AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014

Saturday, 11 January 2014

PROS
Excellent protection against malware attack on a clean system. Effective malware cleanup. Toolbar offers secure search, Do Not Track, Facebook view, more. Includes secure deletion file shredder. Free!
CONSDifficult installation on malware-infested test systems. Some users may object to numerous upsell attempts.
BOTTOM LINE
I had a bit of trouble getting AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014 installed on my malware-infested test systems, but once installed it did a good cleanup job, and it was even better at protecting an already-clean system. You'll get excellent free antivirus protection from AVG.

If you don't have antivirus protection installed on all your PCs, shame on you! Given the quality of free antivirus products currently available, there's just no excuse for going without protection. AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014 is a good choice. I had a little trouble getting it installed on malware-infested test systems, but once installed it did a good cleanup job, and it turned in a great score in my malware-blocking test.

COMPARE SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The product itself is free, but AVG really, really wants you to launch a 30-day trial of their full security suite. You get that option during installation, and a banner across the bottom of the main window repeats the offer each time you launch the antivirus. As I stepped through the product's features, I found quite a few marked "Upgrade to activate." I'll look at those features when I review the full suite.

One row of big buttons on AVG's main window let you access components like computer protection and Web browsing protection. Another row links to an array of other solutions from AVG. You can launch a one-time performance-fixing scan, and optionally install AVG's tune-up solution. There are links to the company's mobile apps, and to a partner-licenses app for ensuring you have the latest drivers. And a whole separate "More from AVG" page displays the company's entire line of products, most of which require separate purchase.

But don't worry. You really can have free antivirus protection. You just need to resist the temptation to purchase the various optional add-ons.