Let’s continue the last post about defend windows with Comodo Firewall Pro freeware, Now It’s time for Antivirus. You must already know that I use two AntiVirus programs, AVG Free Edition & avast! Home Edition. Yeah, I love both. Sometimes when one doesn’t recognize any trojans, another supports the hole. As you know, in the last post, i do not recommend you to use two or more same programs, because not only will they eat your memory resources but sometimes will also generate some conflicts between each other. Actually, You can use only one which’s better (according to you) and it really fits your needs. or maybe you want both, like me too? it’s up 2 you 
Is it avast! or AVG Antivirus? Let’s review both of them.
> What’s Antivirus?
Antivirus tools are essential in protecting the host client from a multitude of viral, Trojan, and rootkit Internet threats. They also can also stop virus infestation from cross media file sharing. Antivirus is also essential as a secondary preventative Internet security solution beyond a firewall.
If you are looking for the best possible protection my top recommendation is either AVG Antivirus Free Edition or the Avast! scanner. They are both come with more complete products and less intrusive in use than other ‘limited feature’ products.
> AVG AntiVirus Free Edition
AVG AntiVirus provides a free for personal use virus scanner under a business model of prevention being key to protection and selling more advanced features and services. This virus protection is basic under the free model, the Pro version adds high speed downloads and Multiple Languages; and the Internet Security version adds Anti-Spam, Spyware and firewall to its abilities.
This antiviral program offers rock-solid protection for no financial commitment. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition provides all the necessities, including a tool for scanning your hard drive and e-mail, as well as a real-time shield to prevent infections. By default, the application is set to search for new virus definitions daily, but you always can use the scheduling tool to change this. Should a virus create serious system problems, AVG creates a rescue disk to scan your computer in MS-DOS mode. The program doesn’t tax your system when scanning or when running in the background and always proved effective in many tests.
> AVG Anti Virus Free Specifications:
License: Freeware
Version :7.5.516
(Version 7.5.516 features improvements in Resident Shield scanning and adds small improvements in installation process.)
Author: Grisoft
Date: 25 Jan 2008
Download File size: 31.5MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
64 Bit Capable: no
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: no
Additional Software Required: no
Website: http://free.grisoft.com/
> AVG AntiVirus Free Edition Screenshot
> avast! Anti Virus Home Edition (Free)
 software.jpg)
avast! Home Edition Free provides a free for personal use virus scanner under a business model of prevention being key to protection. The site requires you to register (no spam, tested) for each year you use it and the software provides the same protection as most other virus software on the market, including: Anti-Virus, Script Blocking, Firewall protection, Malware and Spyware detection. The software is somewhat limited in its disinfection abilities and has a slower download on updates than paying customers (advertised, arguably crippleware). This software is also one of the few to support older operating systems such as Windows 95, 98, and NT.
Avast Home Edition guards your PC and the network with multiple shields that scan executables and files. You can select parameters for scanning, and even choose wildcards to exclude specific file types. You can adjust the sensitivity level for the program’s detectors when it comes to scanning downloaded files, instant messages, e-mails, and a host of P2Ps. Its efficient interface opens up window after window to tweak its settings to your liking, for novice to advanced level protection. This impressive software provides the same steadfast protection of well-known antivirus programs, yet it’s surprisingly free.
> avast! Anti Virus Home Edition (Free) Features:
+ Full on-access scanning – which scans files as you access them, to make sure they are safe from infection
+ Fully automatic updating – of the program and virus definitions
+ Virus Chest – a safe storage place for infected or suspected files, where they cannot harm your system
+ On-demand scanning – for scheduled or ad-hoc scans of your system volumes
+ Full scanner preference control – set avast! to work in the way you want
+ Integrates seemlessly with the WHS Console
+ Allows for easy management of all avast! installations running on your home network
> avast! Anti Virus Home Edition (Free) Specifications:
License: Freeware
Version: 4.7
Author: Alwil Software
Date: 01/12/2008
Download File size:18.0MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
64 Bit Capable: yes
Portable version available: no
Other languages supported: yes
Additional Software Required: no
Website: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
> avast! Anti Virus Home Edition (Free) Screenshot
 screenshot.gif)
>> Which is BETTER? avast! vs AVG ?
