Category Archives: AVG

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Scammers trying to steal Netflix passwords, and more

A flurry of news concerning Netflix in recent days has presumably motivated this recent phishing attempt, as scammers continue to pursue current events and breaking news stories to attract victims.

In the email is a red button “CLICK HERE TO VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT” that leads directly to a replica Netflix login page, as well as pages that ask for personal details including Credit Card information.

 

Unsuspecting Netflix customers who are tricked into this process will not only divulge their account password (which they may have used elsewhere), but may also have their credit card details stolen and used for fraudulent purchases.

 

If you do receive a Netflix phishing email you should report it officially to Netflix by forwarding the message to [email protected]. Further information about keeping your Netflix account secure can be found here.

Until next time, stay safe out there.

 

AVG

iOS users facing new storage challenges

News emerged recently that Apple has been challenged about storage on their iOS devices.

According to news sources, Apple has come under fire for the size of their latest operating system iOS8 which can apparently occupy up to 23.1% of the devices total storage.

On top of this, the upgrade from iOS 7 to iOS 8 alone can take up more than 1.3 Gigabytes of storage space.

While the storage statistics for iOS 8 might be surprising, it’s important that iPhone and iPad users realize that often their storage can be taken up by multiple unnecessary files and not just operating system files.

Operating systems are not the only files that bloat and grow over time; in fact it’s quite common for updates to systematically increase an app’s footprint on our devices as new features and enhancements are added

That’s why it’s very important to regularly clean out your mobile device, get rid of unwanted or unneeded files and apps and create space for the things you really want.

To help you do this, AVG has developed iOS Cleaner as part of the AVG PC TuneUp performance suite. iOS Cleaner can help you reclaim back valuable storage space on your iPhone or iPad devices by locating and removing duplicate files and unnecessary clutter and temporary files.

We’ve also prepared this easy to follow guide to help you get started.

Title image courtesy of engadget

AVG

The Privacy Fear Factor: How Tech Is Failing To Serve the 50+

As Ann Karpf, the British journalist and sociologist reported in her January 4, 2015 New York Times Op-Ed piece on “The Liberation of Growing Old”: “Ageism has been described as prejudice against one’s future self. It tells us that age is our defining characteristic and that, as midnight strikes on a milestone birthday, we will become nothing but old — emptied of our passions, abilities and experience, infused instead with frailty and decline.”

Well said. But sadly, this is a construct that, while wrong, pretty much rings true when we look at how tech companies market to Boomers and Seniors – aka, those aged 50+ — at present.

Indeed, two in five Boomers and Seniors think tech companies patronize them according to our survey of 50+ as part of our most recent edition of the AVG Digital Diaries consumer research series.

However, the majority of 50+ that we surveyed do NOT consider themselves novice users. Most of us consider ourselves “average” tech users (76%); 10% think of ourselves as experts –and only 16% describe themselves as novice.

Digital Diaries Boomers

 

Earlier this week, I highlighted these findings at the Lifelong Tech Summit as part of the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

I was honored and delighted to address the assemblage on the topic because I believe the tech industry in general overlooks – if not neglects – the 50+ consumer segment.

Equally important, my talk on “The Privacy Fear Factor,” focused on what the tech industry needs to do to better serve the needs of the 50+ market – around the issues of data protection and online privacy. This has become an everyday issue and question of fundamental human rights for all of us at any age.

This is especially true for those 50+. We fiercely believe at AVG that regardless of age, people need to know that they don’t have to give up their privacy every time they go online.

But the nagging question remains: why are Boomers and Seniors being undervalued and/or patronized by our industry when they represent a $3 trillion opportunity (U.S. dollars in disposable income).

“why are Boomers and Seniors so undervalued when they represent a $3 trillion opportunity?”.

A basic tenet of marketing is that you have to first understand a market’s dynamics before you can address a market.  And therein lays the heart of the issue.

In my view, the industry needs an attitude adjustment regarding the 50+ market. And I look forward to continuing dialogue on this topic – and in addressing this important demographic.

I’ll close with more of Karpf ‘s eloquent take on aging:

“How to enable the growing numbers of old people to live comfortable, meaningful lives is a fundamental issue of equality, with benefits for all. If we make the world better for old people, we make it better for everyone, from stroller pushers to wheelchair-users.”

