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AVG Introduces Streamlined, Highly-Scalable Anti-Malware for Linux

New 8.5 version combines e-mail and file server protection; adds free workstation protection

AMSTERDAM, May 11, 2009 – AVG Technologies, a leading provider of Internet security solutions, has introduced a significantly improved and updated implementation of its Linux anti-malware solution. AVG 8.5 for Linux, available in server and free workstation editions, offers streamlined scanning capabilities, new antivirus filtering, and improved performance and ease of use for Linux-based users.

Though not as prevalent as on Windows operating systems, Windows malware can and does impact Linux systems. Additionally, Windows-based workstations are frequently attached to Linux-based servers in the network. AVG 8.5 for Linux provides centralized anti-malware protection for those systems.

AVG Server Edition for Linux provides protection for both e-mail and file servers in a single distribution package. It is robust enough to support millions of e-mails a day, thereby suitable for use in even large enterprises and ISPs.

AVG 8.5 for Linux offers both network managers and workstation users:

• A streamlined scanning engine that detects and removes viruses, worms, spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, and other malware in a single pass
• Heuristic emulation for improved detection of new and unknown malware types
• New avflt anti-virus filter! A RedirFS-based on-access scanner for improved performance, along with simplified installation and deployment.
• Improved system resource handling through shared memory usage
• Increased scalability through support for 64-bit and multi-CPU architecture, new multi-core CPUs
• A fully modular solution, further reducing number of necessary restarts

RedirFS, or redirecting filesystem, is a new layer between virtual filesystem switch (VFS) and filesystem drivers. It is implemented as an out-of-kernel module for Linux 2.6.25 and provides framework to allow modification of filesystem calls in the VFS layer.

“We are particularly proud of the RedirFS element in AVG 8.5 for Linux,” said AVG Technologies CTO Karel Obluk. “The original intention was to discover possible ways of implementing an on-access scanner for the Linux kernel as an alternative to the Dazuko project. Since that time, the RedirFS project has evolved to the general framework of Linux 2.6. We have released the RedirFS as open source. This will enable much broader functionality than on-access scanning.”

AVG 8.5 for Linux is distribution-independent. It has been tested to run under FreeBSD, Mandrake, Mandriva, Fedora Core, DebIan, SUSE, Red Hat, Red Flag, Ubuntu, and other distros using Debian packaging.

Licensing is per connection, with pricing on a tiered basis. One and two year subscriptions are available. Server Edition is available through AVG authorized resellers and directly from avg.com at www.avg.com/business-security. The free workstation product may be downloaded from http://free.avg.com/download .Both versions are initially available in English.

Support for existing versions of AVG for Linux will be phased out on May 15, 2009. Users are encouraged to contact their reseller or AVG to upgrade their protection as soon as possible.

About AVG Technologies

www.avg.com
AVG is a global security solutions leader protecting more than 110 million consumers and small business computer users in 167 countries from the ever-growing incidence of web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cyber crime and one of the most advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free online, downloadable software model allows entry-level users to gain basic anti-virus protection and then to easily and inexpensively upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense in both single and multi-user environments. Nearly 6,000 resellers, partners and distributors team with AVG globally including Amazon.com, CNET, Cisco, Ingram Micro, Play.com, Wal-Mart, and Yahoo!.

Media contacts:

Siobhan MacDermott
AVG Technologies
E-mail: siobhan.macdermott@avg.com
Mobile: +420 725 695 132 or +1 415 299 2945