AVG Internet Security 2011 Download:

AVG Internet Security provides most - but not all - of the features users would expect from an Internet Security product. Outside of traditional anti-virus and anti-spam functions, the application provides several components that keep users safe while Web surfing. LinkScanner offers protection against malicious Web sites in the form of Surf-Shield and Search-Shield, which block users from potentially dangerous URLs launched in Internet Explorer or Firefox. (Like most 2011 Internet Security products, AVG provides no support for Google Chrome.) Online Shield ensures the safety of file downloads via the Web or over Instant Messaging (IM) applications. Finally, Identity Protection monitors for potential malware that sniffs passwords, bank account numbers, and other sensitive personal data.

Like many of its rivals, AVG verifies that links on social networks are safe - ensuring your Facebook wall doesn't contain malicious links. Another common feature is AVG's low-consumption mode when you're working on your computer, thus not slowing down your productivity.

A few of AVG's features require additional purchases. PC Analyzer examines a user's PC for potential performance issues, but won't fix anything. Users can download and use AVG PC Tuneup once to fix the problems identified by PC Analyzer, or purchase 12 months of unlimited tuneups for $29.99. AVG LiveKive supplies online data backup and recovery. 25GB/year of online storage runs for $49.99, or users can purchase unlimited storage for 12 months for $79.99. But the most disappointing pay-for-play feature is Parental Controls. Most Internet Security platforms offer Parental Controls as an integrated part of their software. AVG requires that users purchase a separate annual subscription for Parental Controls. As of this writing, AVG has reduced the annual cost of this "extra" feature from $19.99/year to $0.99/year. Which raises the question: why not simply include the feature with AVG Internet Security, instead of charging a yearly pittance?

Finally, while most end users won't be able to make heads or tails of the System Tools page, computer geeks will realize that AVG has given those who know their way around Windows a powerful housecleaning tool. System Tools display every process, network connection, networked Layered Service Provider (LSP), startup application, and browser extension running on the system.

AVG's Firewall is rich, but verbose. It provides five basic levels of protection: Small office or home network (the default), Computer within domain, Directly connected to the Internet, Block All, and Allow All. Users can tinker with these defaults in the Advanced Options dialog, adding and removing rules for specific applications and network layers. AVG even supports duplicating and modifying an existing firewall profile. In reality, most users won't bother with such customizations; they'll be more distracted by the numerous pop-ups displayed by AVG asking if various applications should be authorized to access the Internet.