Tag Archives: Mobile

AVG

Addressing A New Generation of Mobile Threats Through Innovation

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What inspires our innovation most is our customers – and finding solutions to better protect them, their personal data and their devices. In order to do this, we are constantly tracking new security threats in today’s ever-changing digital world.

As a starting point for the day, we showed a Live Global Threat Map. This dynamic map provides a snapshot of virus/malware activity we are tracking real-time on PCs and mobile devices all around the world. On our map, you can zoom in and actually see the number of infections in each country over a period of time. With 188 million active users, 90 million of which are mobile, we have a pretty good pulse on the threats around the world.

Most of our demos for the day were focused on the new generation of attacks uniquely focused on mobile functionality. While the first generation of mobile attacks were primarily using vectors and methods used in the PC world, now we are starting to see the second generation mobile attacks.

These new attacks include the use of voice, social engineering, rough access points and exploitation of various vulnerabilities in apps.

Here are a few of the mobile threats we demoed:

Voice Activation

Voice activated software is a standard feature on smartphones and is also appearing in smart TVs and other Internet-connected devices. It also, unfortunately, can be used maliciously. Did you know some applications can respond to voice, even when a phone is locked? We demonstrated how the mobile operating system will respond to a synthetic voice and allow a malicious app to bypass the limitations of a locked device or permissions, allowing it to call a phone number, send mail and other malicious actions. The flaw is very simple and it impacts a broad range of products utilizing voice activation technologies; they simply do not authenticate the source of the voice.

App Vulnerabilities

In the PC world, software can be distributed and installed on the PC from any source. As a result we are seeing many malicious programs impacting this platform. The mobile world has learned this lesson and is centralizing app distribution via app stores. This approach improves control and scan the apps for malicious intent. However, the fact that an app is not malicious doesn’t mean it isn’t vulnerable. We showed an app available on an app store that was downloaded over 5 million times, but is vulnerable. Our demo showed how easy it would be to exploit the vulnerability and take over the mobile device from a remote – allowing streaming video and voice from the device to the hacker.

iOS Threats

All mobile platforms share security issues and we at AVG always keep an eye on emerging threats in all mobile platforms. For example, we demoed the recent Apple iOS “Masque Attack” technique. This technique allows an attacker to substitute malware for a legitimate iOS application under a limited set of circumstances. It works by luring users to install an application from a source other than the iOS app store or their organization’s provisioning system, such as delivered through a phishing link.  This technique takes advantage of a security weakness that allows an untrusted application with the same “bundle identifier” as that of a legitimate application to replace the legitimate application on an affected device, while keeping all of the user’s data. This vulnerability exists because iOS does not enforce matching certificates for applications with the same bundle identifier.  Apple’s own iOS platform apps, such as Mobile Safari, are not vulnerable. In our demo we created a malicious iOS application named ‘FakeBook’ that steals all the user’s data that the legitimate Facebook application have access to.

Visual ID Hijacks

Malicious apps that assume visual identification of a “real” well-known brand (think about banking and social media applications) can replace a legitimate app and wreak havoc. Take Droidphish, a new attack vector we discovered, for example. If a hacker registers with a specific URL, when a link within the real app or even on a web page is clicked, the malicious app can assume the identity of the legitimate application. In our demo, the attacker gains complete control over your device, your email and data, even to the point of taking a photo of you using the device.

Texting Hijinks

We’ve all been warned to beware of URLs sent via a text (SMS) message. When clicked, they can redirect you to a malicious website. In our demo we showed media that a malicious app can even read and reply to incoming text messages without any visual appearance and without the owner of the device being aware that something is going on!

Cross-Platform Infection

Another demo scenario involved an app that creates a malicious PDF that is later automatically synced—via a cloud-based, file sharing service like DropBox – between a PC and mobile device, infecting the other device without even knowing. Imagine if the PDF had an “interesting” name that may trick the user into opening it.

