Internet Security 2013 Beta

Below are a handful of links to beta sites for those who are interested in looking at Internet Security 2013 or Antivirus 2013 beta. Some of the below are just general signups or may not have beta available.  I haven't included any websites that aren't the vendors' site. Writing about beta won’t be a topic on this blog.  Under the hood activity.

Kaspersky - http://www.kaspersky.com/downloads/beta_testing

F-Secure - http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/labs_global/beta-programs/internet-security-technology-preview

Norton - http://us.norton.com/beta/overview/norton-2013

Trend Micro -   http://beta.trendmicro.com/en/46987/english/beta-2-is.aspx

Avira -   https://betacenter.avira.com/signup/

AVG Technologies -   http://www.avg.com/us-en/beta-program

Panda - http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/downloads/beta

Sophos -  http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/beta.aspx

Webroot - http://community.webroot.com/t5/Mobile-Betas/Beta-Signup/td-p/4713  mobile beta

Symantec -  https://symbeta.symantec.com/signup/default.html  general signup

ESET -   http://www.eset.com/us/beta/

Bullguard -  https://beta.bullguard.com/signup/

Happy beta testing.  

McAfee Total Protection 5.0 Beta –McAfee Beta

McAfee has McAfee Protection 5.0 still in beta. You can learn more about the product and register to download at http://beta.mcafee.com/betamcafee

What's New With McAfee Total Protection?

• Improved Threat Detection:
• CleanBoot Tool:
• McAfee Anti Theft
• Improved Performance:
• MTP installation time has been reduced
• Improved On Demand Scan (ODS) performance.
• Home Network offer a larger list of Devices to identify on its drop-down list. Devices such as; Network Switches, PDA's, Smart Phones are now available to choose from.
• Parental Controls accumulate statistics in a Security Report
• Parental Controls now offers Improved Time Restriction capabilities
• Online Demand Scans now prompt the user to scan external drives
• Quickclean/Shredder now includes additional options when cleaning up files
• Improved key-logger protection

With respect to last year's McAfee Total Protection

McAfee didn't participate in AV-Comparative.org's May Retrospective test.

They did receive a VB100 award in the Virus Bulletin August Test http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/summary

Their solution came in next to last in av-comparative.org's "Whole Product Real World Dynamic Test" May-June http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/dyn/wpdt2011_1_en.pdf

They failed certification on av-test.org's q2 test http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/test-reports/quarter-22011/

Not a McStellar performance.

Oct. Update - Bullguard Internet Security 12 – Beta

Bullguard has now been released. To see where it ranks among the other Internet Security suites in PC Magazine:

http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-antivirus-software-2012-pc.html

To go to the PC Magazine review:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2394166,00.asp#

Bullguard currently has Bullguard Internet Security 12 in beta. Features being promoted within Bullguard Internet Security Suite 12 (they’re skipping 11) during beta testing include:

• Parental Control
• PC Tune up
• Improved Behavioral Detection
• Improved Firewall
• Improved Spamfilter
• Improved General Performance
• New and improved UI

You can obtain more information and register as a beta customer at http://www.bullguard.com/beta/Signup.aspx?c=IS12

How Has Bullguard Internet Security 10 Performed?

• Bullguard is 9 and 2 in the last 11 Virus Bulletin tests they’ve entered since 2007 http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=48
• Bullguard Internet Security Suite 10 received certification Q2 2011 certification on Windows XP from AV-test.org http://www.av-test.org/certifications
• Bullguard Internet Security Suite 10 received 2.5 stars (ouch) in an October review by PC Magazine’s Neil Rubenking http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372100,00.asp Two other products received this score
• They were one of the top performers in the Virus Bulletin VB RAP tests, December 2010 through June 2011with the top score in proactive detection http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/rap-index.xml
• Bullguard was not part of av-comparative.org’s testing

Some Other Products Also in Beta

• Kaspersky currently has Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 in beta at http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/all?more=1&qid=208284251
• Webroot has Webroot Cloud Antivirus in beta at http://www.webroot.com/customerSupport/betaRegistration.php
• F-Secure currently has F-Secure Internet Security 2012 in beta at http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/beta-programs/home-users-beta/IS2012beta/
• Trend Micro Maximum Security 2012 and others at https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main
• Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp
• BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Panda Global Protection 2012

