Category Archives: AVG

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AVG kicks off free on demand training series for partners

Opportunities for business growth are often right in front of us but taking advantage of them and succeeding may require specific knowledge or experience. This is why we have established the AVG Business Accelerator Partner Academy to help support your growth and equip you to win in your markets.

Through the Academy, we offer you and your team free online technical training in six modules as well as business transformation training in three different modules. We’ve worked with industry leaders and MSPs to design the curriculum specifically to help AVG Business partners grow and succeed rolling out Managed Workplace to your customers.

We know your time is limited and very valuable. The tracks we’ve put together are based on what you have told us you need, designed to help give you a competitive advantage. We want to equip you for success in your market and help in any way we can to accelerate your growth.

Beginning this month, the Business Transformation training kicks off and includes:

  • September:  Sales & Marketing Transformation
  • October: Business Transformation
  • November & December: Service Transformation

The technical training, which will include six modules split into several short videos covering Installation through to Reporting, will be available in October.

These ‘live’ sessions will include open Q&A sessions so that you can learn from our specialists and other MSPs in real-time. After each scheduled training session, these will be available for viewing on demand via our Partner Portal (sessions available for viewing October 1 and after).

Taking the Academy curriculum will help you:

  • Build your leads inflow and pipeline for business.
  • Leverage professional services automation to increase efficiency and profitability.
  • Work in partnership with your account manager to seize new revenue opportunities.
  • Use metrics to better manage sales, marketing and operations.
  • Better represent your expertise with customers and potential clients.

I encourage you to attend and let us know what you think. We’re listening.

To find more information and sign up for free training, visit AVG Business Accelerator Partner Academy.

 

AVG

California governor vetoes drone bill

In the wake of increasing drone incidents, including the most recent highly-publicized crashes at the U.S. Open tennis tournament and the opening game of a newly renovated college football stadium in Kentucky, drones got a somewhat surprising defender last week: California Governor Jerry Brown.

Governor Brown last week vetoed a bill that would have barred drones from flying within 350 feet above a property without “express permission” of the property owners. Despite easily passing the state legislature, the bill was widely reported to have opposition by tech industry companies and trade organizations.

Brown said in his veto message that the measure went too far in its restrictions. The bill, which is SB142 by Santa Barbara Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, would have created a trespassing crime for operating drones within 350 feet above private property without the consent of the property owner.

In his official statement about the veto, Brown noted, “Drone technology certainly raises novel issues that merit careful examination,” and should be looked at “more carefully.” But in his measured response, he suggested the act would be a crime “whether or not anyone’s privacy was violated by the flight.”

Said the Governor, “This bill, however, while well-intentioned, could expose the occasional hobbyist and the FAA-approved commercial user alike to burdensome litigation and new causes of action.”

As industry observer news website Re/Code reported, one of the tech industry’s leading associations, The Consumer Electronics Association, was a vocal opponent of the legislation. Among CEA members are Amazon and Google, both of which are planning drone delivery services. And among other influential participants, Re/Code also reported that GoPro, which recently announced plans for a drone, was in opposition.

“Safe, responsible drone use will transform the way we do business — allowing these devices to assist in search and rescue and disaster relief missions, improve crop production and efficiency, and create safer work environments for infrastructure maintenance.” Gary Shapiro, the CEA president and CEO, said in his statement to Re/Code.

Drones are (literally) at the intersection of technology, security, and privacy. Unfortunately, some bad players have colored the drone issue to date. But there are benefits to be derived from drone technology: They can speed delivery of emergency supplies, they can provide great benefits to agriculture, and they can literally save lives. For example, in natural and/or manmade disasters, drones can be positioned to survey damage, locate lost hikers or disaster victims, and improve efficiency and safety of rescue teams.

There will no doubt be more legal decisions and bills involved. As Re/Code also noted:  46 different states have considered 156 different bills about drones this year. And as American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) policy analyst Jay Stanley recently said about drone policing,” It’s still a bit of a Wild West.”

