Does No One Like AVG any more?

I purchased 3 year, 3 computer AVG package about 2 1/2 years ago. It will soon be time for me to renew or switch. Based on what I am reading here -- no one seems to like AVG anymore, with a couple of exceptions. And there are all these new AV software around.

I tried Kapersky, SAS and MAM when making my decision. Kapersky was too demanding on my attention for me to use. I was not sophisticated enough to make all the decisions it wanted me too.

I settled on AVG because at the time it was one of the most highly rated.

I am using XP for an OS. I own an ASUS z70va and an HP Pavilion. I am waiting until the spring to replace these laptops -- I want to see the new editions post Win7 release. The timing is perfect for making a decision re AV program.

I have read through a number of threads on "what is the best AV program." I am happy to purchase -- I prefer to stay away from Norton unless there is compelling evidence to use it -- I've tried a number of times over the years and its bloat is just too much -- even when it "improves."

 

If you don't make a lot of system changes (installing programs..etc), you can skip over the antivirus and use something like windows steadystate. Your computer would be faster plus guaranteed virus free and no false positives.

 

I just read this comparative report linked to from the sticky in this forum. It is current as of Nov 09.

Interestingly Eset NOD32 is back at the top of the list -- what I used to use before I switched to AVG. AVG does not fare too well in this comparative report. No wonder people are not high on it.

AVG has been detecting no tracking cookies since Dec 11 upon a scan. SAS and MAM seemed to confirm.

However -- I am running once again SAS on the ASUS -- and this time it is picking up 100's of tracking cookies

What does that mean about AVG? is there some setting I accidental turned on so it didn't detect these tracking cookies?

 

Sadly and honestly to tell, AVG sucks.
If you give me AVG Premium Suite(Paid Version) for me, I will straight away throw it into the Recycle Bin(Physical not inside of the PC).
AVG Free Edition, speechless.
Just get rid of AVG and try Microsoft Security Essential, Avira Antivir Personal 9 or Avast! Home Edition if you want something FREE and POWERFUL.
Google something like "AV Comparison December 2009", you will get to know which AVs are clumsy.

 

Well, I am running SAS on my HP now shortly after the AVG scan. The AVG scan found about 20 tracking cookies which I deleted. Then I started SAS.

SO far SAS has found almost 400! tracking cookies. No wonder my HP has been slow.

With regard to the ones you recommend -- are any of them good as a firewall? I don't want to switch to a paid one just yet -- though I may switch to Norton now out of desperation as the latest version is receiving top scores and people here have been saying the bloat is gone.

 

Can't comment on AVG since I have never used it, but I can comment on Norton versus NOD32, Kaspersky, Avira, and McAfee.

Your connotation of Norton AV programs is definitely understandable, but it's more than two years out of date. Norton has been rewritten from the ground up beginning with the 2009 edition, to focus on system transparency and minimal impacts on system resources.

At first, I didn't really think it would be that much better, as that is what most AV companies claim every new generation. However, upon switching from ESET NOD32 (the lightest-resource AV program I had used until then), I was amazed at Norton 2009's performance. Not only did it use less RAM and CPU resources than ESET NOD32, but also detected remnants of malware that ESET had failed to remove.

Everything from the installation (took about a minute) to the Quick Scans (blazingly fast, after it does its File Insight optimization), NIS09 was crazy fast.

NAV10 is also one of the cheapest antiviruses, since it's frequently available for $9.99 after rebate. I really suggest that you try it out.

 

Norton has indeed cleaned up it's act with it's latest 2010 version.
It's light, fast and has a high detection rate.
The only thing about it is the fact you have to pay for it, but since that's not the problem for you, then I think you can't go wrong (besides, it's fairly cheap).

If you are considering free anti-virus solutions that are on par with latest Norton, then Microsoft security Essentials or Avira 9 will do just fine.

'No love' for AVG?
It has nothing to do with 'love'. Facts are that it's detection rate is low, and it can be quite a resource hog (both as a free and paid version).

I personally go with free anti virus solutions these days that are:
low on system resources, light and have a high detection rate.
MSE and Avira fall into this category.

