering argument serves but one purpose, to help gamers play their best. When science wins – gamers win.”

Using infrared technology, Logitech studied the interaction between hand and device during gameplay. As a result, gamers can expect to see several advancements in the new Logitech G lineup.

To improve durability and comfort, advanced surface materials were added to strategic tactile zones discovered through testing. For heavy contact zones, Logitech has added fingerprint-resistant coatings, while palm areas feature a hydrophobic coating to help keep your hands from sticking. Depending on the model, the mice also have a soft or dry grip for increased comfort and control. The two keyboards feature a double UV coating on the keys for extra durability and long life, and a fingerprint-resistant coating on the faceplate.

In addition, the Logitech G400s Optical Gaming Mouse features exclusive Delta Zero sensor technology. Optimized for high-accuracy cursor control, this new sensor technology accurately responds to hand movements. Plus, all of the new Logitech G mice have low-friction polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) feet, which reduce drag for faster motions, smoother cursor movements and improved accuracy.

The lineup includes:

Logitech G700s Rechargeable Gaming Mouse

The Logitech® G700s Rechargeable Gaming Mouse is a wireless gaming mouse with the report rate of a wired gaming mouse. In fact, it maintains a consistent report rate, whether over 2.4 GHz wireless or connected by USB, up to eight times faster than a standard USB mouse. If your game goes long, you can keep playing and recharge the mouse simultaneously by switching seamlessly to a data-over-cable connection using a standard Micro-USB cable. The mouse has a durable hydrophobic coating on the palm area that helps keep your palm from sticking to the mouse, and dry grip on the sides ensures a steady hand. You can elevate your in-game skills with 13 programmable controls that let you program single actions, complex macros with multiple keystrokes, repeating and user-defined delays, when you download Logitech Gaming Software (LGS). The Logitech G700s Rechargeable Gaming Mouse is available for a recommended retail price of $149.95. 

Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

The Logitech® G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a keyboard that has been designed to help you focus on the game.  This keyboard is tested and tuned to deliver what gamers want: minimal distraction, rapid response, and complete control. The keyboard’s mechanical keys deliver gaming-grade responsiveness, featuring an actuation force of 45g and distance of 4 mm, and are optimised for rapid command entry. Additionally, the non-clicking key switches have a built-in dampening ring underneath each keycap to significantly reduce the distracting noise coming from your key presses without sacrificing responsiveness. The keyboard has undergone a torturous testing process to help ensure durability, with a cycle life of at least a 50 million keystrokes.  Using the newly updated Logitech Gaming Software, you can assign complex macros or intricate Lua gaming scripts to the keyboard’s G-keys – both on the fly and in advance – for up to 18 individual functions per game. Plus, all 110 keys feature anti-ghosting and 26-key rollover to help ensure you can execute complex key-commands with flawless precision. The Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is compatible with Microsoft Windows® 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista®.  The Logitech G710+ Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is available for a recommended retail price of $199.95.

Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse

For FPS gamers, the Logitech® G500s Laser Gaming Mouse packs a gaming grade laser for precise cursor control on a wide variety of surfaces and a hyper-fast dual-mode scroll wheel. It also features a durable hydrophobic coating to help keep your palm from sticking and dry grip for a steady hand. It has up to 27 grams of customizable weight and center of gravity adjustment, meaning you can tune it to your preferred play style. You can switch from pixel-precise targeting at 200 DPI to lightning-fast maneuvers at up to 8200 DPI with two buttons sitting in easy reach near your index finger. The Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse features 10 programmable controls, which require LGS. The optional software can also be used to reassign game commands or multi-command macro. The Logitech G500s Laser Gaming Mouse is expected to be available for a recommended retail price of $89.95. 

Logitech G400s Optical Gaming Mouse

The Logitech® G400s Optical Gaming Mouse pushes the high standards set by the Logitech® MX518 Optical Gaming Mouse and Logitech® Optical Gaming Mouse G400. This full-feature gaming mouse is built specifically for FPS games and includes Logitech’s exclusive Delta Zero sensor technology for high-accuracy cursor control. It also has a hydrophobic coating to help keep your hand from sticking, as well as soft-touch grip areas and fingerprint-resistant coatings on the primary buttons to resist fading. With LGS, you can customize the eight programmable buttons, and the mouse also features primary mechanical microswitches rated to a 20 million-click lifespan. The programmable buttons allow you to shift through multiple DPI settings to quickly select on-screen options, scan the game map, pull off 180-degree flick-shots at 4000 DPI or downshift for pixel-precise FPS sniper targeting or RTS unit selection at 400 DPI – all conveniently located above and below the scroll wheel. The Logitech G400s Optical Gaming Mouse is expected to be available for a recommended retail price of $69.95. 

Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard

The Logitech® G19s Gaming Keyboard feeds you a steady flow of intel, including vital stats, game specific apps and customizable information panels, all in full color on an integrated, adjustable GamePanel™ LCD. With custom-color backlighting, you can choose from 16 million shades and assign a specific color to every profile and profile mode in the same game. The keyboard also features advanced surface materials for durability and comfort. A hydrophobic coating on the palm rest helps keep your hands from sticking, while the durable double UV coating gives keys extra long life. With LGS, you can configure the 12 programmable G-Keys with up to 36 different functions across three different modes with three macros per key. Two High-Speed USB 2.0 ports let you transfer data to and from accessories – such as MP3 players and flash drives – while also charging battery powered devices. The keyboard also includes anti-ghosting over 26 keys so you can perform multiple complex actions without interference or ghosting. The Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard is expected to be available for a recommended retail price of $249.95. 

