AVG Anti-Virus Version 9 Download:

VERSION:  Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000, Single User PRICE:  $34.99 - $9 Instant Savings! $25.99 [Buy Download] Other Versions:  AVG Internet Security 9.0 - $39.95

Review of AVG AntiVirus Version 9.0: With over 110 millions users, AVG AntiVirus is the most popular and recognizable free Antivirus program available. In the review below we'll take a look at AVG's paid version and see how it compares against other commercial Antivirus software. 1) Installation:   AVG AntiVirus Version 9.0 was the slowest installing Antivirus program that we tested this year - requiring over 3 minutes to install, but at least it didn't require any reboots after installation. This took almost double as long as last year's version, although 3 minutes really isn't much to complain about. Also, during the installation process you're given the option to install the AVG Toolbar which has AVG's LinkScanner technology that warns you of unsafe websites. (See Installation Time Comparison Graph) 2) Features & Ease of Use:   AVG Version 9.0 has essentially the same look & feel of last year's Version 8.5 - it still has the same main screen that quickly shows you each item's status. But our main problem with AVG Version 9 is that its usability is a little questionable since it's not exactly clear how to get to each component, such as Anti-Spyware, one needs to double click - single click won't cut it. Other than this minor hiccup, AVG's layout is fresh and uncluttered and it has a good feature set. Besides the expected AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, and Email Scanner features, AVG also offers a Game Mode to allow you to game in peace, Anti-Phishing Protection that makes sure a webpage is what it appears to be, and AVG's LinkScanner technology that checks each webpage before you visit it to make sure it's safe. New Features:     • AVG Identity Theft Recovery Unit - AVG offers help if you encounter identity theft (both online or offline identity theft)     • Phishing Protection - Checks to make sure webpages are what they appear to be Features Checklist: Anti-Spyware Anti-Rootkit Bot Protection Email Scanning IM Protection Trojan Protection Worm Protection Anti-Phishing 3) Virus Scanner:   AVG Anti Virus Version 9 has 3 scanning options: Scan whole computer, Scan specific files or folders, and Anti-Rootkit scan. Our testing found AVG's Virus Scanner to scan at a pace of 18.1 MB/s, which translates into scanning 50GB of used hard-drive space in 47 minutes. This was the 4th fastest virus scanner that we tested, behind fellow competitors Avast, Norton 2010, and Kaspersky 2010. Also, AVG's Anti-Rootkit scan quickly scanned our test computer for vulnerabilities in just over 2 minutes (128 seconds). (See Scan Time Comparison Graph) AVG states that they made their virus scanner even faster in this year's Version 9, and we immediately noticed not only the difference in scanning speed but also its overall less-invasive behavior. Quite a nice improvement over last year's slow and cumbersome scanning system. Updates: AVG still only updates about 2 times per day, which makes it one of the least updated Antivirus programs. This is well behind industry leader Norton Antivirus with its 200+ micro-updates per day. (See Updates Per Day Comparison Graph) 4) Performance Testing:   A good Antivirus program should not only protect your computer from Viruses but also not slow down the Performance of your computer too much by using up your computer's resources. We run each Antivirus program through a set of Performance Tests to see the impact it has on the computer. See the results below of our Antivirus testing for AVG Version 9.0: • Memory Use: AVG Version 9.0 uses 12.2 MB of system memory. #4 rated of the 10 Antivirus programs we tested this year. • Reboot Time: AVG added 15.2 seconds to our test computer's reboot time. Worst rated of the 10 Antivirus programs we tested. • Installation Size: AVG AntiVirus Version 9.0 takes 198 MB of hard-drive space for installation. This was the #5 rated program we tested. • Application Launch Time: AVG added 1.146s on average to launch a web browser. Yet again, AVG was the worst rated program we tested. • File Conversion Time: AVG added 0.93s on average to convert a MP3 file to four other file types. #6 rated program we tested. • System Impact Score: The "System Impact Score" is a comparative score tallied from the above 5 Antivirus tests. AVG Version 9.0 scored a total of only 20 out of 50 points when compared to the other Antivirus programs. This tied AVG with McAfee for 7th overall. Last year, AVG also finished near the bottom in our Performance Testing, so AVG's poor performance has shown no improvement this year. Definitely disappointing results for a program used by so many. • View graphs of the above Antivirus Performance Tests. 5) Effectiveness: (Virus/Malware Detection) The most important function of an Antivirus program is to keep your computer free from Viruses and other Malware. Below let's see how AVG fared in some of the industry's top Virus/Malware Detection testing and certification. a) AV Comparatives has 2 major Virus/Malware tests each year. In the most recent test in May, the Proactive Test, AVG fared okay receiving 2 out of 3 Stars. In the 2nd test, the On Demand Detection Test, AVG again received a 2-Star rating. Overall, AVG performed better than last year, but not as good as you'd like to see in these critical virus/malware tests. (*AV Comparatives is an independent Antivirus testing lab in Austria providing some of the most trusted Virus detection tests in the industry.) b) ICSA Labs Certified. ICSA is an independent organization that sets standards for security products and certifies anti-virus software. c) Virus Bulletin's VB 100% Certified. AVG passed the most recent VB100 test (June, 2010), and has passed the last 15 tests dating back to August, 2007. The VB 100% award is given to antivirus software that detects all viruses "in the wild." d) West Coast Labs' Checkmark Anti-Virus Desktop Certification. WCL specializes in functionality testing, performance validation and Checkmark Certification of security products. 6) Help & Support:   AVG has several support options including an online FAQ section and Knowledge Base, both of which are not overly extensive, plus AVG offers an online Forum for users to find support. Also, through the program interface users are able to get additional help with AVG's diagnostic file, which once downloaded analyzes your computer for problems. If all else fails, AVG offers free Email Support, or several Paid Phone Support options, which can range from $49.99 - $129.99 for software & virus removal support. Our major problem with AVG support is that it doesn't have any free Phone Support, nor does it have any Chat Support which can be useful in certain circumstances. CONCLUSION: AVG AntiVirus Version 9.0 has a similar look & feel to last year's version, but with a few new features and a faster virus scanner in the mix. The main problems with AVG continue to be its impact on computer Performance once installed (one of the more invasive programs we tested), and its average results in Effectiveness tests against viruses & malware. For the second consecutive year, AVG finishes with an 'Average' rating from us. For now, we would recommend reading our other Antivirus software reviews for better alternatives. Overall Rating: Average Misc Info:     • Version Tested: 9.0.851     • Release Date:     • Review Date:     • Last Updated:     • Previous Version: AVG AntiVirus Version 8.5 Top 5 Antivirus Software Reviews:   1) Norton AntiVirus 2010 Review  - Rating:   Excellent   2) NOD32 AntiVirus 4 Review  - Rating:   Very Good   3) Kaspersky AntiVirus 2010 Review  - Rating:   Very Good   4) Avast AntiVirus Pro 5 Review  - Rating:   Good   5) BitDefender AntiVirus 2010 Review  - Rating:   Good << Top of Page

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AVG AntiVirus Version 9.0 System Requirements:

• Operating Systems: Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit versions), Windows Vista (32 and 64-bit), Windows XP (SP2 or better), Windows XP Pro x64 Edition (SP1 or better), Microsoft Windows 2000 (SP4 + Update Rollup 1)
  
  
• Memory: Minimum 512 MB RAM available
  
  
• Disk Space: Minimum 350 MB free hard drive space (for installation), 470 MB recommended
  
  
• Processor: Intel Pentium 1.5 GHz or faster processor (1.8 or better GHz recommended)