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Antivirus Software
- Best antivirus software ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 *Est. $35
- Free antivirus software AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.5 *Est. $0
- Security suite with antivirus software Norton Internet Security 2009 *Est. $45
- Most popular antivirus software Norton AntiVirus 2009 *Est. $20
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- One plus for AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition is that the program has minimal impact on system performance.
- AVG Pro does not reach certification level in a couple of lab tests, and the bar is low enough that almost all antivirus programs rise above it. It has no protection against malware other than viruses.
AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Edition intrigues consumers because of the popularity of the free version. However, reviews are very mixed. Every professional review rates AVG Anti-Virus Professional as average or worse. AVG earns mixed results in other lab tests as well. False positives are a weakness cited in one test. Many reviews say there's not enough difference between the free version and the paid version to merit the upgrade.
We found the best review of AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional at PC World, where it's directly compare to seven competitors. The PCAdvisor.co.uk review is nearly identical to PC World's review; it uses the same set of test data. TopTenReviews.com reveals that AVG flunked an independent lab test. CNet.com measures affect on resources, but testing is shallow. We found more reviews for the popular free edition of this software than we did for the paid professional version.
Our Sources
1. PC World
In conjunction with AV-Test.org, PC World tests eight antivirus applications under Microsoft Windows Vista. The reviews are comprehensive and detailed, except that compatibility with third-party anti-spyware and firewall programs isn't tested. Grisoft AVG 7.5 Anti-Virus Professional is ranked seventh of eight programs. Ineffectiveness and complexity of use don't offset the low cost.
Review: Virus Stoppers, Ryan Naraine, Erik Larkin, Apr. 23, 2007
This site ranks 17 antivirus programs, but testing details are sparse and most programs are rated excellent in most categories (only three of 60 ratings are below "very good"). AVG Anti-Virus Professional ranks eighth. Editors report that AVG Anti-Virus flunked a lab test conducted by West Coast Labs.
Review: Anti-Virus Software Review 2007, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
3. CNET
CNet does not test effectiveness in preventing malware; it relies on the independent lab tests, but Robert Vamosi evaluates other factors of usage. He thoroughly measures how each program affects computer speed. AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional finishes last in the roundup of eight antivirus software programs.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Single Edition, Robert Vamosi, Nov. 17, 2006
4. CNET
A couple of dozen readers review AVG Anti-Virus Professional at CNet.com, but all customer reviews are favorable to the degree that the average rating is excellent. Several users are thrilled after switching from Norton and McAfee.
Review: AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Single Edition, Contributors to CNet.com
The university-based AV-Test.org does not review products; rather, it sells its performance-test results to other publications. PC Magazine commissioned a limited test that only determined each program's ability to detect malware (but not remove it). AVG is above average in this regard.
Review: AV-Test.org Reports Stats from Antivirus Roundup, Larry Seltzer, May 22, 2007
