AVG Blogs

Sun
Featured
Product News:
Update: AVG's response to community feedback regarding our Windows Phone 7 app
Posted 649 days ago by Yuval
38
 


Smartphone user

Over the past few days, questions have been asked about AVG’s most recent mobile security product, AVG Mobilation™for Windows Phone 7.  As such, I wanted to take a moment to clarify and respond to some of the questions and comments raised in social media forums.

As soon as this product hit the market place, developers across the globe began to ask questions.  We welcome those questions as the community has a strong influence on our product designs.

Firstly, there have been questions about the features and functions of the product with some commentators feeling it is a bit light on features.

When a company designs tools to support a new product in market, there is always room for growth. Criticism and comment is natural when a product enters a new market at the early stages.

That said, we moved forward because we firmly believe a product that begins the process of securing Windows Phone 7 mobile devices is a step in the right direction.  We made this decision based on our key findings from our very successful security software for the Android mobile platform.

Three years ago, we were first to market with a security solution for Android®.  At the time, the number of threats against the Android OS was very small.

We knew however that, like the PC market, as Android grew in popularity so would the threats against the platform.

Today our security software scans 594,892,025 SMS’s a month, finding 783,963 of them as bad/spam, we also scan over 157 million App packages a month and find 225,034 are infected with malware.

AVG believes that the Windows Phone 7 OS will continue to increase in popularity and, as it does, it will become a high value target for thieves and hackers.

For this reason, we made a strategic decision to deliver a security product to this platform in its very early days – as we did with Android.  Our objective is to start Windows mobile users off on the right foot and help them create a safe and secure community.

Over time, AVG will continue to develop our product’s capabilities and believe that our user base will benefit from the investments we make in product improvement.

We worked closely with Microsoft on the development of this product.  Our teams were trained by Microsoft and our software was provided to the company for review and certification prior to release. We did implement a number of requested changes provided to us by Microsoft.

Some of the current key features of our Windows Phone 7 security software include the utilization of several protection engines for both Web security and file security.

The Safe Web Surfing function helps protect users from social engineering attacks that are intended to drive them to take wrong decisions while online.

This protection engine checks the safety of a URL in case the user tries to access a malicious web site.

The Safe Search function allows users searching the web to avoid malicious web sites.

Our file scanning engine scans media files, mp3s, video and play lists and checks against a blacklist of bad files. This is a result of several “proof of concepts” disclosed in public.

Having the security engines implemented in the product, we believe we can respond to security threats targeting the Windows Phone 7 platform to protect our users, whenever such threats arrive –as we have with Android — and we are committed to continuing to develop this security product to reflect the constantly changing threat landscape.

When we develop security software, your privacy is our most important policy. Our data privacy policy is what we live up to, it is public and it is serious. Our privacy policy for Windows Phone 7 is available at http://www.droidsecurity.com/privacywin.html.

All of the data we collect is used solely to offer users an exceptional security service with state-of-the-art GPS tracking.

We will not sell your data to anyone.

We do not share or otherwise disclose your data to anyone without your permission.
We do not mine your data for patterns.
We do not use your data to target ads.
We do not access your location data without your permission.

We welcome all questions regarding our products and your privacy. Please visit our website www.avgmobilation.com for further details.

[Update:]

We are monitoring and value your comments regarding AVG Mobilation for Windows Phone 7, AVG’s app which provides multiple methods for both file protection and web protection. We continue to work closely with Microsoft, as we have throughout the review, audit and certification process of AVG Mobilation for Windows Phone 7. AVG will provide updates to its earlier issued statements via this blog if and when is needed.

Click here for our latest blog post with more detail on AVG’s geo location and privacy data policy for Windows 7 Phone

 

 



 
  • http://www.winrumors.com/avg-responds-to-microsofts-windows-phone-antivirus-app-removal/ AVG responds to Microsoft’s Windows Phone antivirus app removal | WinRumors

    [...] responded to the claims on Friday in a company blog post. Chief technology officer for AVG, Yuval Ben-Itzhak explained that the company “worked [...]

