Is AVG Anti-Virus actually good?

[BIOJECT]

I've been using AVG anti-virus since the freeware version 6.0 and I am starting to question if it really works. Once when I got a trojan horse, I scanned my computer with AVG and tried to heal it. Unfortunately my AVG program was unsuccessful and I used the free online housecall program instead. Housecall was able to remove it. What are your opinions of AVG? Are there any better free antivirus software you recommend instead? My current security setup is as follows:
AVG 7.0 Free Edition
Ad-Aware SE
Spybot 4.0

[Cricket]

I've been using AVG for the past 6 years and I'm happy with it's performance. It might not get everything out there, but no anti-virus does. For trojans you might want to use Ewido.

There aren't that many free anti-virus programs out there (I can only think of AVG, Avast! and AntiVir) and I don't think one is really that much better than the other.

:) Cricket

[rspassey]

I have used both AVG and Avast. AVG is a good program, and it works. I often recommend installing it and scanning with it (on top of the AV someone already has) when they fear they are infected with a virus. In general though, I prefer Avast of AVG... if you aren't completely satisfied, then try one of the other free ones. Just because they have a free version, doesn't mean it is any worse. Think about it, if the free didn't work, then nobody would ever consider purchasing the security suites they offer or the professional version, etc.

[TwoRails]

It's good for a freebie... When compared to mainstream for sale AV programs, however, it's usually near the bottom. PC World recently did a AV comparison, for example, and it was on the bottom of ten programs tested:

http://pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp

[human1987]

Last time when i got a virus in some folder of my pc, AVG cannot scan that area.. i don't know why. And i think i used web scanning to do it. Housecall if im not wrong to remove the virus.

[glc]

NOTHING can remove viruses from the system restore.

[rspassey]

NOTHING can remove viruses from the system restore.

Which is why it is recommended to clean out and turn off system restore before removing viruses, then afterward, enabling system restore again.

[RayH]

I use AVG as my installed anti-virus and I do backup scans with Housecalls. I'm satisfied. I also do regular reinstallations via Drive Image.

[human1987]

Oh. I guess it's under the folder of some system restore.
No wonder AVG don't scan that area.

[Hi Ho]

I've used AVG for years. I have never had a problem. I never do anything that would put me at much of a risk for getting a virus and AVG has never caught anything. I have run scans with Housecall as well just to be sure.

[human1987]

NOTHING can remove viruses from the system restore.

hi glc, mind telling me how to clear the system restore folder or something? :confused:

[bigandy]

As far as I know, your only option is to disable it, scan and remove any viruses and then re-enable system restore.

[rspassey]

As far as I know, your only option is to disable it, scan and remove any viruses and then re-enable system restore.

That is the best way make sure the virus is gone. But, for periodic cleaning of unneeded system restores:

Start Disk Clean up > Click On "More options" > Click on the bottom 'Clean Up' which is within a box that says System Restore.

[Statica]

It's good for a freebie... When compared to mainstream for sale AV programs, however, it's usually near the bottom. PC World recently did a AV comparison, for example, and it was on the bottom of ten programs tested:

http://pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,124475,00.asp

I'm looking at that list, and the only thing I can think of is that maybe they ranked that list from the WORST to the BEST. No self respecting author could've kept McAfee or Symantec that far up on top.
IMO statistics such as Scan speed is ridiculous. Usually systems dont need to get thoroughly scanned other than during downtimes. A comprehensive scan followed by realtime scanning is more than adequate.
Again, just because the virus encyclopedia is vast doesn't necessarily mean that the program is any good. If the scan engine (and this is the most important part, really) isn't efficient or is susceptible to crashes then what's the point.

[kev7555]

Thank you, Statica.

As one who cleans customer systems every day and depends on AVG to keep things clean when I am done, I must say that my work has become much easier since I went to AVG.

These "compared to mainstream" reports... I have come to believe are generated by advertising moneys. He who offers to put the most behind the investigator will get a good rating (remember payola?). Not to start any "conspiracy theories" but...what else could explain these results?

I have seen multiple "reports" on AV software and the systems that are usually the most infected are running one of the top runners, usually Norton, McAfee or E-Trust.

If one wishes to find the best tools to keep their computer running smoothly, they need only to read the multiple threads contained here devoted to this subject. Listen to those who do the work for a living, not to corporate advertising.



-Kev

[Hi Ho]

I have to agree with Statica and Kev. The list in that article is nearly backwards. I wouldn't even put McAffee and Norton in the top ten.

[cmillar6]

I think the real problem is not that Symantec and Mcaffee virus protection is lackluster, its that users fail to renew their subscriptions, and virus definitions remain out of date. I can't tell you how many infected machines I have been given running Norton, Mcaffee etc.. where virus defintions were months if not years old. I just had one last night that hadn't been updated in 24 months because the user didn't want to pay the $29.95 or whatever it is. I reformatted for them and left them running AVG. I did this not because it is "superior software" but because its free and I don't have to worry about them not getting monthly updates.

[Hi Ho]

I'd say the major problem with McAffee and Norton is that they are both extreme resource hogs that take up gobs of memory and processing power and interfere with other programs.

I had McAffee installed on my system a great while ago before I knew better. As soon as I removed McAffee, all of the problems I was having with slow performance, lock-ups, application errors, system errors, and crashes dissapeared.

[TwoRails]

Geez folks, I only posted a link (that's been posted in the forums before, BTW)... Didn't think it would become politically charged.

