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Switched Download: AVG Free Anti-Virus
AVG Free Anti-Virus
What it does:
The newly updated AVG Free is an Anti-Virus program that performs all the basic tasks you'd expect, without the slow downs associated with Norton and McAfee, or any of the exorbitant subscription fees. The new AVG version 8 also adds a host of new features, making it a much less bare-bones affair than the previous iteration.
What we like about it:
AVG provides not just on-demand scanning for virus, but also live protection, scanning files as they're downloaded via the Web or e-mail. Version 8 also adds spy-ware protection and a browser add-on that works with both Internet Explorer and Firefox and tells you whether or not a search result is safe to click on by branding it with a bright green check mark. Version 8 also updated AVG's interface, making it easier to use, and much more pleasing to look at.
Our favorite feature of AVG, though, has been present even in prior versions, and that is its ability to scan and protect your computer without bringing the whole system to a halt. When cleaning up an aging PC, one of the first things we do is remove the bloated, feature-happy McAfee or Norton and install separate lightweight components like AVG and Comodo Firewall.
What we don't like:
AVG's Free offering lacks features often packed into security suites by its more expensive competitors such as spam blocking, root-kit protection, and a firewall. But most users won't miss these terribly, since Web-mail services and desktop clients like Thunderbird and Outlook generally have some form of spam filtering already, and Windows XP and Vista come with built in firewalls.More customizable third-party programs, such as the aforementioned Comodo, can also be downloaded for free.
Bottom line:
AVG offers top notch virus protection, and you can't beat the price (free). Best of all, it won't bring your PC to a crawl like Norton or McAfee, even if it's a little past its prime.
Download AVG Free
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
retro77 said 1:36PM on 5-29-2008
Here is what I don't like about it:
1.) The Outlook plug in appends text to the end of every email.
2.) The web browser plugin checks every page, making browsing a little slower and putting green check marks next to links.
3.) If I disable the above option, I have the (!) in the system tray.
I do like the product, just a couple of annoying things mentioned above. It also has scheduled scans and auto updating.
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dwr50 said 4:11PM on 5-30-2008
... and they have added a nag screen to get you to buy the paid version.
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MadMike said 2:42PM on 6-05-2008
I use clamwin and this thing called common sense.
Common sense includes using firefox, adblock plus & not visiting nefarious sites. Download statusbar for firefox allows you to set an AV client to scan. They even have what you need to enable Clamwin.
Clamwin is 100% free, and they don't offer a paid version so no nags.
It also only does anti virus. Nothing but anti virus.
I have Spybot S & D for rootkit (new) and spyware.
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EDNICHOLSON said 12:07PM on 7-17-2008
I HAVE TRIED PAYING FOR AVG BUT COULD NOT GET THEIR PASS WORD TO ENTER ????
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Anowar said 6:24PM on 8-12-2008
Writer constantly proclaim his sources, proofing his words every time. Excellent to see that closely all posts are banded together with associated illustrations. It's good that each and every article is attested with concrete proof. Appropriated clickable links can be followed into every article. I also adore that there exists a fixed separation among the diverse articles. A gold mine both in quantity as well as quality of articles. It's lighting fast how fastly the site loads, it's almost instantly. The resolution of images in the site is excellent. The videos included in the blog turn it even more captivating. The writer does not take sides instead explains both aspects of the discussion well.
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