+ Fight Virusses
Both these two, are best of the best when it comes to AntiVirus tools. They are up there with the expensive ones.
+ Real Time Protection
Real time protection, is the automatic protection you get while you are working. When I was downloading a trojan in Opera, Avast caught it before it even finished the download, which was amazing. I just clicked download, and bam. AVG actually took some time, I had to go to the downloads folder, and that is when it caught it. That proves the two have different protection approaches. Both acted the same way when I tested with the malware CDs. No lag at all.
+ Treatment
Both have similar ways of dealing with viruses and malware. Quarantine, delete, and heal. But one thing I noticed about AVG, is that sometimes it just gives up. If there is something stubborn in it’s way, sometimes it just leaves it alone. Avast on the other hand, has some advanced stuff. Move/Rename, and most importantly schedule deletion. Also in Avast, there is VRDB, Virus Recovery Database, which helps recovering the files to their exact original state after treatment. Something not available in AVG.
+ Resources Usage And Speed
In RAM consumption, both consume around 16 MBs, which is pretty light on the system. But, the boot up time of windows was a bit slower when AVG was on deck. And a significant improvement in boot speed was visible when Avast was the subject. This was measured in seconds, I actually sat down and used a stopwatch.
+ Updates
In updates, AVG was a bit faster than Avast, but on the downside, lately, in AVG it says you have got to reboot after each update, it gives you this “items inactive” message. That is not the case with Avast.
+ Scan Speed
Lastly about the scanning speeds. Both were pretty much the same. Except when Avast is on a thorough scan mode, it took a hell amount of time compared to AVG. But that maybe due to the fact that AVG doesn’t have that kind of mode.
(http://www.teknologikally.com/2007/10/avg-free-vs-avast-home-big-question.html)
> Final Conclusion
AVG Free has been continuously refined since it was first released in 1991 and the latest version V7.5 makes further improvements to an already solid product. Additionally, it’s relatively small, light on resources, has regular automatic updates, and handles email scanning. There is a free and a pro version; the only difference being that the free version has a few non critical features disabled and has no technical support other than a free user forum.
Equally effective is the free Avast scanner although its funky media player style interface is not to everyone’s taste. Avast also required periodic re-registration while AVG does not. However, Avast does not seem to suffer the signature file update problems that plague some AVG users. AVG and Avast are excellent free products that will meet the needs of most users, however, none of these offer the best malware detection available. That title belongs to commercial products like NOD32, F Secure, the full versions of AntiVir, Kaspersky AV and others. They are however capable packages that offer the financially challenged a real alternative to the major anti virus suites.
However, if you use AVG or Avast in conjunction with a sandbox for surfing, and an anti spyware product, you can achieve a level of protection approaching that offered by the best commercial AV products. Further improvement is possible running regular on demand scans with a different anti virus product. On demand scans should be run regularly, at least weekly, to check for viruses and other malware that may have been missed by your main scanner. (http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_46_free_utilities.htm#2)
So, What do you prefer?
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Recommended Articles to SPEED UP your Experiences:
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+ For ALL TWEAKS OFFLINE especially for WINDOWS you can browse > TWEAK WINDOWS category
Recommended BROWSER > Mozilla Firefox ( 2X Faster than Internet Explorer).
Hi! Welcome to 
ขอบคุณครับ thanks
I have used AVG 7.5 from the first day of its release up to now. It never alerts me to restart my computer after any of its updates. But this is not what you mentioned in this review.
@Masoud
Thanks for your response. Btw, They already released AVG 8.0 Free Edition.
I’ve been a long time user of AVG free, and liked pretty much everything about it (except the occasional reboot after database updates). Unfortunately, ever since I upgraded to version 8, the realtime scanner process is almost freezing my pc when it starts scanning (the CPU consumption of avgrsx.exe jumps to 100%). Since i go through about 1000 files every day, and run about 100 EXEs, this is becoming a huge minus. E.g. each time i plug in my USB and run the included PStart launcher, I must wait 1-3 minutes for it to finish scanning and return CPU to < 10% .