Wi-Fi Hacks

We are constantly warned that public open Wi-Fi is unsafe, but there are millions of public Wi-Fi hot spots open and that means a lot of security risks ahead. Here are three scenarios we demonstrated on public Wi-Fi:

  • Sniffing – Via free Wi-Fi, anyone sitting next to you in a coffee shop could be looking at the traffic you are sending if your data is unencrypted, including your chats, messages, emails etc.
  • Spoofing – You connect to a malicious hotspot thinking it is legitimate- i.e. it could be named for a well-known coffee shop. (A colleague in Amsterdam ran an experiment and 60 people connected to his network in less than an hour!)
  • Tracking- Walk into a retail store and SSID info allows tracking of your location. In some cases, a trusted retailer may be seeking to personalize your experience when you walk into a department. But in other cases, the tracking could be for nefarious purposes.

For these very scenarios, our Innovations Labs team created AVG Wi-Fi Assistant to smartly turn your Wi-Fi on/off along with a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) service – so that no one can track you through Wi-Fi, or look at your data being transmitted. Additionally, AVG Wi-Fi Assistant also offers substantial battery life improvements.

Finally, we also demoed some current innovative mobile security products that help people protect themselves: AVG Zen and new apps from Location Labs, a new AVG company.

This was our first Experiential Lab day and we look forward to hosting many more in the future!

AVG

AVG’s Joanna Brace Appointed to MEF North and Latin America Board

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MEF members elected ten new regional Board Directors during its recent MEF Global Forum in San Francisco. Among the new directors elected was AVG’s own Joanna Brace, VP Marketing & Product Marketing SMB.

Joanna leads AVG’s business global marketing, product management, product marketing, channels marketing, web marketing and partner enablement teams.

She brings understanding of the ever-changing SMB environment and the needs of todays’ mobile businesses to MEF.  “The days when work was confined to an office with four walls and a locked door are gone.  Thanks to mobile technology and popular cloud-based applications today’s start-ups are living in a world where doing business without walls is perfectly normal,” Joanna noted.

Judith Bitterli was elected to MEF’s Global Board in October. AVG has been an active MEF member in the policy working group which developed AppPrivacy, part of MEF’s Mobile Initiative, and sponsored exclusively MEF’s Global Consumer Trust Report in 2013 and 2014.

The MEF North and Latin America Board

AVG

Black Friday Sale: 33% off PRO apps for Android

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The Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend can be a great time to take advantage of big discounts on electrical items including smartphones.

If you’re planning on treating yourself or a loved one to a new smartphone this holiday weekend, or even if you just want to look after your existing device, AVG has some great discounts to help you keep your Android smartphone running securely and smoothly.

 

33% off AVG AntiVirus PRO

AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android is a complete security solution for your smartphone that combines powerful protection tools with useful features that can even help recover your device should it get lost or stolen.

With AVG AntiVirus PRO Android Security you can:

  • Scan apps, files, emails and messages for malware
  • Locate, lock and wipe your lost or stolen phone
  • Kill tasks that can slow down your phone
  • App Lock – password protect app access
  • A Camera Trap – that emails you a photo of anyone who enters an incorrect pass code three timese

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AVG AntiVirus PRO

Download AVG AntiVirus PRO now

 

33% off AVG Cleaner PRO

AVG Cleaner is a FREE app that helps you get more from your Android device. By cleaning out junk files and cache files, AVG Cleaner gives you more space for the files that matter. This holiday weekend get 33% off AVG Cleaner PRO features.

AVG Cleaner FREE allows you to:

  • Remove junk and cache files
  • Automate cleaning for no-hassle performance

AVG Cleaner PRO has these extra features:

  • No advertising
  • Set up custom battery profiles to make your phone run just how you want it to

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AVG Cleaner PRO

Download AVG Cleaner for FREE

AVG

Preparing for the Social Internet of Things

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Factor in the booming Internet of Things and researchers estimate there will be 50 billion connected devices in the market by 2020! These are big numbers with big implications for the tech industry and our customers.

When you break it down, it means every day millions of new users will get their first smartphone or tablet, or change to a new device, or add other connected digital device such as wearables, activity monitors, health apps, and even their cars…and be coming online with all the data that goes with them. These aren’t just faceless people, but our nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren.

