AOL Launches Free Anti-Virus Program for All Online Users

AOL has launched a new free anti-virus program called Active Virus Shield, free for all online users. Active Virus Shield is powered by Kaspersky Lab, and offers advanced detection technology to stop viruses, spyware, malware and Trojans, as well as real-time scanning of files and email.

Key features of Active Virus Shield include:

A combination of traditional signature-based detection with in-depth scanning to protect against a broad range of known and new viruses

Always-on, automatic hourly updates

Real-time file protection to scan individual files, catalogs and disks on access or the ability to focus solely on critical areas of the operating system or new and modified files

E-mail protection by scanning both incoming and outgoing email

Active Virus Shield can be downloaded and set up in minutes. Once installed, it regularly notifies users of their current protection status and provides recommendations to handle security threats. During times of increased user activity, Active Virus Shield allocates more resources and processing power to the user to help ensure that virus scans do not slow down other activities.

AOL will also allow IE users to install a free security toolbar when they download Active Virus Shield. The toolbar will include a real-time update on their computer's security status via Active Security Monitor, a password manager, pop-up blocker, and a link to the Whois domain registration database to find more information on potentially suspicious sites.

The software is free of charge, and there is no obligation or AOL membership required to use it. Active Virus Shield works with Windows XP (home & Professional), NT, 2000, ME, & 98, Internet Explorer 5.5 and above, and requires about 50MB of spare disk space.