New Free AVG Antivirus (version 8)

This is the newest version of free avg antivirus.




Thank you, you are too kind.

fileforum.betanews.com...

Now, the ATS Dancers:

:pbjti me:


:clwnd nc:

I use the AVG free editions, and it has saved my bacon several times. For anyone who is frugal - er, ugghh, a tightwad who doesn't like to buy software - I highly recommend it.

reply to post by mrmonsoon


Installed on laptop (ml-37) 1.6 gig single core, 1 gig ram (958 for system memory)

The program pretty much used up everything.

I fully realize that is not a powerful computer, but compare what you have to it.

Forget AVG.

If you are looking for a free antivirus, you need to get Antivir. Hands down the best antivirus software I've ever tried, not to mention the top performer in numerous tests.

Can you guys post a screen capture or something of the system overhead with each of these running in active scanning mode.

For AVG are you saying it's using more then 500 Meg of ram when in active mode?

For Antivir, what is the footprint, same mode.

Finally, I don't understand why you need a antivirus. If you are not visiting, uh, unsafe sites and are not downloading software, then how would you become infected.

The only way I'm aware is those who use MS Outlook and open attachments.

I stopped running antivirus several years ago. I just have a software firewall and never have any problems with viruses.

Just curious.

TIA

Originally posted by bigbert81
Forget AVG.

If you are looking for a free antivirus, you need to get Antivir. Hands down the best antivirus software I've ever tried, not to mention the top performer in numerous tests.

I will second this. I always do a TONNE of research on which software to use, and AntiVir is indeed, currently the best Free Antivirus around.

Its footprint appears to be roughly 9MB, 19MB when the controls are open.

Originally posted by Badge01

I stopped running antivirus several years ago. I just have a software firewall and never have any problems with viruses.

Just curious.

Running your pc without anti virus protection ?? !!

Unless your activities on the internet are extremely limited, I find it difficult to conceive spending any time on the net without virus protection. I know that I typically manage to bump into a virus or two (not spyware) every month. Usually my anti virus programs manage to quarantine them before any problems are caused on my pc. However, every so often I do find that I need to take drastic steps to get my pc working again -- thank god for the recovery features on Windows (this proves that they have a conscience) -- and then, every so often I face an OS re-install.

So, I think that you have been very lucky....so far.... but there really are some nasty virus' out there that can potentially harm the data you might hold dear. Considering that this thread is about the new FREE AVG anti-virus program, perhaps it's an omen? I wouldn't hesitate downloading AVG.

Originally posted by benevolent tyrant

Originally posted by Badge01

I stopped running antivirus several years ago. I just have a software firewall and never have any problems with viruses.

Running your pc without anti virus protection ?? !!

Unless your activities on the internet are extremely limited, I find it difficult to conceive spending any time on the net without virus protection. I know that I typically manage to bump into a virus or two (not spyware) every month.

....

So, I think that you have been very lucky....so far.... but there really are some nasty virus' out there that can potentially harm the data you might hold dear. Considering that this thread is about the new FREE AVG anti-virus program, perhaps it's an omen? I wouldn't hesitate downloading AVG.

I'd be interested in the sources of the 'viruses' you say you encounter every month or so. Got any names of these viruses? (just curious, not doubting you)

I don't visit 'disreputable' sites, I keep my browser up to date and I am running Windows Defender which is part of Vista.

However I stopped running antivirus about 5 years ago when Norton started eating up resources and became impossible to remove by ordinary means.

I'm certainly not advocating people stop running an antivirus program, and I've thought about running a spyware scan now and then, but I'm telling you honestly and sincerely I don't see a reason, nor can I understand a source of viruses unless you are using MS Outlook or an email client that allows exploits or you are using or downloading hack-ware.

I'd like to learn, though.

Again, I've never had a problem and the few times I ran a spyware program when I had WinXP all of the warnings were cookie related.

Now, maybe windows Vista firewall and Windows Defender and running an updated Firefox is adequate, but I've NEVER even had a warning from Defender or the firewall and I've been running Vista for a year or more at least.

I'd love for someone to give even -evidence- (not even proof) that simply browsing normal sites or just being connected to the Net can cause viral infections on a monthly basis. So far, I've seen none and have not for the past 5 years.

Prior to Vista I ran XP with a basic Zone Alarm software firewall.

I'm not saying being on the 'Net is safe. Far from it. I wouldn't drop my firewall while being connected. (even though most people say that software firewalls are not much protection).

2 cents.

Edit: Oh yeah, I also run PeerGuardian.


[edit on 4-5-2008 by Badge01]

One further comment and this is kind of paranoid, heh.

I'm not convinced that the various spyware programs and virus programs are completely 'safe'.

IOW, you don't really know what they are doing wrt your system.

They are known to give 'false' warnings.

It makes sense that in order to stay in business a spyware Co., or an AntiVirus Co. must have 'threats'. Again, paranoid, but who's to say that they don't let in a virus or enable a virus to be 'caught' just to prove their need?

We all know that some programs that -report- they are spywares are actually exploits and spy programs hiding behind that name.

I'm not going so far as to allege this is actually happening, but I wouldn't be surprised.

reply to post by Badge01


I can understand your position on paid virus protectors like Norton and Mcafee, however, what does a company providing a free antivirus stand to gain from releasing their own viruses to prove it works?

Originally posted by SilentShadow
...what does a company providing a free antivirus stand to gain from releasing their own viruses to prove it works?

I'm not making an assertion, I'm asking a question.

If any antivirus company is doing it, then, since they are all in competition, I might suspect that the majority of them are doing something not quite kosher.

Free antivirus checkers are out there, but aren't many of those two tiered services? They have a free one with limited features and then try to get you to purchase the 'pro' version, right?

This isn't a very subtle strategy, so it may be I'm wrong. But I -do- know there are quite a few 'spyware' checkers reported to be spyware themselves.

One other puzzling thing is why Norton had to make a product that was so intrusive, and such a large memory footprint and resource hog. In fact I saw one virus checker (not Norton, though it's pretty big also) that had a full gig install application. What the heck?

What I'm trying to find out now is where a majority of people who use virus checkers are getting those virii. (besides MS Outlook attachments and hidden within 'bad' websites or in hacked commercial software).

Hope this explains my comment better.

That's pretty sweet of AVG.

I do want to say:

Check with your ISP, most of them provide free anti-virus and firewall. They are usually borrowed software from developers that get paid.

For instance, with Charter internet I get F-Secure software for free. I'll take F-secure over AVG any day.

You can pickup a trojan from just browsing sites. Even good sites.

The only reason I keep IE on the computer is to visit Trend Micro housecall for there free scan every couple of weeks. This will kick out the very few problems that AVG doesn't cover.

Peer Gaudian is great to have for P2P usage. If your running this as a normal program, chances are you have some unwelcome guests and don't know it.

reply to post by hinky


You shouldn't anymore. Between the option of Firefox, and IE making activeX more secure, no one should be picking up a virus by browsing.

I don't really even get tracking cookies anymore.