Now, think about when you first came online. For many of us, we had the benefit of growing up with the Internet and were able to make mistakes and learn from them as we went along. The next two billion users won’t have that luxury. They are coming online in the age of the Social Internet of Things and will experience a much larger interconnected world. They will surely find great delight, but every mistake made could be broadcast to billions of people, along with increasing pitfalls and exponentially greater consequences.

Just think about the rise in teen and celebrity sexting scandals and over-disclosure, cyber-bulling, and the mounting security breaches at major banks and retailers putting millions of credit card users at risk.

The bottom line is that businesses have to earn the right to engage with the next two billion web users and that is achieved by earning their trust.

Global research we did with MEF Global Forum earlier this year also reinforces this point. We found that:

  • 40% of mobile media users cited trust as a barrier to purchasing goods and services online via their mobile
  • 65% said they were unhappy sharing personal information with apps.

At AVG with three million Facebook followers and 25,000-50,000 conversations happening daily – we also hear this echoed from our customers. Now magnify the concern consumers will have in a world where every smart connected device is sending our data to the Internet!

I explored the topic of “Building Trust for the Social Internet of Things,” at the MEF Global Forum event In San Francisco last week during a session and panel called, “Know thy Customer, Mastering the Consumer Experience.”  Our mission was to explore shifting consumer experiences and what it means to those of us in the industry and businesses.  I wanted to bring the perspective of what users want and need, and what it means from a mobile security, privacy and trust point of view.

We in the industry need to start planning now for the next two billion users. People need to know that they don’t have to give up their privacy every time they go online.   How do we make that experience all that it promises to be and develop their trust in our brands? How do we equip them for the Social Internet of Things?

Brands must adapt to address the concerns of a new and more connected audience and be willing to help build a future where it is as easy to be safe online as it is to connect a device to the net. People need to change as well. They need to prepare themselves for new technologies and an interconnected age of Digital Citizenship.

At AVG we envision a world of “smart users.” That’s why we recently started a Smart User Initiative as part of the Clinton Global Initiative.  Our goal is to increase the ratio of smart users to smartphones by teaching the next two billion Digital Citizens skills in how to engage in the digital world safely and securely in a way that protects them and others. And we’re putting out a call for partners– other brands, businesses, organizations, carriers, manufactures, and content producers – to join us on this mission.

You can read more about AVG’s Smart User Initiative in a blog by our CLO Harvey Anderson. His Op-Ed on this topic also appeared on Re/code recently.

Let’s strive to make the experience for the next two billion people coming online in the age of Social Internet of Things, more personal, trusted and the best it can possibly be…

AVG

Technology is still a distraction for drivers

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A newly released study by AT&T reinforces the unfortunate and dangerous trend of driving and texting that shows no sign of stopping. The survey, released last Wednesday, found two-thirds of respondents said they have read text messages while stopped at a red light or stop sign, but more importantly a quarter have sent texts while driving. One in four of those who texted while driving also believe they “can easily do several things at once, even while driving”…

Now for the rest of the story…The AT&T study points to a fascinating and disturbing feature of human behavior:  98% of survey respondents said that sending a text or email wasn’t safe, but 49% of commuters self-reported doing it anyway.

This result comes in spite of all the public-service campaigns and laws against texting and driving. And it certainly reinforces the ability of humans to say one thing and do another – though that isn’t exactly news.

What is news is a newer tech-related peril on the road: Voice-activated software. Originally viewed as an answer to achieving hands-free driving, voice-activated software is now a growing cause of driver distraction and threat to driver safety, according to a recent study by AAA .

Voice-activated software has been touted as a benefit, because drivers can keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road while changing radio stations or composing texts messages… Unfortunately, AAA found that drivers could still be distracted while driving. The reason? Interacting with the software still affects the cognitive part of your brain.  Many of the simple tasks previously noted increase a driver’s cognitive workload. And, depending on the situation, that can be dangerous.

Vehicle voice-activated “infotainment” systems that are more complicated or just take longer to navigate created the highest levels of driver distraction and safety risks, according to the October AAA study.

Many of us who use hands-free phone technologies have already come to understand that having a conversation, especially an important or emotional one, while driving can be only a little less distracting than juggling a phone. It’s for the same reason: Cognitive distraction.  Many studies back this up, including a groundbreaking one from the National Safety Council.