AVG

AVG’s Top Blogs of 2014

2014 was a big year for the security industry and a busy one for AVG. There were high profile security breaches, some incredible new apps for our smartphones and huge game releases that pushed the performance of our devices to the limit.

 

Threats:

Heartbleed was arguably the most significant security story of the year after a crucial vulnerability was found in Open SSL, the technology used to encrypt data online. Potentially, OpenSSL estimate that as many as 66% of all websites were vulnerable.

Our blog post on how to stay safe from Heartbleed was our most popular post of the year and a follow up post later in June showing that many websites were still vulnerable comes in at number two.

One of the year’s most prevalent malware breakouts, known as GameOver Zeus was also amongst our top stories. GameOver Zeus picked up a lot of media coverage as experts gave a two week countdown until a massive suspected cyber-attack would be unleashed.

 

Mobile:

AVG had a big year for mobile with exclusive deals to protect Sony Xperia devices and we even created custom apps specifically designed for the Amazon Fire Phone’s ‘Dynamic Perspective’.

We also sealed the acquisition of Location Labs which has brought powerful security and device management features to millions of people.

In November, we release our first ever Android App Performance Report which detailed the secret ways that the apps we use can affect our smartphones. How much space they take up, how much battery they use and how much data they send.

 

Gaming:

Gaming also enjoyed a big year in 2014 with the release of many big name titles including Watch Dogs, where you play a hacker in a beautifully rendered open world. Our performance expert Sandro Villinger’s Ultimate Watch Dogs performance guide for the PC was our third most popular post this year.

Sandro also created a simple nine step guide to maximizing PC gaming performance which helped users of all abilities squeeze the most out their machines whether top of the range or 3 years old!

If you are a gamer, check out Sandro’s Ultimate performance guide to

Gaming looks set to have another big year in 2015, keep an eye out for Sandro’s GTA 5 performance review coming soon!

 

2014 was a great year at AVG and we’re looking forward to bringing you more big stories in 2015.

Happy New Year!

AVG

Boomers and Seniors Feel Technology Companies Talk Down to Them

AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO – January 6, 2014 – Over two fifths (43%) of those over 50 feel patronized by technology companies. So say the results of the latest study by AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for 188 million active users, which surveyed almost six thousand people over the age of 50 about their technology habits and opinions as part of its ongoing AVG Digital Diaries research.

With CES kicking off this week in Las Vegas and many companies expected to launch their latest devices to what is an increasingly competitive market, the research highlighted that older customers can feel that they are treated as technologically illiterate by technology companies.

Further complaints among those who felt patronized related to technology companies talking down to them (39%) and treating all those over a certain age the same (32%). This treatment is far from justified, as only 16% of respondents labelled themselves as novice technology users while the majority (76%) ranked themselves as average users of tech.

The research, which provided further insights into the device and application use of those over 50, also highlighted some ongoing security and privacy concerns:

  • 87% of respondents admitted to having some security and privacy concerns over their online activity
  • 66% worry about the security of their data and files
  • 44% worry about keeping their personal information private
Digital Diaries Boomer

 

“Technology companies should think hard before they risk isolating older customers,” said Judith Bitterli, Chief Marketing Officer at AVG Technologies. “This is an audience that is expanding, has more spending power and is actively using devices and apps. For example, our research found 83% use apps on their devices. While it is important to address their privacy and security concerns, this must be done in a manner that is considered, not condescending.”

Bitterli, who regularly blogs on tech topics for Boomers and Seniors on Now AVG, will share further insights from the study in her talk “The Privacy Fear Factor” at the 2015 CES Lifelong Tech Summit taking place at the Venetian today.

 

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Note to Editors

Methodology:

AVG commissioned an online survey interviewing 5,907 respondents over the age of 50 to identify device ownership and usage, and attitudes towards technology in the following markets; Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Fieldwork was carried out during November 2014. The market research company Research Now carried out the fieldwork using its proprietary panels.

