Tag Archives: Gary Kovacs

Avast Closes Acquisition of AVG Technologies

Avast Software, the leader in digital security products for consumers and businesses, today announced it has acquired a majority stake in AVG Technologies after completing the initial offering period.

 

Prague, Czech Republic / Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 30, 2016Avast Software, the leader in digital security products for consumers and businesses, today announced it has acquired a majority stake in AVG Technologies after completing the initial offering period of its tender offer for all of the outstanding ordinary shares of AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG). Therefore, they will operate as a single company as of Monday, October 3, 2016.

Vince Steckler is named the chief executive officer of the new Avast, overseeing more than $700M in revenue for 2016 for the newly-combined entity. Avast has transformed into a full service security company with the largest Consumer installed base in the world, and with significant Mobile, SMB and Mobile Enterprise businesses. As of the completion of the initial offering period of the tender offer, AVG’s CEO Gary Kovacs will be departing, but will be available on a consulting basis throughout the transition.

“The combined company now has over 400 million users, more than 40% of the world’s consumer PCs outside of China and the largest consumer security installed base in the world. If they were a country, we would have the 3rd largest population in the world,” said Vince Steckler, chief executive officer. “The US is now our number one market with 58 million users. We truly have global reach and are proud to be the most popular choice for security in the world.”

“We now have the technical breadth to provide superior protection for our customers. For example, our combined threat labs will have teams dedicated to emerging threats affecting consumers. These include social engineering threats, which are commonly used to target IoT devices, and ransomware, which we are fighting with machine learning technology. We believe we are now better equipped than ever to outsmart those who want to do harm to people online.”

By acquiring AVG, the new Avast has stronger protection for its customers. Avast now:

  • Has the largest threat detection network in the world with more than 400 million endpoints that act as sensors, providing information about malware to help detect and neutralize new threats as soon as they appear
  • Has what is probably the world’s largest security-focused cloud and machine learning network comprising over 9,000 servers and supporting 50 million simultaneous connections to provide instantaneous protection to its users
  • Prevents around 1 billion malware attacks per month
  • Blocks more than 500 million malicious URLs per month
  • Blocks around 50 million phishing attacks per month
  • Processes 9 million new executable files every month, 25% of which are malicious, giving Avast even faster and deeper insights in the threat landscape

With the acquisition, Avast expands its SMB business and adds AVG’s strong reseller base, enabling Avast to support more and larger organizations. Avast is also gaining Location Labs and its carrier business, which Avast plans to invest in and expand overseas. Due to the closed infrastructure of mobile operating systems, mobile security and privacy protection technology is stronger when embedded in the carrier infrastructure. The Location Labs technology essentially provides a cloud-based solution to customers, bypassing the inefficiencies and insecurities of running within the mobile operating system.

Avast plans to create more and better products that will defend against the growing number of threats in the market. The company will continue to offer both the AVG and Avast branded products for the foreseeable future and to support all customers and partners for both product lines.

“We want our customers to be reassured that whether you use an AVG product or an Avast product, we will continue to support you. We are nothing without our customers and partners who have helped us get to where we are today,” said Vince Steckler.

As a result of the acquisition, Avast holds approximately 87.3% of AVG’s outstanding shares acquired upon the closing of the initial offering period for the tender offer. Avast also announced that it has commenced a subsequent offering period to provide AVG shareholders who have not yet tendered their shares the opportunity to do so. The subsequent offering period is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on October 14, 2016, unless extended. As described below, Avast plans to voluntarily delist AVG’s shares from the New York Stock Exchange promptly following the subsequent offering period.