  • http://richfrombechtle.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/avg-respond-to-windows-phone-app-removal/ AVG respond to Windows Phone App Removal « Software Ruminations

    [...] http://blogs.avg.com/product-news/avgs-response-community-feedback-windows-phone-7-app/ Advertisement LD_AddCustomAttr("AdOpt", "1"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Origin", "other"); LD_AddCustomAttr("theme_bg", "ffffff"); LD_AddCustomAttr("theme_border", "cccccc"); LD_AddCustomAttr("theme_text", "000000"); LD_AddCustomAttr("theme_link", "515151"); LD_AddCustomAttr("theme_url", "f78b0c"); LD_AddCustomAttr("LangId", "1"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "avg-2"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "windows-mobile"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "windows-mobile-7"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "windows-phone-7-2"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "avg-app"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "avg-windows-phone-app"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "windows-phone-avg-app"); LD_AddCustomAttr("Tag", "windows-phone-avg-comments"); LD_AddSlot("LD_ROS_300-WEB"); LD_GetBids(); Rate this: Share this:StumbleUponDiggTwitterFacebookRedditEmailPrintLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]

  • Guest

    \”We worked closely with Microsoft on the development of this product.\” So how comes that your app was pulled by from the Marketplace by Microsoft? \”Our file scanning engine scans media files, mp3s, video and play lists and checks against a blacklist of bad files.\” How comes that you obviously just check the files against EICAR strings (and not your blacklist). \”All of the data we collect is used solely to offer users an exceptional security service with state-of-the-art GPS tracking.\” WTH do you need my location for???

  • Guest

    Even if at the moment there is nothign to scan, in terms of malware, a safe surf feature sounds like a great idea for people who have little to no common internet sense, I find I rarely visit sites that seem \”phishy\” but people like my parents and friends are easily tricked, this could help them

  • http://wp7app.de/2317/news/avg-app-aus-marketplace-entfernt-offizielle-stellungname.html AVG App aus Marketplace entfernt, offizielle Stellungname | WP7App.de

    [...] hat sich inzwischen auf dem firmeneigenen Blog zu Wort gemeldet. Dort versichert man, mit den GPS-Daten der User keinen Unfug zu treiben und erläutert die [...]

  • http://www.windowsphonemetro.com/2011/09/09/avg-responds-to-spyware-allegations-for-their-app/ AVG Responds to Spyware Allegations for their App | Windows Phone Metro

    [...] In a blog post by AVG, they have responded to allegations and questions raised by concerned users about what their AVG security app for Windows Phone actually does. Here’s their response: [...]

  • http://wmpoweruser.com/avg-responds-to-malware-allegations-claims-to-be-only-getting-in-early/ AVG responds to malware allegations, claims to be only getting in early | WMPoweruser

    [...] Read his full post here. [...]

  • Guest

    You have not responded to the key findings against your application. I will assume that it is because you cannot.

    1. Why is your app violating the Windows Phone certification guidelines in respect to GeoLocation? Microsoft would have never approved you stealing user GeoLocation on startup. That is a blatent backstabbing in the implicit trust WP7 end-users gave you.

    2. Why does your anti-virus only perform filename based search? If you truly expected real viruses on WP7, wouldn\’t you build a a minimally adequate anti-virus?

    3. Why ship a scareware app that serves no other purpose than misleading the general public? Isn\’t this all just an exercise in AVG trying to fear-monger in order to promote it\’s own commercial objectives?

    Sincerely,
    – Justin Angel

  • Guest

    I would like to know if you have collected and stored my Live ID email address without my permission and consent. According to the leaked source code you did.

  • Guest

    \’All of the data we collect is used solely to offer users an exceptional security service with state-of-the-art GPS tracking.\’ what does that mean?

