By Robert Vamosi, CNET.com.au on 11 March 2008 12:23 PM
Tags: internet security, avg, virus scanner, avg internet security 8
I have replaced Norton Symantec with the 8.00 AVG full version. There have been blocks to my Google website searches since then
The good: I do not know of any yet
The bad: The AVG security on my system now tells me that the anti virus/anti-spyware needs to be updated but, when I attempt to do this, nothing happens.
I have been using AVG Internet Security 8.0 since the first day it was released as my free avast subscription expired on that day.
I am very happy with the slick interface and impeccable performance!
No slow-down whatsoever and the protection is hassle-free.
AVG picked up quite a few threats that were undetected by Avast.
8 threats were detected and removed in real-time, which is really impressive.
I am making an investment on a two year subscription when my trial expires.
The good: Easy to use! Small print!
The bad: I hope it could be cheaper for first-time AVG users although the half-price royal discount on renewals is great.
Dan Bobinski says it all in his article "I've had it with e-mail only customer service" @ http://www.management-issues.com/display_page.asp?section=opinion&id=4065
AVG's support page states "We will do our best to help you as soon as possible."
according to Dan's and my personal experience AVG believes "As soon as possible" means seven days.
Dan's situation as stated: Our small business server at the office was running AVG. When an upgrade wouldn't install and our server was at serious risk, we went to their web site to look for a phone number.
Here is a situation where a customer was unable to get the AVG product to work and AVG took seven days to respond.
In my opinion: USE AVG AT YOUR OWN RISK (free or otherwise).
The good: Price
The bad: NO CUSTOMER SUPPORT, TECHNICAL SUPPORT via phone. AVG's opinion of priority is seven days after submission of a support request.
I have been a happy user of AVG 7.5 for about 2 years now. I have all my close friends and clients (35 of them) on the network version, which allows me to keep tabs on their anti-viral/spyware status.
The good: None
The bad: AVG 8.0 is bloated and runs slower on those same PCs than 7.5 - Furthermore all firewall settings from 7.5 will NOT migrate to 8.0. They will not sell me any more license codes for 7.5. All correspondence from AVG seems to be from people with NO clue or NO concern. Appears to be an offshore operation. Sorry AVG - you used to be good. Now I am looking for something else. Let's hope you at least continue to supply updates to 7.5 until at least May of 2009.
Stay with version 7.5 till AVG has update out, then go for it.
The good: More of a hog than before, still better than most of the competition. Good at blocking threats.
The bad: Application is buggy. Keeps switching profiles (standalone vs network) requiring me to redo settings. Not good at learning which apps to allow.
AVG 8.0 works terribly, in my opinion. Where 7.5 worked impeccably, 8.0 seems to have aimed to wrong all those rights. For one, I have to repair my installation every time I turn on my computer or laptop, because one of the many components fail or crash, for no reason.
The Firewall application should have been much easier to manage for those novice users, as 7.5 excelled at, and when using it, 8.0 makes my computers run so slow, its like trying to get through the middle of town, when there's thousands of people lining the streets.
I used to trust AVG, when I started using it, but ever since all these failures, I've contemplated moving onto something else; unless they can rectify the wrongs that 8.0 has created. Which I kind of doubt they will do, since they tend to seem blind to these things...
The good: None; what 8.0 does, 7.5 can do a LOT better. I'm hoping that 7.5 remains active for a good solid 10 years to come. but that's wishful thinking.
The bad: Everything; the Firewall is incredibly irritating, and the whole set-up of 8.0 is incredibly buggy. It even prevents my primary email address from logging into MSN Messenger. (tested on the same computer, 7.5 allows said account to connect) Also, the settings will not remain, once inputted. I find myself setting up my Firewall multiple times, once logged in.
I cannot believe I continue to endure this! The 8.0 AVG security on my system constantly tells me that it needs to be updated but, when I update it nothing happens and the annoying exclamaion point in the tray will NOT no away no matter how many times I restart. Everytime I restart my computer I have to turn on the firewall which by the way is so irritating with its constant pop ups. And to top it off, it is as slow as dial up! This rates right up there with Norton...Horrible!
The good: Nothing
The bad: Everything
Do not buy this product. AVG only offers email support, no phone. So, if you have any problem, you can do nothing but send an email. AVG is unresponsive and may never answer you.
The good: Product eats less memory and slows system less than Norton AV.
The bad: AVG 8 prevents my PC (XP-SP2) from booting in Safe Mode. Uninstalled AVG 8 to confirm (It was AVG fault). Unable to re-install because my paid license number was rejected. AVG never answered several email requests for help.
The comment about AVG only providing e-maul spport here is incorrect.
AVG Australia and New Zealand provides free telephone support for all of the paid AVG Technologies solutions during Melbourne business hours. In addition support is also available 24/7 by e-mail.
Best Regards, Lloyd Borrett
Marketing Manager, AVG (AU/NZ)
Australian & New Zealand distributors of AVG Anti-Virus & Internet Security Products
www.avg.com.au
AVG Technologies released an updated version of this product on 2nd March 2009. AVG Internet Security 8.5 adds AVG Identity Protection to the product, along with more than 300 improvements and performance enhancements. All licenced users of the 8.0 version reviewed here will receive a free upgrade to the latest 8.5 version. AVG provides free upgrades to the latest version for the life of the one or two year licence.
Best Regards, Lloyd Borrett
Marketing Manager, AVG (AU/NZ)
Australian & New Zealand distributors of AVG Anti-Virus & Internet Security Products
www.avg.com.au
AVG Internet Security 8.0 provides strong protection against malicious Web sites, but its full-system scans sometimes tax system resources and produce false positives.
RRP: AU$101.95
internet security, avg, virus scanner, avg internet security 8
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Having bought the 3 PC version of AVG 8.0 I'm not totally impressed. PC resource usage is fairly high, especially when running a scheduled scan, Link scanner and Active Surf-Shield seem to hog a lot of bandwidth after searching for something in your favourite search engine and although these can be turned off there is no way to turn off the annoying exclamation mark that haunts the AVG systray icon saying that there is a problem. The firewall configuration would be a bit confusing to novice computer users I think. After having used the free AVG versions for many years I feel that a better job should have been done, get your act together Grisoft!
The good: Price definitely!
The bad: No way to stop notification of manually disabled items.