The Transaction

On July 29, 2016, Avast Software B.V. and its parent company, Avast Holding B.V., commenced a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares of AVG Technologies N.V. at a purchase price of $25.00 per share in cash, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes or other taxes. The initial offering period for the tender offer and withdrawal rights expired at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on September 29, 2016. Based on information provided by the depositary for the offer, a total of 44,543,555 shares, representing approximately 87.3% of the aggregate number of shares outstanding, had been validly tendered and had not been properly withdrawn as of the initial expiration of the offer (excluding 2,809,498 shares, representing approximately 5.5% of the aggregate number of shares outstanding, tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures that have not yet been delivered in settlement or satisfaction of such guarantee). Avast Software B.V. and Avast Holding B.V. have accepted for payment all shares that were validly tendered and were not properly withdrawn from the offer, and payment for such shares will be made promptly in accordance with the terms of the offer.

Avast Software B.V. and Avast Holding B.V. also announced today the commencement of a subsequent offering period scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on October 14, 2016. Avast may extend the subsequent offering period to provide for a minority exit offering period of up to 10 business days to provide AVG shareholders who have not yet tendered their shares the opportunity to do so. All shares validly tendered during the subsequent offering period will be immediately accepted for payment, and tendering holders will thereafter promptly be paid the same form and amount of offer consideration as in the initial offering period. The procedures for tendering shares during the subsequent offering period are the same as those applicable to the initial offering period, except that (i) the guaranteed delivery procedures may not be used during the subsequent offering period and (ii) no withdrawal rights will apply to shares tendered during the subsequent offering period.

As more fully described in the offer to purchase, if the number of shares purchased during the subsequent offering period (including, if applicable, the minority exit offering period), together with the shares purchased during the initial offering period, is equal to at least 95% of the outstanding ordinary shares of AVG, Avast expects to acquire the ordinary shares of AVG that were not tendered into the tender offer through the compulsory share acquisition process under Section 2:92a/2:201a of the Dutch Civil Code. If the number of shares purchased during the subsequent offering period (including, if applicable, the minority exit offering period), together with the shares purchased during the initial offering period, is less than 95% of the outstanding ordinary shares of AVG, Avast plans to effect an asset sale pursuant to which Avast will acquire substantially all of the assets, and assume substantially all of the liabilities, of AVG promptly following the tender offer. Following the completion of the asset sale, AVG will be liquidated and the remaining minority shareholders of AVG will receive cash distributions with respect to each ordinary share owned by them equal to the per share cash consideration paid in the tender offer less any applicable dividend withholding tax or any other taxes.

As soon as practicable following the completion of the subsequent offering period (including, if applicable, the minority exit offering period), AVG intends to voluntarily delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange. AVG also intends to deregister its shares under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Exchange Act”) and to suspend its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, but will only be eligible to do so upon satisfaction of the applicable requirements for deregistration.

AVG has submitted written notice to the New York Stock Exchange of its intent to voluntarily delist its shares from the New York Stock Exchange in connection with the tender offer. AVG intends to file a Form 25, Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to delist its shares promptly following the subsequent offering period. Delisting from the NYSE is expected to become effective 10 days after the filing date of the Form 25.

The AVG shares will not be listed or registered on another national securities exchange. Delisting is likely to reduce significantly the liquidity and marketability of any AVG shares that have not been tendered pursuant to the tender offer.

Advisors

Jefferies International Limited is acting as exclusive financial advisor, and White & Case LLP and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek N.V. are acting as legal advisors to Avast. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as financial advisor to AVG, Bridge Street Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor to the supervisory board of AVG, and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and Allen & Overy LLP are acting as legal advisors to AVG.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “are confident that,” “objective,” “projection,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terms. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which Avast and AVG operate; the uncertainty of regulatory approvals; AVG’s delisting from the New York Stock Exchange and suspension of AVG’s reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and to consummate the transactions and their plans described in this press release; and AVG’s performance and maintenance of important business relationships. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in AVG’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including AVG’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2015. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release and neither Avast nor AVG assumes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of AVG. The solicitation and offer to purchase ordinary shares of AVG is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO, including an Offer to Purchase, a related letter of transmittal and certain other tender offer documents, filed by Avast with the SEC on July 29, 2016 (as subsequently amended, the “Tender Offer Statement”). AVG filed a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the tender offer with the SEC on July 29, 2016 (as subsequently amended, the “Solicitation/Recommendation Statement”). AVG shareholders are urged to read the Tender Offer Statement and Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as they may be amended from time to time, as well as any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, carefully and in their entirety because they will contain important information that AVG shareholders should consider before making any decision regarding tendering their securities. The Tender Offer Statement and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement are available for free at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by AVG will be available free of charge on AVG’s website at investors.avg.com.

