Back to AVG8, or is there better?

On edge · Sep 2, 2008

I had some issues with AVG8 on my older desktop - it seemed like I could never turn it fully off and I suspected it was interfering and slowing down some other programs, but on second thoughts, I don't see a better alternative.

The pros: Provides both anti-virus/trojan and anti-spyware protection both in real-time (no 30-day limit AFAIK), and in user-activated or -scheduled scans, with the option to scan only selected files/folders. Plus, it seems to catch things that some other programs miss...

Trickier pros: The Toolbar sucks imo (bloat) - but you can choose not to install it (the pro). Also, daily scans are too much, but you can to turn them off or set AVG to scan once a week (the pro)... And advanced settings give you lots of flexibility and ability to customize, beyond what other freeware programs of this kind let you do - but you have to go over them...

Supposed limitations: Compared to the Pro version, the missing features are almost all bloat features that I wouldn't want anyway (no "safe" downloads, instant messaging, or surfing (webpage protection)). no free support = doesn't matter. as far as downloads go, I'm currently downloading an archived message board on my other computer that has AVG Free, and the program seems quite happy to pop up every now and then to tell me it has stopped an infected file (I think you just need to choose auto-heal, etc. under resident shield's advanced settings). the only missing feature I need covered is anti-rootkit protection. what's a good program for that?

Other programs I use: In addition to AVG Free, I'm only going to use ZoneAlarm Free, and occasionally a-Squared Free or HJT, and of course the usual cleaners (ccleaner, smart defrag, ...). Not sure about Spyware Blaster and Spybot anymore (AVG8 may work with them, or it may require tweaking)...

Leaner alternatives: Is there a leaner alternative program or group of programs that would cover all that AVG8 covers (anti-virus&spy both in real-time and otherwise), and catch malware as effectively or better?

chaslang · Sep 3, 2008

As mentioned in this thread: How to Protect yourself from malware! many people have been having issues with AVG8. It comes down to a matter of personal preferences and also the power of your PC. It is much much more resource hungry then the previous versions and is probably going to go the way of McAfee and Symantec if they are not careful. In fact they may already be there.

Also AVG8 has problems with indicating things as malware that SpywareBlaster and Spybot put into your registry to protect you. They have no plans to fix this and just say those programs are incompatible with AVG8. The links to info on this are in the above link.

Each user really needs to decide for themselves what components they need and don't need but I strongly recommend that LinkScanner and toolbars not be used. Other features can be disabled too depending on your needs.

Log in or Sign up

Back to AVG8, or is there better?

On edge Corporal

chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member