AVG 9.0 Free Is Available...but is it the best freeware?

AVG 9.0 is finally available for download. it is supposed to be faster, but I have a feeling that it's just marketing hype. I updated AVG on my other computer and didn't notice any speed increase. In fact, my RAM usage went up. By the way, I only installed the base AVG antivirus and antispyware components. I don't need the extra link scanning bloat and gimmicks.

Now I'm starting to rethink what antivirus I should use. I am going to install Windows 7 on this laptop soon and I want to pick the best antivirus to install on it from the start. I'd like to stick with freeware and since I'm starting to lean away from AVG, I'm thinking about Avast or Avira.

What do you guys think of the new AVG 9.0? And if you agree that it's probably not the best free Antivirus out there, then what do you recommend? Avast? Avira? ....?

Thanks

 

AVG sucks! AVG will not able to pawn Avira and Avast!
Not to mention AVG paid version is very lousy as well.

 

I'm going to agree with you (and I was a AVG fanboy for years).

So what's better??? Avast or Avira?

 

AVG is definitely very slow. I'd like to get a more efficient app as well.

 

Both are good but I prefer Avira for its higher detection rate and better UI.

 

I use Avira, they seem really good and i dont get false positives (which is nice)

 

Microsoft Security Essentials would be be better than this lol..

 

Thanks for the heads up, and you other guys for the input. I think I'll try Avira on my latest Windows install. Or maybe Avast. I tried Avira before, and it's GUI just seems hideous.

 

take Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) if you want really light fast and effective detection.

 

I have to agree with you.
MSE pawns AVG even MSE is not truely an AV.
AVG either paid or free = Awful
I wonder why AVG company can survive this long with such "Marvelous" features and protection.

To OP,
Avira FREE = Light Resources, Superb Detection Rate and High-Scanning Speed and Good UI.
Avast FREE = Moderate Resources, Great Detection Rate(lower than Avira) and more features even it is FREE edition.
AVG = Heavy Resources which can slowdown the System harshly, Lousy Detection Rate and everything is bad.

 

Avira is known for more false positives and I get them sometimes.

 

Yea. Avira have more False Positive compared to Avast.
AVG have more than Avira and Avast if not mistaken.
McAfee have the fabulous False Positives issues even it is PAID version.

However, false positive can be easily fixed. Just config the AV to ignore the specific files. Voila.

 

Well, to be fair, I've been using AVG Free on my Windows systems for a long time, and I've never had a virus.

 

Maybe you're not visiting "evil" website, perhaps?
You should try install Avira Personal 9 into your System. Scan your whole HDD.
I think you would able to see those Viruses/Spywares that AVG missed.
I said this because have many people like you told me about I never miss a Virus with AVG. But after testing with Avira, they know Avira is a better 1.
I can't 100% confirm that AVG will let a virus to pass through, but I can confirm Avira is better than AVG.

By the way, I am not fanboyism. I want the public to know Avira > AVG currently.
I did have proves as well. Go google AV/IS comparison August 2009. You will see the distance between Avira and AVG.

 

I've heard that as well, but i've only received like 3 in the past 2-1/2 years i've been using it.

 

I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials. I'm trying to convince my university to switch over to it instead of McAfee Enterprise AV. I've installed it on a number of machines and it works very well. It also does a good job getting underneath infections on unprotected computer's and cleaning things out.

I have not seen this kind of quality in a free AV solution in a long while. I heard good things about the new AVG though, I'm sure it would also work just fine.

 

>.<!!
I can't influence my College to use Avira. LOL. As it is using Kaspersky system.
But the shops nearby moved to Avira from AVG. LOL.

 

Yeah, I'm not arguing with you. I believe you that Avira is better. I just mean I never had a noticeable virus... nothing crashed my system or caused problems like that. And no, I don't visit "evil" websites if I can help it. Or open suspicious emails or click on ads (I use Adblock Plus for those).

And I did try Avira once after using AVG for a while, and it didn't find anything. I went back to AVG because I thought Avira looked uglier.

 

Yep! In term on GUI design, AVG does have a better 1.
Avast's used to be suck on GUI. Not sure did Avast improve it now?
Avira GUI design is not as good as AVG but still considered standard.
Glad you're not arguing. ^^! Nice to meet you. LOL.

 

I honestly can't remember if I've ever tried Avast or not, so I can't really compare. But I've definitely been getting the impression that Avira is better; I just never liked the way it looked with my theming. But that's a pretty lame reason.

Besides, AVG has recently gotten a little more bloated and annoying with their layout, so I won't really mind the switch. And it's not like I'll be using Windows much anyways. I just slapped XP back on my laptop as a game launcher.

And nice to meet you.

 

I'll probably give Avira a try tomorrow. And the one annoyance that people complain about is the popup ad, but this can be easily disabled by a registry string change.

 

No need any registry string actually.
Here is a simpler guide on disabling the pop-up nagging message.

