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    Lost in Transit polled over 5, 000 users around the world to determine which devices were most often lost or stolen over the past year. Based on the results, AVG advised consumers to take extra precautions to protect their gadgets this month.

    “The holidays are a joyous time of year and the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a missing smartphone or tablet – especially since those devices hold a wealth of valuable finance, travel and other sensitive personal information,” said JR Smith, CEO of AVG. “We form tight, intimate bonds with our mobile devices because they bring us closer to the things we love most in life. In a way, they allow us to bring our lives with us no matter where we go – our loved ones, our music, our work, our passions. It’s no wonder we’re filled with an astonishing sense of loss when our digital companions are suddenly gone.”

    Based on more facts from Lost in Transit, AVG has created a list of tips to help keep mobile devices safe during the holiday season and beyond.

    1. Carry your device in a place you can easily check – and where you would notice immediately if it were to disappear.Whether lost or stolen, the key to keeping track of mobile devices is awareness. An overwhelming 62 percent of survey participants said they were either busy or distracted when their laptop or smartphone went missing. What to do? Designate a specific place (such as an inside jacket pocket) where you always keep it. Secure the device in that spot upon leaving the house or office every time so that it becomes routine and the device can be easily located. More importantly, consumers should stay alert and be aware of surroundings when travelling, whether it’s the daily commute or the airport security line.
    2. Use a password! According to Lost in Transit, 42 percent of lost smartphones are not password protected, giving thieves easy access to all of a consumer’s personal information. Without exception, passwords should be mandatory operating procedure for smartphones, laptops, tablets and any other mobile device with valuable data.
    3. Spring for insurance. Consumers can further safeguard their lives by properly insuring their beloved gadgets. Most manufacturers and service providers offer easy methods to replace stolen devices and, for a nominal fee, offer exceptional peace of mind.

    AVG also encourages consumers to consider downloading software specifically designed for the security risks associated with mobile device usage. For example, AVG Mobilation’s Free is easy to download and offers incredibly useful features such as Phone Locator, which uses Google Maps to identify a phone’s location if lost or stolen. A missing phone can also be remotely locked to protect it from outside access, and users can create a customized lock screen message with contact details to help facilitate a return. Consumers can remotely wipe their phones as well, ensuring total protection of personal information.

    Though travelling during the holiday season can be chaotic, there’s no reason consumers can’t keep their mobile devices safe, secure and in their possession at all times. For more tips or to learn more about Lost in Transit, please visit www.AVG.com.

    *US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Italy

    About AVG Technologies

    AVG is a global security software maker protecting more than 100 million active users in 170 countries from the ever-growing incidence of Web threats, viruses, spam, cyber-scams and hackers on the Internet. AVG has nearly two decades of experience in combating cybercrime and advanced laboratories for detecting, pre-empting and combating Web-borne threats from around the world. Its free, downloadable software allows novice users to have basic anti-virus protection and then easily upgrade to greater levels of safety and defense when they are ready. AVG has a strong reseller network consisting of resellers, partners and distributors globally including; CNET, Ingram Micro, and Wal-Mart.

    www.avg.com

    Contacts
    United States:
    Emily Shirden
    Ruder Finn for AVG
    E-mail: emilys@finnpartners.com
    + 1 (312) 329-3979

    United Kingdom:
    Lennard van Otterloo
    MSL for AVG
    E-mail: Lennard.vanotterloo@mslgroup.com
    +44 (0)20 7878 3210

    Investor Relations:
    Siobhan MacDermott
    AVG Technologies – Investor Relations
    E-mail: siobhan.macdermott@avg.com
    CZ Mobile: +420 725 695 132
    US Mobile: +1 415 299 2945

    Keep in touch with AVG

    AMSTERDAM, Dec. 14, 2011 – The holidays are a time for tropical getaways, travelling to Grandma’s house to see family and friends and, according to a new survey from AVG Technologies, one of the likeliest times a person will lose their mobile device. AVG, a leading provider of Internet and mobile security, today released Lost in Transit, a new survey revealing that in the countries questioned*17% percent of laptop and 39 percent of mobile phone owners have lost or had a device stolen in transit. Alarmingly, 88 percent of lost or stolen devices are never recovered.