What’s strange is that even on my dual core laptop (Vista), it all lags a lot when avgrsx.exe is in scanning mode.
I understand what the AvgRsx is doing, I’m ok with it, what i don’t understand is why it does not remember scanning results of previously scanned files (e.g. via a CRC) and has to scan again and again and again.
Overall, ever since the 8.0 upgrade I get a 5-10 seconds lag on launching ANY program (well, except notepad and the like).
I guess I will move entirely to Avast, as i find lots of positive reviews about it…
My PC: XP pro SP2, Athlon 64 3500+, 1G ram
Laptop: Vista (i know…), dual core 1.8GHz, 2G ram
i’am using avast home edition.it’s damn good as compared to other antiviruses.it truly has some amazing functions.It detectd viruses very fast.fuerther it has its own recovery database which protects your files even well.So i suggest u all to get this software.
thank you so much AVAST
The latest version of AVG seems to dramatically lengthen the boot-up time for my XP laptop. I will try installing Avast and compare the two. Thanks for the informative review.
I like that AVG is allot faster when scanning and does not lag the bageezez outta me when running it but Avast picks up more viruses than AVG i think so with that being said
for those of you who have teens or are on, i recommend Avast
for those of you that don’t get in to much trouble on the net, i suggest AVG
i am using avast since last year. for me it’s the best free antivirus.
hey,
i have used avg 7.5 and free version and 8.0 i like them it protected me for a long period of time but them my com started to lag so i searched the net and got avast, avast spot malware on second and auto update on start up ;P.
have released a undetectable virus in to my lap top and retated it so the virus can affect and my comp was laggin so much but wen i scanned my comp it found the virus and made my com restart and my comp was up to speed but on my desktop avg found nothing D: so i am now using AVAST! avast is like the best for me but avg is good but avast is better.
i like it
I found Avira found more baddies than AVG 8. I am using Avast now because it was rated highest at CNET. My XP computer runs the free version on thorough mode but my Viata computer just stops after 3% on thorough mode and I don’t know why, it just stops and that’s it. If i can’t figure out why or find an answer, I will switch back to Avira free version.
Avast is most definately the one to go for. AVG is used by most members of my family and friends ,but Avast! is used by my brother and myself. My brother has a laptop and i have a Pc with Windows Vista. My brother put this Avast on for me when i first went online and i have never had any problems with viruses, trojans, malware or any other kind of computer nasties, and neither has my brother. Our family members and friends i know who use AVG have had to either fork out money for their viruse to be removed or totally wipe their computers and start again from new. Avast updates itself automatically and stops everything in its tracks. It basically turns your computer into a fortknocks while keeping it running at fast speeds which AVG does not do. Pick AVAST! every time and protect your computer for life. Hope this helps. Paul K.
You all seem well informed. So, for a novice such as myself who just purchased a Dell computer with Vista…is Antivir Personal (free) better for me or Avast HOme??
@Pamrick
From what i’ve read Antivir has also some good reviews, but the free edition has some limitations. avast! home 4.8 is good enough so far for me, i use it with avg free 8. I think what is important for such an antivirus program is .. you have to update it frequently, because new virusses, trojans, etc are growing per day! antivir/avast/avg are top-5 free antivirus i’ve ever heard. you can choose which one suits your dell (do not slow memory, etc).
From what I have read…avast runs on real time…so do you update when it runs on real time?? If so, do you know HOW you update. Will it ask you to?
Thank you for your fast replying to me. I do appreciate it.
@Pamrick
You can set your avast! how it will update each new virus-database/program update. How to set the updater setting? just right click the blue avast! icon on the desktop, then choose “Program settings” > Update (Basic).
From there you’ll be able to select the way you want avast! carry out updating.
