daniel snyder spotlight on avgAntiVirus review: AVG 9 Free
by Daniel Snyder.

AVG

Product rating: 9/10

I’d like to put the spotlight on AVG Free. AVG has been making quality anti-virus products for over 18 years now. Their latest release AVG 9 is rock solid, and scans 50% faster than previous versions. Nice interface, easy to use, lots of features, custom scans, automated scans and more.

Besides standard virus protection, the free version of AVG also includes email scanning to protect you against dangerous links and executable attachments in your email messages. Anti-spyware / adware protection are also in the free edition. And all versions of AVG 9 include basic anti-rootkit protection as well. One of the most important factors about AVG is the fact that it does not hog system resources. Many antivirus programs can be resource pigs, bogging down your computer, and making it run slower than need be. In my experience AVG has never caused any known software conflicts, or affected my system in any negative way. AVG will work well on any windows system from 2000 right up to 7.

AVG has successfully passed Virus Bulletin‘s scrutiny for June 2010.

I’m a firm believer that the majority of home PC users should never have to pay for their anti-virus protection. Unfortunately these days with lack of understanding, and pre-loaded computers that come with anti-virus software that only works for so many days before you must pay for it, most people end up forking out money unnecessarily. AVG 9 Free however is highly effective, it detects and cleans threats well, and loaded onto any clean computer it will do just what it claims to do. I feel great recommending AVG to home users knowing they will be secure with AVG. Of course AVG does offer an upgrade for paying users.

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Key Features of AVG 9 Free:

Surfing and searching the web and in your social networks LinkScanner Active Surf-Shield:
· Ensures every web page you visit is safe — even before you go there.

LinkScanner Search-Shield:
· Applies safety ratings to your Google, MSN and Yahoo search results.

Phishing Protection:
· Checks to make sure web pages really are what they appear to be.

· Emailing, Instant Messaging and downloading music and files E-mail Scanner:
· Keeps you safe from dangerous attachments and links in your e-mail.

· Whether you’re online or offline Anti-Virus:
· Makes sure you can’t get or spread a virus, worm, or Trojan horse.

Anti-Spyware:
· Prevents unauthorized information access by spyware and adware.

Basic Anti-Rootkit protection:

· Ensures basic protection against sophisticated hidden threats.

Update Manager:
· Makes sure you’re always safe from the latest threats — automatically.

So, what’s in the commercial edition?

If you’ve got the free version, you’re basically missing a firewall if you upgrade. AVG also includes improved rootkit detection in their commercial version as well as anti-spam software.

AVG