- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: July 05, 2009
- Total Downloads: 46,222
- Downloads last week: 831
- See full specifications
A newer version of AVG LinkScanner is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 84 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on April 20, 2009
AVG has resurrected LinkScanner as a free plug-in for Firefox and Internet Explorer. AVG Anti-Virus fans shouldn't fret, though; LinkScanner is still included in the AV suite. The new LinkScanner works much the same as the original one did. AVG's "Search Shield" returns search results from both Google and Yahoo with flags next to them. Green flags on Google indicate a result is safe to click through to, while Yahoo-safe results display no flags. This might have been a configuration error, although rebooting the browser didn't change the results. Links that are unsafe on both search engines will return red flags.
Hovering over a flag provides further details. Green flags show the IP address, the amount of time the scan took, and the date and time of the most recent scan. Red flags highlight the same information, as well as the risk category and the site name. Attempting to click through to a red-flagged page will take you to a warning screen that repeats most of the red-flag information--AVG calls this the "Active Surf-Shield." A small link at the bottom of the red-blocked screen will let you click through, although it cautions users that it will continue to block potentially harmful content.
LinkScanner also offers two "slow down" warnings. The first is yellow with one exclamation point in it, while the second is orange and has two exclamation points. A link at the bottom of the pop-up takes you to the AVG product comparison page. It's notable that LinkScanner didn't slow down search results or click-through page loading times in any perceptible way, and that the new independent version functions just as well as the old independent version.
Publisher's description
From AVG Technologies USA :The most dangerous page on the web may be the one you are about to click on. AVG LinkScanner provides an advanced layer of security against fast-moving, invisible web threats, and hacked web sites. It verifies the safety of web pages you visit, and of links returned from web searches (Google, Yahoo! and MSN), so you know how safe/unsafe a page is at the time you attempt to click on it. It works alongside most current consumer AV and security suite products, delivering an additional layer of security they do not provide. Highlights: Real-time scanning of links you click on, so you can be sure you are protected from the latest hacked or exploited websites. Emphasis on analysis of each web page you visit instead of the web site. Automatic upgrades whenever the threat intelligence network finds a new threat. AVG LinkScanner is available as a free download for single computer, home non-commercial use.
Version 8.5.334 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
CNET Editor's Note: To learn more about AVG products and to ask questions and receive answers from AVG company representatives, please visit CNET's dedicated AVG Forum.
What's new in this version:
Build 334 includes minor bug fixes and improvements.
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User reviews of AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
- Average user rating: 2.6 stars out of 84 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 11 user reviewsSee all 11 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
"Strong protection from the web malware"
Pros: Easy to use, blocks unsafe URLs, regularly updated
Cons: Too big (18MB) for a link scanning tool, supports only IE and FF
Summary: It doesn't hurt to have LinkScanner in your security arsenal, as it doesn't conflict with your primary security tools. It can definitely keep you off malware-based websites.
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Version: AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
Pros: The scan results, obviously.
Cons: Everything else.
Summary: This thing slowed my web browsing to a crawl, sometimes completely freezing up my browser and various "connection reset" messages. Videos were unwatchable. Uninstalled it within a day.
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Version: AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
Pros: nothing... wasnt even able to use it.
Cons: foze my pc several times through set up and installation... after installation, it tried running the avg linkscanner but said there were a few errors and needed to close.
Summary: avg needs to check up on this program and fix the installation... my pc is new so it cant be my pc for these problems. i used its own avg uninstaller... it worked fine. it just kept freezing my pc and had to force shutdown three times when it was in... read more >>
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Version: AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
Pros: Didn't notice anything that stands out
Cons: 1- Disrupts HQ video streaming
2- Cannot be disabled
3- Resource hogSummary: 1- Disrupts HQ video streaming; caused constant buffering when viewing videos on Setanta-i website. Creating exception for the website didn't help.
2- Couldn't find a way to completely disable it, even temporarily. Closing its system tray app d... read more >> -
Version: AVG LinkScanner 8.5.334
"You get Yahoo! Toolbar even if you tell it "NO""
Pros: Not exactly sure - as soon as I saw it installed Yahoo! Toolbar, I was out.
Cons: The fact choosing "NO" to its parasitic add-on (Yahoo! Toolbar) doesn't work.
Summary: And after that last debacle I actually trusted AVG. Never again.
- See all 11 user reviews Write review
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