The design:
The buttons on the new interface are big and clear, though it was hard to fit all these buttons into a small interface. It was desirable to have a smaller interface combining all the buttons but it would be hard to use and f\very fuzzy in critical times to look for the right option.
Lab-Testing Results:
Back in the years it was hard to test the free antivirus along with the full commercial antivirus due to difference in engines design and availability of certain features. Nowadays it became easier and there is no significant difference between free and paid antivirus. At that time, AVG shined and won the Platinum anti-malware certification from West Coast Labs, an honor also achieved by Kaspersky and Webroot but not by any other free product. ICSA Labs certifies AVG for virus detection, and it received the VB100% award in all ten of the last ten tests by Virus Bulletin.
AV-Test.org ran a months-long whole-product test last year in which norton, Kaspersky, and PC Tools took the top three positions for virus detection and for successful virus blocking. AVG's recognition achievement was correct at the back of the top three, but its score for successful blocking was notably lower.
A more recent report from AV-Test ranged products on virus repair, usability, and overall protection. AVG scored 4 of 6 probable points for repair, 5 for usability, and 5.5 overall. F-Secure, Kaspersky, Norton and Panda managed even higher scores, but AVG shines again because no other free product achieved those scores.
Fast Virus Scanning
To scan an approximate 250 GB of local hard disk storage, AVG on the clock achieved nearly 27 minutes on full scan basis without any exception. This is really fast and it was accurate. A lot of malware and viruses were detected and removed after finishing the scan. The first time optimization was also quick and it scanned all the hard disk, repaired all the detected errors and offered a link for full separate purchase of the system optimizer which many find as un useful attempt to make the user buy it.
After running all the tests, it was noticed that the product's root kit scan runs in a separate component. AVG contacts verified the need to scan separately for root kits. It didn't find anything that the regular full scan missed. At least it was quicker and easier to finish especially on large hard drives.
Summary:
AVG Anti-Virus has a robust set of features and a broad scope of protection, making it one of the best antivirus software applications we reviewed. The 2011 edition brings new features that improve the solution, and it maintains the level of protection and ease of use we’ve come to expect from AVG. It was particularly liked the addition of cloud antivirus technology and the progressive web protection from Link Scanner. While not quite the overall best antivirus software, we can definitely recommend AVG Anti-Virus 2011.
AVG Anti-Virus Free 2011 is better at removing malware than most free solutions, but not at malware blocking. With the current release it has the full power of AVG's paid solutions, and the independent labs give it top marks. Add some unusual extra features and you have got a solid choice for free antivirus protection.
Pros:
1. Excellent scores in independent tests.
2. Fast antivirus scan.
3. Above average in my malware removal tests.
4. Link Scanner add-in blocks malicious exploits.
5. Multi-function toolbar. One-time system tune-up
Cons:
1. Didn't thoroughly remove detected threats.
2. Link Scanner missed many phishing sites.
3. Below-average root kit and scare ware blocking.
The buttons on the new interface are big and clear, though it was hard to fit all these buttons into a small interface. It was desirable to have a smaller interface combining all the buttons but it would be hard to use and f\very fuzzy in critical times to look for the right option.
Lab-Testing Results:
Back in the years it was hard to test the free antivirus along with the full commercial antivirus due to difference in engines design and availability of certain features. Nowadays it became easier and there is no significant difference between free and paid antivirus. At that time, AVG shined and won the Platinum anti-malware certification from West Coast Labs, an honor also achieved by Kaspersky and Webroot but not by any other free product. ICSA Labs certifies AVG for virus detection, and it received the VB100% award in all ten of the last ten tests by Virus Bulletin.
AV-Test.org ran a months-long whole-product test last year in which norton, Kaspersky, and PC Tools took the top three positions for virus detection and for successful virus blocking. AVG's recognition achievement was correct at the back of the top three, but its score for successful blocking was notably lower.
A more recent report from AV-Test ranged products on virus repair, usability, and overall protection. AVG scored 4 of 6 probable points for repair, 5 for usability, and 5.5 overall. F-Secure, Kaspersky, Norton and Panda managed even higher scores, but AVG shines again because no other free product achieved those scores.
Fast Virus Scanning
To scan an approximate 250 GB of local hard disk storage, AVG on the clock achieved nearly 27 minutes on full scan basis without any exception. This is really fast and it was accurate. A lot of malware and viruses were detected and removed after finishing the scan. The first time optimization was also quick and it scanned all the hard disk, repaired all the detected errors and offered a link for full separate purchase of the system optimizer which many find as un useful attempt to make the user buy it.
After running all the tests, it was noticed that the product's root kit scan runs in a separate component. AVG contacts verified the need to scan separately for root kits. It didn't find anything that the regular full scan missed. At least it was quicker and easier to finish especially on large hard drives.
Summary:
AVG Anti-Virus has a robust set of features and a broad scope of protection, making it one of the best antivirus software applications we reviewed. The 2011 edition brings new features that improve the solution, and it maintains the level of protection and ease of use we’ve come to expect from AVG. It was particularly liked the addition of cloud antivirus technology and the progressive web protection from Link Scanner. While not quite the overall best antivirus software, we can definitely recommend AVG Anti-Virus 2011.
Pros:
1. Excellent scores in independent tests.
2. Fast antivirus scan.
3. Above average in my malware removal tests.
4. Link Scanner add-in blocks malicious exploits.
5. Multi-function toolbar. One-time system tune-up
Cons:
1. Didn't thoroughly remove detected threats.
2. Link Scanner missed many phishing sites.
3. Below-average root kit and scare ware blocking.