In brief, PC Magazine’s Neil Rubenking was disappointed with Panda Global Protection 2012. It received 2.5 stars out of 5. According to Rubenking: (a) in malware removal, malware blocking, antiphishing, and antispam tests it scored lower than the 2011 edition. Its backup and cleanup modules don't come close to the top competition. (b) a number of its nominal components are actually available for free without purchase of the suite. (c) the 2012 suite impacts system performance more than its predecessor. For the comprehensive review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2386220,00.asp

Sophos Endpoint Security and Control 10 – Sophos Beta

Sophos currently has their Sophos Endpoint Security and Control 10 offering in beta. Improvements in the product they’re promoting include:

Sophos Endpoint Security Endpoint and Control

• New technologies that will improve scanning performance and web-based malware detection rates. Provide the ability to filter inappropriate websites whether your users are on or off your network
• Boost performance, which results in faster boot-up scanning and improved malware detection accuracy
• Enhance web-based malware protection with browser independent scanning
• Identify computers missing patches for vulnerabilities being exploited by the latest threats

How Has Sophos Been Performing in Tests

They are 9/10 in the last Virus Bulletin VB100 Awards tests they have been participating g in http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=1

Scored just below 90% in Reactive Detection and about 80% for Proactive Detection in Virus Bulletin’s December 2010 – June 2011 RAP Test http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/rap-index.xml

Was certified in Q1 2011 on Windows 7 by AV-test.org http://www.av-test.org/certifications

Received an Advanced Rating (2 stars) in AV-comparatives.org On-demand Detection of Malicious Software in February http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_od_feb2011.pdf . This was out of 3 stars. They were not at the top among the two star recipients.

For more information or to download the beta, go to http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/beta.aspx

Sophos is a B2B focused company, though they do offer a free download for Mac products. They’ve invested internally in “the cloud” offering solutions for live antivirus, URL filtering, and spam filtering technologies.

Early in July, Sophos completed their acquisition of Astaro, which has allowed them to broaden their internet security portfolio and buy some market share. http://www.sophos.com/en-us/press-office/press-releases/2011/07/sophos-broadens-security-portfolio-with-completion-of-astaro-acquisition.aspx

Sophos had sold a majority stake of the company to Apax Partners for $830 million last year http://kensek.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-year-of-security-acquisitions.html Funds like this can help finance a lot of purchases. If you’re not going IPO (initial public offering), this is another way to get cash.

The usual suspects, McAfee, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, G Data, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months

Also in Beta (Consumer Products)

• Webroot has Webroot Cloud Antivirus in beta at http://www.webroot.com/customerSupport/betaRegistration.php
• F-Secure currently has F-Secure Internet Security 2012 in beta at http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/beta-programs/home-users-beta/IS2012beta/
• Trend Micro Maximum Security 2012 and others at https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main
• Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp
• BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 – Kaspersky Beta

Kaspersky currently has Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 in beta. You can learn more about the product and register to download at http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/all?more=1&qid=208284251

Features Being Promoted in Kaspersky Internet Security 2012

• File security detection. A function to define the file security before starting work with it has been added
• Technologies of rootkit detection (rootkit is a program designed to hide the fact of system infection) has been improved
• Protection against unknown threats has been improved with the help of System Watcher
• Protection against phishing has been improved: information about the availability of a particular resource is first checked in the local database of phishing websites stored on Kaspersky Lab servers. Next, a request is sent to the “cloud” (Kaspersky Security Network). If there is no information in the two sources, heuristic analysis is carried out
• The URL Advisor module has been enhanced.
• The application’s efficiency has been improved and its impact on the computer’s performance has been reduced
• The impact of the application on the system performance has been optimized for the most common online user scenarios: watching movies (including high-resolution (HDTV)), listening to the radio, searching and browsing websites, making calls via VoIP (Skype and etc.), online games and etc
• Touch-screen support added
• The interface of Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 has been considerably re-designed

The list above is not comprehensive.

Good article about how Kaspersky has been growing over the past year and is rapidly closing in on Trend Micro to become the number 3 “800 pound” gorilla. “Kaspersky Signs Monster Enterprise Deal”. View Larry Walsh’s Channelnomics blog about this on http://channelnomics.com/2011/06/02/kaspersky-signs-monster-enterprise-deal/

Makes for a good read while sitting in cafes in Prague, Amsterdam, and Silicon Valley.