I set “Automatic” for virus database, and ‘ask when update is available’ for program update. So, everytime i connect to internet (my connection is dial-up), avast! will automatically check whether new virus database updates are available, and it will update automatically without asking me. But, if there’s any program update, it will ask me before upgrading. (because i choose ‘ask when update is available’.
You can also choose ‘manual’, if you want manually download any updates. Good luck.
I Have AVG 8.0.200 … But i will like to try Avast Home Edition. can i install avast and try or i will have a problem having those two just for some periot untill y try, can i shut down AVG for couples of days?
Tnaks in advance.
You can try it, I’m using both and no problems so far..
hello,i have used avira and avg for several years ago and these antivirus are quite better but avg and avira has several advantages and disadvantages their own. i always changed it when i need. but for few of days a try to use avast home for my lap top and actually i didn’t know how their maintainence compared avg and avira. did avast is better than others
I used to use AVG 7.5 right up until the new slow, fat so-called “upgrade” to AVG 8. When I initially installed it I thought something had gone wrong with my computer because of the dramatic drop in speed. After a short while I realized that it must be the new AVG 8 and removed it, slowness cured!!! I did some searching and lots of reading and tried several free anti-virus programs, in my book Avast won the battle hands-down. Avast doesn’t severely cripple your system’s speed, it will slow it down some on a slow computer, but not nearly as much as AVG does.
Avast has active scanning which scans downloads and web pages as you surf, and will stop a virus BEFORE it ever gets on your computer (unless you choose not to abort the connection). No viruses from web pages and no wasted time downloading an infected file, sounds good to me. In contrast, AVG free does not catch a virus from a web page or download until AFTER it is already on your system, it will catch it when you try to access an infected file, but it won’t stop it from ever getting on your computer. Avast is the best Free anti-virus in my opinion, and it hasn’t let me down yet.
Don’t get me wrong, AVG is still very good software, but I don’t like anything eating system resources and slowing things down. AVG and Avast used to be fairly close in how much each bogged down your system… NOT anymore, AVG 8 became a bloated hog and Avast wins easily in resources and speed. Don’t believe me? Install each on a P3 system with 256MB and it will quickly become painfully obvious which of the two is faster. I work on computers on the cheap all the time and I’ve had plenty of people bring me their older system for “repair” after installing AVG, Norton or other anti-virus suites. They walk in convinced they need upgrades or a new computer, I remove the anti-virus they got suckered into and put on Avast Home, and they walk out happy with a wallet that isn’t empty.
Many people don’t seem to understand that a computer doesn’t get slower and worn out with age like a car does (hard drives, yes to some extent). Depending on the computer, the operating system and software you run can make all the difference in the world. A while back a guy stopped in and saw an old P3-500 laptop running 98SE and was amazed that it seemed as fast to use as his AMD 3800+. Norton Internet Security gone, Avast Home on, and his 3800+ is running great now. I honestly can’t help but wonder how much the chip makers are paying MS and other software vendors to make slow, bloated, resource hog software so that there will actually be a real need for their newer, bigger, faster chips???
Try Linux (If you haven’t already) If you think that you’re using excess now… HAHAHA Prepare to be amazed. Windows OS SUCKS compared to the efficiency of Linux, any distro of it.
hahahahahah When i used avg antivirus, i think when i playing NFS UG2 it has a lag like an stock up! may be cause of full memory quik scanning of avg..
but in a few months i think to search in internet about some antivirus that has more powerfull and faster that avg..
i saw avast anti virus.. and it has less space gathered than avg..
and when i install avast antivirus in my pc it has pretty interface and when has avast detected virus it has like an sorround effects like a police…..and when its update has desame soundeffect like an MCEE…
so i choos avast antivirus and trush avg…
Download avast antivirus for real time protection 4 you PC
go go go!
