Safe Internet surfing
The potential dangers of Internet are not limited to viruses transmitted via e-mail or Trojans hidden inside suspicious programs. They can be also on any website you visit.
To avoid being infected by online spyware or fall under an unexpected phishing attack, you can use AVG LinkScanner. This security tool is actually one more component of the AVG Antivirus software, only that you can now install and use it as an independent, standalone app.
AVG LinkScanner analyzes websites before you open them and blocks you out if it finds any sign of potential danger. It can also detect phishing scams and stop the installation of fake plug-ins from untrusted websites. The program offers to install its own toolbar on your browser (either Firefox or Internet Explorer) but it's not really necessary, as it only includes a couple of buttons and a Yahoo!-branded search field.
AVG LinkScanner scans websites, links and search results in real time, and I must say it runs very smoothly. It doesn't hog resources nor slow down your browsing speed. It works fine along with other security tools, though it's obviously not a replacement for your antivirus or firewall.
The only thing I didn't like about AVG LinkScanner is that it's overly linked to Yahoo! search. Either if you say no to using the Yahoo! search engine – which is offered during the installation – you still have it on the toolbar.
With AVG LinkScanner you can be sure you're safely browsing the Web, away from phishing attacks, spyware and other online threats.
User reviews about AVG LinkScanner
by Anonymous
Slows down search pages.
LinkScanner is okay for regular browsing, I guess, but it slows down search pages something awful--I'm guessing because, naturally, the page consists mostly of links. When I had it enabled, every time I googled something I ended up having to wait an excruciatingly long time for LinkScanner so the page could finish loading. I finally got fed up and disabled it. Instead I started using the WOT add-on for Firefox, which from my initial impression probably isn't quite as accurate, but which accomplishes essentially the same thing without slowing down searches much.
Pros:
It's not made by Symantec.
Tells you when a site is sketchy.
Cons:
Causes search pages to load with the lightning swiftness of a heavily sedated sloth in wet cement.
If you download it as a standalone application, it will infect your browser with Yahoo toolbar, the athlete's foot of the internet. More