AVG Internet Security 2011 paid

DCodd

Hi all

I think I know the answers I am going to get here but thought I'd ask anyway.

As someone who is used to paying for their internet security programs and quite like the fact that it is all-in-one, I got a quote from AVG for 2011. It is £79.99 FOR a 5 user licence for 1year (we have 4 laptops in the house).

Other than the cost, is there any other reasons why buying the AVG internet security is foolish? bear in mind that it is the buying public (mugs) like me that help to finance the free AV's from the likes of AVG, so don't be too cruel:D

thanks

closed

There are better ones, they are free, and don't slow down your machine as much. Windows firewall is also free

http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html

RussJK

If I was going to buy an AV, it wouldn't be AVG. People struggle to recommend even the free product over other free products.

Before jumping in, take a look at the links here:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3252572

It's up to you what price you are comfortable paying. Kaspersky is cheap on eBay, but a bit slow. Norton is quite cheap if you find where they are giving it away, and even though I don't like the company I'll admit that it's not a terrible AV.

debitcardmayhem

If I was you and don't fancy the free ones, buy norton internet security 2011 (which i have already ) amazon 3 user £22.00 , I also use the free version of avast on two other systems. Never renew if buying, it's cheaper to buy a new license from the likes of amazon , symantec quoted me 49.99 so I bought from amazon, and just entered the new code.

JasX

DCodd wrote: »

Other than the cost, is there any other reasons why buying the AVG internet security is foolish?

Yes, -althought slightly better than it was (little more than a wet paper bag 9 months or so ago). AVG still performs pretty poorly in independent tests and there is much better protection out there.

you can get substantially better protection in terms of both system performance and detecting / preventing actual infections from other free and non-free products.

Avira, Avast and Microsoft Security Essentials are all free and will provide you more robust protection (why pay for markedly weaker AV protection than you can get for free?)

On the paid side previously mentioned Kaspersky I have positive experience with and Symmantec is also much improved these days.

Compare for yourself if you like on www.av-comparatives.org (but don't draw cast iron conclusions from a single test type -look at a few and some should be weighted more heavily than others).

Needless to say in any case:
-The windows firewall is reliable, use it over a 3rd party and make sure its turned ON
-ensure Windows Update is set to automatically download and install critical security patches
-make Backups of important stuff and keep them somewhere separate

DCodd

Thanks for the replies and great links.

I think I shall re-evaluate.

once again many thanks.

RussJK

Personally, I think you'd be better all round protected using one of the free AV solutions (Avira, Avast, AVG, MSE, etc), and getting 5 lifetime licences for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware pro using this discount code:

5MU-NBU-DFR (20%, confirmed to work)


I bought Malwarebytes for my parents and my wife's parents, and in addition to Avira free they've not seen any malware. I had been planning on recommending them Avast but it has too many quality control issues - bad updates that break the web for everyone who downloaded them, and bad program updates that cause crashes for some people.

Also worthwhile pointing the router's DNS servers to ClearcloudDNS (www.clearclouddns.com) and offload some of the website malware filtering to someone else. Test with youtube to make sure it doesn't slow anything down. Blocks the majority of bad sites for me, and my HOSTS file and Malwarebytes blocks the rest.

bcl999

This is my 2nd year with AVG Internet Security. I didn't renew but instead bought the 2011 version on ebay and was very happy with transaction. I downloaded the software and the seller sent me the activation code the same day so everything was set up within a few hours. The disk version arrived in the post the next day if I had wanted to wait. I've just checked ebay again and the seller has the 4PC 2year licence version for £35.95 delivered
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AVG-Internet-Security-NEW-Ver-2011-2-years-4-PCs-/250797076136?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item3a64abaea8

I don't have any connection with them just a satisfied customer. It may be worthwhile searching for other auctions on ebay for the same thing as my version was just one licence so I am not familiar with 4PC licence prices.

Hope this helps.

DCodd

RussJK wrote: »

Personally, I think you'd be better all round protected using one of the free AV solutions (Avira, Avast, AVG, MSE, etc), and getting 5 lifetime licences for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware pro using this discount code:

5MU-NBU-DFR (20%, confirmed to work)


I bought the Malwarebytes for my parents and my wife's parents, and in addition to Avira free they've not seen any malware. I had been planning on recommending them Avast but it has too many quality control issues - bad updates that break the web for everyone who downloaded them, and bad program updates that cause crashes for some people.

Also worthwhile pointing the router's DNS servers to ClearcloudDNS (www.clearclouddns.com) and offload some of the website malware filtering to someone else. Test with youtube to make sure it doesn't slow anything down. Blocks the majority of bad sites for me, and my HOSTS file and Malwarebytes blocks the rest.

Thanks

I've got Malwarebytes (free) and superanti-spyware (free) on each of the laptops (with one running MSE). Had a couple of issues over the past year but nothing these two programs couldn't sort. Is the pro version of Malwarebytes any better (it does a real-time detection if I remember correctly?).

RussJK

Yes much better because as you say the realtime protection is in place - has a file guard, and a web filter. It also has some self-protection against malware trying to shut it down, but it shouldn't really come to that.

I've set mine to update throughout the day, because as far as I'm concerned each update could be crucial - and they have about 4-5 updates each day. So far none have broken anything over the years. I schedule a few silent quick scans each day as well, since on my main laptop they only take 3 minutes and have no noticeable affect on system performance.

It's not perfect and nothing will catch everything, but in terms of value for money I can't think of anything better for a Windows PC other than the free solutions (alternative DNS, HOSTS block, free antivirus, Windows firewall, Sandboxed browser, Adblocking or Noscript).

santer_2

K9 points out a lot of sites not to visit

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

There is a 3 month trial here if you would still like to try AVG

http://whateverfree.com/avg-internet-security-2011-3-months-license/

http://www.avg.pl/ZimaZAVG

Also Comodo Internet Security free trial here

http://whateverfree.com/giveaway-comondo-internet-security-1-year/