How Was Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 Viewed?

PC Magazine gave Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 4.0 stars http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html
Seth Rosenblatt and CNET’s readers gave the product 4.5 stars http://download.cnet.com/Kaspersky-Internet-Security/3000-18510_4-10012072.html?tag=mncol;6
VB100 Awards – 7 out of 8 since December 2009 http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=74
www.av-test.org Certified on Windows 7 in Q1 http://www.av-test.org/certifications.php
www.av-comparatives.org The antivirus product was one of only two to receive 3 stars (highest rating) in the May Retrospective Test http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_retro_may2011.pdf

The usual suspects, McAfee, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, G Data, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months

Also in Beta

• Webroot has Webroot Cloud Antivirus in beta at http://www.webroot.com/customerSupport/betaRegistration.php
• F-Secure currently has F-Secure Internet Security 2012 in beta at http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/beta-programs/home-users-beta/IS2012beta/
• Trend Micro Maximum Security 2012 and others at https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main
• Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp
• BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Webroot Cloud Antivirus 2012 – Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus Released – Their Beta Agreement

October 4 addendum - Webroot has finally come out with 2012 product. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus received 4.5 stars in its recent PC Magazine review. It tied for Editors' Choice with Norton Antivirus 2012 from PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking. The review was posted October 4. Go to the following link for the review:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393678,00.asp

Go to the link below for PC Magazine's rankings of the Antivirus 2012 products reviewed to date.

http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-antivirus-software-2012-pc.html

Original Post

Webroot currently has Webroot Cloud Antivirus in beta. You can learn more about the product and register to download at http://www.webroot.com/customerSupport/betaRegistration.php


Webroot is playing it close to the vest about the product. Below are their “we’re no fun” paragraphs in the licensing agreement.


The Beta Software and all information provided by Webroot about the Beta Software is confidential information of Webroot ("Confidential Information"). You will not disclose Confidential Information to any third party or use Confidential Information for any purpose other than as expressly permitted in this Agreement. You agree that You will treat all Confidential Information with the same degree of care as You accord to Your own confidential information, which in no event will be less than reasonable care.


You will not disclose the existence of this Agreement, the existence, features, or capabilities of the Beta Software, or any of the activities pursued hereunder, without Webroot's prior written consent.


What was it Shakespeare wrote about lawyers?

The usual suspects, McAfee, Avast, Avira, G Data, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months.

Also in Beta

• F-Secure currently has F-Secure Internet Security 2012 in beta at http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/beta-programs/home-users-beta/IS2012beta/
• Trend Micro Maximum Security 2012 and others at https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main
• Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp
• BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Addendum, July 21 - AV-Comparatives Whole Product Real World Dynamic Test

Webroot may need to look at their scanning engine following the results of AV-Comparatives Whole Product Real World Dynamic Test, March through June. Webroot's product rated "tested" http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/dyn/wpdt2011_1_en.pdf

To see how PC Magazine has ranked some of the latest releases of best Internet Security 2012 suites, go to http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-internet-security-suites-2012-pc.html . To see ratings of 20 best Internet Security 2011 suites, go to http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html

F-Secure Internet Security 2012 – F-Secure Beta

F-Secure currently has F-Secure Internet Security 2012 in beta. You can learn more about the product and register to download at http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA-Labs/beta-programs/home-users-beta/IS2012beta/

Enhancement’s Promoted in F-Secure Internet Security 2012

• Improved User Experience - Keyless installation All-new Launch pad
• Optimized for Mobile Broadband - Automatically optimizes the security solution’s mobile broadband usage within home network and abroad (roaming).
• All-new Online Safety - Browsing Protection, Web Filtering and Time Lock features are combined
• Best Protection - Renewed Deepguard, real-time protection network and other proactive methods provide protection against malware with sophisticated, multilayered protection.

One of the nice things about their 2011 Internet Security product was that they are in “the cloud”. The cloud-enabled antivirus has multiple scanning engines to help detect against harmful files and malicious content. Unlike a handful of competitors, F-Secure does not offer some free online storage as part of the package.