But as Capt. Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger, the now-retired US Airways pilot that in 2009 managed to safely land his Airbus A320 passenger jet in the Hudson River, saving all 155 persons aboard, emphasizes: we need better risk management, better regulation of the recreational drone industry, and more enforcement of those regulations when drone operators do what he describes as “stupid, reckless, dangerous things.”

AVG

Kids safety online depends on us being better role models

We lock our doors and activate security systems to keep intruders out. We place parental controls on TV channels to manage what our children watch. We keep our kids out of R-rated movies until we feel it’s appropriate. We monitor the violence of their videos games. All of this to keep them shielded from explicit content. Except this time, the violence was very real and readily available on social media.

The recent shootings in Virginia created an unprecedented situation for parents. The incident was caught on camera during a live broadcast of a television newscast, producing a graphic video of the shooting, violence that wasn’t in a video game or TV show but a real murder. That clip, along with video of shocked expressions during the newscast, circulated the Internet available for children to stumble upon. The shooter also recorded the murder from his phone and uploaded it onto social media, making the video widely available. And people viewed it and shared it.

This also raises larger questions: How many people viewed these videos online? Should we have sought out and viewed these videos? Is there a social responsibility to take ownership of our online behaviour? Is our own behaviour demonstrating to our kids how to responsibly use the internet?

The children we try so hard to protect could have seen these videos online. Children’s introduction to the Internet often happens before they’re educated in online safety skills. An AVG Technologies survey found 66 percent of children ages three to five stated that they can play a computer game, but only 14 percent can tie their own shoes.

Much of the online crises that can occur to youth today—from teen sexting to identity theft to cyberbullying—can be mostly avoided if they understand the consequences of their actions. According to the same survey from AVG, nearly one in three teenagers said they regret posting something online and 32 percent have had to ask someone to remove content posted online about them.

When technological development outpaces society’s sense of responsibility and understanding of that technology, it can create unintended consequences in our lives and in the lives of our children. The answer is not only to encourage a society-wide attitude of responsibility for our impact as digital citizens, but also to empower the leadership of organizations to work together and create new solutions that allow innovation to continue while taking responsibility for our own digital lives.

For more information about the Smart User Initiative, go to www.smartuser.com.

AVG

AVG Business responds to evolving channel needs with enhanced Managed Workplace platform

Since we launched our flagship AVG Business Managed Workplace 9.1 in April 2015, the ongoing dialogue and feedback from our channel partners has been crucial. Managed Workplace 9.2 – the latest version of the platform, available today, addresses the needs our partners have raised. We are confident that the additional capabilities we have included in the expanded platform align to MSPs’ business objectives more closely than ever before.

An important feature in Managed Workplace 9.2 is the Premium Remote Control capability, through our partnership with enterprise remote desktop software provider, ISL Online, that has enabled us to integrate a premium Remote Control capability into our platform for the first time. By building in the remote control at no further cost to our partners, we are able to reduce not only the need for MSPs to work across disparate systems, but also the need to purchase additional, expensive, third-party tools. Offering greater control and visibility to resolve issues and deliver support more quickly, the Premium Remote Control enables MSPs to quickly and easily access remote computers, transfer files, chat, record sessions and perform administrative tasks for their clients, without switching interfaces.

Those of you who attended our Cloud Summit last October will remember discussing remote controls in detail – it’s a great example of you telling us what you wanted, and us listening and responding.

We want to help small enterprises and our MSP partners feel that they are doing everything they can to protect their data. At the same time, we recognize that monitoring so many different systems requires a streamlined workflow. Managed Workplace 9.2 now includes integrated Backup and Disaster Recovery, so that MSPs can easily control workstation backups, capture Bare-Metal-Recovery images for servers, as well as monitor and manage devices from one central dashboard.

Further details on the key features of the Managed Workplace 9.2 platform, including AVG Device Manager for Mac OS X and integrated AntiVirus enhancements can be found here.

