We’ve spoken a lot about the new look of the AVG 2013 range and the performance features which help keep systems running at top speed, it’s important to remember that AVG’s core concern, as it has always been, is about the security and privacy of our users. This applies to all of our products, and not just the paid ones.

Listed below are just a number of features which have been specifically designed to keep you and all that you care for safer than ever before.

AVG Community Protection Network

By installing and using any AVG product you instantly become part of a global community of 128 million users that shares and cooperates to ensure its own safety.

When you or any other member of the AVG Community Protection Network encounter a new threat, the new definition is sent out across the entire network so that our users computers are armed and ready to tackle the emerging malware.

We think this is a great way to stay on top of the ever changing face of malware and to ensure that everyone in our AVG community is protected.

AVG LinkScanner - Surf-Shield

Another feature available to all of our users, free or paid, AVG LinkScanner® Surf-Shield can be an invaluable companion when out surfing the wild, wild web.

LinkScanner works by scanning the destination of a link before you get there. Crucially this will prevent your system becoming infected by preventing the loading of a malicious page.

LinkScanner is even available online for when you’re out and about in an internet cafe and don’t have AVG available.

AVG Online Shield^TM

Much like AVG LinkScanner but for downloadable files, AVG Online Shield thoroughly checks any file before you download it so that you can be sure that it won’t pose a threat once it’s on your system.

AVG Online Shield doesn’t only scan downloads for malware, it also includes files which being exchanged by two users. If you’ve even sent or received a file on MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ or even Skype then you could benefit from AVG Online Shield.

AVG Enhanced Firewall 

If you shop, bank or store other sensitive information online then the AVG Enhanced Firewall will be a great tool to help protect your personal information.

Available for AVG Internet Security and Premium Security users, the Enhanced Firewall blocks hackers attempting to access the private data stored on your PC and should you get infected, stops malware on your system from spreading to other systems.

The AVG Enhanced Firewall works on both wired and wireless networks.

AVG Identity Alert

We use the internet for pretty much everything these days, including weekly shopping, booking flights, filing tax returns, Christmas shopping, or finding matches on online dating services.

It doesn’t take a computer expert to realize that with each website we interact with and log in to, our digital footprint is growing. This isn’t necessarily a problem but you always want to be in control of what information you share with the web and protect the information that you don’t.

AVG’s Identity Alert lets you do just that by actively searching the Internet for unauthorized trading or selling of your personal information.

Should AVG Identity Alert discover misuse of your email address, phone number or credit cards and instantly alerts you.

For more information about the range of AVG 2013 products check out the AVG Product Blog.