AVG - always finishes in the "also ran" category in recent tests

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by kdcdq, Apr 24, 2014.

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  1. kdcdq

    kdcdq Registered Member

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    It's true. AVG has NOT tested well in any test (at least that I have seen) in seems like forever.:eek:

    Are any of you regular Wilders members still using an "flavor" of AVG anymore? I believe Firecat was still using AVG in the recent past, but that is from memory (which is not what it used to be).
     
  2. Behold Eck

    Behold Eck Registered Member

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    Where is your links to these tests ?

    AVG has always been a pretty solid performer. I think it`s just the stuff that comes with it people dont like plus the nag screen etc.

    Did well with my own testing my only nag(no pun intended) is that it feels a bit heavy compared to other free products.

    Run Sandboxie with it and you`ve got Antivirus Very Good.
     
  3. The Hammer

    The Hammer Registered Member

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    The links should be well known as they are the generally accepted major testing sites but I know a lot of happy users. The scores are still good enough to protect the average user.
     
  4. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

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    Although I am using another AV now, I was never infected in the 2 yrs that AVG was on my systems.
     
  5. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

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    AVG had not been usable for me since v7. We used to use it at work but after 2 buggy updates for v8 brought down our servers we got rid of it. I have tested it occasionally since then, but never found it to be worth keeping.
     
  6. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    Hey kdcdq,

    Yes, for the moment I do continue to use AVG. I do sometimes consider switching to products like eScan, Ad-Aware or Panda but so far have not gone through with it. It is true that AVG seems to be consistently average in most recent tests. In practice, AVG does reasonably well. In the last few years, I have had only one threat get through AVG and it was not detected by MBAM either, so I can forgive that intrustion (it so happened that one fine day AVG updated it's signatures and then immediately caught the malware - contrary to cleaning tests I often see, I also found AVG to do a very good job removing traces of this malware in the registry).

    It is reasonably light, unintrusive and has it's scan engines and cleaning engine updated regularly. I have been using AVG since 2006 - I really don't know if any other product can keep me this satisfied. When I have an FP report (which isn't very often) or new suspicious files to report they are usually very quick on the ball. On the other hand, for certain "older" malware which they may have missed they do seem to take time to add signatures.

    AVG does have a bit of an FP problem but it's not severe - I have found they seem to detect malware with GamersGate install files and between communication with GamersGate as well as AVG, and submission of many files (after which the FP is gone), the issue seems to crop up each time GamersGate prepares a download + installer package for a new non-Steam game. I reached a bit of a dead end when GamersGate told me there's not much they can do about it on their end, so now I just end up excluding the stuff whenever it happens. Other than this, I can't say I've had issues with AVG producing FPs.
     
  7. gery

    gery Registered Member

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    i have been using AVG since 2005 on and off . In the beginning i used the free version which was great at that time.
    Then i bought the 7.5 version which did not last too long as it became 8 and so on which was performing bad in my computer and i gave up. I quit using it for 2 good years . In 20011 i bought the Internet Security and was seriously satisfied . The firewall never impressed me from what i read here in WSF . I stopped using the IS and mostly i have been using only the AV which i buy from-- http://store.v3.co.uk/ --. I have only been infected once or maybe twice .I like it a lot .
     
  8. ibracadabra09

    ibracadabra09 Registered Member

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    AVG Internet Security 2014 is good AV, nothing special but fine unlike BitDefender 2014, that was horror for me and my PC, for me ESET is the best.
     
  9. guest

    guest Guest

    People really think AVG is good? o_O When I was still using it a few years ago it couldn't even block Sality.
     
  10. ance

    ance formerly: fmon

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    Look at the tests, it's not the best but I think it's ok for free. I like that it doesn't have ad pop-ups and you can always find a sample which isn't blocked by an AV. o_O
     
  11. snippits

    snippits Registered Member

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    I bought a four seat license of the 2013 version of AVG Internet Security because I got a really good price on it. Did not have any problems with it period. One of the four computers with Windows XP installed was high risk users, and it was just fine too.

    I do have an AVG office about seven miles from me, so if I did have any major problems they were going to be the first to hear about it. Yes, I do think it should have a better showing on the various tests, but in the real world it protected four computers just fine for a year solid.
     
