If anyone is using AVG 7.5 after the end of this month you will not be able to update it there is a new version AVG 8 here is the link

AVG 8 Free

I had been using AVG 7.5 and running a virus scan every day so didn't expect to have any problems however after running a scan using the new version took 2hrs 45 min it found 2 viruses that it moved to the virus vault 4 spyware that it removed and 194 warnings mainly adware and tracing cookies described as Potentially Dangerous Objects that I removed

This is one of the viruses that must have come from Pattaya City News.

C:\Documents and Settings\Alan\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\B8PP3W0O\pattayacitynews[1].htm;"Virus found Exploit";"Moved to Virus Vault"

It comes with spyware and a toolbar that you have the option whether you want to install it or not the toolbar checks for dangerous websites when you do a seach using Google Yahoo etc. AVG 8 is a big improvement I would recommend it to anyone.

Al.

PCN is currently riddled with viruses, trojans, and even a back door system scanner!

I have emailed Howard and he said he was going to check everything but it sounds like he hasn't.

I found it beat the crap out of my computer much more than 7.5, maybe because of the anti spyware component? Took about 5 hours plus, more if I'm using the computer too, although computer is rather slow then. I run it automatically while I'm at work, so I'm affected by the scan slowing the computer.

I installed it without the link scanner feature after I found some posts on how to do that. Doesn't seem to add much value to me over google itself, at least for the free version. When I just disabled the link scanner, the system trap icon was red al the time, to feature removal was the only option.

Be careful guys. AVG has changed. I have read that version 8 seems to be going down the Norton route of slowing down the computer and making the user even more aware of its presence.

The free AVG version 8 only includes anti-virus and anti-spyware protection. Check this page:

AVG version comparison page

If you want comprehensive protection via AVG you will/should have to pay.

I have researched all the major protection suites and fully trialled a number of them. I finally settled on Eset Smart Security which satisfies my major requirements of being the least obtrusive and the least demanding of computer resources. However, Smart Security is only free for 30 days. So it won't be suitable for persons who insist on free protection software. Otherwise, give it a try.

Den

After reading this thread I installated AVG and I`m happy with it, because the number of warnings is now almost zero. A few attacts on my pc were protected, so they didn`t harm my pc.
I also tried the free trail of NOD32, which was the earlier name for Eset smart security. It was a good protection shield as well, but it also slowed down the system. A couple of months ago I tried the new version and I had the same result, so for now I use AVG version 8, because it protects the best.

I gave up on AVG and now use Bitdefender which is also free and I think better.

FatBob.

http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--...ee-Edition.html

I am using Avast AV,free,and it is running well on Vista,AVG 8 reported it needed a Microsoft update to run properly or it would slow the system.
So far no problems with Avast

I'm using AVG8 free, but with the safe search and link scanning removed. The fine print seemed to say that the link scanning only happened on search sites unless I paid up for the non-free version, and I think google does something like that anyway for searches, so it didn't seem like it was worth it, and AVG8 is significantly slower than AVG7.5, maybe because of the anti-spyware in 8. My 1GHz tablet PC really suffers under 8 in comparison to 7.5, so I'm on the lookout for something kinder to my system, or I make the effort to get the tablet interface working under Linux.

I have just done the update on my laptop , no problems . But on my desktop I also have Ccleaner , which gets rid of anything dodgy but is a ruthless cleaner .

Any one else use Ccleaner ?

I use CCleaner latest build from Filehippo.
I also use Ashampoo Magic Defrag which runs in the background.
I found some of the more sophisticated utilities can overdo cleaning and cause problems

Well, it's 2nd. June and I am still using AVG version 7.5 with no problems and it is still downloading updates. I have had no notifications from AVG asking me to update or asking me to install a new version. Perhaps the new version only becomes available after someone has used the "old" version for 12 months? Anyway I am happy with my current version and will only update it if and when I have to.

New version comes with anti-spyware and web link scanner too. I don't think the web link scanner is worth while for the free version, so I used the remove feature options.

New version seems to be much harder on the system, but as I only have a 1GHz CPU you may not see such an impact.

I'm considering my options as to another antivirus/antispyware tool, hopefully with less CPU impact, however that will probably take a while.