Version : 2013
Operating System:
Windows XP/Vista/7/8
Review:
AVG's updates
for 2013 look to the future while struggling to overcome the problems of the
past. There's a new interface optimized for Windows 8 that really does make the
suite easier to use, and the suite once again tackles its lengthy installation
procedure. However, one of the best new features in AVG was actually introduced
as a midyear update during 2012.
Installation :
AVG's touted its
five-screen installation for several years now. While it's true that the
process continues to be short, it's important to call out a few improvements
and one glaring snag.
The installer
itself now weighs in at 33MB, down from more than 100MB two years ago. The
installer also does not require a reboot. This isn't surprising for Windows 8,
but even on computers running Windows 7 and older, installing AVG will be
reboot-free. Unfortunately, not only do you still have to opt out of AVG's
toolbar and SafeSearch if you don't want them, but even when you choose only
the toolbar, it commandeers your default location bar search in Firefox. This
is, of course, problematic because the toolbar provides some important security
options, such as AVG Do Not Track.
Features and
support
While the
interface is new, and as you'll see below, the performance improvements are
stunning, AVG's focus for 2013 has not been to push aggressive new security
tech. That's okay. Instead, the focus this year was to bring some tech that
exists at competitors to AVG's enormous, 128-million-strong active user base.
When you start
AVG for the first time, a window appears over the main interface that promotes
links to its new, free 24-7 telephone support; the AVG Android app; and a
tutorial on getting started. As one of the best-known names in Windows
security, we like that AVG is making it easy for newcomers to get acclimated.
There's a new
file reputation system, which AVG also uses in conjunction with its scans to
scan dramatically faster than before. Basically, it looks at a file in the
order that its bits were saved to disk, not in order of the directory file
tree. It may sound hokey, but as the benchmarks below show, it's an effective
technique. By cross-referencing that data with what other AVG users are
running, AVG is able to create a more effective net for blocking malicious
files.
The file
reputation is an extension of AVG's "smart scanning," which takes
advantage of AVG's behavioral detection network to scan known safe files once,
and rescan them only if it detects changes. As with its competitors, AVG's
network is made up of its user base anonymously contributing data up to the
cloud. You can choose to opt out of contributing your data when you install, or
from the options menu. AVG says opting out won't negatively affect your
security.
The smart
scanning tech also gives you a built-in system resource manager that
prioritizes scans. If a scan is scheduled to begin while the computer is in
use, it will automatically restrict the scan so that it runs more slowly but
doesn't interfere with the computer's other tasks. When it detects the computer
idling, it will then allocate more power to the scan. The feature comes with a
slider so you can customize how sensitive it is.
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AVG INTERNET SECURITY 2013 + SERIAL