The bottom line: any activity that is not directly related to driving, whether it is using electronics or simply eating, represents a potential distraction and safety risk, according to previous research by AAA, the National Safety Council, the National Transportation Safety Board and other safety groups.

As with the ongoing campaign against text messaging or voice interactive driver safety, what’s needed is a multi-pronged approach just as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) has done so successfully. Prevention strategies that may show the most promise are legislative and corporate policies, mixed with high-visibility enforcement and strict consequences.  Yet technology solutions also can go even further by preventing calls and messages from being sent or received by drivers in moving vehicles.

Location Labs

At AVG, we’re proud to have a new solution in our portfolio of products that addresses the texting issue—Location Labs’ Drive Safe app, available as Sprint Drive First and Safely Go. (AVG acquired Location Labs in September.) Drive Safe detects motion and automatically locks a phone moving more than 10 MPH. All ringtones, buzzes and push notifications are silenced, and only designated “VIP” contacts, like parents, can get through, while everyone else gets an automatic “I’m driving, I’ll reply later” reply.

It’s clear as connected cars become the norm, demands for driver security are only going to increase – both in terms of driving safety and data security. It also presents opportunities for technology to help solve these new challenges.

Add driverless cars into the mix, and there is an exciting and brave new world ahead for technology and cars and, hopefully, greater driver safety.

AVG

AVG Extends Global Partnership with ALCATEL ONETOUCH

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AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO – November 18, 2014 – AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the online security company™ for 188 million active users, today announced that it has extended its partnership with ALCATEL ONETOUCH, a leading smartphone brand  to provide AVG’s flagship AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android™ app on its latest Android mobile devices. This agreement will help ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s mobile customers stay safe online from the moment they turn on their new devices for a safer and simpler online experience out-of-the-box.

This marks the latest milestone in the partnership which has been in place since 2011. The AVG pre-loaded devices will be available across ALCATEL ONETOUCH’s global customer base, including a number of fast-growing, emerging markets such as India, Russia, Brazil and Mexico. Customers get a free 90-day trial of AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android, after which they can either purchase an annual subscription to retain its enhanced security features or choose the default AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android option to ensure their smartphone or tablet remains protected.

“Going online via a smartphone is fast becoming a standard activity for mobile users, and understandably our customers want peace of mind to know that they are browsing safely,” said William Dowie, Global Portfolio Director at ALCATEL ONETOUCH. “We continue to be committed to providing them with the best protection possible on our devices and our ongoing partnership with AVG demonstrates our investment in this.”

“We know that the emerging markets account for a large proportion of those going online for the first time – and that mobile often provides the means for doing this.  ALCATEL ONETOUCH is one of the world’s leading smartphone brands with a large presence in these markets, and we believe our combined offering is a cost-effective and smart option for new users there,” said David Ferguson, General Manager Consumer & Mobile, AVG Technologies.

AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android was the first mobile security application to exceed 100 million downloads on the Google Playâ„¢ Store. With the launch earlier this year of AVG Zenâ„¢, an application for Windows PCs and Android smartphones and tablets, AVG has expanded its mobile portfolio to help consumers retain control over their privacy, protection, and performance when using a connected device to get online.

The roll out of AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android is effective immediately.

About AVG AntiVirus PRO for Android

Protect & Keep Safe:

  • App Scanner: Helps stop, remove and prevent the spreading of viruses, worms, and trojans
  • File Scanner: scans your phone for viruses and removes them with a simple click, ensuring your contacts, bookmarks, text messages, music and videos are kept safe.
  • Safe web surfing: actively checks web pages in real-time before you land on that page. If it detects something suspicious, it prevents you from visiting the site.
  • App Lock: protects your privacy by enabling you to lock your apps, thereby securing them from being accessed by other people using your phone.

