[ADd]

http://www.kaspersky.com/news?id=195932265

However, Active Virus Shield does not provide all the functionality of the Kaspersky Lab solution, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0, which it is based on. In particular, it does not include scanning for HTTP traffic, an in-built proactive defense, advanced new generation protection from rootkits, or tools for creating a rescue disk for restoring the system after malicious activity. There are significant differences in the configuration options in the two products. Moreover, Active Virus Shield is available only in English and there will be technical limitations on its distribution to ensure that it is not localized into other languages without authorization.

http://www.heise-security.co.uk/news/76551

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......
The scanner comes bundled with an additional toolbar for Internet Explorer that shows the PC's security status and contains a password manager. A test installation of these components at the heise Security test labs led to a blue screen. Without the toolbar, the installation ran without problem. Unlike Kaspersky's full version, however, it was not possible to deselect individual components like file antivirus and mail antivirus. The heuristic behavioural blocker extension was also missing. This allows the scanner to protect the PC against pests without relying on signatures. Yet the Kaspersky scanner was among the best even without this function, according to tests by c't magazine, particularly because of the quick signature updates.

So it is a reduced version of Kaspersky, but they are a very good AV company with excellent signatures, but AOL on the other hand.......