In the latest version, the AV scanner maintains a list of ‘safe' files based on the results of previous scans, thus offering an immediate performance improvement by only needing to scan changed or new files on subsequent checks.

The in-built firewall has also been improved, with a marked reduction in the ‘chattiness' based on an internal database of trusted applications.

"AVG 9.0 also delivers improved anti-phishing detection through enhancements to its LinkScanner module. LinkScanner can now more quickly and accurately determine whether or not a web page is hosting a phishing attack. This is accomplished by allowing the software to apply more than 100 different potential threat indicators to a page. If the result is inconclusive, LinkScanner then makes a call to the cloud to check a multitude of phishing feeds plugged into the AVG research network, to make a final determination regarding threat potential."

AVG 9.0 is available now – a single user 1-year licence is $AU46.99.