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AVG 9 Free Antivirus Software Download Now Available

Martin Brinkmann — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:44:17 +0000

Earlier this month we covered the release of the professional – in other words commercial – edition of AVG 9 and mentioned that the free version of the antivirus software would be released in a couple of days from the time of the review. AVG today has released the new version called AVG 9 Free which can be downloaded from the main AVG website and download portals like Betanews. The free version comes with a size of more than 70 Megabytes and can be downloaded as one big setup file or a web installer.

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0 is compatible with the three latest generations of the Windows operating system (Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). It not only features an antivirus module but also modules for detecting spyware, basic rootkit protection, email and phishing protection as well as the AVG Linkscanner to provide safety ratings for websites.

Windows users who do not need some of the components should select the custom installation option which allows them to prevent the installation from some of the modules (like the link scanner, AVG security toolbar and email or Microsoft Office plugins).

The main interface of the program displays the available security components in an overview upon startup.

From there on the usual options are provided to perform scans, schedule scans, update the antivirus software or tweak a few settings in the advanced options. The scan speed has been increased and the resource usage lowered according to the developers at AVG. Users who want to delve deeper can download a 3 Megabyte user manual that explains the installation and program in detail.

AVG 9 Free is available for download at the AVG website.

AVG Antivirus Linkscanner

Martin Brinkmann — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 07:36:26 +0000

Users of the antivirus software AVG already know the AVG Linkscanner as it is included as a module in the antivirus software. AVG has now made it available as a standalone application for the Windows operating system compatible with the Internet Explorer and Firefox web browser. The difference lies in the detail. AVG Linkscanner will install a software program but also an add-on on the computer system if the Firefox web browser is installed next to Internet Explorer.

Firefox users do not need the AVG Linkscanner program to be running in the background as they rely solely on the add-on for their web browser. Internet Explorer users on the other hand need the background application.

The background application does provide access to a few configuration settings and updates which the add-on does not offer (except for the updates probably). AVG Linkscanner wants to install a toolbar upon installation. This toolbar is not needed for the program to work properly but gives quick access to some of the functions of the security program.

Once installed AVG Linkscanner will automatically scan search result lists in popular search engines such as Google or Yahoo. It will query a database maintained by AVG that returns a safety rating for each website in the results. A green icon indicates a safe website whereas a red icon indicates danger. AVG will display a general warning about the page if a link that has been rated as dangerous is clicked on. The user can select to go back or continue to the website in question.

AVG Linkscanner is a viable alternative for users who feel insecure on the Internet. Experienced users on the other hand usually have the tools, knowledge and experience to analyse a website by themselves.