AVG Technologies, a leading provider of Internet security software, will tomorrow release AVG Anti-Virus Free 8.0, the latest version of the company’s popular and widely-used free security software, which now incorporates protection against spyware through a new combined anti-virus and anti-spyware engine.

AVG Free provides basic protection against viruses and spyware, together with the safe-searching component of the company’s patent-pending LinkScanner® technology, incorporated into the new AVG Security Toolbar. The Free product does not include the proactive safe-surfing (“drive-by download” protection) of the full LinkScanner module that is included in the commercial AVG products, nor the protection against hackers, keyloggers, spam, phishing attacks, and malicious file downloads that can come through instant messaging and attachments from seemingly friendly sources. The free product also does not include the round-the-clock email support provided with the commercial products.