AVG (software)

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For the intrusive adware program, see AntiVirus Gold.
AVG Internet Security

AVG Internet Security
Developed by AVG Technologies, s.r.o.
Latest release 8.0.100 / April 23, 2008 (2008-04-23); 52 days ago
OS Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD
Genre Antivirus, Malware removal, Internet Security
License Proprietary (freeware and commercial)
Website www.avg.com

AVG is an umbrella term for a range of antivirus and internet security software for the Microsoft Windows and Linux computing platforms, developed by AVG Technologies.

Contents

[edit] AVG Anti-Virus & Internet Security Protection

[edit] History

The brand name for AVG Technologies' Security Software is AVG, which comes from their first product, Anti-Virus Guard.[1] AVG Technologies is a privately held Czech company formed in 1991 by Jan Gritzbach and Tomas Hofer. In early September 2005, a large stake in the company was bought by Intel Corporation.[2] On April 19, 2006, ewido Networks became a part of the AVG Technologies group.[3]

On November 6, 2006, Microsoft announced that AVG Security products would be available directly from the Windows Security Center in Windows Vista.[4] Since June 7, 2006, the AVG software has also been used as an optional component of GFI Mail Security, produced by GFI Software.[5] On December 5, 2007, AVG Technologies announced the acquisition of Exploit Prevention Labs, developer of the LinkScanner safe surfing technology.[6] On February 8, 2008, Grisoft announced that they would change the company name from Grisoft to AVG Technologies. This change was made to increase the effectiveness of their marketing activities.

[edit] Versions for Windows clients

AVG Technologies provides a number of products from the AVG range, suitable for Windows 2000 onwards. In addition to this, AVG Technologies also provides Linux and FreeBSD versions of the software. AVG Anti-Virus is available in both a free and commercial editions. As of AVG 8.0, the commercial edition AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 product includes the AVG Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, LinkScanner, Anti-Rootkit, Web Shield and Security Toolbar protection technologies. AVG Anti-Virus plus Firewall 8.0 adds integrated firewall protection.

AVG Internet Security 8.0 is a full suite solution which brings together the AVG Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, LinkScanner, Anti-Rootkit, Web Shield, Security Toolbar, Firewall, Anti-Spam and System Tools protection technologies.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 includes the AVG Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection, plus the AVG Search-Shield component of the patent pending LinkScanner technology.

All versions of the AVG products are compatible with the 64-bit edition of Windows. All editions run on Windows Vista. All commercial versions of the AVG software are available on a trial basis. Each trial allows all users (including businesses and institutions) a 30-day trial period. After this time a fee is required, which yields a key that unlocks the program for continued use.

[edit] Versions for servers

AVG Technologies also sells AVG antivirus and Internet security solutions for web/file servers or email servers running either Linux, FreeBSD or Windows.

AVG Internet Security Network Edition 8.0 provides centrally controlled comprehensive protection for workstations and file servers. AVG Internet Security SBS Edition 8.0 adds e-mail server and Microsoft SharePoint server protection.

AVG Anti-Virus Network Edition 8.0 provides centrally controlled Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection for workstations and file servers. AVG Anti-Virus SBS Edition 8.0 adds e-mail server and Microsoft SharePoint server protection.

AVG File Server Edition 8.0 provides Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection for file servers.

AVG E-mail Server Edition provides Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection for most popular e-mail servers.

[edit] AVG for Linux/FreeBSD

With Version 7.5, AVG Technologies is providing a solution for FreeBSD for the first time. AVG Technologies has incorporated spam detection in addition to virus detection for Linux/FreeBSD software.

[edit] Features

AVG features most of the common functions available in modern antivirus and Internet security programs, including periodic scans, scans of sent and received emails (including adding footers to the emails indicating this), the ability to "heal" some virus-infected files, and a "virus vault" in which infected files are held.

The patent pending LinkScanner technology built into all AVG 8.0 products provides real-time protection against exploits and drive-by downloads. LinkScanner includes: Search-Shield - a safe search component that scans Google, Yahoo! and MSN search results in real-time and places safety ratings next to each link; plus Active Surf-Shield - a safe surf component that scans the contents of web site in real-time to ensure it's safe being opened.