With Managed Workplace 9.2, we move one step closer to a complete, managed IT solution – one which provides ease of use, security and control of the entire IT infrastructure (devices, applications and networks) from a “single-pane” of glass. We understand that our channel partners’ technology needs are always evolving and we are committed to doing all we can to streamline the experience while delivering the best services possible.

We are listening. Thank you for your ongoing feedback and please keep sending it our way.

AVG

AVG Business Launches Managed Workplace 9.2

AMSTERDAM– September 15, 2015 – AVG® Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for more than 200 million monthly active users, today announced the launch of AVG Business Managed Workplace® 9.2, the latest version of its fully integrated, open ecosystem, remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform.

AVG Business sells and markets a comprehensive, integrated set of cloud security and RMM software applications that are designed from the ground up to simplify the lives of IT providers, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and their small-to-medium sized business customers.

Managed Workplace 9.2 now features a Premium Remote Control capability from ISL Online, which is fully integrated into the dashboard. ISL Online brings a ten-year history delivering feature-rich remote desktop control software, helping to ensure that Managed Workplace 9.2 will make it even easier for AVG channel partners to effectively and efficiently administer remote IT management services to their business customers – all from a single platform.

The new AVG Business Premium Remote Control is included as a key capability of Managed Workplace 9.2 and eliminates the need to purchase expensive, third-party remote control solutions. Offering greater control and visibility, the built-in Premium Remote Control is compatible across all Windows® and Mac OS X® managed devices, and it enables MSPs to quickly and easily access remote computers, transfer files, chat, record sessions and perform administrative tasks for their clients, without switching interfaces.

New Features

The most comprehensive solution, to date, Managed Workplace 9.2 includes these new features:

  • Premium Remote Control – The one tool for all Remote Control needs, across all Windows and Mac devices, is available to MSPs at no additional cost.
  • Integrated Backup and Disaster Recovery – The ‘single pane of glass’ central dashboard helps MSPs quickly deploy and manage Infrascale Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions. MSPs can easily control file and folder backups for workstations, capture Bare-Metal-Recovery images for servers, as well as monitor and manage Infrascale Appliances from one, central place.
  • AVG Device Manager for Mac OS X– The new AVG Device Manager for Mac. OS X brings monitoring and management to roaming Mac OS X laptops. Multiple deployment options increase ease of onboarding and management.
  • Integrated AntiVirus enhancements – Integrated AVG AntiVirus has always offered unparalleled protection and ease of management and now MSPs can password protect the end point to prevent unauthorized modification or removal of AntiVirus by end users.

“The ability for my team to quickly understand and resolve issues without the delays of working across different systems, or the expense of purchasing new tools, makes a big difference in delivering fast and professional support,” said Bob Ascherl, Director of Managed Services, Advanced Technology Services. “AVG Business Managed Workplace has enabled us to streamline our technology needs and work from one platform. Now with the company’s extended Managed Workplace platform, we can have both remote control and remote monitoring and management in one solution, without having to make choices or changes to our operations.”

Coupled with AVG Business portfolio services that include its Premium Network Operations Center, Microsoft Office365 and VMware integration, and Secure Sign-On authentication, AVG Business Managed Workplace 9.2 allows end user clients to focus on their business, and gives MSPs the ability to become more profitable.

“AVG is dedicated to the success of our channel partners, and their product feedback is critical for helping us deliver the best experience possible,” said Francois Daumard, VP of Global Channel Sales, AVG Business. “Today’s debut of our enhanced Managed Workplace platform is one example of how we are listening and responding to channel needs and continuing to help MSPs achieve their business goals.”

The AVG Business Portfolio

The AVG Business portfolio includes AVG Business CloudCare™, a cloud-based administration platform offering resellers a simple way to implement and manage services such as antivirus, content filtering, online backup and email security services for their customers; AVG Business Managed Workplace, an open eco-system RMM tool; and AVG Business Secure Sign-On, a next-generation mobile device management service. 

