Simple Computing

If you've read earlier posts, you'll know that I've been using the AVG free anti-virus software (7.5) for some time now, and it has been excellent. The last couple of weeks though, I've been getting a message pop up each day when it updates, suggesting I upgrade to the new paid for 8.0 software. It's been getting slightly irritating, but (although it didn't say so) AVG's new software is available in a free version too. AVG 8.0 is a noticeable improvement on 7.5, not least because it has spyware detection built in as well. It also offers better updating options; you can set it to update when you turn the computer on, and to dial in before doing so. There's also a link scanner which works well, although it's not the most aesthetic addition to Google, who flag up their own warnings anyway.

If there's a downside, it's that processor use is up somewhat (noticeable on an elderly PC like my own) not least because it does far deeper scans of executable files before you even attempt to open them. This last may of course be a good thing but in the short term it's a pain; I tend to save my downloaded executables in case I need them again, and it's working it's way through them all.

But already I'm very impressed, to the point that I'm going to try the paid up version. Although they do a free trial I've decided to buy from the off, not least because you can still buy 7.5 and they upgrade free to 8.0. I've gone for a 3 machine 2 year licence Internet Security option off Amazon for £42; if I split that with a friend that won't seem so expensive. I feel slightly disloyal abandoning (at least for the next two years) the free version since its very good, I recommend it to friends, and I know that it's all I really need.

There's another advantage to me of getting it as 7.5. If I find my processor overstretched, I can always revert to 7.5. I'll let you know how it goes.