Third Party Testing - 2011 Product

PC Magazine – Internet Security 2011 received 3.0 stars out of 5 in PC Magazine’s review of the product http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html

Virus Bulletin – F-Secure received has VB100 awards in both June (Windows Server 2008) and April (Windows Server Professional) of this year http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=23

www.Av-test.org – Internet Security 2011 was certified on Windows 7 in Q1 receiving 5.5, 4.5, and 5.5 respectively for Protection, Repair, and Usability http://www.av-test.org/certifications.php

www.Av-comparatives.org – Internet Security 2011 received 2 stars and tied for 8 out of 12 in Av-comparative’s May “Retrospective Test (static detection of new/unknown malicious software”) http://www.av-comparatives.org/images/stories/test/ondret/avc_retro_may2011.pdf

The usual suspects, McAfee, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, Webroot, Kaspersky, G Data, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months.

Also in Beta

• Trend Micro Maximum Security 2012 and others at https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main
• Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp
• BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Titanium Maximum Security 2012 – Trend Micro Beta

Beta testing for internet security 2012 and antivirus 2012 solutions are rolling along. Trend Micro currently has three consumer products in beta, Titanium Maximum Security, Titanium Internet Security, and Titanium Antivirus. You can learn more about these, and register to download beta product at their beta portal. https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main

Consumer Products in Beta

# Titanium Maximum Security 5.0 EB 2
# Titanium Internet Security 5.0 EB 2
# Titanium Antivirus+ 5.0 EB 2

One of their differentiators over several of their competitors is that they use cloud technology to stop viruses and spyware.

Trend Micro is promoting the following features for their Titanium Internet Security beta (non of which can be described as new)

Antivirus, Antispyware, Anti-phishing, Web threat protection, Antispam, Data theft protection, Parental controls, and System tuner.

For their Titanium Maximum Security product, Trend Micro is promoting the following features (non of which can really be described as new)

Antivirus, Antispyware, Anti-phishing, Web threat protection, Antispam, Data theft protection, Parental controls, System tuner, Social networking security (Facebook, Twitter & more), Mobile protection (Android, iOS, Symbian & Windows), Secure erase/e-file shredder, Remote file lock, and 10 GB of secure online storage with sync & sharing.

Trend Micro Also Has a Dozen Business Products in Beta

* Threat Intelligence Manager 1.0
* Trend Micro Mobile Security 7.0
* SecureCloud 1.2
* Portal Protect 2.1
* Trend Micro Control Manager 5.5 Service Pack 1
* OfficeScan 10.6
* Intrusion Defense Firewall 1.5
* Deep Security 8.0 ETAP
* InterScan Web Security Virtual Appliance 5.5
* Advanced Reporting and Management for IWSx 1.5
* ScanMail for Exchange 10.2
* InterScan Messaging Security Virtual Appliance 8.2

Third Party Testing

Trend Micro hasn’t participated in Virus Bulletin (www.virusbtn.com) VB100 testing since 2008 http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=3

Titanium Internet Security 2011 received certification from av-test.org, scoring 3.5, 3.5, and 5.5 out of 6.0 for protection, repair, and usability. http://www.av-test.org/certifications.php This was for the Q1 2011 test using Windows 7.

Trend Micro did not participate in av-comparatives.org’s latest testing. www.av-comparatives.org

Titanium Maximum Security 2011 scored 3.5 out of 5.0 (tied for seventh out of 20) in PC Magazine testing. http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html

Trend Micro Titanium AV scored poorly with PC Magazine with 2.0 out of 5.0. http://kensek.blogspot.com/2010/11/best-antivirus-software-for-2011-pc.html . Webroot AV with Spysweeper topped all products with 4.5 out of 5.0.

The usual suspects, McAfee, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, Webroot, Kaspersky, G Data, F-Secure, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months.

It'll be interesting to see if any of the vendors come out with anything completely new in their feature set or whether the focus will be on filling perceived gaps versus their competitors.

Also in Beta

Norton Internet Security 2012 and Anti-Virus 2012 beta http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp

BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Internet Security 2012 – Norton Beta

Norton Internet Security 2012 and Norton Anti-Virus 2012 are in beta. Those internet security 2012 and anti-virus 2012 beta are starting to pick up.