Supported by a worldwide network of more than 10,000 partners, AVG’s strong IT security heritage complements its proven strength as an RMM provider and partner to help smaller IT companies and MSPs transition and flourish as fully-fledged managed services businesses. AVG Business Managed Workplace is developed and supported by the AVG Business Center of Excellence for Managed Workplace based in Ottawa, Canada.

To view our Press Kit, which includes product screenshots, video and other elements of this news, please visit http://now.avg.com/avg-managed-workplace-9-2-press-kit.

 


About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG is the online security company providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people. AVG’s award-winning technology is delivered to over 200 million monthly active users worldwide. The AVG Consumer portfolio includes internet security, performance optimization, and personal privacy and identity protection for mobile devices and desktops. The AVG Business portfolio – delivered by managed service providers, VARs and resellers – offers IT administration, control and reporting, integrated security, and mobile device management that simplify and protect businesses.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
www.avg.com


About ISL Online
ISL Online, one of the pioneers of the remote desktop control industry, provides cloud-based (SaaS) and on-premises (Server License, Private Cloud) remote support, remote access, live chat and web conferencing solutions to over 200,000 businesses across 100 countries. ISL Online solutions enable IT professionals to securely access and control any Windows, Mac or Linux computer, as well as offer ad hoc remote support to mobile device users. ISL Online software is developed by XLAB, a software development company headquartered in Slovenia with offices in United Kingdom, Switzerland and USA. Visit ISL Online at www.islonline.com.

 

Contacts:
Zoe Kine
Tel: +1 415-694-3654
Email: [email protected]

Zena Martin
Tel: +44 7496 638 342
Email: [email protected]

 

AVG

Why Every Company Should Have a One-Page Privacy Policy

Most companies know you won’t read their 45-page privacy policy before downloading their app. I suspect they also know that their privacy policy needs to change. The problem is, when you gloss over a privacy policy, you could be giving software makers access to your personal information. Once you click the “I accept” button, your data could be theirs.

When my daughter was 10 years old, she asked to download a single-player, non-web connected game on her mobile device. Aimed at 8-12 year old children, the game required the user to accept an agreement that was illegible on a mobile phone. Looking more closely, I discovered that the app claimed the right to collect information including but not limited to my daughter’s name, profile, photos, telephone numbers, email address, contacts, GPS location, browser history and chat or messaging activity, without clearly explaining what the company did with that information or who it might share it with.

As you can imagine, I said “no” to downloading the game. However, that experience was my motivation to launch a campaign to simplify these privacy policies. At Mobile World Congress in March, I announced that AVG would produce a one-page privacy policy that is simple and transparent, and I challenged other companies to do the same. This week, out of our commitment to make the Internet safer for everyone, AVG has fulfilled on this promise with our latest privacy policy.

What’s a one-page privacy policy?

AVG’s one-page privacy policy is an at-a-glance summary of which data our company will collect or won’t collect and an explanation of how and why the data may be shared. We believe our users have the right to understand how and where their information will be used.

AVG’s users are important to us, and we want to earn and keep their trust. A simple and transparent privacy policy helps strengthen this relationship with our customers. A recent study shows that almost half of respondents (49 percent) report that lack of trust prevented them from downloading apps or using them once installed. Over a third (34 percent) said lack of trust stopped them from buying any mobile apps and services. I believe that the more consumers are clearly told the full extent to which companies collect their personal information, the less likely they will be to download new apps or software.

We see the world around us beginning to change: devices now capture new kinds of sensitive information, including health data through wearables and biometric devices and information from smart-home devices. Users must understand what companies will do with their personal information before they hit the “I agree” button.  And, they should understand this clearly and at a glance, not having to read pages and pages of a privacy policy. Users have a right to control their own information, and companies have the obligation to be transparent about their company’s use of this information. Here at AVG, we’ve created a simple, one-page, graphical summary for our users of what we will and won’t do with data.  I continue to challenge other companies to do the same. Let us know what you think.