The guide on that for Vista Home Premium works for me on Vista Ultimate.

 

I have tried AVG before
my computer was safe
not just that, it is free
it was i think v8

 

So are Avira and Avast though, and they may offer better protection.

 

I read that Avast 5 is coming soon and it's looking really good. Redesigned interface (finally!) and some other enhancements. Maybe it will be the top free AV.

 

I think avira is the best free antivirus

 

i use avast right now and have gotten one virus but i do pause protection every once in a while used to have mcafee cause it comes free with comcast and it was the worst thing ever so many virusses and false possitives soooooo anoying

 

I'm reading more and more good things about Microsoft Security Essentials.

I'm really having a tough time deciding between AVG 9, Avira, Avast, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

AVG 9's advantage is that I've been using AVG for years and have had good luck with it. The downside is that AVG has started to feel bloated and v9 is pretty new and hard to tell yet whether they've improved its performance. Also, it seems that AVG 9 and Windows Defender don't work together.

Avira's advantage is that it's often said to be the best free antivirus by many reviewers. It has awesome detection rates and supposedly a small footprint. But I'm not so sure I want to have to edit the files to stop the popup and I've heard the update server is pretty slow.

Avast seems to be the most complete free AV. But then I wonder, do I really need all that extra stuff? I want my computer to run fast as possible and I don't really need all those extra Web-Shields, etc.

Microsoft Security Essentials is starting to move up in my decision of the best free AV. I feel good knowing it's made by Microsoft and updates using Windows Update. Also, it seems to be a lightweight AV with just the "Essentials" - Antivirus and antispyware. That's all I really need. I'm just not sure it's the lightest of the free AVs.


I have about a week before I install Win 7 and I need to make up my mind soon...

EDIT: I also added a poll.

 

Avira Antivir Personal 9
Avast! Home Edition 4.8
Microsoft Security Essentials

Both these 3 AVs are good and better than AVG Free Edition v9.
Avira is the lightest among these AVs, it have highest detection rate among these.
While Avast! is the heaviest among these, but it is very complete in term of features and protection areas.
Microsoft Security Essentials is light as well and it beats MBAM and SAS.
MBAM and SAS are formerly known as BEST on-demand scanners.

 

I to have found AVG have let themselves go. I only use it on systems that i don't really care about security but just need something just in-case. I currently use MSE and Malwarebytes combination and it has been working flawlessly so far.

 

ditto! AVG cannot be taken as a serious antivirus!

Avira pwnts AVG

 

If you use MSE, you don't need MBAM anymore.
Because in a test, MSE pawned MBAM. Basically, MSE will detect everything that MBAM does and even more than MBAM.
WARNING: THIS MIGHT BE FALSE STATEMENT BECAUSE I READ IT SOMEWHERE ONLY.

@Maximus,

 

Hi DarkSilver, could you post a link?
I'm really curious which company/organization did that test.
Thanks.

 

I don't know the link LOL. I just read up in this forum. I think got a user posted it. I lazy to find it. I think you find it yourself(sorry)? This info might be wrong but I still think MSE is superior than MBAM even though I am fan of MBAM and SAS for a long time.

 

I'd advise otherwise. I've found MBAM is an excellent second line of defence for malware. In the past I've had Avira detect a rootkit it couldn't remove--I simply fired up MBAM and it nuked the rootkit instantly.

It's good to have a multi layer security system as no tool is perfect. You don't need to leave MBAM running or anything, just having it on the system when it's needed is sufficient.

 

This is true. I know this.
SAS and MBAM sometime can remove those spyware/virus/trojan that AVs detected but AVs can't remove them.
I don't install them(SAS/MBAM) when my System is normal and got nothing unusual. In addition, they are on-demand scanner only and not realtime protection. So, it is OK to not install them when the System is still healthy. Usually, my System is always clean and no viruses though. I only install them while I found suspicious or abnormal behaviors of my System. Lastly, this is my piece of opinion only. If want to play safe, install them at all cost.

 

I'm skeptical about this. If such evidence exists I would like to see it. In the meantime I would recommend keeping MBAM and SAS as on-demand scanners even if you use MSE, Avira, or Avast.

 

better to be safe than sorry

 

About the statement, I have nothing to tell. Since it is not from myself. I read it from other sources from this forum but I forgot which topic and which user post it already.
You can install them anytime you want about SAS and MBAM.
Because they are on-demand scanner as I mentioned on the previous post.
So, they didn't provide any real-time protection unless you use the PAID version. They're just tools to remove stuffs that can't be remove by AVs. Norton ask his client to use SAS or MBAM while facing with hardcore trojan/spyware(read it in this forum don't ask about sources). You can see how good is SAS and MBAM.
I am not MBAM or SAS hater. I love them. =.= But I didn't install them if my System is clean or stable(they're just scanner, can be install anytime).
I just want to share my experience and the stuff I read before.

