AOL USA is offering the virus scanner
Active Virus Shield cost-free for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. Users need not necessarily be subscribers to AOL to download the software, which is based on Kaspersky's OEM scanner. They must however provide an email address to which AOL can send the activation code for the product.
Unfortunately, providing the address also authorises AOL and its partner companies to fill that mailbox with adverts. Those looking to avoid this can have the code send to a disposable mail address. Based on the "License and User Agreement and Privacy Policy", Active Virus Shield also collects data about the PC onto which it is installed and analyses how the user reacts to pop-up ads when browsing. Although we performed a brief test, we were unable to observe that behaviour, however.