Does Free mean less protection? (AVG AntiVirus Free Edition)

Member Name: getinmyson

Product:	AVG AntiVirus Free Edition
Date:	04/08/09 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good internet safety features, good scanner.

Disadvantages: Lacking in a few key features leave this version feeling a little lightweight.

I currently have AVG version 8.5 installed on my computer. It is an anti-virus and now anti-spyware piece of software designed to protect the user from malicious programs found mainly on the internet. I have used it for over 5 years now and would definetely recommend it, however there are a few downsides.

This, the free version, comes with a scanner and real-time protection. The new link-scanner means that when I search for something on google, AVG indicates whethere a link is fine to click on (a green tick), possibly harmful (orange exclamtion) or dangerous (red cross). This system is really helpful and gives the user real piece of mind.

AVG will alert you if it detects a virus infection by way of a big and bright pop up window listing the infection and giving you a list of ways to deal with it such as ignore, send to virus vault or delete. Often however, i have found it can't deal with said infection leading to an apprehensive few days desperately trying to save your pc using other software.

It also has a computer scanner to scan the pc completely for virus's. It can be programmed to do this every few days. It appears to be comprehensive and can often deal with any infections it finds.

However, due to it being a free version there are downsides. No root-kit detection means that a program can cover up an infected system without AVG finding it. Updates are not as frequent to the virus database, essential for maintaining up to date safety. As I said, AVG often fails to deal with more meaty viruses which is highly frustrating. And I have yet to see evidence of the anti-spyware doing anything at all and so I use spybot aswell. ID protection is not free either.

This said, AVG has some good features and my system has rarely been breached. Use in tangent with a firewall and spyware software and your system should be secure.

Summary: Good for most users, but can lead to hassle.

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