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CNET Editors' review
AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 is a standalone version of a component of the full AVG 2013 suite, both free and premium editions. It provides a layer of additional protection against a variety of online threats, such as hacked Web sites that can redirect your browser to sites you don't care to visit and that can threaten your privacy and even the security of your computer system. It's designed to work in the background, scanning each Web page before it loads to head off exploit sites and similar threats without slowing your browsing noticeably. It's also included with AVG's full app. The only obvious difference is that LinkScanner's reduced interface becomes part of the full AVG interface.
Installing LinkScanner usually requires a system reboot. In standalone mode, AVG LinkScanner Free's user interface is a simplified version of AVG 2013's interface, with an up-to-date, tile-based look, though only the Web Browsing tile is active. LinkScanner accesses two basic tools, Surf-Shield and an optional Online Shield that requires an upgrade to activate. LinkScanner indicated our system's Protected status, while the Report showed no threats. The Support view offers information about LinkScanner's version, licensing, and similar data. Options include Advanced Settings such as Privacy Preferences and an Ignore list as well as general options such as updates.
We tried AVG LinkScanner on a PC without AVG's antivirus software installed, and it seemed to perform its stated mission well enough. However, we had some trouble uninstalling it. The process required some effort and apparently had the unfortunate side effect of preventing us from reinstalling the free AVG 2013 antivirus program, though we tried more than once. Other users report similar experiences. The version of the tool that comes with AVG's free antivirus application never caused any trouble that we're aware of, nor did it seem to slow down or compromise our browsing significantly. Based on this, we can't recommend the standalone AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013. If you need or want extra protection from Web threats without using the free AVG 2013, other alternatives are available.
Publisher's Description
From AVG Technologies USA:
The most dangerous page on the web may be the one you are about to click on. AVG LinkScanner provides an advanced layer of security against fast-moving, invisible web threats, and hacked web sites. It verifies the safety of web pages you visit, and of links returned from web searches (Google, Yahoo! and MSN), so you know how safe/unsafe a page is at the time you attempt to click on it. It works alongside most current consumer AV and security suite products, delivering an additional layer of security they do not provide. Highlights: Real-time scanning of links you click on, so you can be sure you are protected from the latest hacked or exploited websites. Emphasis on analysis of each web page you visit instead of the web site. Automatic upgrades whenever the threat intelligence network finds a new threat. AVG LinkScanner is available as a free download for single computer, home non-commercial use.
What's new in this version: Version 2013.0.3343 is a maintenance release.
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All versions:
2.6 starsout of 139 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Completely useless."
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2013.0.2899
Pros
There are very very rarely any positives with freeware programms dealing with protection issues.
Cons
You really only get what you pay for! In this case as good as nothing apart from a lot of trouble. Leave well alone, especially if you are not computer literate. As stated by the reviewer & other members masses of problems getting it out of your system.
Oh yes, I tried it out on an old laptop I keep to test such things & I spent sometime getting my system free of the pesky software.
Stay well clear of it!Summary
I personally would never use a freeware to protect my computer. My computer & its data are priceless & I pay my €29 for a complete & reliable defence from Bit Defender. Incedently if the need arises that a user needs to have a reliable free virus scan, then Bit Defender offers such a tool without conprimising your system. No I do not work for them I am just a year longer user of their software & have had never had a problem since 2002.
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"Very good but light issues with wondows 8 and Chrome"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2013.0.2793
Pros
it does do a great job on searching and protecting from web pages that are malicious
Cons
it does slow down the pc a little and have some issues affecting the Chrome navigator that need to be fix, also works better for internet explorer which shouldn't because it should be design more for Chrome because Chrome is better, but it doesn't, also works best for windows 7 and other windows not very good yet for windows 8.
