NEW - AVG Anti Virus 8 FREE - Quick Review
Posted by: Barry Cleave in Portable Freeware, tags: Anti Spyware, Anti Virus, Freeware, Programs, Software, Utilities, Windows, Windows Explorer, Windows Server, WIndows Vista, Windows XPA ProReviewer Mini-me Review
This is an overview of the program and not a more detailed review
What Is It?
AVG Anti Virus 8 is the little brother to AVG Anti Virus 8 Pro and as you will see it provides much more than just virus protection.
Why Would You Want It?
Everyone needs to have anti virus software installed even if not connected to the Internet or behind a router. Even if you are normally vigilant and careful about what you download, email you open or files you copy from removable media, it only takes a moments distraction or perhaps hitting the wrong button in a message box for a virus or Trojan to get into your system. Once it’s there it will probably be impossible to completely get rid of the problems it has caused. Therefore you still need to take care even when you have an anti virus software properly installed and running!
Even if you can remove all traces as well as recover files and registry settings that have been deleted or changed, it will take you many hours. Even then will you be sure that nothing is left behind? From personal experience I would suggest if you get a virus follow information you will find on the major security/anti virus sites to make sure you are safe from it returning or lurking on some other drive and then reinstall your OS from your last backup.
A good anti virus should prevent this from happening (providing it is set up and used properly as well as updated regularly)
What Does It Do - The Essentials?
Summary:
- Anti Virus Protection
- Anti Spyware Protection
- E-mail Scanner
- Real Time Scanning of accessed files
Pros: What’s Good?
- Freeware
- Installs/Upgrades without restart
- Regular Threat Database Updates
- Scheduled Updates - user definable
- System Scan schedules user definable
- Improved User Interface
- Good options and controls
- Good Help File
Cons:What’s Not So Good?
- Not the best Anti Virus Solution in independent tests
Having said that I have been using AVG Free for several years and had only one infection which was my fault (See my note above about distractions and taking care). Probably the main reason I am still using it is that it is installed on several PC’s and laptops which I own or maintain for family members. They are all familiar with AVG and the investment of my time and theirs in making a change has not been considered worthwhile.
What the Developer Says:
The developers site gives the following information:
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0
Basic antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows available to download for free. Limited features, no support, for private and non-commercial use only.
More Information can be found here:
The User Interface
The extensive descriptive details provided by AVG on each screen can be seen by clicking on the screenshots below to enlarge, therefore I don’t propose to add much text 
.
Once installed the User Interface can be accessed by Right clicking on the System Tray icon to reveal the menu:
This also allows a manual update to be performed
Overview Window
The various component windows can be accessed from the icons displayed or from the top menu bar:
Anti-Virus Component
Anti-Spyware Component
E-mail Scanner Component
License Component
Link Scanner Component
Resident Shield Component
This allows you to manage any Exceptions ie Applications that are flagged as a potential threat but that you know are safe.
Update Manager Component
an update in progress
There are various tools you can access from the top menu or from the component screens:
Scanning Option Screens
Selecting Drives to scan:
Advanced Settings
Help
What are the Technical Details & Compatibility?
| Name | AVG Anti-Virus 8 - Free Edition |
| Software Version | 8.0.100 |
| Release Date | 24 April 2008 |
| Compatibility | Win2000/XP/Vista/XP x64/Vista x64 |
| Homepage | Get Protection |
| Download | Download |
| Download Size | 46.1MB |
| OS Reviewed On | Windows XP Pro |
| Size on Disk | 29.2MB |
| Memory Use | avgrsx 53,712K avgtray 3,268K avgwdsvc 9,380K |
| Review Date | April 2008 |
| License | Freeware (Non-commercial only) |
What is the My Free Review Experience?
My experience with AVG 8 Free is limited to a couple of days but it certainly seems to be an improvement on AVG 7 in the GUI and options plus having additional protection components. So I will rate it as:
Good with plenty of tools and options
What Other Posts are Relevant?
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Why I decided to Write this Blog
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April 29th, 2008 at 1:23 am - Edit
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptEveryone needs to have anti virus software installed even if not connected to the Internet or behind a router. Even if you are normally vigilant and careful about what you download, email you open or files you copy from removable media, … [...]
April 30th, 2008 at 5:02 am - Edit
Good review but a few questions.
The 2 biggest pluses for AVG free in the past are:
1. Free &
2. Very low overhead - doesn’t use much system resources in day to day operation
The negatives include:
Not the fastest when scanning
Only daily upadtes
Outdated User Interface (looks like that has been addressed)
No Spyware, rootkit, spam protection (Spyware included in AVG8)
So if we are getting more (spyware scanning) in a flashier package still for free the only achillies heel I can see will be the resource usage
have you compared what level of resources it is using now?
Does the user experience ‘feel’ slower?
I am keen to know before recommending to family and friends and will test for myself too
Cheers
April 30th, 2008 at 7:24 pm - Edit
[...] « NEW - AVG Anti Virus 8 FREE - Quick Review 30 04 2008 [...]
April 30th, 2008 at 7:33 pm - Edit
Hi mulligrub,
Great comment, provoked me into thinking about the philosophy behind my blog
.
So rather than answer here I have written a new post:
What Do You Think About - Reviews - Research - Testing - Subjective Viewpoints
- Philosophy
proreviewer.com/2008/04/3...ive-viewpoint-philosophy/
BTW I agree with you on your points 1 & 2 and the negatives.
Regards
Barry
October 4th, 2008 at 9:18 pm - Edit
I’ve been using AVG Ver 8 for a couple months now and agree that it’s much better than version 7. It has built in Spyware protection and does an excellent job of preventing virus installs. I recenently reviewed it as well:
I fix alot of computers and have recently made AVG my first choice to install on PCs with now antivirus protection.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 am - Edit
“AVG is good mostly professionals use AVG to prevent computers from virus and trojans. I have utilized the one new and more work efficient software http://www.search-and-destroy.com. It helps me to keep safe my computer or laptop from virus and trojans.
Thank You
“
November 11th, 2008 at 11:56 pm - Edit
I had AVG for a while but then changed back to NOD32 as it was faster and more efficient on my PC.
Jellos last blog post..ESET Nod32 3 Anti-Virus Software
January 28th, 2009 at 12:07 am - Edit
I learned about AVG when it was version 6 and free, liked it a lot. Now it’s become bigger, with more functions and turned into a full-featured Internet Security Suite. For my Pentium-III based PC, it is too resource hungry. But it includes antispyware module (acquired from Ewido) which makes it better equipped to stand against various Internet threats.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:00 pm - Edit
Honestly, I like AVG rather that other antivirus. It’s user friendly. Easy to use. It’s help me get rid most of the virus in my laptop. AVG is the best antivirus
spywares last blog post..The best way on How to Get Rid of Spyware
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm - Edit
I have never tried AVG, but my friend uses AVG and Is very satisfied with the program.