 

About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)

AVG is the online security company providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people.  AVG has over 188 million active users, as of September 30, 2014, using AVG’s products and services including Internet security, performance optimization, and personal privacy and identity protection. By choosing AVG’s products, users become part of a trusted global community that engages directly with AVG to provide feedback and offer mutual support to other customers.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

www.avg.com

 

 

Judith Bitterli, Chief Marketing Officer

 

Contacts:

US

Katie Han

Waggener Edstrom for AVG

[email protected]

+ 1 (212) 551 4807

UK

Samantha Woodman

Waggener Edstrom for AVG

[email protected]

+ 44 (0)20 7632 3840

AVG

Why I’m not worried about fingerprint hacking

The holiday season is a time of relaxation with family and friends. However, the news doesn’t stop and over while on the road with my family I read a story that seemed to take a sensationalist and quite negative angle.

The story titled “Politician’s fingerprint ‘cloned from photos’ by hacker” was posted on the BBC News website. It explains how, in October 2014, a hacker took photos of a politician’s hands at a news conference and managed to replicate their fingerprint from the photos. The ‘hacker’ quips that after this discovery, all politicians will most likely start wearing gloves.

Image courtesy of BBC

 

In the article, reference is made to the fact that both Apple and Samsung devices use biometric fingerprint technology to secure their mobile devices. It seems that this is meant to scare us into thinking the technology is not safe and that we cannot rely on our fingerprints to secure us.

We need to start the year with some perspective on this story. The process of recreating someone’s fingerprint this way is both difficult and time consuming and therefore unlikely to be an issue for the mass consumer audience.

It goes without saying that we have all seen locks being picked in movies yet continue to lock our doors with similar keys. Nobody is writing articles about how easy it would be to take a picture of your keys and accurately reproduce them.

I believe we should be celebrating that authentication mechanisms once only used by large companies and government agencies have found their way into our everyday lives.

If you look back a few years, only a few people used PIN numbers on their phones. If the introduction of swipe codes and biometric security increases the number of people with locked phones, isn’t that a good thing? It shows that more consumers than ever are protecting their devices in some way to stop people stealing their information.

I do of course understand that research into weaknesses in security such as this should be carried out and exposed so that better technologies can be developed.

But my final thought is to encourage people to use security on their phones rather than trying undermine the systems that might well protect them.

So how can you keep your mobile device safe? Here are some tips from AVG Academy on securing your Android mobile:

Video

How to keep your Android device safe

AVG

AVG Named Business Solutions Best Channel Vendor 2015

AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO – January 5, 2015 – AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for 188 million active users, today announced it has been selected by Business Solutions Magazine (BSM) as a 2015 Best Channel Vendor in the Network Security category. The annual poll of Value Added Resellers (VARs) and BSM subscribers rated vendor partners in seven categories including service/support, channel friendly, product features, product reliability, channel program, product innovation and VAR margins.

“We are thrilled our industry partners have voted us Best Channel Vendor,” said Francois Daumard, VP Global Channel Sales, AVG Technologies. “2015 marks the start of a pivotal year for us as we work to make the Channel appreciate the new face of AVG Business. Still not enough partners truly understand the transition that has been taking place within AVG Business. Thanks to AVG Business Managed Workplace® we are first and foremost today a remote monitoring and management (RMM) applications vendor. Crucially, as business applications move towards an increasingly integrated future, the only established network security Channel vendor that is fully focused on integrated cloud and mobile applications development.”

Throughout 2014 AVG Business has continued to invest significantly in support of industry partners including holding its first Annual Partner Cloud Summit, introducing a new product portfolio, expanding its international distribution footprint and hiring some recognized industry big-hitters to head up its Global Channel Sales and Marketing teams.

Best Channel Vendor 2015 is the latest of many recent accolades for AVG that include recognition by Virus Bulletin’s VB100 for products and the 2014 MSPmentor 250 for excellence in managed services leadership and expertise.

During fall 2014, BSM partnered with Penn State University to conduct a Web-based survey capturing significant data from active VAR subscribers. A total of 8,848 validated votes were cast, continuing the tradition of one of the largest and most detailed surveys of its kind. Scores were tallied by BSM editorial staff using methodology provided by Penn State.

The full list of 2015 Best Channel Vendors appears in a special report in Business Solutions Magazine’s January issue.

