MUMBAI: Internet service provider America Online has launched AOL Spyware Protection 2.0 (Asp 2.0). This is a multi-level package of spyware protection that includes four different scans - minute-to-minute, every 15 minutes, daily, and weekly.
Asp 2.0, powered by eTrust PestPatrol® Anti-Spyware technology from Computer Associates International provides one of the most comprehensive protection packages available and finds more than 28,000 known types of spyware, adware, keystroke loggers and trojan horses.
AOL Access business president Joe Redling said, "Spyware programmes are the snakes of the Internet. They creep silently onto a user’s computer and wrap themselves around everything on the machine, choking the computer and poisoning the online experience. Spyware and adware can cover your screen with unwanted pop-ups, steal your connection, change your preferences, slow your computer, redirect your Web navigation and searches, and even steal your personal information. AOL wants to protect its members from dangerous and damaging software. ASP 2.0 offers a powerful tool to help members keep their machines safe and clean.”
Provided to AOL members at no additional charge, ASP 2.0 helps users find and disable a wide range of security threats, nuisance software and Web tracking programs. ASP 2.0 offers four levels of protection against surveillance and advertising software:
Every approximately 60 seconds: An automatic memory scan looks for roughly 15,000 types of spyware and adware that may be running silently in memory (less often on slower computers);
Every 15 minutes: The AOL SpyZapper feature scans in less than a second for any new programs that have been downloaded or attempted to reinstall themselves;
Every day: Automatic “Quick Scan” takes just a few seconds to check for more than 28,000 known types of spyware and adware;
Every week: A “full drive scan” performs a thorough review of the user’s entire hard drive for all 28,000 known variants. Automatic updates help protect users against new threats as they emerge.
To further augment this protection, AOL and CA will launch updated versions later this year and early next year. The updates will feature an “always on” active shielding that blocks infections before they occur, neighborhood watch reporting, and a Web-based spyware encyclopedia that includes an elaborate description and discussion of detected programmes.
