The new AVG LinkScanner protects Windows users from invisible online threats.

It grants users an additional real-time layer of protection in addition to their regular ant-virus software. It works by looking at the web page behind a link or address and scanning it for threats. If any threat is perceived, the downloading of the page is stopped.

This also applies to search results from search engines. Instead of relying on previous information of a site being harmful, it scans results every time and develops safety analysis for all organic search results in addition to scanning links in Instant Messages and emails before they can be opened.

Each link receives individual ratings. Larger sites may be used to spread malware, in such a case AVG’s LinkScanner will block entire sites if even a few pages are found to be harmful. It works on any type of security software and not just AVG Scanner.

Protection is sought with the AVG neighborhood approach that secures sites rather than the entire Internet. The Live intelligence team has been focused in the area of growing threats through combined resources of a network of ‘hunting pots’ and a global team of expert human researchers.

An intelligent filter watches out for suspected threat distribution sites and mechanisms. The focus is on real world threat via an automated threat encounter feedback. The scanner collects all intelligence received through these channels and correlates it in real time. It additionally protects against all pop-ups while surfing the web or downloading files. Browsers Internet Explorer 6 onwards and Firefox 2 or later will also find compatibility with the anti-virus.

Like most AVG products, the LinkScanner will be available for free for use on personal computers. It will work on both Windows XP and Vista (32 and 64-bit).