AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 Earlier versions will not update automatically, need to download from above link and install ( it automatically uninstalls older versions). Now also includes spyware/adware protection.
See posts below - some are experiencing slowdown issues, though I have not. I did not enable daily scanning, which takes a long time to complete. I am having an auto update problem and have to do manual updates.
titewad said: "Some features, such as e-mail scanning, will work during your first 30 days using AVG Free but get disabled unless you upgrade."
Not so with version 7.x
Although that is stated on the download.com page, I can't find that limitation in any of the AVG documentation. If they follow past history, they'll stop issuing new definitions for 7.x in a few months.
version 8.0 sucketh to the nth degree... It hogs resources like insane.. few of my programs stopped working after the installation..
Switched back to 7.5..
Also, you cannot disable stupid features like "link scanning" without getting a stupid warning icon on the toolbar, which in turn masks any other warnings that might prop up later..
Just badly designed and OVERLY complicated resource hog would be an understatement for this garbage..
Also, you cannot install/choose what you need with respect to components.. I REALLY REALLy wanted to get the search link scanner removed (not just disabled).. but that is not an option..
Also, I have a 3GB RAM, 7200 RPM hitachi with 16MB cache & T7500 processor and YET this thing brings thing slows my machine down.. unbelievable!!!
So far, I agree that it is disappointing. Although it hasn't really slowed down my PCs( one of which is a 1.8G p4 with 526MB memory), I can't get automatic update to work. Always get "lost connection to server" on two different machines.
it messes up my msn messenger, network & my system runs too hot since I installed it. The fan runs 24x7 when I had it installed..
My system is crazy fast, but I could clearly see the slow down after installation.. I am running Vista ultimate SP1.
skibum43 said: So far, I agree that it is disappointing. Although it hasn't really slowed down my PCs( one of which is a 1.8G p4 with 526MB memory), I can't get automatic update to work. Always get "lost connection to server" on two different machines.
Tried version 8 and immediately switched back to version 7.5 for two reasons:
1. Memory usage has skyrocketed. 7.5 is somewhere around 1.5MB while 8.0 is in the 20+ range. Guess AVG is following the lead of every other lame 'update' out there and becoming more resource intensive...
2. No way that I can tell to not install the anti-spyware, link scanner, etc. Furthermore, I can't even see a way to disable them at all after they've been installed. borisnotthespider indicated in his post that he was able to turn off link scanning but I can't see how that is done. Perhaps I'm missing something.
I'm considering switching to AntiVir as I'm sure AVG will quit providing updates for version 7.5 within a month or so...
Suggestions? Any AntiVir users out there want to provide their opinions?
Thanks for the replies folks, I'll stay away from 8.0 until they no longer update 7.5 (and then probably find another antivirus program). This really has been the trend lately. First it was Lavasoft with their HORRIBLE new Adaware (went from like 2 clicks for updating to 5-6, everything seems to take an extra click or two and I'm not convinced its finding as many lower-threat things), then it was Spybot (again with the incessant clicking to do the same thing previous versions did with 1-2, and now this! Heck about the only program that hasn't gotten worse to use is Zone Alarm and PeerGuardian2 ('cept the latter STILL doesn't have a Vista release that isn't in beta).
When are these companies going to realize that FEWER clicks to update/scan will make people happier. Fine, go ahead and throw all the pretty-looking graphics all over the place, I can deal with that. But don't make me click 7 different windows to do something your previous version took 2!
EDIT: In response to other's questions I've heard Avast is a good free alternative, though I haven't used it yet or done lots of research. As mentioned if they eventually stop supporting 7.5 and 8.0 doesn't magically get better (ie less resource usage and better interface), I'll be looking elsewhere for my AV.
Anti-Vir is OKish...has an ad that pops up everytime it updates so that bugs some people. i think that the ad is it's own program and blocking its access to the Internet with your firewall software may work, but I haven't tried that specifically. I know it kicks off the firewall alert when it trys opening the ad.
Avast didn't impress me. Worked OK I guess, but I started a scan and came back two hours later only to find that it had stopped on something and instead of continuing on scanning, it sat right there waiting for a response of what to do with that object (which was a false positive by the way) and I did not see any way of telling it to continue scanning if an object is found.
Have to agree on the resource hog comments...installed the registered version 8 the other day and forgot about it until I realized that my laptop was crawling on the web. Disabled the Link Scanner, but it's still too slow.
Disclaimer: By providing links to other sites, FatWallet.com does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to FatWallet.com.
Members of our community may attach files to a post in accordance with the User Agreement. FatWallet is not responsible for the content, accuracy, completeness or validity of any information contained in any attached file. Files have *not* been scanned for viruses. Be especially wary of Excel files which may contain malicious content.