Find & Protect Your Phone:

  • Phone Locator: helps you locate your phone if lost or stolen. Locate it quickly via Google Maps or enable the SHOUT function which maximizes the volume of your ring tone even if your phone is on “Silent”
  • Phone Locker: keeps outside parties from accessing your personal information by allowing you to lock your phone remotely via SMS or from controls managed from the Anti-Theft service.
  • Camera Trap: if AVG Anti-Theft records 3 failed attempts by an intruder to unlock your phone, it takes a photo of them with the phone’s front-facing camera. The photo is then emailed to you with an alert to the attempted break-in.
  • Remote Wipe: helps preserve your privacy by enabling you to wipe all contacts, photos, and calendars, your text messages, browsing history and SD Card.
  • SIM Lock: locks your phone when the SIM card is replaced.

Enhance Performance:

  • Improve Performance: optimize battery, storage and mobile data usage.
  • Task Killer: shut down apps that may affect device performance.
  • Improved Battery Consumption: get notified when the battery is below the level you set. Use the new Power Save button to turn off device functions that consume your battery or use Auto Power Save to turn off several features that consume battery automatically when the battery power reaches the level you set.
  • Data Usage: keep track of your 3G/4G mobile data usage by getting notifications as you approach your monthly data limit.
  • Storage Usage: uninstall apps that you think use too much storage to free up space on your device.
  • App Backup: helps you back up all your apps to your SD Card so you never get caught without your favorite games, utilities or feeds.

 

###

 

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

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

Get rid of clutter from your Android devices now!

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We all have way too much unnecessary clutter on our phones and tablets – things that eat away our storage, waste mobile data and drain battery life. Some of this is caused by the apps we use on a daily basis, like games or social media– but much is also caused by apps we no longer use or that are running constantly in the background.

Our new AVG Cleaner for Android 2.2 makes it quick and easy to identify (and remove) such unwanted apps but also helps you clean the clutter from your phone, such as cache, history, and call logs.

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Introducing AVG Cleaner for Android

So what’s New in Version 2.2?

  • Large file finder: Our all-new version 2.2 app scans your Android tablet and phone for massive files, such as downloads, app packages, videos, music files or other data that you may have downloaded or copied over to your device – and perhaps forgotten about.

  • Caller History Cleaner: AVG Cleaner for Android helps you clean up all calls or even one specific entry in your call history.
  • Check up on your Android from your PC: You can remotely check up on your Android smartphone or tablet from your PC. In this example, I added a Galaxy S5 to my AVG Zen network and monitored it right from my PC.

 

Now the really cool thing is that you can’t just check up on your AVG Zen network from your PC – but also direct from your Android. That’s right, you can even check up the Performance and the Security status of all your AVG Zen connected devices, such as PCs or Laptops running Windows and Mac computers right from your phone. To do that, fire up your Google Play store and download AVG Zen Admin console:

Once you’ve signed into your AVG Zen account, you can even check up on your devices from wherever you are!

 

AVG

Creating the Next 2 Billion Smart Users

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The smartphone will be the on-ramp to the Internet, if not the only ramp, for the next wave of new users – largely because it’s the easiest way for them to get there and broadband isn’t available. For one, the mobile Internet can reach places that wired connections can’t (and likely never will). Moreover, the price is right. The cost of owning a smartphone is decreasing as manufacturers and carriers alike compete for new users. Soon millions of people will hop online for the first time, all thanks to the smartphone.

It’s terrifically exciting, and it’s also a terrific challenge.

 

New Skills for a New World

Think of it this way, more than half of the human population is ready to dive into the digital world with little to no instruction. It’s like getting behind the wheel of a car for the very first time and heading right onto the highway. Just like driving, getting around safely in this new world demands a new set of skills. Every one of those new users will need guidance on any number of things, like how to prevent identity theft, how to protect their personal privacy, and even how to build a business online. The list goes on.

But who’ll be there to teach them those skills? After all, nothing like that is covered in an owner’s manual. Whose responsibility is it anyway? I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility and I’m far from the only one who feels this way.  It’s about changing social norms and learning how to care for yourself and the welfare of others on the Internet.  We’re familiar with the stories of teen sexting, over disclosure, identity theft, cyberbullying – much of which could be curtailed if we, as users, understand the consequence and knew how to avoid them.

Our core assumption is that the content exists but it’s not presented to the users at the right time in an engaging fashion at a point when choices are made.

