AVG Antivirus Free Edition Overview

AVG Antivirus, another of Free Antivirus Software which are widely used. The application is set to search for new virus definitions daily by default. AVG is easy to use with user friendly interface. The new interface is much easier to navigate than in previous version, with tabbed navigation on the left assisting users in finding the tools they need. AVG Free Edition doesn’t slow down your system (low system resource requirements). A unique feature that a few software provide is that AVG allows user to pause the scanning process and to resume it later. Another noticeable feature is its LinkScanner [which can be downloaded separately]. It works with Internet Explorer and Firefox to check links found in Google, Yahoo and MSN searches in order to make sure that there is no risk when clicking on these links. It also provide safety ratings for search results. Yet another good feature is that AVG scans your computer in MS-DOS mode by creating a rescue disk if a virus creates serious system problems.
 

Main Features

• AVG Antivirus protection.
• AVG Anti-Spyware.
• AVG Anti-Rootkit.
• Realtime Scanning.
• Automatic update.
• AVG LinkScanner Active Surf-Shield.
• AVG Security Toolbar [provides Easy access to LinkScanner tools, built-in search capability]
• AVG Web Shield.
• AVG Browser Protection.
• AVG Resident Shield.
• AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.
• AVG E-mail Scanner.
• AVG Heuristic Scanning.
• AVG On-Demand Scanner.
• Compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

What’s New

• Improved user interface.
• Improvements in installation process.
• Improved Resident Shield scanning.
• Improved update process when restart is necessary.
• New Toolbar implemented.

On The Lower Side

Scheduling options in the AVG Home Edition are very limited for ex. only one scheduled update per day. The pop-up advertisement for buying the pro version can sometimes be annoying. There’s no firewall protection against hackers. AVG Home Edition also lacks Anti Spam filters that checks out for unwanted e-mails. AVG also misses Anti-Phishing property which is a must have feature. AVG does not protect your identity. It does not have tech support. You have to rely on forum for needed help.
 

The AVG LinkScanner Technology

Safe Search : LinkScanner Search-Shield checks Google, Yahoo! And MSN search results as you search and places safety rating next to each line.

Safe Web-Surf : LinkScanner Active Surf-Shield scans each and every web site and link within a web site before opening to ensure they are safe.

Safe Link Navigation : AVG analyzes each Web link is found, whether in emails, documents, or instant messages, no matter the source, before opening to ensure they are protected in advance 100% of the time.

Safe URL Scan : If you write the address of its website (URL) in your browser, AVG will scan the contents of the page before opening to ensure it is safe.

Safe Downloads : AVG will scan all new applications to install and all of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other documents, music, videos and photos to ensure they are safe before you download.

Safety Ratings : Specific details of site security appear simply hovering the safety icons.

Favorite security and Safe favorites exploration : AVG scans all your favorite sites before opening to ensure they are safe.

Our experience

AVG detected 96%. AVG Free is easy to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements. There is a slight delay as the pages are checked by its linkscanner feature.but its worth waiting few moments for your pc security. On-access scan speed, which comes into play when you open or save a file,was slow. Its on-demand scan was also not very impressive. Cleanup leaves behind loads of nonactive file and Registry traces. On our scoring parameters AVG scored 2/12.
 

Note

If you already have AVG running on your PC, it is highly advisable to click on the upgrade option if available, as updates will be stopped for the previous version 7.5. On the other hand, if you are going to install it for the first time, we recommend that you disconnect your machine from the Internet as a non protection gap will occur.