AVG Anti-Virus Free

Date: 26th Nov 2006   |   In: Anti-Virus

Download: Author’s Site

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is a totally free anti-virus program for home users and enjoys excellent popularity among all internet users. AVG’s full suite of anti-virus features and great usability is tainted by its second rate level of protection, however even with the odd virus missed it still remains the first choice of free anti-virus software for many users.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Control Center

The Program Can Be Broken Down Into Six essential Parts:

  1. Resident Shield – runs in the background
  2. E-mail Scanner – scans incoming emails
  3. Internal virus database – stores downloaded virus protection files
  4. Scheduler – allows scheduling of scans and updates
  5. Update manager - procedures to be used during updates
  6. Shell extension – protects the user whilst browsing the net

AVG Anti-Virus Free Control Center Alternative View

Key Features

  • Automatic updates
  • The AVG Resident Shield, which provides protection as files are opened and programs are run
  • The AVG E-mail Scanner, which protects your e-mail
  • The AVG On-Demand Scanner, which allows the user to perform scheduled and manual tests
  • Free Virus Database Updates which are valid for the products entire lifetime
  • AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files

Supported Email Clients

  • MS Outlook
  • MS Outlook Express 5.x and higher
  • Eudora
  • MS Exchange

AVG Anti-Virus Free View System

Limitations

  • Issued with a home license only, so it can’t be legally used for commercial purposes what so ever. The home license also only applies to a single computer
  • The program can’t be installed on any server operating systems such as Windows Server - it also can’t perform scans on network drives
  • Scheduling is an essential part of any good anti-virus regime – the program doesn’t offer much in the way of scheduling. Only one scheduled update and scan is allowed per day
  • No advanced testing options available – automatic fixes, password protected archives reporting and scan process priority

Major Flaws

  • Less than perfect virus detection ability
  • Virus definition updates aren’t performed at regular enough intervals
  • Infected Files are deleted without warning – no option for user intervention