AVG Free Enough Protection?

[ronbo613]

Hello everyone-After using Norton AV for years, I decided it was time to look elsewhere. Since switching internet browsers to Firefox, the incidence of viruses and malware has dropped significantly, but I still get viruses via email through my small company website.
I had narrowed it down to NOD32 and BitDefender9, when a few people I trust suggest I try AVG Free. What the heck, I installed it and it seems to be working fine. I understand that AVG is not W.C.L Level 2 Certified. Even though I don't fully understand all that means, I'm a little uneasy because it seems to be the only big AV player that does not have this certification.
I'm not against paying for AV software, so should I be concerned with the fact that the AV software I'm using does not have this feature? Do I need to worry?
If AVG is not going to fully protect my rig, I think I'll get BitDefender9.
Thanks in advance-Ron B

[Kerodo]

I would go with Nod or BitDefender myself..

[bellgamin]

I recommend that you check the test data at AVcomparatives (http://www.av-comparatives.org/).There are better choices than AVG.

[ronbo613]

Sounds like AVG may not be enough protection. NOD32 seems like a more "corporate" type of software, would it be overkill for a one-user computer that handles less the 50 email messages a day? BitDefender seems like a good program, but until recently, I'd never heard of them.
Not being a real security expert, some of these comparisons and tests start to get a little confusing, but I'm learning.

[azumi21]

{QUOTE-> Sounds like AVG may not be enough protection. NOD32 seems like a more "corporate" type of software, would it be overkill for a one-user computer that handles less the 50 email messages a day? BitDefender seems like a good program, but until recently, I'd never heard of them.
Not being a real security expert, some of these comparisons and tests start to get a little confusing, but I'm learning. <-QUOTE}

AVG is avg., better than nothing.

I personally like NOD32 & Bitdefender.

Tightening up your system never hurts.

The basics =

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/SecureXP.html

[ronbo613]

I agree, better safe than sorry. I use many of the programs you mention already; ZoneAlarm firewall, Spybot, Adaware, CCleaner, SpywareBlaster and CWShredder.
No doubt NOD32 is a good program, the cost is a little high for my one-computer operation. Really leaning towards BitDefender now.

[Don Pelotas]

{QUOTE-> I agree, better safe than sorry. I use many of the programs you mention already; ZoneAlarm firewall, Spybot, Adaware, CCleaner, SpywareBlaster and CWShredder.
No doubt NOD32 is a good program, the cost is a little high for my one-computer operation. Really leaning towards BitDefender now. <-QUOTE}
Then take a look at Avast or AntiVir. Both have better detection than AVG.:)

[rdsu]

If you want a free solution, go with avast! Home Edition... ;)

[bellgamin]

Depending upon the nature of your surfing, how paranoid you are, & your willingness to practice safe hex, I recommend you BUY Kaspersky, NOD, or BitDefender.

It isn't always true that "you get what you pay for" but -- it is 99.99999% true with respect to industrial-strength AVs.

[RejZoR]

Well avast! and AntiVir actually kinda stick out of this unwritten "rule".
You don't pay anything but you get A LOT. I mean really A LOT!.

[Kerodo]

{QUOTE->
No doubt NOD32 is a good program, the cost is a little high for my one-computer operation. Really leaning towards BitDefender now. <-QUOTE}
BitDefender is very good..

[ronbo613]

First off, thanks for everyone's input.
I've used AVG Free for a couple days, it's free, easy to configure and use. For an average home-type computer user, it would do the job. I reckon Avast or AntiVir would do just a good of a job.
However, while I don't do any, what would be considered "dangerous" web surfing, I do have a website for my company that's been online for a few years now, and the email links there attract all kind of email. This is where my greatest fear of virus infection comes from, so I was a little nervous that AVG, or any other of the free AV programs, might come up a little short. I also believe you get what you pay for.
That said, Kaspersky and NOD32 are both good AV programs, but a little on the expensive side, especially for renewals. So, I split the difference and bought BitDefender9 online at hermanstreet.com for $19.95 USD, which is a pretty good deal, if you ask me. I can handle the $14.95 renewal. I emailed Softwin with questions about the software, they responded immediately, which was nice because all the years I bought Symantec products, they never responded to a single email. BitDefender9 installed and updated fine, it seems to be doing everything it should, so I feel a little better now.
No slam against AVG, for an average user, it would be fine, I just needed a little bit more security.
Thanks everybody for the help.

