It seems there exists a freely – and legally freely – available version of Kaspersky Antivirus rebranded as AOL – Active Virus Shield.
Here in response to the first comment (see below), a quote from their terms of services:
- 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. 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, the domain name of your Internet service provider, file requests for updates, computer errors arising in connection with use of the Software and Software configuration settings. The Software may also collect information about the malicious programs found on your computer during the scanning process and send the information to our servers for statistical purposes.
- b. Information Use: Your APS Product information may be use 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.
// Oliver
PS: I will have a look at the product and possibly write a review of its features in the next days.
Quote
While AOL doesn’t ask for money, Active Virus Shield users have to agree to let AOL and its partners deliver ads to them. “As a condition for your use of the software, you agree to receive promotions and periodic e-mail messages from us and our affiliates,” according to the fine print in the license and user agreement of the software.
Active Virus Shield collects a host of information that may be used for marketing purposes, starting with the e-mail address required to download and run the product, according to the fine print. Other data collected include usage stats, responses to ads and details about the PC, according to the AOL agreement.
In other news:
Alongside the antivirus software, AOL ships an Internet Explorer toolbar. The Microsoft toolbar includes an indicator for the PC’s security status, a password manager, a pop-up blocker and a link to a Web site for more information on suspicious sites, the Web company said. It also includes an AOL Web search box, which can drive traffic to AOL Search.
Active Virus Shield rounds out AOL’s menu of free security tools, which covers Active Security Monitor and the AOL Safety and Security Center, among others.
Ah, so that’s the pitfall them. Thanks for pointing it out.
Where did you take the quote from?
// Oliver
By the way, one could use a two-time email address from spamgourmet.com to stay private.
The quotes from:
http://news.com.com/AOL+offers+free+antivirus+software/2100-7355_3-6102917.html?tag=nefd.top
Thanks.