AVG antivirus is reputable software for dealing with malware. It helps detect and block spyware, adware, viruses, ransomware, and other destructive software that can infect your device and expose you to identity theft. The AVG antivirus software provides privacy and security and comes with other tools that help your machine run better. But, is AVG antivirus safe?
It uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recognize the warning signs and the operating patterns of malware on your device. It also offers other services such as a phone tracker.
The AVG antivirus cost is one of the best in the market. You'll get protection for multiple devices (see Chromebook) at an affordable price. You can also take advantage of the free version, but for more features, like VPN, you will have to go for the pricier package.
Our recommendation: McAfee
There is another product in the cybersecurity market that has blown our minds away due to its extensive security packages tailored to meet most if not all your needs! That antivirus is McAfee! With McAfee, their security teams have kept track of over 63 million pieces of malware information to tailor their features to defeating the evolving virus attacks. Using McAfee will give you a peace of mind that ensures your online and offline safety.
AVG Antivirus Performance
When you turn on your computer, AVG antivirus starts to work in the background. If it detects any threat, the antivirus notifies you and puts the affected program on quarantine to ensure you don't open it by mistake.
You can then remove the infected files with just a few clicks.
The AVG antivirus, which is now owned by Avast, is a tool for dealing with existing viruses in your device, and it also helps prevent new threats. The scanner is on at all times, enabling the software to keep track of the changes on your files and folders. Thus, nothing can go on in your device concerning your files or folders without your knowledge.
AVG Antivirus Pricing and Plans
AVG Free Antivirus Software
The AVG antivirus comes with various plans, with the AVG antivirus free being the basic plan. You can download the free version of the AVG antivirus that offers basic protection and limited internet security features. Some of the services you get from the basic plan include:
Offers real-time security updates
Blocks unsafe downloads, links, and email attachments
Blocks viruses, adware, spyware, ransomware, and other malware protection
It scans the performance issues of your PC
If you want to enjoy more features than what the AVG antivirus software free version offers, you need to pay $69.99 to upgrade to the AVG Internet Security Package.
Some of the additional features you get with the internet security package include protection against fake websites, protection against ransomware, etc.
AVG Antivirus Features
The AVG internet security software has various features that ensure your online security as you use your device, whether it is for business, gaming or something else. Some of the features include:
Webcam Protection
This feature refers to a strict blocking of software for your webcam. Webcam protection enables you to have better control of the types of apps that can access your webcam. The feature is vital for laptops that don't come with built-in covers.
The feature is a straightforward monitoring tool that blocks all unauthorized attempts. The AVG File Reputation service will scan all the services that are currently running. It will then check the number of users that have it installed with its application certificates. As such, you'll receive confirmation if it is safe to use the app and have your camera permissions.
Enhanced Firewall
The enhanced firewall feature offers extra online security for gaming, streaming, or work, by monitoring all your networks' incoming and outgoing connections. You are free to choose appropriate presets depending on your strictness and internet usage.
If you use public WiFi, the feature will work in a separate mode that switches to stricter settings to enhance protection. The more stringent settings come in handy, especially if you move a lot.
Anti-theft Phone Tracker
The AVG Antivirus offers an Android version which comes in handy in protecting your mobile device if it is stolen or gets lost. You can set up your device by enabling the feature and setting up a pin code. Additionally, you should select the account to allow you to make changes.
When you allow the necessary permission, it'll be possible to log into my.avg.com and access your mobile device from a distance. The feature will enable you to change the screen lock on your device from a distance, and you can also erase all the data on the device. The anti-theft tracker feature is available even for free antivirus users.
If you use the paid version, you have more to enjoy. For instance, you can set up the automatic screen lock if the lock is entered incorrectly eight times. Other additional actions that you can set up include the sound siren that can notify the nearby people.
One outstanding feature of the paid version is the secret camera that turns on when the device is lost. The camera helps to take a picture of the person holding it secretly, and it uploads the image on my.avg.com. You can then use the photo to notify the police.
Detection of Phishing Threats
The ability to detect phishing threats is exclusive to the paid users of AVG antivirus software. Several phishing sites employ the same tactics, like registering for domains that sound the same. The AVG Antivirus software will check the domain's meta description, visual elements, and suspicious tokens.
The deep scan of the domains will happen as the page loads. The phishing protection comes in handy as it can happen even before the AVG VirusLab blacklists the site. This ensures you are safe even when the phishing site is recent.
Sensitive Data Shield
The sensitive data shield feature is also exclusive to paid users of AVG Antivirus. The feature ensures optimum protection for your essential files by controlling which files can access them. That means even if a hacker finds their way into your device, it will be impossible to touch your vital files.
The feature also allows you to do an automatic scan to identify the most sensitive files on your device. The antivirus will then mark the files as highly personal, and other apps will have limited access to the files. If an application tries to access the files, you'll receive an alert asking you to allow or block them. This ensures you are on top of what is happening around your files at all times.
Is AVG Antivirus Reliable and Secure?
Is AVG a good antivirus software? How good is it at its job? Is AVG safe?
Ransomware Detection
Ransomware refers to a type of malware that encrypts your files and then holds them for ransom. The hacker will then ask for a payment to have your files and folders back. The AVG Antivirus offers firewalls that protect PC and Windows 10 users from ransomware alongside built-in Windows Defender.
Phishing protection
Phishing attacks come in various forms, but the most popular type of fishing attack comes through emails. The AVG antivirus does an excellent job of stopping the phishing attacks that come through downloads.
Other types of phishing can depend on links and malicious websites, including fake payment websites, which hackers can use to collect vital details such as credit card data.
The paid version of the antivirus does an excellent job of protecting the user against fake websites and links. However, the free version doesn't offer such protection.
Malware Protection
AVG Antivirus offers several protection layers that a hacker or any malware should breach to access your device. The top security layer blocks all suspicious programs before they can access your device. If the program breaches the first layer, the antivirus deep scans the malware and deletes it.
An antivirus is an excellent option for dealing with various types of malware. It performs a quick scan of your device that takes about 15 seconds. However, some scans can take longer than that.
Real-Time Protection
Prevention of all types of malware calls for real-time response. The slightest delay can enable malware or a virus to breach a firewall and attack your files.
AVG detects malware and viruses in real-time by using industry-leading artificial intelligence. It uses machine learning to detect new threats and learn about them, making it more effortless to deal with them.
The real-time protection feature enables the software to protect your device without scanning every file you open or download.
System Scanning
The software comes with a green button situated at the center of the dashboard. The button helps to run a basic scan on the vulnerable parts of the system. The first basic scan can take a few minutes, but the subsequent scans will take seconds.
You can also do a deep scan for the complete system. To do so, you are required to click through the green button three times. The deep scan takes longer than the basic plan, but it is worth it as it offers the most effective security scan.
The software can also help scan your USB and DVD drives. It also allows you to customize your scans such that you can target particular files and schedule scans. It also offers a performance scan that helps deal with any issues slowing down your OS.
Ease of Use
It takes a few minutes to download and install the software on your device with only a few clicks. It also comes with a user-friendly interface that makes it effortless to operate.
Our recommendation: McAfee
Although the product we talked about are notable in the market, it doesn’t come close to McAfee. McAfee is a leading antivirus company in the cybersecurity industry due to its unique line-up of programs catered to dealing with malware and antivirus attacks. No wonder over 18.9 billion devices are protected using McAfee!
Final Thoughts
The AVG Antivirus is a decent choice for protecting your device against online threats. It is an affordable software that also comes with a free version. The free version offers basic protection, but you'll have to upgrade to the internet security package to enjoy advanced protection such as protection against ransomware.