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

Help protect your family with AVG’s new VPN from Privax

As a father of three, I understand the difficulty of raising children in an increasingly online world. This first-hand experience made it even more pleasing to stand in the offices of AVG’s newest acquisition, a privacy and protection technology company called Privax, and to welcome all their employees officially to AVG.

Privax is behind a fantastic service called HMA! Pro which is a virtual private network (VPN) product that allows consumers to connect their mobile and desktop devices to the Internet securely and privately. It’s a great tool to ensure that personal data remains just that – personal data. VPNs give people more control over what information about themselves they are comfortable sharing and what they would prefer to keep to themselves when communicating, purchasing or searching online.

AVG understands that you are concerned about your privacy and this acquisition is part of our continued commitment to offering the best protection and privacy products available. It’s our goal to give you peace of mind when you go online on your mobile as well as your desktop devices. You’ve told us that you value choice when managing your own privacy settings, and for those with families, this is even more important as you look to protect your children online.

Research we carried out earlier this year with the Mobile Ecosystem Forum showed that 49% of people surveyed in 10 countries said trust prevented them from downloading or buying online, or using some or all apps from their mobile device. We also found that 72% were not happy sharing personal data with apps – compared with 65% last year.

Therefore, at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, our CEO, Gary Kovacs, made a public commitment to provide smart tools to help our customers reassert their privacy. This acquisition takes us one step further towards fulfilling this promise.

Video

Gary Kovacs Keynote at MWC 2015

 

Customers can already use our existing privacy services including AVG PrivacyFix and the Do Not Track feature of our secure search. Privax’s HMA! Pro will give you another option by helping you enjoy your favorite online activities in a safe and private environment that you can tailor to your personal sharing preferences and without compromising your privacy.

VIDEO: Gary Kovacs’ Keynote Address at MWC 2015

In the keynote, Kovacs outlined AVG’s mission to create a safer Internet for everyone.

In our modern connected world, the lives of consumers are more exposed now than ever before in history. A wide range of our actions online are monitored, tracked and scrutinized, not always towards benevolent ends.

AVG recently conducted a round of research with MEF which shows that more and more people are demanding trust, and it is becoming a real factor in decision making around technology.

To end, Kovacs issued a call to arms to challenge the existing model and create what he calls a Trust Revolution.

My employer is stalking me online!

Would you know if your employer is stalking you online? Fortunately, I do.

There’s nothing shady going on though. I agreed to be the subject of an experiment conducted by AVG CEO Gary Kovacs for his keynote speech at Mobile World Congress 2015.

In the keynote he highlighted the growing need for consumers to understand the great wealth of their personal data that is available online.

I offered to be the victim of this experiment as I consider myself a fairly private person online. I rarely use Facebook and Instagram and when I do, the accounts are very much set to friends only.

Other than my very public profile and work for AVG, there should not be a huge amount of information on me as I’m very conscious of not sharing too much.

The team set about looking for me and sure enough, old articles from the print era and other public sources gave them a good picture of who I am, where I have lived, how much my house is worth, and a whole lot more.

Much of this data is a matter of public record. For example, my property in the UK is listed on the electoral register and a scan of Companies House shows I have held company directorships.

Once these little snippets are discovered, they can be used to search with more specific terms that meant relevant articles started to appear at the top of search results.