Logitech G510s Gaming Keyboard

To make complex actions simple, the Logitech® G510s Gaming Keyboard provides 18 programmable G-keys, which allow you to configure up to 54 different functions across three different modes, with three macros per key, when you download LGS. In addition to custom-color backlighting it features a backlit GamePanel™ LCD, so not only can you stay informed with real-time game stats, system information and VoIP communication data, you can also develop or add community-created applets to work with your GamePanel. It also has a hydrophobic coating on the palm rest to help keep your hands from sticking, and a double UV coating on the keys for extra durability and long life. The Logitech G510s Gaming Keyboard is expected to be available for a suggested retail price of $159.95. 

Logitech G430 Surround Sound Gaming Headset

Similar to the Logitech® G35 Surround Sound Headset and Logitech® Wireless Gaming Headset G930, the Logitech® G430 Surround Sound Gaming Headset is powered by Dolby® Headphone technology to create an immersive 360-degree sound field that gives you the advantage of hearing what you can’t see in a game, from footsteps to sirens. With Dolby Headphone 7.1 surround sound, you’ll hear up to seven discrete channels of audio data plus a Low Frequency Effects channel. Similar to the Logitech G230 Surround Sound Gaming Headset, this headset also provides washable ear cups that offer a soft, comfortable fit for long gaming sessions. When you want to be heard, the noise-canceling mic can be adjusted to pick up your voice alone. When the mic is not in use, you can easily fold it up and out of the way. The Logitech G430 Surround Sound Gaming Headset is expected to be available for a suggested retail price of $99.95. 

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

The Logitech® G230 Stereo Gaming Headset delivers high-quality stereo sound by using 40 mm neodymium drivers to keep you immersed in the game from start to finish for FPS, MMO or adventure-type games. And because marathon gaming yields heat and sweat, the new headset features ear pieces covered with washable performance-sport cloth for a comfortable, soft touch even after hours of use. With a flexible, noise-canceling folding mic, sound is focused on your voice, practically eliminating background noise for better audio quality. In-line audio controls for volume and microphone mute are within easy reach on the connection cable. The Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset is expected to be available for a suggested retail price of $79.95. 

Availability

Stockists for these products include JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman, EB Games, Dick Smith and the Logitech website http://gaming.logitech.com/en-au.

US #1 brand for device protection adds GALAXY S4 to extensive line of protective smartphone cases

28^th May – Sydney, Australia – OtterBox, the leader in protection for handheld devices, has announced a new series of protective cases for the Samsung Galaxy S4, offering accident-prone Galaxy S4 owners the highest level of defense against even the most prolific drops, bangs, bumps and scratches.

Consumers are ten times more likely to cause accidental damage to their phones than have it lost or stolen* and with this figure ever on the increase, OtterBox offers industry-leading expertise in protective casing – with a reputation as the number one selling brand in its industry in the US**.

The entire family of OtterBox cases for Samsung GALAXY S4 features four series, each offering different levels of mobile device protection to suit varying lifestyle. Avid rock climbers, leisure beach goers, fitness nuts or business professionals can protect their device from just $19.95.

New product range for Samsung GALAXY S4

The Defender Series® [$59.95] – a rugged and multi-layered case which protects the phone against drops, shocks and the hardest impact. The case features an impact-absorbing outer layer, solid polycarbonate shell, built-in screen protector and a swivel-style belt clip holster and ergonomic grip.

The Commuter Series® [$39.95] is designed for those who lead an ‘always-on’ lifestyle. With smooth, round lines that give the case a “waistline” appearance, this stylish, sturdy case is designed to slide easily in and out of pockets for quick and convenient access. Featuring a dual-layer case, it can withstand bumps and shock and has more grip surface, whilst still preserving the device’s design elements.

Reflex Series® [MSRP $34.95]: Lifestyle and protection come together in this highly protective case. Pairing innovative styling with proven damage defense, this series is lightweight, easy to dock and portable, providing a secure feeling of protection for the GALAXY S4 that follows design cues from the device. Soft, impact-absorbing material surrounds the case edges and is molded into a hard polycarbonate shell and paired with a self-adhering screen protector. The device is suspended within the case, allowing the case to flex and absorb shock.

And finally the Clearly Protected™ Series [MSRP $19.95 – $29.95] is an entirely new and refreshingly innovative line of screen protectors. Available in a variety of options that maintain ultimate touch sensitivity and help keep the Samsung GALAXY S4 as good as new, the following options are now available:

• 360°– Glossy, high-strength, self-healing polyurethane material protects the touchscreen and back of the device
• Vibrant – Glossy, high-strength, self-healing polyurethane material that preserves display vibrancy and sharpness
• Clean – Matte, high-strength, self-healing polyurethane material that will reduce glare, fingerprints and smudges
• Privacy – Matte, premium quad laminar polyester that conceals text and images from all four side views.

OtterBox, recently ranked number 10 in Forbes magazine’s Top 100 Most Promising Companies 2013, is now expanding into Australia and the rest of Asia-Pacific with its extensive range of highly protective device cases. In addition to the new Samsung GALAXY S4 range, OtterBox also offers protection for all of today’s hottest technologies and smartphones including HTC ONE, iPhone5 and many more.

All cases are available at www.otterbox.com or from selected local retailers (full list below).  For all product details and technical specifications, visit www.otterbox.com.