Norton (Symantec) regarding their Internet Security 2012 and Anti-virus 2012 betas

• Fastest performance ever
• Industry-leading protection
• Easier to use Control Center and features

Other features promoted in Norton Internet Security 2012

• 4 layers of protection
• Customizable Control Center
• Identity Safe alerts have moved to the Norton Toolbar
• Bandwidth management
• Download Insight 2.0 tells how stable a download is before computer is put at risk

PC Magazine gave Norton Anti-Virus 2011 3.5 stars out of 5.0. They gave Norton Internet Security Suite 4.5 stars out of 5.0 http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html.

Symantec is 8 for 10 in the last VB100 evaluations they’ve been in. http://www.virusbtn.com/vb100/archive/vendor?id=4 . Their 2011 internet security suite received Q1 2011 certification from av-test.org http://www.av-test.org/certifications.php

To check out Norton Internet Security 2012 beta or Anti-Virus 2012 beta, go to http://us.norton.com/beta/index.jsp

The usual suspects, McAfee, Trend Micro, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, Webroot, Kaspersky, G Data, F-Secure, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months.

Also in Beta

BitDefender Total Security 2012 http://beta2012.bitdefender.com

Internet Security 2012 – BitDefender Beta

Start your internet security, antivirus, malware engines. BitDefender has released Beta2 for Internet Security 2012.

Enhancements include: Autopilot, Scan Dispatcher, Rescue Mode, Online Backup (improved), Integrated Cloud Services, Social Networking Protection, File Sync, Flexible interface, and Streamlined installation. http://beta2012.bitdefender.com/ for complete information.

New Feature - An enhancement to a product that the customer likes and/or can use.

Bloatware – An enhancement to a product the customer does not like or cannot use.

Streamlined installation - This is kind of an annual. Vendors can announce this every year.

Rescue mode – Different vendors have different spins on implementing this.

Online backup – This has become a checklist feature. It’s either included with the product, with more memory available for a few dollars more, or is introduced as a separate (free) product that can be upgraded.

The usual suspects, McAfee, Trend Micro, Panda, Avast, Avira, AVG Technologies, Webroot, Kaspersky, G Data, F-Secure, eScan, among others, will be announcing their betas over the coming months. To view PC Magazine’s take on the best Internet Security suites of 2011, go to http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-internet-security-suites-2011-pc.html . For PC World’s view of the Internet Security 2011 universe, go to http://kensek.blogspot.com/2011/02/pc-world-pc-magazine-and-aboutcom.html

Download the product, find a wifi connection while having something to eat around Claude Debussylaan and put BitDefender beta through its paces.

AVG 2011 – Available September 29 - Rush to Release – Part III

According to a comment on an executive blog on the AVG Technologies web site, the next release of AVG’s product line should occur be around the end of September. This would be version 10.0 (AVG 2011, AVG Internet Security 10.0?). AVG’s last major release was version 9.0. This release occurred over a period of several weeks beginning in late September 2009. This release may occur before AVG Technologies completes their Initial Public Offering (IPO).

September 28 addendum - AVG 2011 should be available September 29.

According to the blog, which focused on AVG Threat Labs (currently in beta) offering, “We expect to launch the full consumer version of AVG’s Threat Labs in late September coinciding with our launch of AVG 2011.”
http://jrsmith.blog.avg.com/2010/09/avg-threat-labs-an-exciting-new-threat-informational-portal.html

There are some YouTube video reviews of AVG 2011. For those interested, the following link contains a fairly long list of under the hood improvements to AVG 2011. http://www.mostiwant.com/blog/avg-internet-security-2011-beta/

2011 Internet Security Solutions Released

• 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

2011 Internet Security Solutions That Haven’t Been Released

• Trend Micro – should be releasing their next generation of Internet Security solutions before the middle of September.
• Symantec – No official release date has been announced for Norton Internet Security 2011.
• 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.

AVG Threat Labs – Currently in Beta

According to the executive blog, “Threat Labs combines (this) data with consumer comments in a simple, easy-to-use website that explains clearly if a site that you wish to visit, or own, is safe or not and what people are saying about it."

AVG Threat Labs offers the same real time analysis as AVG’s LinkScanner®. It allows someone to enter a URL and find out whether or not that site is safe to visit. The individual can also view a brief 30 day site report on that particular website. http://www.avgthreatlabs.com/sitereports/. AVG Threat Labs should be out of beta near the end of September.

