AVG and LimeWire Secure World’s Largest Peer-to-Peer Network

AVG (AU/NZ), the distributor for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific of the world’s most popular free anti-virus software, today announced that LimeWire LLC has licensed the AVG Anti-Virus SDK engine from AVG Technologies. LimeWire has integrated the anti-virus/ anti-spyware protection into LimeWire Pro, its premium file sharing software. Through this partnership, all files will be scanned before LimeWire PRO will allow them to play or execute on an end user’s computer, which prevents infected files from harming machines. LimeWire PRO users will see the “Protected by AVG” assurance whenever a downloaded file is safely scanned and cleaned.

The agreement is part of the AVG’s new Global Strategic Alliances (GSA) group 2010 partner program focused on development, licensing initiatives and strategic partnerships in security, social media and the online community.

Millions of people use peer-to-peer networks every day to exchange audio, video, documents and other files. LimeWire is the leading provider of peer-to-peer networking applications and distributes the most popular peer-to-peer application in the world with 50 million monthly users. LimeWire has integrated AVG’s security SDK into LimeWire PRO, its premium file-sharing software, to automatically scan each download to help keep LimeWire’s users secure.

“Peer-to-peer networks have come a long way. People are using peer-to-peer networks to share files and documents, and we are pleased to be protecting them,” said Rocco Donnino, SVP of Global Strategic Alliances, AVG Technologies. “AVG is committed to securing our online world, whatever it takes.”

The ad hoc architecture of peer-to-peer networks affords no central point where security policies can be enforced, making the networks vulnerable to infected files, adware, spyware and other malware creeping into the system. It is incumbent upon users to secure their computers in order to protect both their own computers and the general health of their peer-to-peer network.

“LimeWire is committed to providing peer-to-peer's best user experience and we are vigilant about user security,” said Jason Herskowitz, VP Product Management, LimeWire. “We are always looking for ways to improve, and with AVG's seamless integration into LimeWire, we will be providing users with peer-to-peer's most secure technology.”

“It’s great to see a peer-to-peer software solutions provider like LimeWire taking a pro-active approach to online security,” said Lloyd Borrett, Marketing Manager AVG (AU/NZ). “Plenty of peer-to-peer users don’t understand the security risks associated with some of the files they’re downloading and sharing over the Internet. Now LimeWire PRO users can safely use their peer-to-peer connections on the BitTorrent and Gnutella networks to share pictures, videos and audio with friends.”

(CW)