AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
Version: 8.5
Downloads Count: 1,284,246
License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: Jun 18, 2009
Operating Systems: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
File Size: 64665 KB
Author: Grisoft
- AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 1,279,183
- Panda ActiveScan 529,568
- McAfee FreeScan 433,631
- AVG Anti-Rootkit 306,177
- PC-cillin Internet Security 282,800
Editorial Review of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition
I've been using AVG Free as my anti-virus software for well over a year now. Having had nothing but problems with Norton products, and not liking the myriad processes and services invoked by McAfee, the more configurable AVG has proven a natural fit for my behave-wisely-and only-scan-when-something-seems-amiss philosophy. And, as you might've guessed from the name, it doesn't cost a dime.
My first impression of version 8 was that the company had finally got its GUI act together. Gone were the separate control, test, and vault applets and multiple settings dialogs. All the functions are now under one roof and settings melded into an expandable tree/tab control that makes adjusting the program far more intuitive and far less time consuming. Also, the new look introduced by version 8 is far more attractive than the old one, which often reminded me of Windows 98.
At first blush, version 8 also seemed quite a bit more effective than version 7, though updates to the version 7 virus database helped with that older utility quite a bit when I tested both side by side, as well as versus online scanners such as Trend Micro's House Call and Bit Defender. Unfortunately, as with most AV programs, AVG's false positive rate seems to have gone up as well. That said, AVG8 seemed about on par with the rest of the pack in that regard.
AVG 8 Free doesn't offer the rootkit or full spyware protection that the pay version has, and support is limited to the documentation found on the site and in user forums. However, the free version does offer a new toolbar for your browser to help fight off attacks from that quarter.
For those who share my minimalist philosophy, AVG is still configurable to the point where you can disable it and run it only when you think you've been invaded or have downloaded something suspect. And even when it is running in full auto mode, there are only two services and a system tray applet draining minimal CPU cycles. Alongside the equally low-profile NOD32 (which isn't free) and Antivira, AVG is my favorite AV software
Tip: When things are really a mess, boot to Windows Safe Mode (press F8 when booting) and run AVG 8. As do other AV programs, it will then scan using the command line interface with no nasty services running that might interfere.
--Jon L. Jacobi
People who downloaded this also downloaded:
Sponsored Links
-
Power Anti-Virus Professional Version 2.5 from Power Softwar
-
Scan your downloads and e-mail transparently and safely.
-
Detect and remove the dangerous Win95.CIH virus.
-
Protect your computer from damaging code, regardless of how you're connecting to the Internet.
-
Scan for the AccessIV virus, and repair corrupted Access 97 databases.
-
Detect and destroy known and unknown viruses, including macro viruses.
-
Advanced antivirus, proactive defense and Web safety for all your security needs
-
Detect macro viruses in Microsoft Word and Excel files and remove them.
-
Block hackers and viruses both with this security program and service.
-
This security program for serious techies offers a year-long free trial of antivirus, antispyware, firewall and other features.
Featured APC Accessories For Your System
10% Off Entire Cart at Online Store
-
APC Back-UPS ES Safeguards your equipment from damaging surges and spikes that travel along your utility & data lines.
-
APC SurgeArrest Performance Highest level of protection for your professional computers, electronics and connected devices, as well as provides surge protection.
The Hottest Smartphones of Summer Battle It Out
We delved into four of the hottest phones available this summer--the Apple iPhone 3GS, the Nokia N97, the Palm Pre, and the T-Mobile myTouch 3G--to see how their hardware and software stacked up.
Panda Launches New Free Cloud-based Antivirus
The software maker today released a new lightweight, Internet-based program available for download.
If you have questions about finding, downloading, or opening files in our library, you'll probably find the answers here.
BitDefender Antivirus Plus v10. (2 users, 2 years)
The purpose of the Antivirus module is to ensure detection and removal of all viruses in the wild. BitDefender Antivirus uses robust scan engines certified by ICSA Labs, Virus Bulletin, Checkmark, CheckVir."/>
- Browse the Downloads Store by Topic
- Security »
- Utilities »
- Graphics & Multimedia »
- Visit the Download Store Home
Most Recent Threads