This ability to check a website without having LinkScanner installed is similar to what McAfee has been offering on their SiteAdvisor site for several years. Visitors enter a URL. They are then informed whether or not the site is safe to visit or contains some kind of dangerous malware. They can also view a report on the URL they have entered. http://www.siteadvisor.com/.

AVG Technologies’ Initial Public Offering (IPO)

There is no official date as to when AVG Technologies will have their initial public offering on the London (UK) exchange. For more information, 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 doesn't provide a lot additional detail about the upcoming IPO. AVG Technologies is mentioned as being in the Q3/Q4 pipeline with an estimated value of US $300m-400m. http://www.ifrbriefings.com/examples/euro_ecm.pdf This came out before Intel's offer to acquire McAfee.

The market for security companies appears to be hot. McAfee accepted an offer to be acquired by Intel for a premium of 60% over the previous day’s closing price on August 18. http://newsroom.mcafee.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=3678.

Arcsight put the company up for sale on August 26 and the stock price immediately increased around $7 per share. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67P4X720100826

In August, growth equity investor Summit Partners invested $100 million for a minority stake in Avast Software http://www.avast.com/pr-growth-equity-investor-summit-partners-invests-100-million-in-avast-software. Avast and AVG Technologies both have a total installed base of over 110 (130?) million seats. Avast typically comes in a relatively close second to AVG Technologies on the CNET download site for free antivirus software. Avir typically comes in third.

Look for Norton Internet Security 2011 to be released sometime during September.

Internet Security 2011 – Rush to Release Part II

Two additional Internet Security providers have joined Panda Security and Webroot with their Internet Security 2011 solutions. BitDefender and Kaspersky. Internet Security providers typically have their consumer products released by the end of the third quarter.

Leading the Internet Security 2011 Pack - Panda, Webroot, Kaspersky, and BitDefender

• BitDefender Total Security 2011 was released around August 16. BitDefender AntiVirus Pro 2011 and BitDefender Internet Security 2011 were also released. Enhancements in Total Security 2011 include: enhanced detection, QuickScan, Search Advisor, Smart Scan, Enhanced Game and Laptop Modes, an Adaptive design user interface, Dashboard Shortcuts, and Smart Tips. You can learn more about what’s new at http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/total-security.html . A review of the product by PC Magazine's Neil Rubenking is at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2367844,00.asp
• Kaspersky announced Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 on August 16, as well. They’ve strengthened their real-time protection story. New in the product is Kaspersky Desktop Gadget, System Watcher, Geo Filter, Safe Surf, Safe Desktop (similar to a sandbox), communication protection via IM or Social Networks, and Online Controls, There have also put in new proactive anti-phishing protection, advanced parental controls, and built in rescue disk. You can compare their Anti-Virus 2011 and Internet Security 2011 products at http://usa.kaspersky.com/products_services/compare/. A review of the product by PC Magazine’s Neil Rubenking is at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2367794,00.asp
• Panda Security – Panda Internet Security Suite 2011 has been out the door for several weeks. Some of the new features, depending on the product include: Secure Browser, PC Remote Access, File Encryption, and File Shredding. You can compare their home user products at http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/solutions/
• Webroot - Webroot Internet Security Complete 2011 has been out the door for several weeks. You can compare their home user products at http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-compare.html

The 800 Pound Gorillas

Both McAfee and Symantec were trading near 52 week lows on their respective stock exchanges (as of August 17). Intel has since acquired McAfee.

• McAfee - Total Protection is available in public beta. http://beta.mcafee.com/betamcafee/Home.aspx?cookieCheck=true
• Symantec - Norton Internet Security 2011 is in public beta. Features/benefits they’re promoting – Norton Download Insight, Safe Web, Faster and Lighter, Proactive Performance Alerts, and New Rescue tools. http://www.symantec.com/norton/beta/
• Trend Micro – Their Syncsort product is in beta but not their security suite. https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main

Others in Beta

AVG Technologies has made no announcement as to the exact date their Initial Public Offering (IPO) will occur on the London (UK) exchange. Going public first followed by a positively reviewed and received product could provide a positive uptick in the stock price. For more on this, go to http://kensek.blogspot.com/2010/07/avg-technologies-prepares-to-go-public.html

