AOL Ramps Up Cyber Security
Nov. 19, 2004 — -- In this week's "Cybershake", we take a look at how America Online is shoring up its software to help protect AOL members from Internet security threats. Plus, we note what high-tech items are most likely on everyone's wish list this holiday season.
AOL Adds Online Defenses
America Online has seen better days. Back when the online service provider first started offering its members access to the Internet, computer viruses and worms were hardly on anyone's mind. But how things have changed.
"We done a lot of work over the past year over what our members care about and what our members worry about," says Danny Krifcher, executive vice president of AOL. "At the top of their list is online safety and security."
Enter AOL 9.0 Security Edition, the latest software update the company offers to members in order to access the service. Included in the new software is a complete suite of online security tools such as a complete antivirus program from software maker McAfee.
Krifcher says that AOL members have always had access to such tools -- provided they were willing to pay an additional $3.95 per month. But with 9.0 Security Edition, all AOL members have access to virus and other online threat protection for free.
"Virus protection software isn't a nice to have ... It's a must have," says Krifcher. "So we made the decision to take something that had been a premium service for us and offer it free to all of our members as part of their core subscription price."
The new AOL software also includes tools to block pop-up ads, filters to help control offensive junk messages in e-mail and Instant Messages. More importantly, the update adds a new "SpyZapper," a software tool designed to protect against programs that clandestinely watch a user's online activity and steal information such as passwords and bank account numbers.
Although smart online users have been using such tools to help protect their PCs, Krifcher says that since the tools are now built into the software, "We're able to do things that standalone pieces of [security] software can't do."
For example, most antivirus users have to remember to periodically log onto the Net and download the latest updates to keep their PC protected from new viruses. AOL's Security Edition software, on the other hand, knows when a member is connected to the service and will automatically keep the security programs up-to-date.
Avivah Litan, vice president and director of research at Gartner Inc. in Stamford, Conn., says the addition of free security tools is a good move.
"Personally, I think this is a great service for consumers," says Litan. "Many consumers don't realize the security threats that are out there online."
More importantly, AOL's decision to make online protection a free part of its basic service could be a bid to retain its membership, which has been slipping lately.
AOL "went from about 33 million [members] at the height [of its popularity] to now about 23 million," says Litan. "But they are putting together some great security services. If the word gets out to consumers, they may likely get some new subscribers."
-- Larry Jacobs, ABC News
High-Tech Gifts for the Holidays
Much like last year, the holiday shopping season will be filled with high-tech goodies this year. But what gets wrapped up in pretty paper and adorned with a bow will be quite different from last year's choices.
"About three-quarters of us have some electronic products on our holiday gift lists and wish lists," says Jim Barry, a spokesman with the Consumer Electronics Association. "And most of us have those two lists -- what we're giving to our friends and relatives and what we want to get."
So, what's most likely going to be under gift wrap this year? Barry says the focus is on digital still cameras.
"Digital cameras have come way down in price," says Barry. "[They're] extremely affordable -- you have prices starting as little as $50 or $60."
For teens, taking digital pictures is only part of the equation. On the top of their wish lists are cell phones with built-in cameras and wireless Internet access.
"Teens are becoming more and more savvy. They are growing up with technology in this digital age," says Barry. "They want to be able to snap pictures, and they want to be talking to their friends, and they want to be instant messaging their friends."
But Barry says year-end sales will ring a little hollow for one particular high-tech goodie: flat-screen TVs. Thin, plasma display screens and LCD TVs still cost several thousand dollars, which means not many will make it home for the holidays. But there's still hope -- for next year.
-- Andrew Colton, ABC News
Cybershake is produced for ABCNEWS Radio by Andrea J. Smith.