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About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)

AVG is the online security company providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people.  AVG has over 188 million active users, as of September 30, 2014, using AVG’s products and services including Internet security, performance optimization, and personal privacy and identity protection. By choosing AVG’s products, users become part of a trusted global community that engages directly with AVG to provide feedback and offer mutual support to other customers.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

www.avg.com


Contacts:

US

Holly Luka

Waggener Edstrom for AVG

[email protected]

+ 1 (415) 547 7054

 

UK

Paul Shlackman

PR Manager, SMB & Channel

[email protected]

+44 (0)7792 121510

AVG

The best mobile moments of 2014

2014 has been a monumental year for technology, from drones becoming commonplace, to a landing on a comet, and the mobile industry is no exception.

Here are my favourite moments from the mobile world over the last 12 months:

 

That Oscars Selfie

The Oscars selfie has to go down as the tipping point in the phenomena that is ‘taking a selfie’, so much so, that it even (briefly) broke Twitter with over 3 million retweets.

While the word “selfie” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary back in August 2013, this was the year that the craze really went into full swing. For one thing, a “selfie stick” is now an actual thing. While some of us have ultimately found it painful to endure all the oversharing, the selfie even became a force for good.

Emma Watson’s ‘he for she’ campaign for gender equality was backed by some famous faces, including Russell Crowe, and how did they show their support, with a selfie, of course.

The highlight of my selfie calendar was however, this majestic photobomb, by none other that HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

 

 

Ice bucket challenge

Mobile sharing hit another high this year with the Ice Bucket Challenge, raising awareness and money for ALS the charity dedicated to fighting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Love it or hate it, the challenge, through the power of the humble mobile raised more than £2.7 million for the charity.

It went global and attracted some high profile participants. My favorite has to be this fantastic take on the challenge, by Bill Gates after being challenged by none other than Mark Zuckerberg.

Video

Bill Gates Ice Bucket Challenge

 

 

iPhone 6 

Then came the biggest news of the year, the launch of Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Rumors saw mega-fans waited outside stores a week before any official announcement had been made.  Charity Depaul even got in on the queuing action, by auctioning off their 5th place spot in the queue on London’s Regent Street on eBay for  £570, although one New Yorker reportedly sold their spot for a whopping $2500.

The iPhone 6 Plus has one of the largest smartphone screens on the market, bridging the ever narrowing gap between phones and tablets and joining a whole new world of “Phablets”.  With no signs pointing toward phones going back to their teeny tiny early noughties past, like “selfie”, “phablet” might find its way into the dictionary soon.

Image courtesy of trajectorypartnership.com

 

Uber

2014 was the year I finally saw the light and downloaded Uber. This clever cab calling service caused quite a stir when it went live in my home city of London. The city came to a standstill as drivers of London’s traditional black cab service went on strike with over 10,000 cab drivers bringing the city to a standstill by parking in Trafalgar square.

Image courtesy of Telegraph

 

While black cabs are as synonymous with London as red buses, I have to admit to being a total Uber convert. As someone who reluctantly and rarely booked taxis in the past, due mainly to the expense, Uber has come along and saved the day. Both in London and whilst travelling, I’ve used Uber to get to and from airports or get home on a night out, at a fraction of the price than I would normally expect. And it’s not just me who’s happy. While Uber may have its issues, the drivers I speak to seem genuinely enthused by the app. Many enjoy the freedom of working as much or as little as they want, or just earning extra money on the side.

 

Mobile Walking Lane

And finally, my favorite mobile moment of the year comes from the Chinese, who in 2014 introduced a mobile walking lane on the sidewalk. So you can now safely wobble along staring down at your mobile, at a luxurious pace, without getting in anyone’s way. I’ve long thought about campaigning for a “fast walkers lane” in London, so would be more than happy to see the slow walkers keeping to their side of the pavement!

Image courtesy of Mirror

AVG

Three resolutions that will change tech in 2015

As we come to the end of 2014, it is time to reflect on the developments of the last 12 months and also look ahead at what improvements we can make in the year to come.

Personally, there were three major issues in technology that caught my eye in 2014 and they form the basis for my New Year’s Resolutions for 2015.

 

Cybersecurity and privacy

2014 was a watershed year for cybersecurity and privacy issues. With security breaches impacting many of our most trusted brands, retailers and banks (Sony, Target, Home Depot, JP Morgan Chase to name a few).

The good news is people are now more aware of online privacy. The bad news is that these attacks look to remain an issue for the foreseeable future.

