Lavasoft
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This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (July 2010) |
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| Type | Private limited company |
|---|---|
| Founded | Germany (1999) |
| Headquarters | Gothenburg, Sweden |
| Products | Ad-Aware 9.0 Lavasoft Personal Firewall Lavasoft Digital Lock Lavasoft File Shredder Lavasoft Privacy Toolbox |
| Website | www.lavasoft.com |
Lavasoft is a software development company that produces anti‐spyware software,[1] including Ad‐Aware.
The company offers a free, downloadable version of Ad‐Aware titled Ad‐Aware Free Internet Security and three commercial versions called Ad-Aware Total Security, Ad‐Aware Pro Internet Security, and Ad-Aware Business Edition.[2] Additionally, Lavasoft offers a spin-off version of Ad-Aware aimed at online gamers and entertainment fans, called Ad-Aware Game Edition. Other Lavasoft products include Lavasoft Digital Lock, Lavasoft File Shredder, Lavasoft Personal Firewall, Lavasoft Privacy Toolbox, and Lavasoft Registry Tuner.
Lavasoft’s headquarters has been located in Gothenburg, Sweden, since 2002. Nicolas Stark and Ann-Christine Åkerlund established the company in Germany in 1999 with its flagship Ad-Aware product. Lavasoft was, in January 2011, acquired by the Solaria Fund.[3]
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[edit] Products
- Anti-malware products: Ad-Aware 9.5
- Ad-Aware Total Security
- Ad-Aware Pro Internet Security
- Ad-Aware Plus Internet Security - discontinued, as of July 7, 2010[4]
- Ad-Aware Free Internet Security
- Ad-Aware Game Edition
- Ad-Aware Business Edition
- Lavasoft Anti-Virus Helix - discontinued, as of June 8, 2009[5]
- Lavasoft Personal Firewall
- Lavasoft Digital Lock
- Lavasoft File Shredder
- Lavasoft Privacy ToolBox - the toolbox contains; Lavasoft File Shredder; Lavasoft Digital Lock and Lavasoft Encryption Reader (free).
[edit] Controversies
The Company was acquired in January 2011 by the Solaria Fund, apparently a private equity fund.[6] It was soon discovered that the Fund was actually a cover-up for the entrepreneurs (Daniel Assouline and Michael Dadoun) behind UpClick and Interactive Brands.[7] SC Magazine discovered that Lavasoft had been acquired by the same entrepreneurs who have been accused of selling software that is available for free (such as the free version of AVG anti virus) to unwitting users under the guise of premium support.[8] Somewhat ironically, Assouline and Dadoun used to sell the free version of Lavasoft's security program prior to acquiring the Company itself. This has been well-documented by security consultants such as Dancho Danchev.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/company/about
- ^ http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware.php
- ^ http://www.mannheimerswartling.se/en/News/Latest-news/Solaria-Fund-acquires-software-business-from-Lavasoft/
- ^ http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/company/blog/the-new-adaware-is-here-0
- ^ http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/company/blog/antivirus-helix-to-be-discontinued
- ^ http://www.mannheimerswartling.se/en/News/Latest-news/Solaria-Fund-acquires-software-business-from-Lavasoft/
- ^ http://www.scmagazineus.com/daniel-assouline/topic/13471/
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/feb/23/newmedia.technology
- ^ http://ddanchev.blogspot.com/2008/03/cybersquatting-security-vendors-for.html
[edit] External links
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