[metallicakid15]

did you get free spysweeper with the purchase of bitdefender?

[ronbo613]

{QUOTE-> did you get free spysweeper with the purchase of bitdefender? <-QUOTE}Nope. I read that it was a trial version so I probably would not have taken it even if it was free.
$19.95 is $5-10 off the normal price, I figured that was about as good a deal as I was going to get.

[metallicakid15]

oh ok

[Vikorr]

While you need a realtime AV, are you also aware that there are plenty of free on-demand versions of the toprated AV's etc ? (so you can do the occasional scan with them as well)

One's with free online scans :
Kaspersky (AV)
Trend Micro (AV)
Spysweeper (antispyware - not sure if beta)
Ewido (antitrojan/antispyware - not sure if beta)

<there's more AV online scanners...can never remember the the other names>

Free Antispyware with realtime scanning
Microsoft Antispyware (has realtime monitoring)

Free ondemand antispyware
Adaware
Spyware Doctor
Spybot S&D
CWShredder (specialised removal tool)

[aka:snowman]

KAV or BitDefender certainly are in the "upper-crust"..............an to be considered if purchasing an AV


AVG........for a freebee..is not all that bad....throw in a script detector and system safety monitor..........an the average user should get by fairly well.

The other freebees' are fine products.......but since the question was about AVG....just replied to that

[Albinoni]

Why did you choose AVG free over AntiVir Free and Avast Free. Personally if I were you and wanted to use a very good free RT scanner I would of probably choosen Avast over AVG anyday.

[ronbo613]

{QUOTE-> Why did you choose AVG free over AntiVir Free and Avast Free. Personally if I were you and wanted to use a very good free RT scanner I would of probably chosen Avast over AVG anyday. <-QUOTE}Like I mentioned earlier, I have a few friends who use AVG and recommended that I try it.
There's nothing wrong with AVG, and I'm sure that AntiVir and Avast are good products as well. Because of the risks involved in having a website where I get all kind of crap email, I just felt I needed a little more protection than a free program would provide. Maybe I'm wrong, in that case, my decision will cost me $15 a year. Didn't have the time to test every AV program, and my long run with Symantec products has scared me off of installing, removing and reinstalling AV programs.
Online AV scanners are OK, but I prefer a realtime AV program to be 100% sure I'm protected. Some of the online scanners may not work with Firefox.
If BitDefender is considered an "upper crust" AV program, and it only cost me $20 for the first year and $15 each following year, that seems to be a pretty good deal to keep my computer virus free. I'll reserve final judgment until I see it stopping viruses.
At least if someone is scanning this forum, as I did a couple days ago, to see if there are any good free antivirus programs available, they will see that there are, at least, three good choices.

[Chuck57]

I frequent a lot of forums, too many to be honest. On the couple of other security forums I visit, AVG is always mentioned as the antivirus of choice - for the average user who stays away from porn, warez, and other dangerous sites. Several of the posters are people who work with computers daily, either repairing or building, and they say they use AVG to make sure the drive is clean.

Also, the owner and operator of a computer shop in a nearby town uses AVG for the same purpose. Curiously, maybe, when he sells a computer, he installs PCcillin with a year license. I haven't figured that one out yet.

I prefer AVAST, although I don't think I'd be undergunned with AVG. I avoid dangerous sites, don't download email, and try to use what brains I have left. So far, it's all worked.

[JimIT]

{QUOTE->
Also, the owner and operator of a computer shop in a nearby town uses AVG for the same purpose.
<-QUOTE}
:o
{QUOTE->
Curiously, maybe, when he sells a computer, he installs PCcillin with a year license. I haven't figured that one out yet.
<-QUOTE}

Might be he's a reseller for Trend.