AVG anti-virus

[astuber]

I recently decided not to renew my Norton anti-virus software because of issues that I had last year and the general overall slow performance of the program.

I downloaded and installed the free version of AVG and so far it seems to be performing better. Question, is there any real value in paying for the upgrade?

[kellenbenz]

I have been using the free version of AVG 8 on one of my systems for a while now and it sure seems to do what we want from an Antivirus. I do run Windows defender as a backup for spyware protection. When my subscription for Trend Micro runs out, I will use AVG on all my systems.

Norton has an uninstall program somewhere on their website that will remove all the little leftover pieces for you. Here is a link for it:

http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039

I bet your system runs smoother now.

Ron

[jhsonderb]

I downloaded and installed the free version of AVG and so far it seems to be performing better. Question, is there any real value in paying for the upgrade?I use the free version also on my last remaining PC and it appears to the basic job of keeping the PC free of virus. You should also consider anti spyware such as the free Spybot. Here's a link:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,22262-page,1-c,antispywaretools/description.html

[dwsdad]

You might want to check out SpyBot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) as well. It'll take care of all those nasty little spy programs websites sneak onto you PC. Use it along with AVG or whatever anti-virus software you're running.

[Ted]

Question, is there any real value in paying for the upgrade?

If you are buying more than one license then their pricing is almost free...I bought 5 licenses for 2 years for $172.94 = $17.29/pc/yr.

I never compared the free version w/ the paid version - just figured the paid version must be better :) .

btw - I had similar issues w/ Norton -been running AVG for about 8 months with no issues.

[bob_menton]

I use the free version of AVG anti-virus also - the latest version includes anti-spyware and an email scanner.

Can't remember where I saw the review, but the paid version of AVG rated even higher than the free version.

- Bob

[zippy_gg]

I use the free version of AVG anti-virus also - the latest version includes anti-spyware and an email scanner.Ditto! :D
I think the pay version allows you to schedule tasks.

[dwsdad]

Ditto! :D
I think the pay version allows you to schedule tasks.

Can you go into Windows Scheduler and schedule the free version?

[zippy_gg]

Can you go into Windows Scheduler and schedule the free version?It won't schedule the scans for you , nor the updates.

[hallzee]

My machine has AVG free on it, and I get free updates daily, automatically.

[kdog]

Virus protection in general has gotten so onerous over the years that I've personally given up on them all together. I just bought a new computer, and the first thing I did was remove the "free 60 day" Norton. Now I don't recommend that approach for everyone. You've got to be 100% certain you know what you're doing, and adhere to the following rules.

1) Never, ever, open unsolicited executable programs received in email. Also, don't click on any links in unsolicited email either. Clicking on links is not really dangerous if you follow rule 2 below. However, the links almost always have tracking parameters that notifies the sender that his spam has gotten through.

2) Never allow Active X content on the internet unless you specifically request it from a well known source. Ditto for any other executable program on the internet. This is crucial.

3) Run your computer over a NAT router. Do not connect it directly to your ISP modem, even if it's the only computer you have.

4) Don't let anybody else use your computer.

I believe if you do those things, you will never get a virus. I went for, oh, about a decade before I started using virus protection and never got a virus. I received plenty of them via email, mind you, but simply deleted them. They can do no damage if you don't open then. After using several virus protection packages over the past couple of years, I'm giving up on them. Those things are as bad as as viruses themselves.

But like I say, only do this if you're absolutely certain you fully understand and can adhere to the rules. Also, it helps to have a modern operating system like Vista or XP on your PC, as well as newer versions of your favorite web browser. Those things have so many protections built-in these days that they practically make virus detection redundant anyway.

Now I know all this is pretty controversial, and I welcome any input from folks on things I may have missed, opinions, sticks and stones, etc. Fire away, but realize I've been in the computer biz for over 30 years, and have the technical chops to defend my approach.

Cheers,
-joel

[DavidTaylor]

I've been using the free version for a bit over a year now and am completely happy with it. I don't see a reaosn to upgrade to the pay version at this point.