Summary
I would recommended but until a newer version that would be better and improved from all minor issues, also if it could be lighter would be better, maybe if it was an extension that would come integrated with Chrome would function better, I would suggest also to not just be integrated with Chrome but also make a newer version that would be smarter and that would automatically search for pages on it's own and that would identify pages also that would help speed the pages, for example integrate in this software a web page accelerator that would save 1000 web pages in the extension and would make it faster to navigated recognizing the most visited web pages by the user, there many ideas on how to improve it I am hoping for a newer version, I am going to wait for it, Thanks.
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"Block from downloading"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2013.0.2793
Pros
It does sometime safe my system from malware when visit unknown sites.
Cons
But it always stop my internet connection when download video from youtube. wheter via IDM or keepvid.com, it will never reach 100%.
this is annoying.Summary
up to tyou
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"Stay Away From this product."
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2013.0.2677
Pros
Worked ok for me for awhile BUT ? Soon started hating it.
Cons
Kept wanting to restart my OS Win 7 64 bit twice a day for computer virus updates. I was skeptical about this product and when I uninstalled it I told AVG about it in the uninstall survey.
I dosen't completly uninstall all it's files you need to go back and manually do that at the root folder it installed itself into. I don't ever delete much. Instead I use a privacy shedder from Spy Bot Search and DestroySummary
In summary don't use t his piece of worthless crap. I use Zone alarm to protect me from most everything and it's reliablity far surpasses AVG's software. Never liked emm and never will so STAY away from this product it's not worth the DL and all it's headaches.
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"Can not be uninstalled!"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2012.0.2197
Pros
It is good for people that visit a lot of different webiste daily.
Cons
I tried the normal uninstaller (Window's, and Ccleaner) and this program would not uninstall. After the "uninstalling" succeeds, they ask to reboot the computer, and when done, the program is still here! Do Not Install if you plan on uninstalling it later, to, perhaps, install an antivirus software that is not compatible.
Summary
No to be installed if you want to install an antivirus with compability issues (like BitDefender) or others.
It is pretty hard to uninstall it, and impossible for a non-advanced user, if not helped by someone that is advanced. -
"Makes changes to system behavior"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2012.0.2197
Pros
Cannot be removed without quite a bit of effort De-installation failed. I'm very disappointed with this company. Will not use any products from this company again. Stay away.
Cons
Cannot be removed
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"Explorer 7 problems"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 2012.0.1831
Pros
I'm sure it does good things, but
Cons
Since I installed it, I've had nothing but problems with Explorer 7, and won't upgrade to explorer 8 because I am still using xp....
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"Not compatible with Firefox 6"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 10.0.1390
Pros
Overall, it works effectively and provides us the information about a specific websites. (Ratings, Site Details)
Cons
It may report some false positives (rarely) and more importantly IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH FIREFOX 6 at the moment
Summary
User friendly as the interface design are not really complicated and easy to use
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"Not Compatible with ZAES"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 10.0.1390
Pros
Really didn't get a chance to use it.
Cons
It caused a conflict with Zone Alarm Extreme Security.
Summary
It caused a conflict with Zone Alarm Extreme Security. ZAES shut itself down to prevent a conflict with Linkscanner. That made me decide to uninstall Linkscanner. I normally use Revo Uninstaller but it didn't see AVG Linkscanner so I used the Vista uninstall feature. That seems to have also removed some files related to other software. Firefox 5.0 had to reinstall parts of itself. I got a screen welcoming me to Firefox 5 but all my plug ins and extensions were still there however there was nothing in appearance. I don't know if anything else was affected.
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"Very reassuring software"
Version: AVG LinkScanner Free Edition 2013 10.0.1390
Pros
It is free and offers reassurance when exploring unknown sites
Cons
Only one - see summary
Summary
I am right-handed, my cursor starts on the middle of the page then moves left toward the subject header. If it passes over AVG's green 'tick' my actions are distracted by the box which appears telling me that no active threats are contained.
Can the 'tick' be moved to the left-hand side of the subject header in order to avoid this distraction?
