Avg anti-spyware

[tubby linton]

I have just received a message from AVG stating that they will no longer support avg anti-spyware 7.5 from the end of the year.The alternative is to subscribe to their paid version for $54!Is it worth it and is there a cheaper reliable alternative?

[P.Pilcher]

One answer is to download AVG 8.0 from: http://free.avg.com/ (http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition)

P.P.

[twiggs]

AVG 8 is anti-virus not anti-spyware.
It does appear that AVG are discontinuing the free version of AVG ant-spyware.
There are plenty of good alternatives, Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html), Ad-aware 2008 (http://www.lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php) and a-squared free (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/) are three I have used and recommend..

[green granite]

Or try windows defender.

Windows Defender: Home Page (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx)

[cyclops16]

I run AVG 8.0 and then run it through again with a program called SuperAntiSpyware which is also free and not too bad at all.

[Tarq57]

MBAM (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php) has a free version and is very good. Paid (resident) version $25~.
Superantispyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html) (referenced above) is also very good, Paid version ~$20.
These are, I believe, one time lifetime fees.
The latest version of AdAware, (to use a highly technical term) sucks.
Can find and remove tracking cookies. Nice looking GUI. Probably why it's popular. After all, the GUI is the most important part of a program. :hmm: (Some folk actually seem to think that.)
Other pretty good scanner/cleaners include, Asquared, Spybot, and if a bit more expert, SREng by KZTechs, AVZ antiviral toolkit by z-oleg.com (yes it's Russian, and so is the website) and Radix by USEC.
Seen quite a few horror stories on the www about the new AVG8 "suite", but also must balance that by saying a few folk seem very happy with it.

[capewrath]

I run AVG 8 and it is a combined anti virus and anti spyware program. It provides active protection for both of these pests.

Spybot S&D has a problem with AOL in that it can only scan for installed malware and not block from installing (I think it has a Hosts File issue due to AOL using a modified version of IE).

[Mr Grumps]

I had a bit of trouble with AVG 8 whereby it erased all of my Firefox bookmarks which eventually refused to even open. This was shortly followed by Flock doing the same. All worked just fine after I uninstalled AVG8. After that I won't go near it anymore. AVG 7.5 had worked just fine.

[tubby linton]

I currently run Avira anti-viral and the avg anti-spyware.I tried spybot but it seemed to take over my computer every time it started,perhaps I had set it up incorrectly.
AVG 7.5 has been fine,it is a shame that they are no longer going to support it.

[P.Pilcher]

Well, I have been using AVG 8 for quite some time now without problems on our 5 household computers. I think it was version 8 which incorporated the antispyware previously provided by a separate program, which AVG acquired a couple of years ago and it may be this which causes problems for some. I always use Superantispyware and the other software mentioned here for my spyware/adware defense which AVG 8 in my case accepts without problem.

P.P.

[Llademos]

I had some problems with AVG (slowing of computer) that, admittedly were nothing compared with Spawn of Satan AV (AKA Norton). I now use Avast! which is unobtrusive, efficient and free!

ll

[Dan Gerous]

Had problems with avg 7.5 today, and in frustration uninstalled it and tried to download avg8. I got 2.5MB into a 52MB download and it all stopped and a warning came up about an infected file.

Is it worth trying to install avg8? Never had anyproblem with avg7.5 in the past.

I also don't have broadband at home, can I make a copy to disc, on another computer, and then install it on mine. Otherwise I face a 4hour connection to download on my computer, and I'm not keen on leaving the computer on its own for that long

[henry crun]

Dan Gerous: I have been using AVG 8 for about 6 months without any problems.

My file size is just over 27mbs so I suspect you are downloading something else with the anti virus program.

[Tarq57]

Dan Gerous, what problems were you having with 7.5? And was it the AV or the AS?
Do you still have the installer?

[Dan Gerous]

Tarq, I downloaded the usual weekly update, but unusually after the download was completed, it said it required to shutdown and restart, which I did. After restart the icon warning came up saying my AV was not detected. I noticed the AVG icon that is at the bottom right hand corner of the screen was missing. I tried to access it through START- ALL PROGRAMS-AVG7.When I clicked on the test center icon or the other icon, the hourglass icon came on screen for a few seconds then went off, and nothing came up on screen. I could sort off get in through the virus vault icon but it didn't really help. I gave up and went to check my emails in Outlook express. The messages were taking forever to download, and I think the AV was trying to work or download. I eventually gave up and un-installed the program, as Iwas getting nowhere, and trying to do any work was taking ages. Don't think I still have the installer,as the AVG icons in ALL PROGRAMS have dissapeared. I also tried SYSTEM RESTORE, but with no joy. Sorry about my descriptions, but I'm not much use on the techy stuff with computers. I only had the AV programme.
Danny

[Dan Gerous]

Still trying to get AVG Free. I have tried the AVG site but although they claim it is free they want a monthly subscription for helplines? The file size to download is around 18MB. I tried the link mentioned by P Pilcher, and the file size is 51MB, and found the same file size on another website. Is AVG8 actually available for free?

[Bushfiva]

You need to persevere. From AVG Free - Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition for Windows XP and Vista (http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition) follow the links. They try wearing you down over the next three screens or so by giving you the opportunity to get the paid version, but the free button is there if you look.

Or you could just grab it from download.com: the buttons on the AVG site take you there eventually anyway.

[P.Pilcher]

Since my last posts on this thread, I have also had trouble with AVG 8.0 and have replaced it with Avast (free) and use Superantispyware (free) and Mbam (free) for removing trojans e.t.c which do not appear to be under the remit of "viruses".

P.P.

[Tarq57]

I'd also suggest using Avast Home (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html), or another highly regarded choice is Avira. (http://www.free-av.com/)
Some people have no problems with AVG, but, especially since the company moved to version 8, I'm seeing a lot of posts all over the web concerning problems with this AV.
Frankly, the detection rate ain't all that, either, from what I've read.

[frostbite]

Likewise, only today seen several threads from people having trouble with both the new and earlier version.

Seems the dash for cash has become priority.

[Halfwayback]

Using a bought version of AVG for some years and updated to AVG8 for MS Server when it came online. I have been delighted with the product.

The only thing I would say is that the update for the free version is by no means as accessible as the paid version which was one of the reasons I paid up.

It runs on five desktops with little or no effect to the speed that I can see.

HWB

[Tri-To-Start]

Use Avast. It's free and has full protection.