Addendum to: Internet Security 2011 – Rush To Release Part IV

Two more internet security vendors have introduced their 2011 internet security solutions. Trend Micro is rebranding their consumer products with the introduction of their 2011 product line. The products are now Trend Micro Titanium AntiVirus, Trend Micro Titanium Internet Security and Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security. Symantec has also introduced their Norton 2011 product line: Norton Antivirus 2011, Norton Internet Security 2011, and their two Norton 360 version 4.0 products. AVG Technologies AVG 2011 product line? Not until the end of September, most likely.

Trend Micro Titanium

In an interview with ZDnet in 2008, Trend Micro’s Eva Chen said, “In the antivirus business, we have been lying to customers for 20 years. People thought that virus protection protected them, but we can never block all viruses…” “Trend Micro: Antivirus industry lied for 20 years “ http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/it-strategy/2008/06/30/trend-micro-antivirus-industry-lied-for-20-years-39440184/

With this release, Trend Micro is following through on their commitment to move security to the cloud.

From their web site: “ Trend Micro Titanium is powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ infrastructure, our cloud security infrastructure that stops threats in cyberspace or "the cloud." Smart Protection Network monitors the Internet 24/7, worldwide. It gathers and analyzes threat data, blocking viruses and other malware BEFORE they can reach your PC. And because processing is done in the cloud, Titanium uses less of your PC’s memory and disk space, so it won’t slow you down.”

PC Magazine’s Neil Rubenking gave Trend Micro Titanium Antivirus 2011 a score of 2 out of 5 finding it, “lightweight, attractive, and unobtrusive” but a little lacking on doing its job. http://www.pcmag.com/category2/0,2806,4796,00.asp

Trend Micro Titanium Maximum Security 2011 scored a more impressive 3.5 out of 5. Rubenking called the online backup system “stupendous”. Maximum Security offers a number of additional features over Internet Security including Automatic warning against suspicious links in email and IM, extending protection to smart phones, and backup and sync. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368601,00.asp

Trend Micro In Play? Calling Gordon Gekko

As an aside, an undisclosed company has supposedly put an offer in for Trend Micro “Trend Micro Shares Jump” http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6880U620100909 No companies were mentioned by name. A CRN slide presentation included the recommendation that Oracle acquire Trend Micro. “Hurd's Top Five Oracle Acquisition Target Hit-List” http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/channel-programs/227300309/hurds-top-five-oracle-acquisition-target-hit-list.htm?pgno=4

Norton Internet Security 2011, Norton Antivirus 2011

Symantec’s messaging for their 2011 product line - Fast protection that does more to stop viruses and spyware. Powerful, fast protection to email, shop and bank online without worry. Ultimate protection, performance and peace of mind against digital dangers.

Norton Internet Security 2011 and Norton 360 both received 4.5 out of 5 from Rubenking. Internet Security received Editor’s Choice. Rubenking cited its new interactive security panel and found the product to be an improvement over last year’s “already excellent” protection. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368876,00.asp

Norton Antivirus 2011 also received an Editors’ Choice designation. The reviewer called Norton Antivirus 2011 a “top-notch antivirus with impressive bonuses” http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2368768,00.asp

2011 Internet Security Solutions Released

The below lines contain feature checklists for a number of each of the company's products.

• BitDefender Total Security 2011 was released around August 16. For product details - http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/total-security.
• Kaspersky - Kaspersky announced Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 on August 16 For product details -http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/compare/
• Panda Security – Panda Internet Security Suite 2011 was announced on July 27. For product details - http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/
• Webroot - Webroot Internet Security Complete 2011 was announced on July 26. For product details http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-compare.html
• Symantec – Symantec introduced their Norton consumer security solutions in early September. For product details: http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/charts/comparison.jsp?pcid=mp
• Trend Micro - Trend Micro introduced their Titanium product line in early September. For product details: http:// Trend us.trendmicro.com/us/products/personal/titanium-maximum-security/ and click on “product comparison”

2011 Internet Security Solutions That Haven’t Been Released

• AVG – Should be releasing the AVG 2011 product line around September 29. AVG Threat Labs should be coming out of beta at the same time.
• McAfee – No official release date has been announced for the next release of McAfee Total Protection.
• Avast – No official release date has been announced.
• Avira – No official release data has been announced.

According to a comment on an executive blog on the AVG Technologies web site, the next release of AVG’s product line should be out of beta and occur around the end of September. “We expect to launch the full consumer version of AVG’s Threat Labs in late September coinciding with our launch of AVG 2011.” This product line will be known as AVG 2011.
http://jrsmith.blog.avg.com/2010/09/avg-threat-labs-an-exciting-new-threat-informational-portal.html This release may occur before AVG Technologies completes their Initial Public Offering (IPO).

AVG Technologies’ Initial Public Offering (IPO)

AVG Technologies has not announced when they will have their initial public offering on the London (UK) exchange. It may now take place on the Warsaw exchange and one other, in fact. For more information on this, go to
"AVG Technologies Prepares To Go Public" http://kensek.blogspot.com/2010/07/avg-technologies-prepares-to-go-public.html

The August 13 issue of the IFR European ECM Briefing mentions the IPO taking place in Q3/Q4. They listed the estimated capitalization in the range of US $300m-400m. http://www.ifrbriefings.com/examples/euro_ecm.pdf

Look for a flurry of consumer internet security product announcements over the next several weeks.

AVAST at 130 Million Users?

AVAST Software gained its 130 millionth user at 7:52:52 (Central European Time) on September 7 according to a September 14 press release. http://www.avast.com/pr-avast-software-crosses-the-130-million-user-threshold

Avast is now claiming that they are the world’s most popular antivirus program in three categories: the size of its registered user base, its growth in the number of users during 2010, and in the high level of referrals from users.

AVG is claiming more 110 million active users on their website http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-company-profile. They have mentioned 130 million on their site, as well, and in the press. The two companies may be defining “active” differently.

AVAST also seems to have “Pirate English” as an option for individuals licensing their software.