AVG's Anti-Virus and
Internet Security line follows on the heel of last year's highly-ranked
security suite by not merely incorporating some minor but key tweaks to
both its front-end and back-end, but a stronger push toward personal
data management and privacy utilities that help prevent uninvited access
to your files. Though many threats still exist, security programs as
they stand now start to encompass areas of privacy utilities. Whereas
the majority of threats were once external viruses trying to force their
way into your machines, nowadays malware focus more on tricking users
to inadvertently open doors for hijacking.
Version
2013 was AVG's first push toward adopting and remixing the Modern UI
movement. Not just a response to competitors, the Modern UI movement
represents an overall push toward creating a more streamlined security
experience. For the average consumer, what your anti-virus and
anti-malware programs do to protect your computer have followed a set it
and forget it mentality.
Balancing along the fine line of being
both approachable yet empowering is a key goal of not just AVG but also
just about any utility software developer: Modern UI has the visual
appeal, but does it evoke control and the sense of security over all the
software's power features?
In our last review, we commended
AVG's decision to reduce the installation steps. It still contains a
toolbar offer, and despite the universal hatred toward being fooled into
installing yet another browser helper object, AVG's toolbar actually
does include useful security options like Do Not Track. Again it's a
tradeoff but if you really wanted DNT's features, then there's a
standalone version available for free on Firefox and Chrome in their
respective extension stores.
By now, almost every major security
software maker has more or less adopted the flat, Modern UI look and AVG
has kept its own visuals mostly intact. The main screen is decorated
with AVG's primary areas of protection that include your computer,
browsing the Web, Identity protection features, e-mail protection, and
extras that populate the second row if you opt to purchase the premium
or Internet Security suites. It's the same as last year's design, but
still a radical departure from the old AVG that's appreciated, yet still
may take some getting used to for the more hands-on user. Thankfully,
all it's older scan settings are still neatly tucked under the options,
though they aren't nearly as touch-friendly.
All visual and
organizational improvements aside, AVG 2014 (along with many other
security suites we've seen) have more or less been continuing to dress a
Windows 7 application without completely assimilating into the actual
Modern UI environment, wholeheartedly. I can understand this context
under the stance that there are still many who don't face a real urgency
to upgrade to Windows 8. But if you're moving toward minimal input and
maintenance for running a security program in the background, then
perhaps Modern UI might be better suited in the long run.
Once AVG adapts to your machine, scan times are reduced tremendously.
For example, the options menu is still very much geared toward
the mouse user, so having a meet-halfway kind of design slightly
disrupts the overall experience of maintaining and protecting your
machine with the touch of your fingers.
Data Safe is your lockbox to prevent unwanted tampering or snooping if you save files on a public machine.
Two notable additions to AVG Internet Security are File
Shredder and Data Safe. File Shredder is a more permanent solution to
deleting files and reducing any potential digital trails for recovery.
By default, Windows doesn't actually delete files, even after clearing
the Recycle Bin, with the exception of overly-large file sizes. For the
average user, this might not seem like much but in the era of privacy
concerns, it's a welcome feature that will slowly start to become more
relevant to the average consumer.
Even Data Safe, AVG's own
folder encryption, helps you create what is essentially a secured
pseudo-partition in a native location that can only be unlocked with a
password. It's a practical precaution for those who share their
computers with others and wish to avoid having to create separate
profiles.
AV-Test
results for 2014 are currently not published, but the 2013 marks for
Internet Security showed a slight drop in protection, going down from a
5.5 rating out of 6 to 5.0. Performance remained standard at 3.5 but
usability shot up significantly from 4.5 to 5.5 out of 6.
AV-Comparatives
gave 2013 a 1.1 percent compromise rate in their real-world protection
test in their July report. Overall, AVG has maintained a relatively
consistent level of security, which is above average, but the gains in
usability combined with reduced system load, makes this version one of
the most lightweight protection solutions for your PC.
To call this version the best AVG yet is a no-brainer; AVG's
security efficacy, though not the best, still remains consistently high
scoring among AV evaluations across the board. And though detection
rates have improved, the biggest strides for this year's version have
been made in the areas of privacy tools that are genuinely useful. As
for whether it's the "best" security program around, that may depend on
your current needs. AVG's emphasis on privacy tools and reputation
ranking attempts to combat malware through educating and empowering
users, at least slightly, with tools that remain easy to use yet
encourage users to actively manage their PC files. We especially
recommend this year's suite for those who actively share their machine
with other users.
AVG Antivirus Free-Protect your PC from viruses and malware.-Download Video Previews:
Publisher's Description
AVG
AntiVirus Free not only gives you the top-quality antivirus protection
and security features that you'd usually expect only from a paid
product, but added privacy features for 2014 help keep your personal
information safe both online and on your PC, and the new integrated File
Shredder permanently deletes sensitive files to keep them from falling
into the wrong hands. Add to this our Anti-Spyware Technology and WiFi
Guard, and you can be sure that wherever you are, at home or on the
move, we're taking your privacy seriously.
And it's not just your
PC and privacy that we help protect. Performance remains a significant
factor, too. We firmly believe that antivirus software should never get
in your way, so our smart scanning technology not only reduces scan
times, it ensures that they take place when your PC isn't busy with
other tasks. In other words, you can get on and do what you need to
without any delays or interruptions.
Improvements to the
interface now also give you direct access to our great range of free
apps, so we can help protect your mobile and tablet, too. Combine all
this with comprehensive free online technical support, and you can be
sure you're getting the best possible free protection, privacy, and
performance--that's now even easier to use.
What's new in this version: Version 2014.0.4117 adds Windows 8.1 compatibility.
Avast Free Antivirus 2014 continues our legacy. The entire avast! 2014
family includes a DynaGen-powered intelligent antivirus that streams
micro-updates to your computer in real time, to catch new malware
faster. Plus, you can fix current problems instantly, without
uninstalling a previous antivirus. And it even has high-tech options
like Remote Assistance.
