First Look: AVG Anti-Virus Free 8

by Seth Rosenblatt

Seventy-five million downloads can't be wrong, right? Phenomenally popular security program AVG Free has upgraded to Version 8, and Editor Seth Rosenblatt takes a first look at the revamp.

New features include a blessing of a new interface that's clean and easy to use, LinkScanner to minimize the risk of clicking on dangerous links during searches, and more.

Seth peers into the deep, dark corners of software so that you don't have to. He has yet to suffer a single nightmare about OS/2. You can follow him on Twitter.

Topics:: Security and spyware,; Windows Software

Tags:: First Look,; freeware,; AVG,; spyware,; malware

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by sofwat May 10, 2008 12:42 PM PDT: Sounds Good; Reply to this comment


by Ethan Bowen May 10, 2008 1:53 PM PDT: well everyone is different, just because it did not pass the test doesn't mean anything to those who love and enjoy this Virus protection program. In my view this is one of the best programs out there to protect against the Internet. So I say BS the test results, and we will just keep staying at number one in Virus protection. Avast sucks anyways, I would ONLY USE IT AS A BACKUP!; Reply to this comment


by Stubbo May 10, 2008 1:56 PM PDT: This is a great program quick and easy to use much better to use than older versions. stubbo; Reply to this comment

by anarghya_mitra May 10, 2008 2:41 PM PDT

I have never used Avast but I HAVE used Avira and found it to be mush better than AVG. I recently switched to Avira from AVG and I am glad I did. AVG took 1 hour to scan my computer and no parts of the program, antivirus, real time protection, is customizable. Avira only takes 30-40 minutes to scan, and it also has the best detection rates. Its nag screen is bad, though. But still, I think AVIRA is the best free antivirus around.

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by mrzip1111 May 28, 2008 5:11 AM PDT: you are very correct,avira is number one

by ied697 May 10, 2008 3:45 PM PDT

I was using AVG 7.5 and had no problems. Then I updated to AVG 8.0. I immediately got a blue screen when I said "scan system". It said a stop error had occurred and there was a device driver problem which caused a fatal error. I restarted the computer and seemed to work OK. Then it began losing the wireless internet connection and I would come back to the screen and frequently at least twice a day, the computer would have restarted. I uninstalled the program and then reinstalled. That was no improvement. I have to unplug and reset my wireless internet many times during the day.
Does anyone have an idea of why this is happening? I am seriously considering uninstall permanently. I did no other software changes at that time or since.

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by AdellaMoon May 17, 2008 10:42 AM PDT: Sulheya -- hello.
I've had similar problems with this version. Before, I had no problem, so I reinstalled AVG 7.5 and worked it; the only problem was, there were errors with that now that 8.0 is out. Grrz. Anyway, with 8.0, it was deleting my installers and their programs that were already installed, all for 1 little, single solitary file that was bad. It also got rid of IE (internet explorer). So aye, I've had problems with AVG 8.0 Should they come out with a less-complicated (no way to do a scan on-schedule, it does it in the background that makes it slower) I would reccommend an uninstall and install something else, like Windows Live OneCare or something similar (OneCare may be only free for 90 days, in which you must register, but it does catch more than AVG did or does.) As for the problem, there may be a glitch in the program that doesn't like some computers. Hope that helped! -- Adella Moon


by rioritalou May 17, 2008 10:45 AM PDT: Are you using Vista? If you are, you might need to download and install KB929547 from Microsoft. Also, if you have another anti-virus installed, or anti-root kit or anti-spyware, you may have to uninstall and then make a clean istall after install of AVG. Sure hope I helped, I have been using AVG for ever and have never had a virus.


by super61 May 10, 2008 5:52 PM PDT: i hate aVG I WILL STICK TO AVAST; Reply to this comment


by keyur8220 May 10, 2008 6:35 PM PDT: I am using avast.. i found it simply good... it gives complete protection against all kind of viruses, does AVG gives complete protection for free? as far as i know AVG gives only limited protection an its free edition.. so I consider avast as one of the best anti virus, which is even better than many of paid anti virus softwares....; Reply to this comment

by benesby40 May 10, 2008 9:57 PM PDT

I would like to know if AvG is really a good free tool. I read about Avira. Now, I am really confuse.
Thanks anyway. I always check CNET webpage about advice. They are really good.

