AVG Tech Scores Facebook Security Pact

AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG) is rising on news that it has announced a security partnership with Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ: FB). AVG claims some 128 million active users and it will now help to protect Facebook's global online community from the latest security threats by providing data from AVG LinkScanner. The aim is to help users avoid malicious web links posted by users on Facebook.

As a part of the deal, Facebook users have an option to download the latest AVG AntiVirus FREE 2013 product. This product "puts users in control of their Internet experience while offering great protection for social networking and other online activities. In addition, AVG's dynamic detection engine provides further protection by scanning links posted to Facebook in real-time to identify if any of the links are malicious. AVG users are unable to post such links that could infect their Facebook friends."

While the product is free, Facebook has more than 1 billion users and Facebook will be able to leverage the security provider's feed of malicious URLs to prevent users from navigating to harmful sites. AVG had previously revealed how Facebook is one of the large targets and that cybercriminals use spam messages and socially engineered tricks to try to get personal and financial data from unsuspecting individuals.

AVG did not disclose any financial terms but its 2011 revenues were $272.4 million versus $217.2 million in 2010. Shares are up 6% at $10.65 against a post-IPO trading range since February of $9.42 to $15.49.

JON C. OGG