 

The Smart User Mission

This September, I was privileged to attend the annual Clinton Global Initiative, where industry and world leaders gather to create innovative solutions that take on the world’s most pressing challenges. One of the topics AVG rallied around was “Digital Citizenship,” a growing movement based on the belief that everyone on the Internet is responsible for making it a better place. As a result, I’m pleased to announce AVG’s Smart User mission, which is our Commitment to Action as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

The objective of the Smart User mission is to create the next two billion smart users on the mobile Internet. Along with carriers, device manufacturers, developers, content providers, and organizations across the globe, our aim is to provide two billion mobile Internet users with the tools and information they need to be safer, happier, and more productive online.

The mission’s approach is to engage these mobile users right from the start – the very moment they start using their phones. It begins with the “Smart User” app, which will launch when users first set up their phones. Right away it will provide fun and engaging content to help users make educated choices about their security and privacy. From there the Smart User mission will provide users with continuous guidance as they spend more and more time online. We’ll be partnering with mobile carriers, device manufacturers to get the Smart User app into people’s hands, and a wealth of partners like design agencies and celebrities will help contribute content along the way.

We’re very lucky to have Common Sense Media already signed up as a partner. Their history of advocating for children, families, and schools is a natural fit. The content and guidance they’ll provide will be invaluable, and this partnership will help us accomplish the Smart User mission.

My hope is that you share the growing point of view that we’re all responsible for a better Internet, and that everyone can take an active role in making it happen—from technology providers and manufacturers to content creators and consumers. If you’re interested in joining us on this mission, please get in touch. There are plenty of avenues to partner up, get involved, and build the next wave of two billion Smart Users.Email [email protected].

Photo Courtesy of Barbara Kinney, Clinton Global Initiative

You can find more information on the Clinton Global Initiative at http://www.clintonfoundation.org/

AVG

Apps For Our Veterans

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As we celebrate Veteran’s Day in the U.S. this November 11th, I’d like to honor our uniformed men and women, both those who have served and those who continue to do so. I am very proud of my own military service and most veterans will tell you the same. If you are like many of us, and have friends or family members who have served, here are a five great apps/services to check out.

 

For Re-entry into Civilian Life

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes app, in partnership with Verizon, is a mobile one-stop shop developed to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses searching for employment. The app gathers all of the program’s resources in one tool – enabling military members and their families to search for jobs and access free employment resources on virtually all mobile devices.

Militarylounge.com has an app called College Guide that provides a comprehensive list of universities that accept the G.I. Bill, a calculator of benefits, as well as a handbook of benefits that are available to vets and soldiers.  A major benefit to the military is the G.I. Bill, which, in its post-9/11 form, provides full tuition and fees for public, in-state schools, plus a monthly allowance for housing and an annual stipend for textbooks. Over 6,000 institutions participate in the Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program.

 

For Health

Many veterans understandably have trouble navigating the complicated world of the Veterans Administration. Claims Coach, developed by The American Legion, is designed to help the process. It provides step-by-step guidance to help service officers through the process of filing for VA benefits. The free app features a nationwide directory of accredited American Legion service officers, a built-in organizer for appointments, documents and deadlines, and a wealth of other resources. Additionally, a personal secure file called “My Checklist” keeps everything in order, from the initial meeting with a service officer through VA’s decision and appeal, if necessary.

Unfortunately, but understandably, many of our troops come back from service traumatized from events. PTSD Coach was designed for veterans and military service members who have or may have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This app was created by the VA’s National Center for PTSD in partnership with the Department of Defense’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology. It provides users with education about PTSD, opportunities to find support and tools to help manage the stresses of everyday life with PTSD.  You can download it here.   It’s been downloaded more than 100,000 times in 74 countries. Features include:

  • Information on PTSD and treatments that work
  • Tools for screening and tracking symptoms
  • Direct links to support and help
  • And, as a mobile app, it’s always just a click or phone call away.

As the VA points out: Any data created by the user of this app are only as secure as the phone/device itself. Use the security features on your device if you are concerned about the privacy of your information.

