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Free Antivirus Offered by AOL

A new free antivirus software is offered by AOL, and it will probably become the highest-profile alternative to security software you need to pay for. AOL`s Active Virus Shield gives users basic protection against viruses, spyware and other malicious software. The product, which is being delivered in partnership with Kaspersky Lab, a well-respected Russian antivirus software maker, will be available to all Internet users, not just to subscribers to AOL`s Internet access service.

AOL representative said in an interview: "Antivirus protection is too important to make people have to pay for it. We want to make sure that everyone is protected from viruses and spyware, and we believe that making Active Virus Shield available for free will help make the Internet a safer place for all."

AOL`s Active Virus Shield is not the only free antivirus software that is available, but it is likely to become the highest-profile alternative to for-pay products from vendors such as McAfee and Microsoft. In an AOL`s study it was found that 56 percent of participants either had no antivirus protection or had not updated it within the previous week, which exposed them to serious security threats. Maybe the free-of-charge software will reduce this number.