In 2015, each of us has a responsibility to be the best digital citizens we can be, and do our part to protect ourselves, our privacy, our data and devices online. I’m getting involved through AVG’s Smart User Mission which aims to educate the next generation of connected people as they come online around the globe.

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Kinney, Clinton Global Initiative

 

As businesses, we have an ongoing responsibility to our customers to ensure their data is protected. That means upping our game in the increasingly changing and challenging cyber security environment.

 

Diversity in the tech industry

This important issue finally gained a much-deserved attention in 2014. Over the past year, we’ve seen Silicon Valley’s first major reporting on diversity in the workforce, after some high profile prodding by civil rights champion Rev. Jesse Jackson. Among others, a book released by Stanford scholar Vivek Wadhwa on Innovating Women and Babson College’s report on VC funding for women entrepreneurs drew further attention to the disparity issues women face in tech.

While the diversity numbers are not pretty, the good news is tackling the diversity issue in technology has gained momentum and has resulted in some positive actions; among them the Diversity 2.0 Summit and The National Venture Capital Association has taken steps to increase opportunities for women and minorities.

I am looking forward to doing my part, and I am delighted to have been selected as a speaker at the 2015 SXSW Interactive program with a Core Conversation on “Boardroom or Baby” on March 14th.

Video

SXSW Talk – Boardroom or baby?

We’ve made good progress but, without doubt, there is much more to be done. I believe that in 2015 we should all make an effort to support diversity in technology. It can only bring benefits to everyone involved.

 

 

Boomers and technology

It’s hard to believe, but the last of the Baby Boomer generation (1946-1964) turned 50 this month. Last fall, the PBS series The Boomer List chronicled an amazing list of 50 people who represent the iconic generation and the impact they have had culture and our lives from arts and entertainment to science and technology, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak (below).

Though Boomers helped invent the digital age – and we get little credit for it – we are often viewed as neophytes and often marketed to by tech companies as novices (if, in fact, at all).

Image courtesy of technmarketing.com

 

My final resolution for 2015 is to do what I can to change the way that the technology talks to the older generations. I’ll start by sharing new AVG research along with my thoughts on the tech industry’s need to adapt to new and different needs of this audience during my talk on “The Fear Factor” at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show’s Lifelong Tech Summit on January 6 in Las Vegas. If you are attending CES, please come check it out.

 

Here’s to a very happy, healthy, fulfilling and safe 2015 for us all. Look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

AVG

A Silver Lining in the Sony Hack Attack?

As the tale of Sony Entertainment’s victimization at the hands of cyber hackers continues to play out (with new twists in the plot revealed almost daily for the last month), it feels like ultimately there may be something positive to emerge from the unprecedented event for us as a society.

While unfortunately, it may have been at Sony’s expense, the Sony hack attack has made cyber security a top-of-mind issue for mainstream media, businesses and consumers.

(Full disclosure, Sony is a valued AVG partner.)

From the initial reports of hacked celebrity email revelations that first put the incident front and center – to a decision by Sony to pull (for now) the film “The Interview” – to unprecedented charges by the FBI of the involvement of a state-sponsored hacker (North Korea) and our U.S. president vowing a “proportional” response for the ‘cyber vandalism’ attack on Sony and our freedom of speech…to North Korea’s internet subsequently going down (as we publish this blog) without explanation on Dec. 22nd 2014. It has now been confirmed by Sony that there will be a limited release of the movie on Christmas Day.

This incident has been playing out like a plot to a thriller –with all of us watching and trying to identify the bad actors. Unfortunately, it really is reality TV.

But one of the impacts also has been well-deserved attention to the increasing concerns about cyber security – from personal to national.

Cyber security is, without doubt, one of the most serious issues of our time.

Clearly, in 2014 the issue of cyber security has moved from being perceived as a somewhat “wonky” IT issue, to one that average Americans are now concerned with. Unfortunately, it has taken the Sony episode along with a year of high-profile data breaches and hacking at other very high profile businesses (Target, Home Depot, JP Morgan Chase, among them) to bring the issue into the mainstream consciousness and concern.

As we close 2014, it feels like it has been the (unofficial) year of the hacker. But it has made people more appreciative of the need for digital security. For that much we can be thankful. And, perhaps it will prompt us all to make 2015 the year of digital security.

It makes me very proud of what we do here at AVG to contribute to making the digital world safer for everyone.

Title image courtesy of BBC