I am a big fan of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition and regularly recommend it to customers in store. My enthusiasm in often returned with understandable scepticism and questions about what features it is missing often arise to which I mention the lack of a firewall. Fortunately AVG are aware that their free anti-virus package doesn't cover the needs of all users so they have also produced a security suite going by the name of AVG Internet Security. To save recapping I am simply going to focus on the differences between the two applications so if you've missed my review of the free edition it can be located at www.computerarticles.co.uk. Firstly if you were planning to use the product at work or on more than one computer then upgrading is the only legal option as the free edition of AVG Anti-Virus is not licensed for business use or for use on multiple machines. Besides this, AVG Internet Security offers the following additional features: Firewall - In order to block unauthorised access to your machine Firewalls inspect the network traffic between your computer and the Internet. AVG Internet Security's firewall in is an alternative to the solution bundled with Windows and designed to be a more secure. Spam Filter ' AVG's integrated Anti-Spam filter protects you against phishing attacks and prevents junk email appearing in your inbox. Most users will find the anti-spam to be invaluable; especially those that have no use for the popular blue pill I get so much mail about. Anti-Rootkit Scanner - A rootkit is software designed to hide the fact that your computer system has been compromised from anti-virus software and the user. With the intention that files can be maliciously altered and processes executed without triggering conventional anti-virus scanners such as AVG free edition. Identity Theft Protection - Following their takeover of Sana Security at the beginning of this year, AVG have started integrating their software algorithms designed to detect unusual malware prompted behaviour designed to siphon off passwords, bank account details, credit card numbers and so on. There are also a few other bits and pieces chucked in, including Instant Messaging protection, free technical support and a safe download manager making it a pretty comprehensive package. However a couple of issues became to my attention. Firstly it more resource hungry than the free edition which is most unfortunate as one of my favourite about the free edition was how it was how small and fast it was compared to Norton and McAfee. Whilst still ahead of these other packages it is a shame for it to lose any ground on this front as I had sung AVGs praises on this matter previously. Secondly, and most obviously, Internet Security is not free. You can buy the two year, three user license on the AVG website for £83.18 or alternatively (if the Herald Express will allow me a shameless plug) we are selling it retail boxed in our Torquay Road and new Newton Abbot store for £32.99. Your own specific need needs will determine whether AVG Internet Security is right for you; I must stress that the free edition available from http://free.avg.com is a competant anti-virus checker but if you must have the extra features and don't mind the sacrifice in speed then the paid for suite may represent a better option.
Please Rate this Article 5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5
Not yet Rated
