Manage updates with the Download App CNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download. To learn more about AVG products and to ask questions and receive answers from AVG company representatives, please visit CNET's dedicated AVG Forum.
CNET Editors' review
AVG Free provides the bare necessities when it comes to security, but that should be enough for savvy Windows users. You'll get a combined antivirus and antimalware engine, LinkScanner, and e-mail scanning. AVG Free 9 introduces a few new features, with improvements focused on performance, including claims of faster scan and boot times. One new feature is the Identity Theft Recovery Unit. Only for users in the United States, ITRU is a business partnership with Identity Guard which provides "consumer identity theft solutions," accessible only from the AVG toolbar in Firefox and Internet Explorer.
The interface is nearly unchanged from the last version, and generally it's easy to use. From the main window, though, you must double-click to get further information on any feature, whether virus scanning, LinkScanner settings, or updating. Streamlining this to one click would be helpful. A scheduling utility automates both scans and updates, while the upgrade ad at the screen's bottom can be easily hidden using the Hide Notification button. When starting a scan, a slider makes it easy to jump between Slow, Automatic, and Fast scans: the faster the scan, the less comprehensive it is, so users should take advantage of the scan optimization that is recommended during installation to speed up that first scan. A progress meter for regular scans would've been useful, though. Should a virus create serious problems, AVG creates a rescue disk to scan your computer in MS-DOS mode.
The LinkScanner feature protects you from third-party code exploits before they load in your browser and for ranking search results. Annoyingly, when you install its optional toolbar, it commandeers your new-tab page, decidedly inappropriate behavior. The program doesn't obviously tax your system when scanning or when running in the background, although CNET Labs determined that it will significantly slow down your system's boot time, and slightly delay shutting down. AVG also detected some image files as threats, when two other scans decided they weren't--we decided these were false positives. AVG might not be the fastest or the most effective free security option, but it still gets the job done and you're better off with it.
AVG Free 9 gives free ID protection:Publisher's Description
From AVG Technologies USA:
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is an anti-virus protection tool available free of charge to home users. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability.
The new 9.0 edition is faster, safer and easier to use. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition gives you free rock solid protection for your basic security needs. The combined anti-virus/anti-spyware scanner in AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition runs up to 50% faster than earlier versions and doesn't get in your way. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition also delivers new anti-phishing detection techniques, which can quickly and accurately determine whether or not a web page is hosting a phishing attack. Additionally, version 9.0 comes with basic anti-rootkit protection to ensure protection against sophisticated hidden threats.
What's new in this version: Version 9.0 runs and installs faster, delivers new anti-phishing detection techniques and introduces the AVG LinkScanner to proactively screen the Web pages you haven't even visited yet. For added peace of mind, you also get safety ratings for your Google, Yahoo! and Bing/MSN search results.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 24,198 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 1,348 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Still think this is a great product!"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
Still think this is a great product!
Cons
Still think this is a great product!
Summary
Still think this is a great product!
Actually i hate it now. Hate it Actually i hate it now. Hate it Actually i hate it now. Hate it Actually i hate it now. Hate it
Updated on Mar 16, 2011
Updated on Mar 16, 2011ok, actually i can't make my mind up. sorry for the confusion. -
"IT INTERESTING GADGET"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
AVG worked OK; lots of settings and seemed to do a good scan. But some scanner areas did not seem to work and some kept reverting back to the default
Cons
I was unable to use my Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0 email client. AVG would not let me log in. Took long to scan and no auto update feature. I tried AVIRA, but gave up on nag screen. About a year ago I switched to AVAST Home Edition and am very happy
Summary
I highly recommend AVAST Home Edition. AVG had too many issues which I could not work around or get to work; it became too frustrating. At the time it did not even have an auto update feature
I highly recommend AVAST Home Edition. AVG had too many issues which I could not work around or get to work; it became too frustrating. At the time it did not even have an auto update feature
Updated on Aug 21, 2010 -
"it helps me decide"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
I like its effectiveness
Cons
Sometimes it slows down the system
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"have not used the product yet"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
i do not know how it works
Cons
please let me down load to fined out
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"always on line"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
this is the first time i used this product but as i heard it was good.
Cons
i do not have any idea.
Summary
i do not know
Updated on Jul 5, 2010 -
"I like this program."
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
It worked fine for me and cleaned my computer.
Cons
I don't have any problems with this program.
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"I have not downladed AVG, nor do I want to do so"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
I do not think there is anything I like about this product.
Cons
After reading reviews, I will not be downloading AVG. I have Windows Live OneCare (free). It works very well.
Summary
N/A
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"site looks great- but i only use Macs"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
you can't beat free software
Cons
not available for Macs
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"Great virus protection"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
Auto updates itself nicely; smarter scanning than previous versions
Cons
Takes forever to install
Summary
I use this along with Ad-Aware on all my computers
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"A good product"
Version: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0.819
Pros
Cleans up viruses
Cons
Difficult to get updates
Summary
It should be easy to download
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