[edit] AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

According to AVG Technologies, over 70 million users have AVG Anti-Virus protection, including users of the Free Edition. On April 24, 2008, AVG released AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0. Along with a more colorful interface, the new program added some new features - a combined Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection engine, LinkScanner Search-Shield safe search protection, plus the AVG Security Toolbar - which were previously only available in AVG commercial versions.

There are some limitations with AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 compared to the commercial versions of AVG products. These limitations include:

  • Less protection - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 provides only base level protection against viruses, spyware and safe searching. It does not provide safe surfing (drive-by download protection) nor protection from hackers, keyloggers, spam, phishing attacks and malicious file downloads that can come through instant messaging and attachments from seemingly friendly sources. This protection is only available in the commercial versions of AVG products.
  • Slower updates - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 receives updates via a lower priority service. Priority updating via high-speed servers is only available for the commercial versions of AVG products.
  • No telephone or e-mail technical support - There is no telephone or e-mail technical support provided by AVG for users of AVG Free Edition products anywhere in the world. AVG Free Edition users have access to support via the self-help AVG Free Forum.
  • No customisation - Scheduling options in AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 are very limited (only one scheduled update per day, one scheduled scan per day etc.). The AVG Resident Shield configuration is limited with no exclusion settings. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition does not offer advanced testing options, password-protected archives reporting, adjustment of scan process priority and many other features.
  • No server support - AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 8.0 cannot be installed on server operating systems (such as Windows Server 2003), nor can it be used for the scanning of network drives.

AVG Free Edition was once responsible for popup ads. These were for the non-free AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 and AVG Internet Security 8.0 products, which claim to provide more comprehensive levels of protection [7][8]. However it now only has an in-program banner for the full edition[citation needed].

[edit] Resource requirements

One feature of AVG is its conservative resource requirements. The AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition requires 16 MB of RAM and 20 MB of space on the hard drive. AVG Internet Security, however, requires 256 MB of RAM.[9] The comparatively high use of paged physical RAM has led to crashes with some software, such as the Half Life 2 series.[10]

[edit] AVG Anti-Spyware

On April 19, 2006, it was announced that AVG Technologies had acquired the German Anti-Malware company ewido Networks. ewido Anti-Spyware was later renamed to AVG Anti-Spyware Professional Edition. A freeware version, AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition, is available for private non-commercial use only and with lower speed updates. As of AVG 8.0, AVG Anti-Spyware is integrated into AVG Anti-Virus and is no longer available as a standalone product.

[edit] AVG Anti-Rootkit

AVG also had a free Anti-rootkit application, AVG Anti-Rootkit 7.5, but it was stopped as of late 2006. Updates are now no longer available. In the new AVG 8.0, anti-rootkit scanning is built in to AVG Anti-Virus and is no longer available standalone.

[edit] AVGADMIN

AVGADMIN is a remote administration tool, which allows the software to be managed centrally on networks.

[edit] Reception

  • AVG antivirus was certified by ICSA Labs. [11]
  • It has been tested 43 times, from February 1998 through April 2008, by Virus Bulletin and has failed 22 times and passed 21 times. During the period from June 2003 to April 2008, it was tested 23 times; passing 20 times and failing 3 times. [12]
  • At CNET.com it received a review of 7.0/10. [13]
  • At PCWorld.com it received 75/100. [14]

[edit] See also

Computer security Portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ AVG Technologies Celebrates 15 Years of Internet Security Success.
  2. ^ Intel buys part of AVG Technologies
  3. ^ AVG Technologies announces release of ewido Anti-Spyware
  4. ^ Microsoft incorporates AVG into the Vista Security Center
  5. ^ GFI Mail Security support for a new anti-virus engine - Grisoft AVG
  6. ^ AVG Acquires Exploit Prevention Labs, Developer of LinkScanner Safe Surfing Technology
  7. ^ Avg 7.5 Constant Pop Up Ad Window.
  8. ^ AVG pro 7.5 annoying pop-up till Decenber?.
  9. ^ AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security - AVG Internet Security
  10. ^ Games freeze or crash with looping sounds (paged pool memory issues) - Crashes and Errors - Knowledge Base - Steam Support
  11. ^ /ICSALabs/Antivirus/Certified Products
  12. ^ Virus Bulletin : Independent Malware Advice
  13. ^ AVG 8.0 - CNET Reviews
  14. ^ PC World - AVG 7.5 Anti-Virus Professional Review

[edit] External links