AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Edition Review

What the reviewers like:
One plus for AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition is that the program has minimal impact on system performance.

What the reviewers don't like:
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 review highlights

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.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. PC World
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Virus Stoppers
Ryan Naraine, Erik Larkin
Apr. 23, 2007

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.

2. Top Ten Reviews.com
Anti-Virus Software Review 2007
Editors of TopTenReviews.com

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.

3. CNet.com
AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Single Edition
Robert Vamosi
Nov. 17, 2006

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.

4. CNet.com
AVG Anti-Virus 7.5 Professional Single Edition
Contributors to CNet.com

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.

5. PC Magazine
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AV-Test.org Reports Stats from Antivirus Roundup
Larry Seltzer
May 22, 2007

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.

Also see full report: Antivirus Software