Depending on your OS one might say AVG for XP and Avast! for Vista. AVG is completely and utterly HORRIBLE for vista, and from what I saw, it’s becoming that way on XP too. I’m on a Vista 32 box and I’ve never once experienced a lag issue. Only when updating and in game in something like Call of Duty 4. But that’s only for… 5-7 seconds. It updates very quickly, whereas I would lag, lag and lag more, and finally find that AVG was updating. Then minimize, let it update, and resume what I was doing. Also the AVG nightly scan would completely kill my computer, when I was trying to do things. As far as I can tell in operation.. Avast! hasn’t ever scanned my computer, or it could be that it doesn’t lag whatsoever. I was a huge supporter of AVG before I found Avast! The functionality is superb, it works just as well, and the thing is, AVG waits until a virus is on your computer, and running before it detects it, unless they’ve recently changed this. Avast! Stops them before they even have a chance to download onto your computer! I find there’ve been an increasingly large amount of advertisement based viruses too. It’s anyone’s choice. I’m biased towards Avast!’s but that’s in my opinion, if AVG works for you, it works for you!
avast is the best better then avg >:] but malwarebytes is the best out of all. It detects stuff that avg and avast cant.
yoh yoh!! guyz Avira Antvir personal free is good…
its free and fast scanning
I just use it when im using limewire
it detects any kind of virus…
u just nid to update and update it so it will be stronnggg protection
and if you dont have internet connection you can go to the other
internet cafe then download the IVDF file..of avira and you can manual
update
soo guyz i recomend!! AVIRA IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Interesting. Just pulled up your blog post doing a search for XP repair.
I like XP but it can be tough to fix sometimes. (But it is still easier for me to understand than NT!)
Thanks for posting.
Let me thank you the author first.
He has done an excellent job AVG vs Avast. No other web site have given this much information. Great Job Man. FIVE STARS TO YOU.
All other people or telling their experiences of both scanners. Therefore, it confuses the novices to choose the best.
AVAST has plus or minus and so is the AVG.
For Novices users I recommend:
Use AVG or AVAST don’t confuse yourself. They both are great in their own ways. What is the most important part is. You must have one of the above discussed scanner to protect your machine
God Bless you the author and all !!!
Well i`ve tried all the Whizzkid securities(paid)…An guess what, they`re nothing compared to Avast…Don`t know how they give us poor guys for free,,,?Good on ya Avast….Ya can also stick in Threatfire pc tools to be sure to be sure….Avg, not bad, but ya see the difference soon enough…If yer not convinced about Avast`s antispyware, then stick in Windows Defender with…They go great together, specially if ya use Vista…Paddywak
I love Avast. I have never had any problems out of it, and it has always installed and worked flawlessly. It could use a good manual, but that is the worst thing I have to say about it. It is truly a set it and forget it antivirus application.
AVG is the best selection for home users and its realy good in my experience allso.
Thx,
Faisel veeyapuram
Avast 5 is now out and it is great.
AVG Manager couldn’t even find my IP connection so I wasn’t able to install it. I installed and now use Avast. Avast works great.
I’ve been in the I.T trade for 18 years now…I setup networks, build systems, gaming rigs and repairs.
The guy I worked for some years back insisted we installed AVG onto systems and repairs as it guarenteed us future work. I now work for myself as a consultant and do repairs and system builds on the side for f&f. I make a point of installing and recommending Avast as the main source for virus protection as it never lets me, my clients or my friends and family down.
I have put the free and pro Avast versions onto more than 10k systems uk wide and never had a single issue so far with virus problems.
So for all virus protection searchers out there….Avast is youre best choice hands down…yes you have to register for a Free Home Edition serial key yearly but its a small price to pay for 100% protection!
What is the better of the two right now. I accidentally downloaded AVG when I have Avest on all of my other computers. I use to use AVG, but I found Avest and I like the like A, the announcement when it has updated, etc. Should I remove AVG and download Avest?
Actually to make a better question- what is current the best programs for windows 7 home edition (Avast or AVG)?
i recommend avast,bcz of its mind blowing speed,virus chest,deletion option.
thanx avast.
avast is the best,,,i used it for 2 yrs,,,sometimes there problems buy i can resolve it on my on,,,i also used eset nod32,,also good,but i stay on avast,,,bec. its light mhen scanning…