  • http://usefulref.co.uk/info/2011/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | Useful Reference

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • http://99dzh.com/?p=8737 Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace » 99dzh

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • http://ittechblog.pl/2011/09/09/jak-sledzic-uzytkownikow-wp7-za-darmo-podrzucic-im-antywirusa-tak-jak-avg/ Jak śledzić użytkowników WP7 za darmo? Podrzucić im antywirusa – tak jak AVG | Blog IT – ittechblog.pl

    [...] Marketplace’u i robiło co­kol­wiek wbrew woli użyt­kow­ni­ków systemu WP7. Jak napisano na blogu AVG, po pierwsze „dane są gro­ma­dzone tylko w celach bez­pie­czeń­stwa” (ależ głupota), [...]

  • http://a3rn.co.uk/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | A3RN.com

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • http://www.up2datenews.com/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | Up2dateNews

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • http://tryout.kbg-custom-hosting.net/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | TryOutBlog

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • Guest

    Any joe blow can be \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\”trained by Microsoft\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\” there are a number of developer programs out there. Being \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\”trained by Microsoft\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\” doesn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’t necessarily mean that you were working in a close intimate atmosphere with top developers at MS. Additionally, everyone provides their software to MSFT for review – its called certification, and its a process carried out by a vendor team, likely in Asia somewhere. The blog post is very deceiving, and am very pleased your app was removed.

  • http://www.wp7connect.com/2011/09/09/avg-responds-to-claims-that-their-security-app-is-spyware/ AVG Responds to Claims That Their Security App is Spyware | WP7 Connect

    [...] Safe Search Allowing you search the web avoiding malicious web sites Source: AVG [...]

  • http://www.itleader.info/2011/09/09/microsoft-yanks-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace-due-to-privacy-concerns/ Microsoft Yanks AVG App from Windows Phone Marketplace Due to Privacy Concerns – Information Technology Leader

    [...] “AVG believes that the Windows Phone 7 OS will continue to increase in popularity and, as it does, it will become a high value target for thieves and hackers. For this reason, we made a strategic decision to deliver a security product to this platform in its very early days – as we did with Android,” AVG stated in a blog post. [...]

  • http://www.windows-update.org/windows-phone-marketplace-boots-avg-app/ Windows Phone Marketplace boots AVG app | Windows Updates

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to criticism by saying that all of [...]

  • http://pcdigitaltech.com/2011/09/windows-phone-marketplace-boots-avg-app/ Windows Phone Marketplace boots AVG app | PC Digital Tech – Digital Tech News Magazine

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to criticism by saying that all of [...]

  • http://tavasardze.lv/?p=12046 Drošības Eksperti

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to the criticism by saying that all [...]

  • http://www.dailybinarynews.com/?p=6885 Privacy-violating, useless AVG antivirus app pulled from Windows Phone Marketplace

    [...] in spin done a extensive blog post in support of a product. However, a post is remarkably still about any of a allegations done of [...]

  • http://microsoftpowerpoint.org/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | Microsoft Powerpoint

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to criticism by saying that all of [...]

  • http://www.stopspamtips.com/windows-phone-marketplace-boots-avg-app/ Windows Phone Marketplace boots AVG app | Stop Spam Tips

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to criticism by saying that all of [...]

  • http://www.padbus.com/?p=1551 AVG responds to WP7 app criticism, accusations – 板车网 – 关于平板电脑,ipad,iphone,wp7,android,webOS,xoom

    [...] Fair enough. Honestly, at this point we don’t really believe AVG was being malicious here but rather perhaps a little naive. Still, we’ll wait for Microsoft to weigh in on the issue before coming to a final conclusion. Read the whole response here. [...]

  • http://www.stopspamtips.com/microsoft-removes-avg-app-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Microsoft removes AVG app from Windows Phone Marketplace | Stop Spam Tips

    [...] blog published today but apparently before Microsoft pulled the app, AVG responded to criticism by saying that all of [...]

  • http://com-freak.site90.net/253/avg-wij-bespioneren-windows-phone-gebruikers-niet/ AVG: wij bespioneren Windows Phone-gebruikers niet – Computer Freak

    [...] antivirusbedrijf zegt niet wat het doet met de data die de app verzamelt over gebruikers, maar bezweert dat het niet gebruik wordt om gebruikers te bespioneren, advertenties te personaliseren of geld te [...]