Before long, the team had built out a profile of me including pictures, data, family, assets, arrests (fortunately none for me) and many other personal details that we generally consider private or safe from public view.

So what can you do to help keep your data private and under control?

In today’s world, there is little chance of us avoiding a digital footprint short of disconnecting and living in the woods. But what we can do is better understand what is being shared and how we can control what appears in public.

Here are FIVE simple tips that you can follow to help you ensure your data doesn’t appear where it shouldn’t:

 

Check your privacy settings

Much of the information found online about us as individuals is found on social network. Photos, posts, groups and comments can be a great way to find out more about a person so make sure that your privacy settings are set so that only the activity you want shared is made public.

Set Up a Google Alert

Google Alerts are a great way to stay on top of any sites or news that may mention your name (or any other term). Setting one up is very simple and you can learn how in this video.

Video

How to set up a Google Alert

Pick your usernames carefully

When setting up an online account or email address, carefully consider whether it should include parts of your real name. Having an email address with your full name such as [email protected] makes it much easier for snoopers to build out a profile of your details. The same goes for account names on web services.

If you can, remove old accounts

When we stop using old web accounts, a forum for example, see if there is a way to disable or delete your account. While you may not be using the service any more, the data will remain there almost indefinitely and can be discovered with just a simple search.

Tick the box

When giving out your personal details be sure to understand what the company or organization collecting them may do with them. Where possible tick the box (or uncheck in some instances) to keep your data private and do not allow personal data to be shared with third parties.

Gary Kovacs’ Keynote Speech at Mobile World Congress

In the address, Gary outlined AVG’s vision of a safer Internet for everyone. To achieve that, we must understand how digital technology, especially mobile, has impacted the ideas of identity and privacy.

The modern Internet has given rise to an economy based on collecting and monetizing user information.

As a result, the lives of consumers are more exposed now than ever before in history. Their actions online are being watched, even scrutinized, and not necessarily towards benevolent ends

Consumer data shows that more and more people are demanding trust, actively considering it when they choose whether or not to adopt a technology.

If we want to facilitate further development of technology and digital economy, we need to challenge our thinking again. It’s time for another revolution, a Trust Revolution.

 

AVG reaches 200 million active users!

Today I’m proud to announce that AVG now has more than 200 million active users globally.

To put that into perspective, if AVG were a country, it would be the sixth largest behind Brazil.

This is a very significant milestone for AVG and one that not many companies ever achieve. The last 18 months have been the fastest period of growth in the company’s history and we expect this rate to continue.

None of this would be possible without your incredible support.

Thank you and we are looking forward to the next 200 million!

 

AVG Surpasses 200 Million Users Worldwide

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA – March, 4, 2015 – AVG® Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ announced today that it has passed the significant milestone of 200 million active users worldwide including over 100 million on mobile. Over 50 million new customers have joined the AVG family over the last 18 months alone, using one or more of AVG’s consumer and business products for mobile and desktop platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows and Apple Mac.

“This is a very significant milestone for AVG and one that not many companies ever achieve. Not only have we reached the 200 million user mark, but more than half of these users are mobile customers. This highlights the successful evolution our company has made from a PC heritage to a strong mobile future,” said Gary Kovacs, Chief Executive Officer, AVG Technologies. “The last 18 months have been the fastest period of growth in the company’s history and we expect this rate to continue going forward. This also gives us an important and growing base of customers in over 200 countries who trust AVG with their digital safety, and to whom we can offer over time our enhanced services to increase the value and protection we provide.”

AVG announced the all-new version of AVG Zen™ this week during Mobile World Congress, showcasing its wide range of security features including important family safety services, support for industry partner applications and services, and support for the Internet of Things, all from one place.

Kovacs continued, “At AVG, we believe that everyone in the world has the inalienable right to security and privacy online. We are committed to enabling the next three billion people coming on line to explore the Internet with peace of mind and security.”

