MacBoero,
Sorry for the thread drift. Just could not let that pass.
The latest AVG 8 includes the antispyware application. In theory, this should improve detection and cleaning abilities. Personally, I'd feel OK with it, if there weren't others around that suit me better. Include a good two way firewall and any user should be reasonably well protected.
PPilcher, For a true "set and forget" application...sorry, there really isn't one. Stuff changes all the time, malware methods keep evolving, new vulnerabilities are uncovered in MS and third party software all too frequently. (This is why MS release security updates every month, sometimes more often.)
Norton360 is offered as a "set and forget" program, but I keep reading and hearing of folk who have problems with it. Too often it gets a bit overprotective, and quarantines something that's required.
Kaspersky (since it's been mentioned) does have a very good name. They make AV (The KAV mentioned above) and a suite called KIS. Some users report slowdowns, the majority appear to be very happy with it.
Other (free) alternatives include the one this thread is named for, Avast (rates very well, also includes AS, never given a problem here,) and Avira.
HIPS is considered a particularly good method of preventing malware loading. Instead of blacklist-based scanning (definitions) it simply alerts to unknown applications wantiing to run/access something that could lead to harm, if malicious. They do tend to require a lot more user interaction. One that doesn't pop too many alerts up, at default settings, is PCTools Threatfire. (Bottom right of the page for the free version.)
The latest version of Boclean, although based again on blacklists, is pretty much set and forget. If a known trojan attempts to load, it will pop an alert. It doesn't scan, only alerts to something attempting to run in memory. Include a demand scanner or two, like Superantispyware, update and run it once a week (or if "symptoms" occur), include a good two way firewall (see Here for some tests) and anyone should be fairly secure. For now, anyway. Also important, of course, to backup data regularly, should a reformat/reinstall ever become necessary. Encrypt any really sensitive data.
djMcrae, I was not boldly promoting AVG8, it's not actually my cup of tea. I was defending it (and, by association, some other freeware generally) from an unwarranted accusation. And I'll continue to do so.
Regarding your edit, believe it or not, there are organizations that monitor the behaviour of security (or any) software. Programs that fall into the category you describe are defined as rogue. Spyware warrior, run by Eric Howes, maintains a large online database of these. AVG most definitely is not included on that list. They'd be out of business in a shot. Do your homework.
Don't take this the wrong way, but you're talking rubbish. [edit] It also seems you are suggesting obtaining a cracked version of the software, by the "torrentable" comment. Anybody who does this is probably going to get exactly what is deserved.

OK Guys (Tarq57 and dj Mcrae),

That's enough squabbling. Life is too short to get all wound up over this.

For those interested in independent reviews of free and paid-for products, I suggest google - e.g. this and this - among the first few results for "antivirus review comparison".

SD

And there is some comparative data here...

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

The latest comparative data is here...

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seite...se_2008_02.php

I ditched AVG when I saw the "improvements" they made with ver. 8 and installed Comodo AV instead: like AVG used to be it is small and compact does just what it says on the tin. :ok:

Latest from AVG is that 'support' for 7.5 (I presume virus updates) will cease soon.

It may be something else on my machine :eek:but I feel that internet, email and general programmes are running slower after installation of 8. Anyone else agree? I guess it is checking more than 7.5 did.

I am using AVG 7.5 which is the free version, their website says version 8 costs US$55.

If they stop supporting 7.5 soon presumably that means the end of the free version, and I will have to look at getting something else.

Henry, this is a free bee and is said to be very good, came out well in the tests etc.

http://www.free-av.com/

The free version is in the same place it ever was.

Bushfiva: I realise that 7.5 is still in their website, but I was commenting on BOAC's post.
If they stop supporting it with virus updates it will rapidly become valueless.

Thanks parabellum, I will certainly look at that if 7.5 does become outdated

henry crun, it's more of a marketing technique. There is/will be a free version of 8.0, I guess Grisoft would prefer you to buy the full featured version, so make that option easier than locating the download for the free version. But I can assure you, it's still there. http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-...s-free-edition

Thank you Tarq57, that was what I was looking for, but I didn't get past the page which said $55. :)

I'm referring to 8.

Apologies Bushfiva, I misunderstood you.

The page I was looking at only referred to the paid version, and gave no indication that 8 was available for free.

They just (understandably) make it more difficult to find:)

Anyone else experienced a 'slowdown' after install?

It is admittedly not as obvious as it used to be, when they linked to the free version from the Grisoft homepage.

Once you know though, it's as easy as:

free.avg.com

or

free.grisoft.com

Yep, on two of the computers I installed it on. All computers in my house are back running 7.5 now, and are running at normal speed :)

Likewise on mine. 7.5 going back on tonight :bored:

Remember support for 7.5 has not got long to run. Could it be that we will have to accept a slower machine for the extra security? Have you flagged this up with AVG?

My PC is definitely running slower after installing AVG 8.0 - particularly the start up time. I'm about to bin it and instal something else to see if there is an instant result.
mcdhu

Hmm: After what people are saying, I may well consider installing Avast on my other machines. It has run seamlessly on the machine I installed it on for the last three years.

P.P.