Fans of AVG Free Edition could now download the latest version of the popular and widely-used free security software, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 Free Edition. The Free edition has been launched on 24 April 2008 following the release of the AVG 8.0 complete edition a couple of months earlier. This new version now incorporates protection against spyware with a combined antivirus and antispyware engine.
Like the previous releases of AVG Free Edition, AVG Free 8.0 it is intended to provide you with basic protection. Having said so, AVG has added two additional protections compared to the previous version. AVG Free 8.0 comes with three protections.
- Anti-virus provides protection against viruses, worms and Trojans.
- Anti-spyware offers protection against spyware, adware and identity theft.
- Safe search ensures you safely click search result.
The three components mentioned above could be found in the AVG Control Center shown in bellow screenshot. Please note the additional components named Anti-Spyware and Link Scanner. The copy of AVG 8.0 you see below does not have the E-mail Scanner installed hence you do not find the icon. Be assured that E-mail Scanner is part of the package.
On top of that, you are offered the AVG Toolbar for added protection while you surf the Internet. The following figure shows the AVG Toolbar. I am not a fan of toolbars. I prefer more space for my webpage. Anyway, those that have tested out this AVG toolbar could provide some insight on the protection this toolbar offers as well as impact on performance if there is any.
AVG Free Edition is meant for private, non-commercial use. Hence, it does not run on server operating systems. The supported Operating Systems are MS Windows 2000, MS Windows XP (32-bit and 64-bit), and MS Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit).
If you find that you prefer more protection than the level provided by the Free Edition, there are two more editions offered in the family; AVG Anti-Virus and AVG Internet Security. AVG Internet Security provides the most complete protection in the AVG product family. AVG Anti-Virus on the other hand provides protection against viruses in all manner but lacking Firewall and Anti-Spam engine. The former is priced at USD 54.99 per year while the latter USD 34.99 per year.
Apart from the offering from AVG, you could also look for security products from other stables. There are plenty of options nowadays.
3 responses :
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I would like to give this a try, I am in need of something different for my anti-virus. I especially like the safe search feature, just too bad i am a google guy and don't search much on Yahoo!
I thought that avg had discontinued it's free download software?