 

DarkSilver,

I read in one of your posts in another thread that you were having problems with Avira on Windows 7 so you switched to MSE. Are you still using MSE? How do they compare in your opinion?

I'm leaning more towards Avira now, but still not sure.

First of all, are all the negative comments about AVG related to version 9 or just past experiences with versions 8 and 8.5?

I'll probably not get Avast because I don't think I really need anything more than a simple AV and anti spyware. But maybe v5 will be light enough that I'll reconsider.

Is it true that Avira has slow updates? And why isn't Avira on Microsoft's list of recommended AVs for Windows 7? ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/antivirus-partners/windows-7.aspx )

And what's lighter- Avira or MSE? (Download file size is: MSE: 8mb ; Avira: 32mb ...hmmm....btw- according to Cnet, MSE actually decreased boot time)

Thanks

 

Avira is the lightest in the world of FREE AV currently.
AVG is as suck as always. Don't care about AVG if you're going for either Avast, Avira or MSE.
By the way, I was on Avira again on my Windows 7. The problem I faced was myself on the disabling pop-up Avira advertisement. I adjusted wrong thing. LOL. Now, OK already.
About MSE it is damn light as well, still Avira lighter.
Avira did update everyday.
Light System Comparison:
Avira>MSE>Avast>AVG

My opinion is that if choosing an AV(FREE), choose the highest detection rate. Simple, you don't have to worry something like "My AV can't remove this virus, anyone have a better FREE AV to share?". Since you're on the strongest detection rate AV, do you think the other AV can remove the virus which your AV can't remove? Yes, it is possible but very rare. SAS and MBAM are the only software which I see can do remove the spyware/trojan which even Norton can't. But SAS and MBAM are on-demand scanner(FREE). MBAM and SAS have Real-time protection too if you're using PAID version.

 

Thanks for the info. Well it's definitely down to either Avira or MSE.

I know that MSE and AVG 9 disable Windows Defender automatically to avoid any conflicts- does Avira do this too?

 

Nope. Avira is very good. It doesn't turn off any Windows Firewall or Windows Defender. So, you can have Windows Defender turned on as another layer of defense. If you think Windows Firewall sucks(but I don't think it sucks), then, try Comodo Firewall. It works great with Avira Antivir Personal 9.
MSE didn't turn-off Windows Defender either, it only merge the Windows Defender into MSE.

 

I've used Avira for about a year now. I've had no problems at all. The UI is clean and seems to do the job. The resource usage is so light is doesn't even feel like I have one running.

And yes, that's how good it is.

 

av-comparatives.org just release a new test report on Malware Removal.
MSE did better than AVG, Avast, and Avira

http://www.av-comparatives.org/comparativesreviews/removal-tests

 

The comparison test isn't based on detection rate and resources usage. So, it is pretty not accurate. The comparison is just based on Removal Ability. If the detection rate is poor, no matter how strong you can remove the threats, it also useless since you can't detect the threats(how do you remove something that you don't know where it is?).
Still, I hope MSE is better, so, I can change my AV. XD Bored with Avira Antivir Personal 9.

 

Well as of now, I've updated my current laptop that had AVG 8.5 to 9 to see how they compare.
So far, I'm actually kind of liking AVG. I only installed the main component, therefore making it a pretty light install. The linkscanner and surf-shield are just extra bloat and without them, AVG compares pretty closely to MSE.

On my older desktop, I decided to uninstall AVG and give MSE a shot.
I like MSE a lot and want it to succeed, but I've seen a few problems.
1. The CPU usage of the MSE process sometimes shoots up for no reason.
2. The amount of RAM used is a lot compared to what I had in the past. MSE is using between 60-80MB at idle, which seems high to me.

I'm considering giving Avria a try on my desktop. I'll be upgrading to Windows 7 sometime this week on my laptop and as of now, surprisingly, I might be installing AVG back on.

 

Honestly, you should try to find reports and tests to learn which AV is the best for you; setting up a poll isn't a great idea, and NBR members aren't exactly security experts.

 

Well, I used Avira before, but the moved to Avast. Don't remember why, probably, because it got more features. And I just love features that I donm't need, but that sound cool.
And yes, avast 5 is coming. http://blog.avast.com/2009/07/20/avast-5-is-coming-soon/
And some cool stuff to read http://blog.avast.com/2009/09/14/avast-by-the-numbers/
Also, Avast about MSE http://blog.avast.com/2009/10/02/and-what-about-microsoft-security-essentials—mse/

 

I've done a lot of research and I understand what you mean. It's just that I'd like to get others opinions and see different points of view. And I'd rather not install and uninstall multiple AVs if I can narrow it down to the best one through research and reviews.
And although NBR might not be the place to go for security discussion, the members here have had a good amount of experience trying different AVs.

Good and informative links. Makes me second guess my opinion of MSE.