Antivirus Freebies: AVG and Avira--- A Softpedia Review

[sujay]

See Here
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Antivirus-Freebies-AVG-and-Avira-140475.shtml

Conclusion

Both sides come with their ups and downs. AVG provides a larger set of protection components, which lead to a heavier interface and more complicated settings compared to what Avira has to offer. But the latter does not feature a tool similar to Link Scanner to protect your web surfing from taking a turn to shady websites.

However, the set of features is generally not quite the priority in a user’s choice as the protection offered and resources used are more important aspects. As far as detection is concerned, Avira showed both speed and reliability as it had no problem cutting through malware. AVG also demonstrated its on-access detection capabilities proving once again why it enjoys the appreciation of users worldwide, but it took much longer to finish the on-demand scan, thus using more system resources. However, throwing them in full system scan race, AVG took the lead by a long shot.

In spite of moving fast, we expected a change in the results when commuting Avira’s scanning process priority to low, normal and high. Unfortunately, the differences were too small to consider. At the same test, AVG pointed that this sort of priority change automatically impacts the use of system resources and can speed things up or slow them down.

Feature-wise, AVG has the edge with the Link Scanner that alerts you of the threat level of web pages, Email scanner, which can check your messages against malware, Gaming mode, which removes AVG dialogs when full-screen apps are running. Also, during our testing, AVG finished a full system scan much faster.

Avira, on the other hand, moved lightning fast at our on-demand test, showed strong heuristics and large signature definitions. More than this, the simpler interface and easier configuration panel, even in Expert mode, place it among users’ top preferences.

[safeguy]

It's a common knowledge that Avira's detection and heuristics is way lot better than AVG...AVG might have extra features such as LinkScanner but it's weak detection rate puts me off - there's no way I'm going to use AVG on my PC.

[LunarWolf]

I trust avira more tham AVG. Thank you very much. But I am not going back to AVG.

[leofelix]

Avg link scanner is Yahoo Toolbar renamed: nothing more;-)

AVG free doesn't offer any antirootkit module.
Avg bought the old good Ewido Antimalware then included it into their security software.

Thank you for heads up sujay

[sujay]

Lol.. thanks leofelix.

Avg link scanner is Yahoo Toolbar renamed: nothing more;-)

Is there any page rank in yahoo toolbar also, like google's? I don't think it is the renamed version version, because installing the toolbar isn't necessary for the link scanning feature (confirmed by softpedia)

Offers to install AVG Security Toolbar that the program does not require to fully function

AVG free doesn't offer any antirootkit module.

Well there is some sort of ambiguity regarding this, even in AVG website.
I think AVG free has Basic Anti-Rootkit protection. It lacks only Advanced Anti-Rootkit protection.
ref:
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus

[leofelix]

Lol.. thanks leofelix.


Is there any page rank in yahoo toolbar also, like google's? I don't think it is the renamed version version, because installing the toolbar isn't necessary for the link scanning feature (confirmed by softpedia)

Hi sujay,
I trust softpedia but I prefer to go and look for what experts say before;-)

http://www.calendarofupdates.com/updates/index.php?showtopic=16109

# AVG LinkScanner (standalone and free) AVG Security toolbar is Yahoo Toolbar

AVG 8 - AVG Security Toolbar (Yahoo Search bar). AVG 9 - AVG Security Toolbar/Yahoo Search

More: one of those 2 supposed security tollbar are very difficult to uninstall.
You won't find one of them in program & Features/add remove programs

Avg explained once a work around to remove one of those.

Well there is some sort of ambiguity regarding this, even in AVG website.
I think AVG free has Basic Anti-Rootkit protection. It lacks only Advanced Anti-Rootkit protection.

There is no mention of any basic rootkit protection

Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware
Makes sure you can't get or spread a virus, worm, or Trojan horse
Yes

LinkScanner®
Ensures every web page you visit is safe - even before you go there
Yes

Online Shield

some years ago AVG v 6.0 free was one of my antivirus of choice.
It was very effective and accurate.
I beta tested Avg 7.0 beta and it seemed to be very good.
But when it came out of beta, well.... it didin't catch anything and many features were no more available into the free version but only in the paid version.

[sujay]

There is no mention of any basic rootkit protection.

Didn't you visit that link I gave!
http://www.avg.com/gb-en/free-antivirus

It shows AVG free has basic Rootkit protection.
I think they are not providing this information in their main page, to encourage the users to buy their paid version.
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free


I also don't like AVG anymore. But still AVG is the mostly used AV.

[leofelix]

@ sujay: sorry, you are right.
Finally they understand a rootkit protection is highly important:-)

[sujay]

Lol, very true....