 

one-page privacy policy

AVG

AVG Releases One-Page Privacy Policy and Challenges Industry to Follow

AMSTERDAM – September 14, 2015 – AVG® Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for more than 200 million monthly active users, announced today that it has released the One-Page Privacy Policy first pledged by AVG CEO, Gary Kovacs, in his Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2015 keynote speech.  AVG’s new Privacy Policy can be read at http://www.avg.com/privacy-new and will take effect on October 15, 2015, providing AVG’s users time to read and understand it before it becomes effective.

At MWC, Mr. Kovacs promised that AVG would develop a simple privacy policy that can communicate on one page the basics of what data AVG collects and how AVG uses it.  He challenged the industry to follow suit by offering the same transparency with users. AVG’s launch of its One-Page Privacy Policy affirms AVG’s commitment to its users and their fundamental right to control how their information is being used.

“Without privacy online, there can be no security; and without security, there can be no trust,” said Harvey Anderson, Chief Legal Officer, AVG Technologies. “At AVG, we value our customers and believe they should know exactly how their information is being used by us. Therefore, we have updated our Privacy Policy to make it simpler, clearer and more transparent – representing only part of a continual evolution to improve AVG user choice and control.”

Further information on AVG’s privacy policy and privacy products: 

 

About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)

AVG is the online security company providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people. AVG’s award-winning technology is delivered to over 200 million monthly active users worldwide. AVG’s Consumer portfolio includes internet security, performance optimization, and personal privacy and identity protection for mobile devices and desktops. The AVG Business portfolio – delivered by managed service providers, VARs and resellers – offers IT administration, control and reporting, integrated security, and mobile device management that simplify and protect businesses.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts: Media Relations

US: Deanna Contreras
Tel: +1 415 371 2001
Email: [email protected]

Rest of World: Zena Martin
Tel: +44 7496 638 342
Email: [email protected]

 

AVG

Preparing Us and Our Kids for Digital Playgrounds

Recent research of parents in the United States, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of AVG, shows the ubiquitous rise in the number of kids with mobile devices while exploring important issues in our digital family dynamics.

We found 51% of connected kids receive a device before the fifth grade.  With that level of smartphone, tablet and Internet access reaching into lower age groups, it’s clear that today’s schoolyards and playgrounds now extend to the online world.

As a new parent working in tech, I think a lot about the ever-increasing use of connected devices and social media in our families and its effects on us as parents. We are on the frontline of this new issue where the security and privacy of our kids is a major cause of concern. In the real world you can see who is bullying whom but online that’s not always clear.

Of course, it’s not just cyberbullying that we (parents and non-parents) need to be concerned about; but access to a lot of PG-rated and above material that is just one click away. As our new research indicates; unfortunately, many parents don’t monitor their kids’ online activities closely. Only half of parents of children aged 3-17 (51 percent) said they check their child’s activity weekly, one in five check it less than once a month or not at all (nearly two in ten) and just over half (56 percent) say they know the password to their child’s device.

Interestingly enough and coinciding with our research, another report surfaced last week on ABC’s Good Morning America about kids installing secret mobile apps that let them hide their online activities, like photos and texts. Yahoo Tech’s editor Dan Tynan, who was interviewed on the topic, gave this simple advice: turn off the ability to install apps without parental approval.

(Currently, our research suggests only four in ten parents have installed a parental block on their kids’ devices.)

Tynan’s recommendation echoes that of my colleague, AVG’s Sr. Security Evangelist Tony Anscombe, who offered his own sage advice to parents of school age children in a Back to School Tips column last week. Tony is also the author of the book “One Parent to Another,” an excellent resource which is available here.

My baby is less than one-year-old, so I’m a long way off from having to deal with many of these issues but I know my day is coming. I was particularly struck by a recent Parents Magazine article on the topic of “Parenting in a Fakebook World” that chronicled many of the pressures that start at an early age in raising a family in our Instagram-happy, Pinterest-perfect culture. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.

Securing every family member online is a major focus for us at AVG and we will continue to devote a lot of time to understanding the dynamics and needs of digital families, as well as offering tools for help make the online world a safer one for our kids.

So, stay tuned for more here on www.now.avg.com.