AVG review

How AVG meets the 5 criteria?

1. Threat Protection

AVG features most of the common functions available in modern antivirus and Internet security programs, including periodic scans, scans of sent and received emails (including adding footers to the emails indicating this), the ability to repair some virus-infected files, and a quarantine area (virus vault) in which infected files are held.

Malware Protection

The Computer Scan checks for insecure browser add-ons and for active malware. It also flags performance issues, but correcting those performance problems requires a purchase of AVG TuneUp. AVG’s Deep Scan checks your entire computer for lurking malware. It takes quite a while, but users are recommended to run it at least once after installation. AVG could block all access to the malware-hosting URL, or wipe out the malware payload before the download finishes. When AVG detects a non-malware file acting suspiciously, it runs a quick scan to make sure there’s no problem.

Spyware Protection

Spyware can secretly monitor your actions on your device, capture passwords, banking credentials, and credit card details. AVG is capable of recognizing such programs, block and remove them.

Web Protection

The patent-pending LinkScanner technology acquired from Exploit Prevention Labs and built into most AVG products, provides real-time updated protection against exploits and drive-by downloads. LinkScanner includes: Search-Shield – a safe search component that places safety ratings next to each link in Google, Yahoo! and MSN search results; plus Active Surf-Shield – a safe surf component that scans the contents of a website in real-time to ensure it’s safe being opened.

AVG Online Shield is a feature, designed to check files and ensure that they are safe. AVG Online Shield also ensures the safety of exchanging files via instant messengers and VoIP clients. It would apply a local blacklist, then prefetch and scan the links clicked on by the user.

Phishing Websites Protection

AVG blocks phishing (fraudulent) websites and malware-hosting sites by cutting off access at the network level. While it displays a notification popup, the browser simply shows an error message.

Adware Protection
Adware is less dangerous, but it is still nothing else than malicious software that uses your computer resources to automatically display or download advertising materials such as banners or pop-ups. This both slows down your device and usually hinders your surfing experience. AVG is capable of blocking and removing such programs as well.

2. Resource Consumption

When AVG 8.0 was first released, its LinkScanner safe search feature was shown to cause an increase in traffic on websites that appear high in search engine results pages. Since LinkScanner disguises the scans as coming from an Internet Explorer 6 browser when it prescans each site listed in the search results, website usage logs showed incorrect and overinflated site visitor statistics. The prescanning of every link in search results also caused websites to transfer more data than usual, resulting in higher bandwidth usage for website operators and slow performance for users.

There were also numerous reports between 2012 and 2015 that the AVG SafeGuard Toolbar installs itself without the consent of the user, as a side effect of installing other applications. The toolbar program appears to cause significant RAM issues and can be considered an intrusive potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Though those major problems seem to be fixed nowadays, overall the AVG software tends to slow your computer more than other antivirus software on the market.

At the same time, the 2017 release of AVG TuneUp (comes for an extra charge) comes with a complete reboot of its patented ‘Programs-On-Demand’ technology. It puts draining programs into a smart Sleep Mode and reduces their impact on PC performance, battery life, network, and storage to nearly zero.

3. 24/7 Real-time Scanning

AVG virus scanner will constantly look for infections on your PC, remove them, and protect you by running the software in the background and monitoring your system, as long as the device is on.

4. Extra Protection Features

• Boot Time Scan. If persistent malware resists removal attempts by the regular antivirus, you can choose a Boot-Time Scan. Since this scan runs before Windows boots, Windows-based malware has no chance to defend itself.
  
• Shopping Coupons. AVG’s SafePrice browser extension checks items in your shopping cart and seeks better deals; it also offers coupons for the current site, when available.
  
• VPN Internet Security. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can provide a wide range of benefits from securing a private browsing session to unlocking restricted content. You can connect boldly to public Wi-Fi with a 256-bit AES encryption to keep all your online activity private and away from hackers, and unwanted peepers, as well as have access to any content worldwide.
• Password Manager. Easily manage and keep all your passwords secure in one place.
• Firewall. Remote management of Windows firewall or built-in advanced firewall tools.
• AVG TuneUp. Updates your basic existing programs. Speeds up, cleans up & fixes all your devices. (For an extra charge)
• AVG Driver Updater. Easily fix & update your device drivers. (For an extra charge)

5. Platforms/Devices Accessibility

AVG provides AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows, AVG AntiVirus for macOS, and AVG AntiVirus for Android devices.
All are so-called “freemium products”, meaning they are free to download, install, update and use, but for technical support, a premium plan must be purchased.

 

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