• AVG Technologies – AVG Internet Security 10.0 (assuming this is the name) is in public beta. From their beta site - the publishing of any information on AVG Beta testing is subjected (sic) to AVG approval. http://www.avg.com/us-en/29571
• ESET – Their Mac AV product and a mobile security product. http://beta.eset.com/
• F-Secure – A public beta of F-Secure Internet Security 2011 is available. Enhancements in 2011 will include (as described on their beta site):

- Easier and faster to use -- Based on multiple usability studies, the user interface of IS 2011 has been improved, giving easy access to the most important tasks and features.
- Reliable protection -- Automated malware removal logic has been taken to a new level by utilizing prevalence information from F-Secure cloud services
- Easier to take into use
http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA/downloads/beta-programs/home-office/is2011beta/registration.html.

Look for more releases and reviews in the coming weeks. Bragging rights and lines of online content are at stake.

Internet Security 2011 - The Rush to Release

August means a few things. Some nations east of the pond shut down for summer vacation. The NFL is in the midst of training camp. The Perseids meteror shower. Internet security suite providers rush to finish beta and release their Internet Security 2011 and Antivirus products before Q4. Laggards in the rush to release may not make it into the print edition of Internet Security round-ups that have early deadlines. They may find that buying decisions are being made using a 2010 review with people comparing 2010 product reviews to a competitor's 2011 release and current review.

Look for publications like PC Magazine (Rubenking), PC World (Mediati, others?), and PCPro (Graham-Smith) to get reviews of the 2011 Internet Security suites into their review queue once the products are released. Computerworld may take a little while longer since they reviewed 9 2010 suites in July “9 security suites: maximum protection, minimum fuss”. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9179499/9_security_suites_maximum_protection_minimum_fuss_ .

Below is the status of where some of the major security vendors are with respect to their consumer 2011 offerings (as of August 6). The list isn’t exhaustive. Sophos is business focused security play, so they’re not included below. Where a public beta is available, individuals should be able to register and download product.

Internet Security 2011 Shipping

• Panda Security – Panda Internet Security Suite 2011 is released! http://www.pandasecurity.com/usa/homeusers/ Germany based AV-Test has tested the product.
• Webroot - Webroot Internet Security Complete 2011 is released! http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer.html It has already been reviewed by PC Magazine.

The 800 Pound Gorillas - Beta

• McAfee - Total Protection is available in public beta. http://beta.mcafee.com/betamcafee/Home.aspx?cookieCheck=true
• Symantec - Norton Internet Security 2011 suite is in public beta. http://www.symantec.com/norton/beta/
• Trend Micro – Their Syncsort product is in beta but not their security suite. https://www.trendbeta.com/pages/main

Others in Beta

• AVG Technologies – Consumer security suite is in public beta. http://www.avg.com/us-en/29571
• BitDefender - BitDefender has a pair of consumer products available in public beta. http://beta.bitdefender.com/
• ESET – Their Mac AV product and a mobile security product. http://beta.eset.com/
• F-Secure – A public beta of F-Secure Internet Security 2011 is available. http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA/downloads/beta-programs/home-office/is2011beta/registration.html

No Beta Available?

• Avast - ????
• Avira – No products are available in their current beta program.
• Kaspersky - No public beta for their consumer product seems to be available. PC Pro seems to have reviewed 2011 but the product isn't on Kasperky's web site.
• ZoneAlarm – Only their free firewall.

What New Will Be In 2011 Internet Security Suites?

It will vary. Some of the above sites will have you agree to not publish any information about the beta before you can download the software. For competitive reasons, internet security providers are under pressure to incorporate new features. At the same time, industry pundits are complaining about bloat ware. Some surveys are showing that many are people are satisfied with basic protection. There’s a perception that any slowing down of a PC/laptop is due to the security software. Avira, Avast, AVG Technologies, and PC Tools (owned by Symantec) provide free basic protection and then encourage you to upgrade to a more comprehensive solution. Also, look for internet security vendors not stressing new functionality to promote things like: improved detection, smaller footprints, faster scanning time (though you can always schedule scans when you're aware from your laptop), and other under the hood enhancements.

For those interested in learning what constitutes test best practices, go to the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO) web site. www.amtso.org