Reply to this comment


by mrzip1111 May 28, 2008 5:14 AM PDT: none out there can top avira


by tashfeen_m May 10, 2008 11:31 PM PDT: I'll say it out loud: NO FREE ANTIVIRUS IS CURRENTLY AS GOOD AS A GOOD PAID ANTIVIRUS. From my experience (I have a blog dedicated to reviewing antivirus software, http://avscan.blogspot.com, and yes I DID test all of them) Avast is very good, but is not on the same level as Kaspersky, NOD32 or even F-Secure. (Of course it's better than Norton and McAfee!) Case closed.; Reply to this comment


by proshoots May 10, 2008 11:57 PM PDT: well !!! 75 mill can be wrong ,7.5 had problems but WORKED fine ,new 8 is useless
and what they DON'T tell you is the e mail cover is for 30 days only .
so stick with 7.5 or go else were
and it is BLOATED BLOATED BLOATED WITH A LOAD OF RUBBISH; Reply to this comment


by itsme2003 May 11, 2008 12:43 AM PDT: I used to love AVG, but not anymore. Up through version 7.5 I thought their product was great.

I hated the spyware-like pop-ups that came up about the upgrade deadline being the end of May, 2008.

I've loaded the new version on several computers. It does fine on a Core 2 duo, but it makes an AMD 2100+ almost unusable.

If you have a slower computer I strongly advise you to find something else besides AVG 8.; Reply to this comment


by cooldhuru May 11, 2008 2:54 AM PDT: dude i have used all antiviruses you speak of
avast is the best i found,
doesnt bother u much,doesnt irritate,quietly does its work very well.
in addition u require a firewall and antispyware thats it.; Reply to this comment


by Kkhann May 11, 2008 5:04 AM PDT: good; Reply to this comment


by 09903 May 11, 2008 9:38 AM PDT: Concerning the comment by Ethan Bowen using only the AVG antivirus and disliking AVAST: You're certainly entitled to your opinion--but if you ever try to help someone remove SERIOUS virsus from their PC with the AVG antivirus, THEN you will understand why the AVG did NOT pass the Virus test but AVAST did!!; Reply to this comment


by koka_71 May 11, 2008 10:11 AM PDT: thx; Reply to this comment


by waheed303 May 11, 2008 1:04 PM PDT: i am using AVG 7.5, and i had no problem. it is reliable.; Reply to this comment


by firefoxluva95 May 11, 2008 1:09 PM PDT: I'm gonna have to agree with the Avast peeps here. I mean if you click on an infected link, if Firefox 3's malware check let's it through, then Avast will automatically give me a popup telling me about a potential threat and then will give me the option to abort the connection that may be unsafe. It has saved me a couple of times. Avast's protection is also extended to email, IM, P2P, Network, all that good stuff for free. Avast doesn't really try to get a free customer to pay for the professional edition either. They don't make the customer feel they are missing out on much by not purchasing.

I guess some people don't like the media player skin for Avast. In your preferences you can choose to use no skin and it may appeal to your eyesight.; Reply to this comment


by pstoner75 May 11, 2008 6:45 PM PDT: AVG 7.5 was byfar a fantastic product - what brought about the revamp of the software to version 8? Trying to be the biggest kid on the block. AVG 8 while integrating it's great virus protection with email protection, spam protection, web site content advisory etc., it has become a hog. I have installed AVG 8 both free and the paid product for many clients that have requested it only to literally have to replace 100% of the product installs. Seems that the web content advisor bogs down the internet connection and eventually brings it to a screeching halt. After long testing and tinkering I found the only way to restore internet speed or the internet connection period, was to remove AVG 8 - Sorry Grisoft, you had a great product - what did you do to it?! Back to Avast!; Reply to this comment


by nikoPSK May 11, 2008 10:25 PM PDT: I love AVG.; Reply to this comment


by checkyboy May 12, 2008 2:38 AM PDT: i found avast very good, but i found i could not do a system restore, it would not let me, so i had to uninstall it to enable me to a a restore. Is there any reason for this; Reply to this comment

Showing 1 of 4 pages (82 Comments)