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AVG Antivirus by Grisoft Inc. Getting caught with your pants down! Sure, just about everyone has heard of that phrase. Some of us have even experienced it! Well, there's nothing more frustrating than having them fall to your ankles when your computer suffers from a virus or trojan. It can take the most ardent and speedy computer user and grind them to a halt. For protection, there are many excellent antivirus programs available that will guard you from just about everything, except when it comes to your wallet! AVG Antivirus has many of the great features that are available in those pricey protection packages and doesn't cost a cent. Read on: Platform...... The freeware edition is available for every Windows operation system platform, from DOS to XP. It will not support server software. For that, you'll need to purchase the server edition. Web Site.......... As professionally published as any great and popular software site can be. There is quality in this! Nice color, easy to read, and organized so that the most important pages are within a clicks reach. The opening page lists the updates to the software and the links to it's other pages are not just listed, they are explained! Downloading........ You must register to download this program. The registration consists of Name, E-mail address, and street address as required information. If you are not into this, I suggest you stop reading. You ARE missing something great though! :) Size Downloaded: 5.67 megs Size Installed: Weighs in at a hefty 15.8 megs, not including files installed in your System(32) directory. The connection was fast and so was the download. Download time on my average DSL connection was less than a minute. Installation.......... Installation of AVG Antivirus requires that you have a password in order to continue with the install. This password is sent to you free via E-mail when you fill out your form to download the program, so make sure you give them a proper e-mail address. My number arrived within 3 minutes! The installation makes setting up your computer for complete protection easy to do. You start with the opening, then the EULA, then the window to enter your serial number. Following this, you have the standard installation directory choice, the icons choice, and a summary of info. This process was very fast. The window that follows this asks you to select your protection configuration. There's the ability to click on the 'Resident Shield', 'E-mail scanner', and the 'Control Center'. Then there's a window asking you if you would like the automatic update feature turned on. This will check periodically for new signature files that may be available from their site. Then there's the 'readme' file and a restart. After you reboot the computer, you will immediately be given small windows explaining what will have to be done to ensure that your computer starts clean with AVG. Here's a pic of these windows:
You'll be given a window to update your signature file of which you can either update, skip update, or go back. Here's a pic:
If your downloaded program has the most recent update (this is typical), you will bypass this step. Next is the creation of a rescue disk which can be used to boot your computer in a clean state and restore your most critical files. You can also skip this step if you want. Here's a pic of that window:
Now you will be testing your computer. It will scan your hard drives for any problems that may be present. This can also be skipped but I can't see why anyone would want to. Here's a pic:
The time it takes for the scan itself depends on how much you have on your hard drive. Here's a pic of the scan screen which is common throughout the program:
After your initial scanning is finished, you'll be presented with a final window congratulating you on your setup. Here's a the final pic:
As you can see, the installation of AVG Antivirus is actually a setup wizard which will guide you through the whole process. For freeware, it's a huge bonus! Help Files.......... The help file is a standard issue complete with detailed information about how the program operates. It includes screenshots. AVG Antivirus doesn't include a comprehensive virus list but their web site does include a short list of interesting problems that you could face. Grisoft's page allows you to subscribe to their 'virus alert' free service which will e-mail you all of the latest info on these critters. There are many web sites around on the web where more detailed information is available. If you need more information, please go HERE and check it out. Interface & Features ........... AVG Antivirus uses only one search engine for all of it's components instead of the other way around as is found in many other antivirus programs. Each section utilizes the same database, avoiding different healing capabilities of the different sections of the program. Perhaps this is why I find this program so fast. It literally takes a matter of seconds to locate and quarantine the problems. Here's a picture of the opening screen which lets you access all of the other areas in it:
The 'info' button gives you a tabbed window with access to all of AVG's information such as the user license, contact information, and information about your computer as it finds it. 'Test Results' gives you a rundown of the past tests performed on the system. 'Scheduler' lets you set what time in a twenty-four hour period AVG will perform a full scan. Here's a pic of that setting window:
On the left of the program window is a box list of all of AVG's functions and whether they are active or not. On the top, right are the two areas for doing a full scan of your computer or a scan of removable media such as floppies, tape drives, and CD's. Of course, you can manually change the setting for AVG Antivirus by going to the 'service => complete test settings' menu area which pops up the following window:
As you can see, you can input the areas for testing, the type etc. The control center is another area where some of the major settings are made for Grisoft's AVG Antivirus. Here's a pic of the control center:
AVG can be set here to check for boot viruses at the start of your computer. It will also scan for executable and macro viruses. From the 'Update Manager', you can set when your program will check for updated signatures automatically. Here's a pic of that tab highlighted:
For a freeware antivirus program, it does a great job of protecting your computer. In the past I have tried Nortons which I found 'bottom heavy' and had a nack for taking over my computer. I found programs running slower. With AVG Antivirus, I have been in the middle of working on my computer with three or four processes running at the same time and when I had finished, I found my daily AVG scan running in the background without me even knowing! I was amazed! There have been at least five times when I have received e-mail and AVG found a problem with it, and there have been countless times that I've downloaded files on KazaaLite or from file sites in general with AVG giving me a warning of a problem. In all circumstances, it takes the infected files and isolates them in their own directory. From here they can be disposed of. I have taken the liberty of downloading a test file so that you can see the notice:
If you get a virus that avg can't get rid of make a note of the path of the virus if it's in ****system_restore**** follow these instructions
RIGHT CLICK
"MY COMPUTER"
CLICK SYSTEM RESTORE TAB CLICK BOX NEXT TO "TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE" CLICK APPLY (WAIT FOR HOUR GLASS TO DISAPPEAR) UNCHECK "TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE" CLICK APPLY AGAIN CLICK OK YOUR DONE This will delete all your restore points and you will not be able to return to an earlier date
If it's in temporary internet files try this
OPEN INTERNET EXPLORER CLICK TOOLS MENU CLICK INTERNET OPTIONS
CLICK DELETE FILES
CHECK OFFLINE CONTENT CLICK OK YOUR DONE
Uninstall...... The uninstall was quick and complete, removing all files and drivers, as well as the directories. A reboot is necessary right after installation. Problems....... None. It has worked flawlessly for me for many months now! Just make sure you keep your update current!! It's very important. In Closing .......... In the words of Jackie Gleason, “Mmmmm........ how sweet it is!!!”. There is so much functionality here for free that it's almost like stealing. Download, be protected, and enjoy!! |