[jayjacobson]

Virus protection in general has gotten so onerous over the years that I've personally given up on them all together. I just bought a new computer, and the first thing I did was remove the "free 60 day" Norton. Now I don't recommend that approach for everyone. You've got to be 100% certain you know what you're doing, and adhere to the following rules.

1) Never, ever, open unsolicited executable programs received in email. Also, don't click on any links in unsolicited email either. Clicking on links is not really dangerous if you follow rule 2 below. However, the links almost always have tracking parameters that notifies the sender that his spam has gotten through.

2) Never allow Active X content on the internet unless you specifically request it from a well known source. Ditto for any other executable program on the internet. This is crucial.

3) Run your computer over a NAT router. Do not connect it directly to your ISP modem, even if it's the only computer you have.

4) Don't let anybody else use your computer.

I believe if you do those things, you will never get a virus. I went for, oh, about a decade before I started using virus protection and never got a virus. I received plenty of them via email, mind you, but simply deleted them. They can do no damage if you don't open then. After using several virus protection packages over the past couple of years, I'm giving up on them. Those things are as bad as as viruses themselves.

But like I say, only do this if you're absolutely certain you fully understand and can adhere to the rules. Also, it helps to have a modern operating system like Vista or XP on your PC, as well as newer versions of your favorite web browser. Those things have so many protections built-in these days that they practically make virus detection redundant anyway.

Now I know all this is pretty controversial, and I welcome any input from folks on things I may have missed, opinions, sticks and stones, etc. Fire away, but realize I've been in the computer biz for over 30 years, and have the technical chops to defend my approach.

Cheers,
-joel
Not at all, Joel. Until very recently, Norton has slowed your PC greatly. Finally, on the latest version, they've lightened up a little bit.

I like Norton because I can be a freak on the internet and have never caught the cuddies. But, why use it if you don't need it? You got your formula down! Recently, Norton sent me a free upgrade offer. This village idiot could not figure out why upgrading did me a shit bit of good!

[yair1956]

..I have been using AVG from the first day they are in the market, installed on many computers, (I'm A+ Tech) ,I guess the upgrade got some more bells & whistlers , but overall, the free audition is doing a great job. it's intuitive easy to use, doesn't slow your system .....nice piece of software

[lnowell]

I have been to the AVG site and can only find a 30 day free trial offer. Is the free version hiding somewhere that I did not notice?

Thanks

[Randy]

http://free.avg.com/

I have been using the paid version of AVG because it lets us schedule the scans. Otherwise the free version has the same capabilities as far as I know. We have it on 20 machines and buy the renewals for two years at a time. It has been effective and doesn't task the system resources, except during a scheduled scan.

[myk_edwards]

For my Sins I was responsible for install a corporate wide AV solution. This goes back about 7 years.

We tested:-
Norton, Mcafee, AVG, CA and Sophos, I could have tested more but was on a time limit.

We needed a simple and effective Control and deployemnt method, and needed to be able to give everyone in the company a free version for home. If we were going to let them remote into our systems, we needed to know they had some form of protection. Our VPN tested that AV was installed and current, and that nothng was in the Quarantine, before letting you in to our systems.

We opted for Sophos, it was quick and simple to setup on a management server, and simple to deploy corporate wide, and touch wood, 7 years later life is good.

I've recently been doing an exercise of checking AV products again, and have been teesting Kaspersky, not much to choose between them apart from the footprint, Sophos uses lots of Ram, while Kaspersky uses less. Don't know if we will switch next Oct when renewal come around, but It's import ant to have something.

That said, a good anti-spyware product is a good thing to have too, and using a little common sense when browsing will also protect you from those nasties out there.

On my Daughters PC, I installed free AVG, and i anyone was going to get a virus it would be her, so far, so good.

P.S. getting close to the 1000 post mark

[lnowell]

http://free.avg.com/

I have been using the paid version of AVG because it lets us schedule the scans. Otherwise the free version has the same capabilities as far as I know. We have it on 20 machines and buy the renewals for two years at a time. It has been effective and doesn't task the system resources, except during a scheduled scan.

Thanks for the lead. Downloaded it and it seems to be working fine.