AVG Internet Security 7.5

[squirekat]

Just downloaded and installed this software yesterday and am still getting used to the new interface/functionality after many years with Norton.

Pluses...

1) AVG takes less space on my hard drive than Norton Internet Security
2) Easier on resources
3) Less "invasive" than Norton, meaning you don't have to go into System Configuration to get rid of unwanted tray icons or into Component Services to disable things like "Norton Protection Center" (a worthless piece of junk that is nothing more than a sales gimmick disguised as "protection")
4) Full system Virus Scan only uses about 20% of resources... much less than Norton (I'm running 2Gb DDR SDram)

Minuses...

1) No phone support
2) Interface is so "intuitive" that it gives you very few configuration options and even less information on what the different options actually do (great for newbies but frustrating for users who like to know what makes everything tick and why)
3) Anti-spam filter is very disappointing...
a) It only indentifies about 50% of incoming spam (the rest goes to your Inbox), although that might change after the learning filter has time to get up to speed.
b) Misidentifies some valid email as spam, which is normal for any anti-spam program, but here's the kicker... there is no context menu to mark misidentified valid email as "this is not spam" and send the incoming address to a safe senders list. I ended up turning on the Outlook 2003 Junk Mail Filter. So far it has nabbed 100% of all incoming spam and sent it to the Junk Mail folder. It did misidentify one valid email as spam but I just right-clicked the email and got a dropdown menu to add sender to safe senders list so it won't make the same mistake again. At this point I'm wondering if I even need an anti-spam program other than the one that comes with Outlook.

More to come as I familiarize myself with the new software...

Mark :thumbsup:

[renegade600]

just to answer one of your comments. A second antispam does not hurt but you can run without it for a while and see if your outlook catches everything.

[macloud76]

I just installed it also and dont see anything about the firewall. I checked windows and it says that the windows firewall is running. Do you know how to check and see if the avg firewall is running, or how to turn it on?

[squirekat]

I just installed it also and dont see anything about the firewall. I checked windows and it says that the windows firewall is running. Do you know how to check and see if the avg firewall is running, or how to turn it on?

Start>All Programs>AVG 7.5>AVG Firewall Configuration Wizard

You should be able to take it from there. If you run into problems post back here and I'll see if I can help you activate it. AVG Firewall will deactivate the Windows Firewall by default, but you'll see a message about that somewhere in the process.

Mark :thumbsup:

[macloud76]

Well for newbs like me who might run into this problem.....

Make sure you read all the installation instructions and select the firewall and what ever else you want to be installed lol. Works like a charm now.

[squirekat]

Hi Dan...

Hope you had a great Christmas, better than this kid anyway (grin)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squirekat/SantaClausGrave.jpg

As to the extra anti-spam program... yeah, that's pretty much what I'm doing right now, letting AVG anti-spam and Outlook Junk Mail filter run simultaneously, but I'm amazed at the performance of the Outlook anti-spam program. I ignored it for years because I thought it would be a very stripped down model that didn't work very well, however, it has yet to allow a single spam into my Inbox, so as long as it's that effective I'm not going to go out and buy any more 3rd party apps.

I'm also noticing there is much less spam coming in, like about 1/3 to 1/2 of the amount before I activated the Outlook Junk Mail folder, so it looks like it also has the ability to stop a good portion of it at the server, before I even see it. Wow!

[squirekat]

Works like a charm now.

Great!

[TheCheekMaster]

is it FREE???

[squirekat]

is it FREE???


Unfortunately not... $69.95 for a two year subscription and $10 for the backup CD (if you want it), so I coughed up about 80 bucks. You can try it for free though.

[Brian Stevens]

Although there is no phone support their E mail support is pretty good.
Documentation for your application can be downloaded from this link..........

http://www1.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-documentation/lng/uk/tpl/tpl01

[squirekat]

Hey, thanks Brian! That User Manual is just what I was lookin' for...

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squirekat/BabyRaidingRefrigerator.jpg

Mark :thumbsup:

[squirekat]

Here's an interesting article from PC Magazine that compares the various internet security suites, anti-spam programs, etc. I was especially interested in the editor's commentary on AVG Internet Security (which I just bought), Norton Internet Security (which I just got rid of) and Mailwasher Pro (which I was thinking about buying). I won't add my own 2 cents worth of commentary here, other than to say the article disappointed me by not rating my choices very high.

Anyway, you can view the article at this Link (http://www.pcmag.com/products/0%2C%2Ctqs%3D5679FAADE7B3A213E66A233FFC2629F889F41 C15%2C00.asp?query=internet%20security&action=newsimplequery&cid=1562&sid=1562&gridtitle=Search+Results&stpdinglp=1) and see how they rated the products you are currently using. Please note the reviews start about midway down the first page and then go for 5 or 6 pages.

Mark :thumbsup:

[squirekat]

Norton Internet Security 2007, AVG Internet Security and Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite 6.5 side by side comparison at this Link (http://www.pcmag.com/compare_products/0,1943,,00.asp?sid=1562&a=190322,194338,180647)

I've had enough time now to agree with the editor that the AVG user interface drives me nuts too, and the anti-spam filter is pitifully inadequate, even though the editor thought it was good. It only identifies about 65% of spam emails correctly and even the ones that are identified correctly are just marked "[SPAM]" and then sent directly to your Inbox! Cripes! Why use the AVG anti-spam feature at all??? I'm very tempted to just admit I made a bad choice with AVG Internet Security and switch to Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite 6.5, which got a very high rating and an Editor's Choice award... wish I'd read this article before I purchased AVG.

[squirekat]

AVG has no phone support, and I mean NO phone support, but luckily I purchased their software through the Element 5 website. Just called them, told them I was disappointed with the AVG Internet Security Suite 7.5 and practically fell out of my chair when they asked no questions and informed me I was going to get a full refund. Wow! Now that's customer support. Looks like I'll go to Zone Alarm now and have about $30 left over, plus, Zone Alarm corporate offices are only about 10 miles from my front door... and they have phone support. A big "High 5" to Element 5 from the squirekat (me).

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squirekat/SquirekatHighFive.jpg

[TommyD]

From what I have seen personally and what customers tell me Ella For Spam works great with Outlook and Outlook Express after a brief learning period And It is free!!!!