AVG looking to protect users on the Mac

LinkScanner has also been added to its free download version. The Identity Protection product is offered as a stand alone in its security suite.

Larry Bridwell, AVG's global security strategist said the company is looking to expand its product to use with the Apple Mac computer.

"AVG has been looking at the market opportunity there," he said.

AVG bought Sana Security, which develops identity theft prevention software earlier this year.

"No-one buys a computer to test it for anti-virus software. Users think can I afford it and will it do what I want it to do. The same question applies when consumers buy software.

"We believe they will use a product they can afford and it lets them do what they want it to do, enabling them to use their computer without having to worry about security.

"A good security product doesn't get in the way of the user when they turn on their machine.

"When resellers sell a product, they not only sell the product but services as well. They take care of things behind the scenes.

"With the 8.5 resellers are not only selling a traditional firewall and anti-spam software but another two levels on top of that; the LinkScanner and Identity Protection, which other products don't have."

Bridwell is chairing a panel session in May for the Anti-Phishing Working Group at its cyber crime conference in Barcelona.

The theme is helping those who think they are victims of cybercrime telling them how to report the crime and preserve evidence.

AVG also works with AMTSO (Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organisation).

Bridwell said the company is looking to target consumers and small to medium sized businesses with the 8.5.

"We are trying to get together with other security companies to share their testing. The biggest challenge since we moved into real-time testing is 'repeatability'," he said.

"An illegitimate website may only last for a day or three days. The sorts of issues security companies have need to be balanced by continual testing to get more statistical analysis of what's going on."