 

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About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)

AVG is the online security company providing simple, integrated software and services to secure devices, data and people. Over 200 million active users and businesses use AVG’s products and services worldwide.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

www.avg.com

 

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

Inalienable Human Rights in the Digital World and the Trust Revolution

Next week, the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry will open its gates once again for visitors from all over the world. More than 85,000 people are expected to attend Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, arguably the most important mobile event on the planet.

A few dozen members of Team AVG, including me, will attend MWC to speak at various conferences, sessions, and forums to share our experience and ideas with other attendees. For the second time in the last few years, I will have the honor to deliver a keynote address at the Congress.

As the mobile ecosystem continues to evolve and as leaders gather to discuss what’s ahead, what’s the most pressing issue that faces us all at MWC 2015? My answer is simple: digital security—and the lack thereof.

In the past several years, we have seen our world go completely and irreversibly mobile. Smartphones have become the most important and the most personal devices in our everyday lives, changing them for the better and opening new, previously unimaginable opportunities. However, we’ve also seen how this gold coin has its flipside: our activities are monitored, collected, and stored by numerous companies and organizations, both with and without our knowledge and consent.

“What we do online leaves a trace”.

The modern Internet has given rise to an economy based on collecting and monetizing user information. Finding value in data is not inherently bad, but the traditional notice and consent model that guides today’s environment was not designed for the complexities of data in our digital world. In addition, the privacy policies are often hard to understand, a difficulty which is compounded by the fact that people are consuming more and more of them in mobile form factors.

As a result, the lives of consumers are more exposed now than ever before in history. Their actions online are being watched, even scrutinized, and not necessarily towards benevolent ends. Moreover, the information that is legitimately collected and stored by legally-operating companies makes it easier for criminals, hacktivists, and even terrorists to hit tens of millions of unaware users with a single attack.

“Privacy is a major concern”.

But this climate can’t last. Fact is, consumers are catching on. Privacy is a rapidly-growing concern of theirs, and they’re increasingly sensitive to companies that fail to protect and respect it. A recent study clearly shows that by violating people’s privacy in more and more ways, companies undermine their trust and antagonize them. For example, almost half of respondents (49 per cent) said that trust prevented them from downloading apps or using them once they are installed. Over a third (34 per cent) said it stopped them buying any mobile apps and services.

It’s no surprise then that the penetration and adoption of new technologies is slowing down across all sectors – from hardware to software to services. We are witnessing the most amazing technological revolution in the history of mankind. Our collective and striking ability to innovate has revolutionized not only the marketplace, but also everyday life. And if we want to facilitate further development of technology and digital economy, we need to challenge our thinking again. It’s time for another revolution, a Trust Revolution Trust.

There are three essential avenues to make this Revolution happen:

  • Provide people with more powerful, simple and integrated security tools.
  • Commit to transparency and responsibility in the way we work with users’ data.
  • Educate users on how to keep themselves and their families safe in the Digital World, and ultimately make them smart users of smart devices.

This is the message that I am bringing to MWC 2015. Together, we must pledge to provide a basic level of security and privacy to everyone in the world. Re-establishing privacy and security as inalienable human rights in the cyberspace is a big challenge and no easy task, but it will ultimately be beneficial for consumers and vendors alike. A lasting and profitable business relationship should be built on trust.

“Users are demanding trust”.

Moreover, consumer data shows that more and more people are demanding trust, actively considering it when they choose whether or not to adopt a technology. To this end, a healthy and informed consumer base is more apt to contribute to a productive and profitable Internet.

I believe that Mobile World Congress 2015 is the right platform for initiating this discussion and starting to take meaningful, responsible steps towards making the digital world a safer, better place for everyone.

The unique gathering of mobile industry vendors, service providers, policy makers, and media in Barcelona next week has all the means necessary to shift today’s unhealthy privacy paradigm and usher in a better digital future for all of us.

Stay tuned for more news from the Mobile World Congress!