 

For Families

Scout Military Discounts LLC has just launched SCOUT, a military savings mobile application for both iOS and Android devices. The new, free mobile app is designed to provide all U.S. veterans, military members and their families a way to easily access military discounts and freebies from anywhere, at any time from their mobile phone or other mobile devices.

The SCOUT app is available for download at Apple or Google Play. Use the search term SCOUT Military to find the app for download. And if you want to volunteer or get involved, go to scoutmilitarydiscounts.com. The SCOUT app is available for download at the Apple App Store and Google Play. This looks like a great app to use during the holiday season!

 

For Those Still Serving

So much support for our troops come from veterans friends and families. You can’t beat Skype for keeping in touch with troops at home or abroad.  Rules and regulations are different depending upon where a soldier is stationed, but veterans can communicate face to face with their overseas colleagues for practically nothing, and perhaps more importantly, spouses can keep in touch with loved ones that might be far away.

This Veteran’s Day, I want to wish all those who have served, and those who still do serve, the gifts of safety, health, and happiness. Thank you for your service.

AVG

The secret life of apps revealed

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Have you ever noticed that your smartphone has surprisingly little storage space left for things like photos or even the latest updates? Or that battery life and reliability have begun to deteriorate over time? Or perhaps that your monthly data usage is growing inexplicably? Over time, the apps we love and use day in and day out affect our tablets or phones and impact their performance – sometimes while you’re using them, and sometimes completely invisible in the background.

 

The study

We decided to investigate to see if we could better understand how apps influence devices over time in our first Android App Performance Report.

When it comes to the performance of our phones, we noticed that users care about three things above all else:

  • Storage consumption – how much space do you have left for the files you love?
  • Battery consumption – is your phone making it to the end of the day or not?
  • Data plan consumption – are you constantly hitting your mobile data limit?

 

We felt that in order for the report to reflect what is happening to people’s phones out there in the real world, we needed to use data from real devices. Unlike other tests that might conduct benchmarking in a lab environment it was important to us that these results applied to everyday smartphone users.

 

Methodology

 

So with that in mind, we analyzed anonymized data from over one million AVG Android app users, so that we could better understand which apps they are using and how those apps affect their devices.

Some of the results were quite surprising.

 

Key Findings

 

Pre-installed apps

One of the most interesting learnings we made in the first report is that many devices are still carrying around a lot of apps that were installed by the manufacturer. These can take up a lot of storage space but more importantly can drain battery life – something that is already under strain with the constant use of most smartphones.

 

Apps with background activity

Another thing that became clear was that as we add more apps to our devices, we seldom remove the ones we no longer want or need. Over time this means that the limited resources of our devices are divided over an ever growing number of apps, affecting performance.

The reason for this is simple: the “always on” nature of apps means that they often-times continue to run in the background to check for notifications, updates or download data which uses valuable battery and data.

 

Social and News apps

It will come as little surprise that with its constant background notification checks, which run even when the app is not open, the social networking app from Facebook emerged as having the biggest impact on your mobile device when it comes to overall performance. The constant demand and transmission of data makes the app a real drain on both battery life and data use.

 

 

App growth

As we ran the report over several months, we observed some interesting behavior amongst apps that are automatically updated. Over time, their storage footprint and battery drain both increased. This is mostly due to downloaded content (songs for Spotify, items in games etc.), but is also in part thanks to automatic updates. With automatic updates enabled, developers can push out new versions and features that take up more space and are more resource heavy without having to ask the users permission. Combine this with the steadily growing number of apps we have on our devices (including those that we’ve downloaded and no longer use) and very soon you begin to observe a noticeable dip in performance.

 

What can you do to improve your device performance?

One of the most fundamental issues that the report has raised is that keeping your smartphone running in top condition is quite a labor intensive task. Keeping check of which apps are running in the background and removing apps that you don’t use is more than enough for most of us to commit to.

There are products that are designed to make your life easier though like AVG Cleaner for Android which can show you how much data, storage and battery life each of your apps is consuming to help you take the right actions to tackle any issues.

 

Our full report doesn’t just detail what apps are the most consuming of them all, it also details best practices and helps you get rid of performance hogs on your Android smartphone or tablet.

 

Full Report

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