Kaspersky Lab launches a new version of AntiViral Toolkit Pro

Kaspersky Lab, an international anti-virus software development company, announces the launch of a new version, 3.5, of its world famous, award-winning virus hunter, AntiViral Toolkit Pro (AVP). It is powered by numerous unique anti-virus technologies and features a new design of the main user interface.

"We are delighted to present version 3.5 of AVP, Kaspersky Lab's flagship anti-virus software product. We are confident that the new computer-virus fighting principles embedded in this product will make life even more secure, leaving viruses no chance to cause any harm to AVP users. We hope that soon the new AVP version will take up battle stations to guard home computers and corporate networks," said Natalya Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO.

From a technical point of view, the changes involve three main program components: a redesigned user interface, implementation of new anti-virus defence methods and advanced features for centralised deployment and management of anti-virus protection across a corporate network.

The most significant changes have been applied to the Network Control Centre - the core element for cost-effective, single-point deployment and management of anti-virus protection across a corporate network. In addition to the new interface, the program has gained several new features. Firstly, the ability for centralised deployment and "clean" installation of the AVP-family of products across the entire network on workstations (Windows 95/98/2000/NT Workstation), servers (Windows 2000/NT Server), mail gateways (Exchange Server), and firewalls (supporting CVP) from a single console regardless of location. To do this, a system administrator just has to select the target stations and product version, and then start the installation. This function not only work for Kaspersky Lab products, but also for any software that can be easily installed across a network. Network Control Centre now supports multithreaded deployment, which allows an unlimited number of AVP installations and that doesn't significantly affect your current network load. It supports up to 50 active installations at one time. When the first of these 50 installations is completed the program immediately initiates the next one.

Secondly, the improved event notification broadcasting system using MAPI and SMTP standards. Thirdly, extended features for viewing reports from all AVP-enabled PCs across the network. In addition, the Network Control Centre has been powered by a new fault-tolerant protection, which has significantly increased the program's operating stability.

In the new version of AntiViral Toolkit Pro (AVP), a new approach has been implemented towards the building of the user interface, which is based on the combination of the most advanced methods of data communication. Tree-Chart is a new universal technology for interactive data representation, that combines the advantages of the mathematical tree and traditional software management elements such as buttons, check-boxes, selectors etc.

Tree-Chart reflects the results of research into the psychological aspects of human behaviour. This was done by conducting of a comprehensive behavioural analysis and study of user preferences towards a user interface. As a result, Kaspersky Lab was able to accomplish a high definition, transparency and availability of settings, maximising the easiness and convenience of using the program.

"Probably some users would be confused by specific terms as the "mathematical tree" thinking it is something designed especially for technically-minded experts. However, we did a great job and made a universal user interface with a multi-level structure, which novices, advanced users and network administrators will find extremely useful and user-friendly. In general the program management is even easier than the previous AVP Lite," said Michael Kalinichenko, Kaspersky Lab CTO. The Tree-Chart features a two-level management system. Each level corresponds with the level of a user's computer skills: novice or advanced. This enables one to set up the most optimal control specifications appropriate to any user.

In the version 3.5 of AVP the Tree-Chart technology has been implemented only in 3 of a total 5 program components for Windows: the Internet anti-virus database update system, Control Centre and Network Control Centre. The other two components will be completely redesigned in the next AVP version 4.0 "Prague", which will be released in the first quarter of 2001.

Amongst the new anti-virus technologies that have been included into AVP are the well-known integrity checker AVP Inspector (to be bundled as a free add-on) and the advanced background script-virus interceptor AVP Script Checker. Thanks to the unique virus detection technique and built-in heuristic code analyser AVP is the only anti-virus, which is capable of repelling all the LoveLetter variants attacks without any additional updates to the anti-virus database.

AVP now features Rescue Kit - a new unique boot system, which allows you to restore your PC in the event that it has been completely disabled and has lost its boot ability as the result of a virus attack. The Rescue Kit creates a set of Linux-based bootable diskettes with pre-installed AVP for Linux. By default it supports all the most popular file systems such as FAT, FAT32, NTFS, HPFS, and EXT, while all competitive systems from other vendors normally support only the FAT files system. This enables you to perform a "clean boot" and effectively cure PCs simultaneously running DOS, Windows 3.xx, Windows 95/98/NT/2000, OS/2 or Linux.

AVP Rescue Kit is now a part of AVP Gold, AVP Platinum and AVP Corporate Suite and it doesn't increase their price!

The new AVP version is a symbolic "bridge" when moving towards a next-generation of breakthrough anti-virus technology to be presented in the next AVP version. In addition to the entirely redesigned user interface it will be powered by a brand-new next-generation security engine, built on a new approach to security architecture allowing portability to any computing platform. It will enable easy program adaptation even for PDAs, mobile phones, WAP gateways and smart home appliances. Furthermore, it will significantly boost the operating speed and increase the program stability when processing viruses and allow effective, fast connection of external modules for additional computer security and control, i.e. encryption, access control, content filtering etc. "It is the last word in computer security technology and we are proud that AVP users will be the first to experience its advantages in order to make their computing safe and easy," said Den Zenkin, Head of Corporate Communications for Kaspersky Lab.

Demo-versions of AntiViral Toolkit Pro (AVP) version 3.5 are available for downloading at Kaspersky Lab web site at www.kaspersky.com. Registered users of previous versions can upgrade to AVP 3.5 for free.