  • http://re-flow.nl/?p=351 Re-flow » AVG: wij bespioneren Windows Phone-gebruikers niet

    [...] antivirusbedrijf zegt niet wat het doet met de data die de app verzamelt over gebruikers, maar bezweert dat het niet gebruik wordt om gebruikers te bespioneren, advertenties te personaliseren of geld te [...]

  • http://www.mountainprophet.de/2011/09/10/avg-verarscht-die-nutzer-mit-antivirentool-fur-wp7/ AVG verarscht die Nutzer mit Antivirentool für WP7 » Mountain Prophet

    [...] Konsequenterweise hat Microsoft dieses Machwerk inzwischen aus dem Marktplatz geschmissen. Ein fußlahmer Erklärungsversuch von AVG findet sich im AVG Blog hier. [...]

  • http://jeffreyappel.site90.net/wordpress/2011/09/avg-bespioneert-windows-phone-gebruikers-niet/ TechNieuws TechNieuws AVG bespioneert Windows Phone-gebruikers niet

    [...] antivirusbedrijf zegt niet wat het doet met de data die de app verzamelt over gebruikers, maar bezweert dat het niet gebruik wordt om gebruikers te bespioneren, advertenties te personaliseren of [...]

  • http://tavasardze.lv/?p=12157 Drošības Eksperti

    [...] того, в AVG говорят, что Microsoft в курсе произошедшего, и AVG даже делали [...]

  • http://mmc-news.net/2011/09/11/privacy-violating-useless-avg-antivirus-app-pulled-from-windows-phone-marketplace/ Privacy-violating, useless AVG antivirus app pulled from Windows Phone Marketplace | MMC-NEWS

    [...] in turn made a lengthy blog post in support of its product. However, the post is remarkably quiet about any of the allegations made [...]

  • Guest

    There is no need for antiviruse sowftware on windows phone 7. The OS is closed enough to guarantee some level of security. Android and Windows phone are 2 totally different OS. Windows phone is much more secure. I don\’t see any need for an antiviruse software on WP at this stage. Never say never, but ios is secure, so can\’t see why WP which is also a closed OS won\’t stay secure too.

  • Guest

    Microsoft has decided to pull out your application from MarketPlace. I don\’t understand how is possible to work close to Microsoft and violate at same time Windows Phone 7 security policy?.

  • http://wp7.omobiloch.sk/2011/09/12/avg-reaguje-na-stiahnutie-%e2%80%9eantivirusu%e2%80%9c-z-marketplace-pri-vyvoji-vraj-pomahal-aj-microsoft/ AVG reaguje na stiahnutie „antivírusu“ z Marketplace, pri vývoji vraj pomáhal aj Microsoft

    [...] z Marketplace nenechala reakcia AVG na seba dlho čakať. Kompletnú si ju môžete prečítať na oficiálnom blogu AVG. Vyberáme z nej tie najdôležitejšie [...]

  • http://www.raymond.cc/forum/spyware-viruses/30097-privacy-violating-useless-avg-antivirus-app-pulled-from-windows-phone-marketplace.html#post257895 Privacy-violating, useless AVG antivirus app pulled from Windows Phone Marketplace

    [...] the application late last night, so that it could investigate fully. AVG in turn made a lengthy blog post in support of its product. However, the post is remarkably quiet about any of the allegations made [...]

  • http://forum.thewindowsclub.com/windows-phone/33192-microsoft-pulls-avg-antivirus-windows-phone-app-marketplace.html#post162305 Microsoft pulls AVG antivirus Windows Phone app from the Marketplace

    [...] "Update: AVG's response to community feedback regarding our Windows Phone 7 app" Update: AVG’s response to community feedback regarding our Windows Phone 7 app Reply With [...]


CONNECT WITH US:

AVG TWEETS
    POPULAR TOPICS