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AVG Introduces "Do Not Track" Feature, Actively Protecting Consumer's Online Privacy
AMSTERDAM, March 27, 2012/PRNewswire/ --
- AVG putting control over online privacy back in the hands of users -
AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG), the provider of Internet and mobile security to
approximately 108 million active users, today launched its active "Do Not Track" feature
to the mainstream Internet security marketplace.
"This new feature is all about putting control of online privacy in the consumer's
hands. At AVG, we help provide Internet users with peace of mind - and today, making users
aware of issues with online privacy is a logical extension of our community centric
platform," said JR Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. "We believe all Internet users are
entitled to know how their online data is collected and used - and they should have
possible solutions available. At AVG, we are proud to continue 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.
"We continue to listen to our approximately 108 million-strong community and we are
constantly focused and driving our research and development to the creation of innovative
technologies," added AVG Technologies CEO JR Smith. "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
for 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. The reason
AVG launched "Do Not Track" is that we believe consumers have a right to worry-free
protection and control over their own online privacy."
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 for free from
http://www.avg.com/download for the following products:
- AVG Premium Security 2012 - The only premium security software that
actively seeks out identity theft.
- 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: blogs.avg.com/product-news
[http://blogs.avg.com/product-news ]
Visit the AVG Newsroom at: http://www.avg.com/press-releases-news
About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG's mission is to simplify, optimize and secure the Internet experience, providing
peace of mind to a connected world. AVG's powerful yet easy-to-use software and online
services put users in control of their Internet experience. By choosing AVG's software and
services, users become part of a trusted global community that benefits from inherent
network effects, mutual protection and support. AVG has grown its user base to
approximately 108 million active users as of December 31, 2011 and offers a product
portfolio that targets the consumer and small business markets and includes Internet
security, PC performance optimization, online backup, mobile security, identity protection
and family safety software.
http://www.avg.com
Keep in touch with AVG
- For breaking news, follow AVG on Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/officialAVGnews
- For small business security trends analysis, follow the AVG small business
blog at small-business.blog.avg.com [http://small-business.blog.avg.com ]
- Join our Facebook community at http://www.facebook.com/AVGfree
- Join our LinkedIn community http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid'19797
Source: AVG Technologies
Contacts: United Kingdom: Lennard van Otterloo, MSL for AVG, Lennard.vanotterloo@mslgroup.com, +44(0)796-1842-760; United States: Jeff Seedman, Ruder Finn for AVG,
seedmanj@ruderfinn.com, +1(415)249-6763; Investor Relations: Anne Marie McCauley, AVG Technologies, AnneMarie.McCauley@avg.com
AVG Introduces "Do Not Track" Feature, Actively Protecting Consumer's Online Privacy
AMSTERDAM, March 27, 2012/PRNewswire/ --
- AVG putting control over online privacy back in the hands of users -
AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG), the provider of Internet and mobile security to
approximately 108 million active users, today launched its active "Do Not Track" feature
to the mainstream Internet security marketplace.
"This new feature is all about putting control of online privacy in the consumer's
hands. At AVG, we help provide Internet users with peace of mind - and today, making users
aware of issues with online privacy is a logical extension of our community centric
platform," said JR Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. "We believe all Internet users are
entitled to know how their online data is collected and used - and they should have
possible solutions available. At AVG, we are proud to continue 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.
"We continue to listen to our approximately 108 million-strong community and we are
constantly focused and driving our research and development to the creation of innovative
technologies," added AVG Technologies CEO JR Smith. "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
for 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. The reason
AVG launched "Do Not Track" is that we believe consumers have a right to worry-free
protection and control over their own online privacy."
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 for free from
http://www.avg.com/download for the following products:
- AVG Premium Security 2012 - The only premium security software that
actively seeks out identity theft.
- 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: blogs.avg.com/product-news
[http://blogs.avg.com/product-news ]
Visit the AVG Newsroom at: http://www.avg.com/press-releases-news
About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG's mission is to simplify, optimize and secure the Internet experience, providing
peace of mind to a connected world. AVG's powerful yet easy-to-use software and online
services put users in control of their Internet experience. By choosing AVG's software and
services, users become part of a trusted global community that benefits from inherent
network effects, mutual protection and support. AVG has grown its user base to
approximately 108 million active users as of December 31, 2011 and offers a product
portfolio that targets the consumer and small business markets and includes Internet
security, PC performance optimization, online backup, mobile security, identity protection
and family safety software.
http://www.avg.com
Keep in touch with AVG
- For breaking news, follow AVG on Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/officialAVGnews
- For small business security trends analysis, follow the AVG small business
blog at small-business.blog.avg.com [http://small-business.blog.avg.com ]
- Join our Facebook community at http://www.facebook.com/AVGfree
- Join our LinkedIn community http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid'19797
Source: AVG Technologies
Contacts: United Kingdom: Lennard van Otterloo, MSL for AVG, Lennard.vanotterloo@mslgroup.com, +44(0)796-1842-760; United States: Jeff Seedman, Ruder Finn for AVG,
seedmanj@ruderfinn.com, +1(415)249-6763; Investor Relations: Anne Marie McCauley, AVG Technologies, AnneMarie.McCauley@avg.com