The second beta (test) version of AVG 8 has been released by Grisoft. The new software will be able to take advantage of dual core processors for better performance and will include extra protection from Exploit Prevention Labs.

This software checks web pages as they are downloaded, looking for anything malicious. It looks for behaviour rather than a signature so it will block malicious code even if the antivirus companies have not identified it. A standalone program for this is called LinkScanner, and the Lite version can be downloaded and used for free

If you want to take part in the Beta program, it can be downloaded after registration at http://beta.avg.com. I'd recommend that you don't do this with a critical computer, ie this is best left to a second computer or virtual machine.