Background:

These days, if you allow your computer to access the internet you undoubtedly need an anti-virus program running on your computer. Even the most vigilant of home-users can easily end up with a virus - often without even realizing it. There are plenty of different anti-virus program available - in general they all do the same thing - they all have good points and bad points, and I'm sure the more techy minded people will soon be able to draw up a list of flaws of any program. So far as I'm concerned, I want my anti-virus program to be reliable, and as cheap as possible!

In the past I've used Norton Anti-Virus. The reason for this? It came free with my computer! However, as anyone out there who's used Norton for the same reason will know, when it's bundled with your computer you typically only get a set amount of time where Norton will run for free on your machine, then you have to pay to receive updates.

Nearing the end of my free Norton period, I started to browse the internet for a free alternative. It wasn't long before I came across a few, but the one I chose was AVG.

AVG:

AVG is distributed by a company called Grisoft (www.grisoft.com). Grisoft make a variety of different anti-virus products aimed at different sectors of the market, from individual home-user to the big industrial organization. They do provide anti-virus programmers for the home-user that demand a fee, however, their free edition can be downloaded by clicking on this HYPERLINK:
AVG FREE EDITION

The website claims that the free edition includes:
* AVG Resident Protection
* AVG e-mail Scanner
* AVG On-Demand Scanner
* Basic Scheduled Tests
* Free Virus Database Updates
* Automatic Update feature
* Easy-To-Use Interface
* Automatic Healing of infected files
* AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files

The restrictions in place on this product, (that you would get if you paid for a similar version), are:
* Basic user Interface only
* Disabled Advanced Scheduling of Tests
* Disabled Creating of Your Own Tests
* No Technical Support.

Downloading the product is easy. It's simply a case of agreeing to their end user license agreement, filling in a questionnaire (basic personal details such as your name), downloading the program, awaiting an e-mail containing your serial number, then installing the program (entering the serial number when prompted).

Once you've installed the program (presuming you've installed it the standard way) you will have an AVG icon in your tray at the bottom of your screen. Double-clicking this icon brings up the Control Centre from which you can control your anti-virus guard.

This is where you can make amendments to how the program runs in so far as deciding what it does and doesn't check (Resident Shield and E-mail Scanner tabs). For the average user, you're unlikely to want to make any changes to the default settings as this way it will check everything (i.e. all your files, incoming and outgoing e-mails etc).
The only thing that the average user may (and definitely should) want to 'play' with every now and again is the update feature. Clicking on the Update Manager tab within the Control Centre lets you set time/frequency for when you'd like the program to automatically update itself. Unless you are definitely going to be using your PC at the same time each week then relying on this method only for your updates can cause a problem - if you don't happen to be online when the update is set to run the program won't update. However, there's also a nice big button on the panel that allows you to 'Update Now!' - clicking this button will make your AVG program check for any available updates to the program and its virus database - these updates will then be automatically downloaded and installed into the program - easy as that!

The Control Centre also includes a Scheduler tab (allowing you to turn on/off a complete virus scan every 24 hours (as with the update option, unless you're on your PC at the exact time this is scheduled to take place it won't happen)), and an Information tab, which just gives details of the program itself such as the program version and current virus database being used.

In addition to the Control Centre icon in your system tray, there's also likely to be an icon on your desktop somewhere for AVG (if you didn't opt for an icon, then you'll be able to access the program through the Start menu). This is more of a front page of the program and allows you to perform various other functions that can't be done through the control panel. The left hand side of this window shows you the full status of the program (green ticks next to the various indicators show they are active and functional). The right hand side of the screen gives you the option to click a button to perform a whole system test (i.e. scan your whole computer for viruses) or a removable media test (i.e. scan things like floppy disks, CD-ROMs, external hard drives etc.).
You can also access things such as a Tests Results page (shows all the times you've scanned your computer for viruses and the results), Help, Information, and a Scheduler.

Verdict on AVG:

As I've already mentioned, the program is completely free. I've been using this program for wuite some time now (can't even remember how long!) and have never had any problems. My computer has been completely virus free. I find the program easy enough to use for the tasks I want to do with it, which is basically to be able to update it regularly and to perform a whole system virus check occasionally. The fact that this program can do all of that (for free) and keep my system safe is m ore than enough of a reason for me to recommend it!
Various testimonials on the grisoft.com site show that their anti-virus programs have received various awards for things like 100% detection rate of viruses. The website also includes a searchable virus encyclopedia and FAQ section which would come in useful in times of problem. The only real disadvantage I can see to the free product is that there is no technical support, but at the end of the day, it's a free product that is simple to use so there's unlikely to be much need for technical support!

Highly recommended, in particular to those who are currently surfing unprotected! Recommend yes!

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