It boils down to if something works for you, then use it. I don't subscribe to the conspiracy concept in the slightest. as many times the testing is done by or along with independent third parties, as in the case with PC World's review. AV-TEST.org (http://www.AV-TEST.org) was "partnered" in PC World's test and from reading the printed article I got the impression they did most if not all testing. Perhaps that German company was bought off too?? I don't think so. How about all the other reviewers, national magazines, and other respected sources?? Are they all bought off? How about Consumer Reports?? Come on...

I haven't read all that many AV articles, mainly because I still use what works for me, but the few I've read, AVG is usually near the bottom. It's not my testing, it's their testing, and I am personally Not knocking AVG since I've never used it. In this case I'm just the messenger. In fact, if / when I ever use a free AV program, that's the one I'd pick.

So, let's take a look at it from the other way around: does anybody have a link to a well known, respectable source that has tested multiple AV programs at one time where the order is generally reversed?

[Hi Ho]

I was speaking fromy experience/opinion, not from any official test or review. I don't believe most reviews are bought off (except in the audio/video world ;) ) but, as Statica pointed out, the criteria in that particular review is incomplete.

[TwoRails]

From the article:

How We Tested Antivirus Software

We tested stand-alone antivirus products where possible and only the antivirus scanning engines of products that had multiple security components. The PC World Rating is a weighted average of specifications (10 percent), price (10 percent), design (30 percent), and performance (50 percent).

Performance Tests Explained

AV-Test, a German security firm, evaluated how well the programs could detect 1518 WildList threats, and 136,250 threats from its own zoo of backdoors programs, bots, and Trojan horses. AV-Test evaluated each program's heuristics by using one-month-old and two-month old versions of the programs, which wouldn't have the benefits of subsequent malware signatures. In the one-month-old heuristic tests, AV-Test saw how well the programs could detect 244 backdoor programs and 37 worms. In the two-month-old heuristic tests, AV-Test saw how well the programs could detect 555 backdoor programs and 101 worms.

AV-Test evaluated how well the programs could detect and clean 110 macro viruses affecting Microsoft Office applications. AV-Test also compiled data on how quickly software companies released virus signatures for 16 new outbreaks over a period of eight months in 2005. PC World tested how quickly each program ran a system scan on a test set of files and folders.

Performance results are a weighted average of WildList tests (30 percent), zoo tests (15 percent), one-month-old heuristic tests (20 percent), two-month-old heuristic tests (10 percent), macro virus results (10 percent), outbreak-response-time tests (10 percent), and scan-speed tests (5 percent).

Tony Bradley is a network security consultant, and the lead writer for About.com's Internet/Network Security Web site. Narasu Rebbapragada is an associate editor for PC World.
The speed test is weighted at only 5% and I don't have a problem with that. How many people would consistently run scans if it took hours and hours? A quicker scan would encourage people to scan more often IMHO.

[cdplayer]

I use AVG on one machine and Norton on another both failed to discover and remove the Win32.Trojan.Dialer.hz. Oh yea the TrojanHunter software didn't find it either!

Who found the virus/trojan? ZoneAlarm's Anti-spyware. I strongly believed that one must have more than one Anti-software software package so that the user can perform manual scans with Anti-spyware software.

Quite frankly I am not pleased with Norton's support. Earlier this year I called support needing help in order to completely remove their software package from my computer temporarily. By the time I had gone to their site found the information that I needed, applied the fix reinstall the software - about a week later I received a call from a Norton support representative. Needless to say I gave them my opinion. :mad:

Because of that irritating experience (and several other bad experiences) I have decided at the end of my subscription with Norton I will go with another company's antivirus software. One that is free. I am finding it hard to justify paying for a subscription only to be forced to beg for support.

I think I will be looking closely at Avast.

[ITlover]

I have downloaded AVG software but It doesnot run when I click on it and get an error messege that I donot remember.

Can anyone help me out and give me the link of AVG as well?

[Hi Ho]

The free version can be found HERE (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1). It's a bit tricky to find.

[cdplayer]

I have downloaded AVG software but It doesnot run when I click on it and get an error messege that I donot remember.

Can anyone help me out and give me the link of AVG as well?
Hey ITlover,

This is what I got off of the AVG site:
"Technical Support is available for REGISTERED USERS of AVG commercial editions only. Technical Support is available in the form of e-mail 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. If you have not registered your AVG product, you are NOT authorized to contact Technical Support."

BUT there is a forum that you can check out that may be able to help you:

http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/index.php

Hope this helps! :D

[kev7555]

I have yet to see an AVG installation file that would not run.

Is your system already clean of other malware? Spyware, Adware, etc?



-Kev

[Eaglefeather]

I used Panda for a good 5 or more years and every year had a major problem getting a renewal. I had been reading all the good things being said in the PC Mech forums about AVG and decided to give up on Panada and give AVG a try. Well I don't know about others but my PC has been totally free of trojans and virii ever since I started using it 3 years ago. Nothing, but nothing has managed to get in. That was not the case with my very expensive subscription to Panda.

One really great advantage is that AVG updates itself every morning at 8:20 am est. Every couple of months or so it not only updates the signature file it updates the entire program. I never had this kind of service from Panda.

Running AVG & ZoneAlarm, and with the regular use of Spybot and Ad Aware all three of the machines in my home have been clean and free of pests for the past 3 years.

PC world can do all the comparison testing they like, and place AVG anywhere on their list they like, but it won't change the fact AVG works well in the real world, and that is all that is important.