  12. Inside Out

    Inside Out Registered Member

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    Actually the detection isn't that bad for a free product unless you compare it to Panda or maybe Avira Free, but no AV vendor bundling harmful, borderline fraudulent "speedup" software deserves any respect.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2014
  13. Volare

    Volare Registered Member

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    Been using AVG (Paid) for a good 2 years now and have been happy with it. Over the last 4 years, I've used Bullguard (which was very good), BitDefender (never again) and then reluctantly gave AVG a go. If you had asked me what my thoughts were on AVG 3-5 years ago, then I would have agreed with most sceptics. But there's been a 180 degree turnaround with my perception on AVG since 2 years ago. I always treat AV-Tests/Comparatives and perceptions from a few people with grain of salt (especially those who base their perceptions on AVG that was many years ago). I also recommend that when choosing a security product, that you always run testing before pulling the trigger to make a purchase - what works well for someone else may not work well for you. Another recommendation - always do a custom install and avoid Toolbars, add-ons to browsers, etc.

    Some positives about AVG: I reckon their support is pretty good. It seems like they have help-desk support spread-out in many parts of the world, therefore you're likely to be dealing with someone locally (or close by). Many security vendors have a centralised model for tech support teams, which means you're often dealing with someone on the other side of the world (Nothing wrong with this set-up as long as you're not faced with major hurdles because of communication barriers). Another thing I like about AVG is that when you report a possible bug, they appear to be fairly open-minded that it might actually be a bug, therefore they'll investigate, test and admit to a bug if its is an actual bug. There's nothing worse then dealing with vendor's who are in denial about their software having a bug. I've dealt with other vendor's in the past who have a tendency to often deny that their software has a bug and they will just point the finger back at you. I also think AVG is fairly light in comparison to similar alternatives (not comparing to cloud-based AV) - their GUI is also a good example of sticking to the KISS principle (Keep it simple stupid). It appears to install/uninstall fairly well, especially if you use its removal utility (Its not perfect, but better then many other alternative products I've tried). It also appears to behave well - that is, it does not cause any weird problems with the OS that cause instability (This might not be the case for everyone).

    Things I don't like about AVG - if a bug is discovered, I have found that their development team can take a very long time to release a fix. They appear to go through a very lengthy beta testing process before every program update, which can take months before its officially released. AVG also has a history of making some silly decisions - for example, even as paid user, I had noticed an advertising pop-up just over 15 months ago. However, this had caused a bit of stir from its users therefore it appears their marketing team have refrained themselves from using similar tactics again. Its rare to see a pop-up these days and I hope they keep it that way.

    They are my thoughts on AVG so far, which will likely change again in the near future and this could be for better or worse.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2014
  14. JoeBlack40

    JoeBlack40 Registered Member

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    I've use AVG for a few months...along with Privatefirewall and Sandboxie.All i can tell is..awesome.AVG is as good as the other AV's,just use it with a HIPS,a firewall and sandboxed browser.:cool:;)
     
  15. KaptainBug

    KaptainBug Registered Member

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    I used AVG for quite sometime and I really liked it. It does slow down the boot time a bit, but other than that its a great free product which I recommend.
     
  16. guest

    guest Guest

    By the time I was hit, Sality has been a widespread type of malware. It should've caught it. I wouldn't complain too much if it was a rogue AV or adware/PUP, but all other AVs caught Sality with no problem. Even the infection was through a USB pen drive. AVG failed just for an easy task like that.
     
  17. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

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    I leave the task of scanning USB/Flash drives and external drives I connect to my pc expressly to MCShield, regardless of which primary AV I happen to be using.
     
  18. guest

    guest Guest

    Some people don't like stacking up security software for the same purposes.
     
  19. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

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    Well, that's fine. I haven't been infected in over a decade, so I'll continue to do what works for me.
     
  20. guest

    guest Guest

    Of course. And I'll keep badmouthing AVG for such a laughable failure, among other flaws of it.
     
  21. aztony

    aztony Registered Member

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    :D Get in line! AVG detractors are as numerous as they are strident. All I can say, and always do, is that it never let me down.
     
  22. Firecat

    Firecat Registered Member

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    Funnily enough I have disinfected Sality on several computers with AVG's removal tools....
     
  23. Minimalist

    Minimalist Registered Member

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    Did any of them use AVG in real-time? :)
     
  24. JRViejo

    JRViejo Super Moderator

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    Removed Off Topic Posts. Let's Focus Only On The Subject: AVG. Thank You!
     
  25. Behold Eck

    Behold Eck Registered Member

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    Many moons ago AVG saved my pc where Norton failed, so it was good to see how good it did in my own test recently.
     
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