I used NOD for 6 years, but decided to finally switch because the detection rate was lower and it simply got surpassed.

 

Yeah... after everything I am reading, Norton now seems to be the best at this time. But I will probably wait until spring to buy it.

Will they serve as firewalls as well?

I used to use NOD when it was highly rated and then switched to AVG nearly 3 years ago for the same reason. Oh, well... time to change again.

 

Microsoft Security Essentials relies on the Windows Firewall.

Avira Free definitely doesn't have one.

 

To be precise,
Microsoft Security Essentials(MSSE) doesn't have Firewall either. It's just Windows Firewall. LOL.

To OP,
Firewall is not really No.1 Vital Protection of your System.
Windows Firewall is solid enough. You don't need 3rd Party Firewall.

 

all the suites have sucky firewall , i used avg for 9 years , they suck now , use avira premium with outpostpro firewall on comp 1 +4 +6 , avast free with outpost free firewall on comp 2 , avira free and pc firewallplus free on comp 3 +5 . At least these firewall let me set the rules i want if need be , the pro outpost has a spyware scanner with resident turned off because avira has spyware scanner , but i use it to scan on demand once a month , have yet to find anything .
I have never liked suites as they always have a weak app or 2 , like firewall in most all suites suck . and one more reason norton and comodo are off the list

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=16253

somecharts of suites firewalls http://www.matousec.com/projects/pr...l4=on&from_m=12&from_y=2008&to_m=12&to_y=2009

 

Ive been using AVG free for the last 3 years or so, its worked very well for me and my family so i trust it.

It recently detected a trojaned Razer mouse driver which Razer gave me $100 worth of gear for compensation after showing my AVG virus vault.

 

not at all true if you were to look at the site you linked to you would see that. kaspersky suite firewall tests now as well as the better stand alone's and even norton's got a rating of good. while not perfect better than nothing due to most stand alones driving the normal user nuts with pop up's and them turning it off so it stops driving them crazy

 

kapersky is the one suite with decent firewall , I just no longer trust them du to past crap . Still like to have separate apps , ones i can make my own rules .
AVG and sygate were great 4 years ago , light on resources and very effective .

 

comodo has a great firewall, outpost suite also, and even norton's if you set the firewall to advanced allows full app control and rules that you can make or customize

 

From my past experience, Kaspersky has a pretty good firewall, although it is overparanoid and tends to give unnecessary notifications. But that may have changed in the 2009 and 2010 editions.

Norton Internet Security's firewall hasn't bothered me much since installation, so it seems quite transparent, automatically recognizing the vast majority of the legitimate programs I use. Honestly, like some other posters have said, software firewall isn't too important, Windows Firewall is enough. If anyone truly is determined to hack into your computer, nothing will stop them. The only reason I bought NIS09 instead of NAV09 was because it was actually cheaper during a sale.

 

I totally agree with you. LOL.
Hardcore Hacker will do anything to break through any Firewall, Waterwall.

 

hardware firewall with IP filter and MBAM (realtime) MSE is good (but i had a bad experience that made me switch to MBAM)

 

have a hardware firewall , but i like to see what is calling out to the mothership , and cut off communications . What can i say , i like to see what packets are being sent out and where they are going . A good software firewall helps .

 

Except for a couple systems, we are using Windows Firewall and MSE and Spyware Blaster eclusively on other comps at the moment. Doing well for the past many months with no hiccup.

I stopped using AVG after 7.5, and Comodo after moving to Vista.

cheers ...

 

great sure , read on

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=16253

 

AVG has poor detection, its good for a system with little resources however its not effective for getting rid of serious viral problems. If your downloading torrents and using p2p apps I don't suggest using AVG or MS S-essentials.

 

I used AVG free for a long while but a new improved version completely froze the scans. I went to Avast and never looked back.

 

Best free antivirus is good common sense.

 

imo out of the free ones currently avast would be my pick for sure. great program.

 

I thought in a recent test Microsoft's Security Essentials was like one of the top rated? I don't use a AV program anymore...just don't go on shady sites and downloads.