Now everyone can get leading anti-virus protection - absolutely FREE!

* Powered by Kaspersky, one of the largest anti-virus providers, worldwide
* About 300 new viruses are created each month. Every computer needs to be protected
* Real-time scanning and protection against virus threats
* No cost, obligation, or AOL membership required
* Advanced detection technology to help stop viruses and malware before they attack you

AOL on Monday release a free software-based virus scanning service powered by technology from Kaspersky Labs. The software includes technology to enable real-time scanning of files and e-mail, and would update automatically each hour.

Called Active Virus Shield, the product is available for download starting today. It arrives as part of AOL's new initiative to provide its products at no cost to users. "With so many consumers online with inadequate security safeguards, it is time to make things like virus protection a fundamental right, not a risk," Digital Services president John McKinley said.

After installation, the application will continuously monitor for threats. Also, in an effort to make the process as invisible as possible, AOL has tuned the service to allocate more computer resources during periods of increased use. This way, the virus-scanning process would not interfere with system performance.

5. INFORMATION PRACTICES. When you register with us and use the Software, you provide us with certain personally identifiable information (your "APS Product information"). The following privacy provisions explain the information practices that apply to you as a user of the Software and its related features. Your use of our or our affiliates’ other products, or third party offerings, is governed by their own privacy policies.
a. Information Collection: Your APS Product information consists of personally identifiable information collected or received about you when you interact with the Software and its related features. Your APS Product information may include registration-related information (such as your e-mail addresses); information about how you use the Software, as well as your responses to offerings and advertisements presented through the Software; transaction-related information (such as credit card or other preferred means of payment, billing or shipping information); customer service information; and technical and diagnostic information gathered or received from the Software. Your APS Product information may be supplemented with additional information, including publicly-available information and information from other companies.
b. Information Use: Your APS Product information may be used to operate and improve the Software; to personalize the content and advertisements you receive; to fulfill your requests for products, programs, and services; to communicate with you and respond to your inquiries; and to help offer you our other products, programs, or services that may be of interest. Your APS Product information may be shared with affiliates of AOL Premium Services LLC (“Affiliates”). Affiliates that receive your APS Product information may use this information according to their applicable privacy policies.As a condition for your use of the Software, you agree to receive promotions and periodic e-mail messages from us and our Affiliates.
c. Technical Information. Your APS Product information may also include certain technical information gathered or received when you use the Software. Some of the technical information that may be collected or received includes: the type of browser you are using (e.g., Netscape, Internet Explorer), the type of operating system you are using, domain name of your Internet service provider, and file requests for updates. The Software is configured to automatically report back information relating to computer errors arising in connection with use of the Software, without notice to you. Information on your Software configuration settings may be included. This data is sent to us to help us diagnose performance issues with, and improve, the Software. The Software may also collect information about the malicious programs found on your computer during the scanning process. The information will be sent to our servers for statistical purposes and to help us improve the Software for you.
d. General: Your APS Product information may be accessed and disclosed in response to legal process (for example, a court order, search warrant or subpoena); in other circumstances in which we believe the Software is being used in the commission of a crime; when we have a good faith belief that there is an emergency that poses a threat to the safety of you or another person; or when necessary either to protect our rights or property or for us to render the service you have requested.
e. Agents, Transmission and Storage of Data. We may use agents and contractors in order to help provide the Software and to help operate its corresponding features and services. Your APS Product information may be collected and stored in the United States and other countries.

f. Marketing Preferences. You will be given the option in each marketing e-mail to opt-out of further marketing offers; however, please keep in mind that these preferences do not apply to communications that are directly related to the Software, your registration with us, or the fulfillment of a specific transaction you have requested. Because the choices you make in connection with your APS Product information may not take effect immediately, it is possible you may receive a communication during the period in which your request is being processed.

g. Cookies. We may use cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies in combination with your APS Product information to enhance your experience with the Software; to help authenticate you when you use the Software; to remember your preferences and registration information; and help measure and research the effectiveness of our offerings and e-mail communications (by determining which of our e-mails you open and act upon). If you have any questions or concerns about our information practices, you may contact us at this email address: AVSPrivacy@aol.com.

6. ANTI-SPYWARE, ANTI-PHISHING AND OTHER TOOLS.

a. Anti-Spyware. The Software includes features and tools that are designed to search your computer for unwanted programs that may compromise the productivity, performance, and security of your computer. Unless you elect to disable the notification dialog box, each time the Software detects an unwanted program, the Software will ask you whether you want to remove or disable the unwanted program. Please keep in mind that if you elect to have the Software remove or disable any programs, there is a possibility that you may cause other software on your computer to stop working. Removing or disabling one of these programs may also create conflicts with your obligations under licenses to use other software on your computer, if the other software installed the unwanted program on your computer as a condition of your use of the other software. You should read the license agreements for other software before authorizing the removal of any unwanted program. By using this software, it is possible that you will also disable or remove software that is not an unwanted program. You are solely responsible for selecting which unwanted programs you elect to disable or remove. We and our vendors cannot guarantee that the Software will only detect or clean applications and files that you do not use or want on your computer. For as long as you use the Software, you agree regularly to back-up your computer system(s) on a separate medium. You acknowledge that any failure to do so may significantly decrease your ability to mitigate any harm or damage arising from any problem or error in the Software.

b. Anti-Phishing. The Software may include features, such as toolbars, that are designed to alert you of Web sites that may associated with “phishing,” that is, sites that attempt to deceive users into disclosing credit card or other personal information. The anti-phishing features are based on watch lists created by third party providers. We and our third party providers do not represent that the anti-phishing features are accurate, comprehensive, or that they will detect all phishing sites. We offer the features for your convenience and discretion. The lack of a warning about any particular site does not mean the site meets any established criteria or that we or our providers endorse the site. You are using the anti-phishing features at your own risk.

c. Password storage. The Software may include features, such as toolbars, that will enable you to store login information for various Web sites so that you do not need to re-enter your login details every time you visit the site. If you elect to use the feature to fill an online form with such data, then submission of this form will result in this data being sent over the Internet but this shall be deemed not to be caused by us and you use the feature at your own risk.

(Almost) free virus scanner from AOL

AOL USA is offering the virus scanner Active Virus Shield cost-free for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. Users need not necessarily be subscribers to AOL to download the software, which is based on Kaspersky's OEM scanner. They must however provide an email address to which AOL can send the activation code for the product. Unfortunately, providing the address also authorises AOL and its partner companies to fill that mailbox with adverts. Those looking to avoid this can have the code send to a disposable mail address. Based on the "License and User Agreement and Privacy Policy", Active Virus Shield also collects data about the PC onto which it is installed and analyses how the user reacts to pop-up ads when browsing. Although we performed a brief test, we were unable to observe that behaviour, however.