AVG’s CEO Gary Kovacs Advocates Human Rights in the Digital World at Mobile World Congress

AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO – February 24, 2015 – AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for 197 million active users, today announced that company CEO, Gary Kovacs, will deliver a keynote address on digital rights at Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.

By 2020, most of the global population will be connected to the Internet. These estimates suggest that two billion people will come online in the next few years. As we increasingly live our lives online, what we often hear is that privacy is not a social norm or even a realistic expectation anymore. AVG believes that people should not have to give up their personal rights and freedom in the Digital Age. Moreover, AVG believes that businesses can gain a strong competitive advantage by protecting people’s privacy.

To prompt a serious debate on data protection, privacy, and the economy of the Internet at Mobile World Congress, Mr. Kovacs will call on the mobile industry to work together to frame the rights of both consumers and businesses in a connected world.

“The unprecedented surge of cybercrime in the last few years has made cyber security a multi-billion-dollar industry, not to mention a matter of national security. We have developed, and continue to develop, products that help protect all kinds of devices and data from external and internal threats. However, what the tech industry often overlooks is that it is the users, everyday people, who ultimately need to be protected. Neglecting their rights for any reason is not an option,” said Mr. Kovacs.

Mr. Kovacs will also discuss the ways in which consumers are taking back control of their privacy in the digital age, along with how businesses can also benefit from this trend. “Recent consumer studies clearly show that by violating users’ privacy in more and more ways, companies are undermining their trust. As a result, the penetration and adoption of new technologies face significant barriers – from hardware to software to services,” said Mr. Kovacs. “We are witnessing the most amazing technological revolution in the history of mankind, but it has brought us to the point where we also need a ‘revolution of trust’. My mission at the Mobile World Congress this year is to send a wake-up call to the industry on this topic.

We have to enable this revolution through three main avenues: by providing people with more powerful, simple and integrated security tools; by committing to transparency and responsibility in the way we work with users’ data; and by educating users on how to keep themselves and their families safe in the digital world, to make them smart users of smart devices.

We must change the dismissive attitude many companies have towards user privacy rights on the Internet and pledge to provide a basic level of security and privacy to everyone in the world. Trust is the only foundation through which we can offer new services and products, and further support the development of societal frameworks for services like e-Government and m-Health.”

The keynote address will take place on March 4 at 9:15am as part of the Keynote session 5, “The New Mobile Identity”. Other speakers present for the session will include: Brian M. Krzanich, CEO of Intel Corporation; Patrick Gelsinger, CEO of VMWare; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Group CEO of Dialog Axiata PLC; and Siret Schutting, MD of e-Estonia.

 

About Gary Kovacs, CEO AVG Technologies

For more than 25 years, Gary Kovacs has held leadership positions at a number of technology companies, including IBM, Sybase, Adobe, and Zi Corporation. Prior to joining AVG in July 2013, he was the CEO of Mozilla Corporation. He has been a passionate advocate of digital rights and online privacy throughout his long career.

In recent years, he has developed and launched a number of projects that help people protect themselves and their families from cyber threats, and that help them take better control their digital identities overall. Fierce Wireless named Kovacs one of the Rising Stars in Wireless for 2013, which recognized the mobile innovation and privacy initiatives that he drove during his tenure as CEO of Mozilla.

He is a frequent public speaker and panel member. His 2012 TED talk, “Tracking the Trackers,” explored issues of Internet privacy in an increasingly connected world. At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in 2012, he presented strategies for creating a resilient cyber economy amid economic, security, and privacy obstacles. He was a keynote speaker at the Mobile World Congress 2013. In December 2014, he addressed EU policy officials at the GSMA Mobile 360 event in Brussels where he shared his view that the industry has a responsibility to help educate new users on the matters of staying safe and protecting their privacy online.

 

About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)

AVG is the online security company providing leading software and services to secure devices, data and people. Over 197 million active users, as of December 31, 2014, use AVG´s products and services. 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.

www.avg.com

 

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