When AVG 8.0 was first released, its LinkScanner safe search feature was shown to cause an increase in traffic on websites that appear high in search engine results pages. Concerns regarding web analytics have made LinkScanner a controversial component (see 'LinkScanner concerns' below). LinkScanner includes: Search-Shield – a safe search component that places safety ratings next to each link in Google, Yahoo! and MSN search results plus Active Surf-Shield – a safe surf component that scans the contents of a web site in real-time to ensure it's safe being opened. The patent pending LinkScanner technology acquired from Exploit Prevention Labs and built into most AVG products, provides real-time updated protection against exploits and drive-by downloads. FeaturesĪVG features most of the common functions available in modern antivirus and Internet security programs, including periodic scans, scans of sent and received emails (including adding footers to the emails indicating this), the ability to repair some virus-infected files, and a quarantine area (virus vault) in which infected files are held. New versions require Windows 7 or later virus definitions are still provided for previous versions. All are freemium products: They are free to download, install, update and use, but for technical support a premium plan must be purchased.ĪVG stopped providing new features for Windows XP and Windows Vista in January 2019. Platform supportĪVG provides AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows, AVG AntiVirus for Mac for macOS and AVG AntiVirus for Android for Android devices. On 7 July 2016, Avast announced an agreement to acquire AVG for $1.3 billion. This software was incorporated into the AVG security product range in March 2009.Īccording to AVG Technologies, the company has more than 200 million active users worldwide, including more than 100 million who use their products and services on mobile devices.

In January 2009, AVG Technologies acquired Sana Security, a developer of identity theft prevention software. AVG Technologies acquired Exploit Prevention Labs (XPL) in December 2007 and incorporated that company's LinkScanner safe search and surf technology into the AVG 8.0 security product range released in March 2008. In 2006, the AVG security package grew to include anti-spyware as AVG Technologies acquired ewido Networks, an anti-spyware group. The AVG Free Edition helped raise awareness of the AVG product line. In 1997, the first AVG licenses were sold in Germany and the UK. The brand AVG comes from Grisoft's first product, Anti-Virus Guard, launched in 1992 in the Czech Republic.

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