As many of you loyal readers know, Computer Courage has been a strong proponent of AVG Antivirus for some time.  AVG has taken a novel approach to competing with the big guns of Norton and McAfee by offering a home version of their product absolutely free, and hoping to gain publicity and popularity amongst the paying power users and business users.

Those of you who have taken our antivirus advice and installed AVG 7.5 in the past may be getting some popup windows about the new version – AVG 8.  If so, it’s time to upgrade.  Here’s why…

Why we love AVG Free 8 Antivirus:

• AVG Free 8 now features integrated antispyware.  We used to recommend either purchasing the pay version of AVG to gain antispyware, or adding on other utilities like Spybot and AdAware.  However, this is essentially no longer necessary with AVG 8 – integrated, free antivirus and antispyware for the people.
• AVG 8 is still light, quiet, and powerful.  We feel it is important for antivirus programs not to take over your computer.  Norton and McAfee have tendencies to slow down your system or bother you with annoyances.  Not AVG, their product is light and only bothers you when necessary.
• Improved interface.  The new look and feel of AVG means a simpler, easier-to-manage interface.

Do I Still Need To Pay?

For personal use, NO.  We no longer recommend that home users buy the paid version.  AVG still offers a paid version that features “Internet Security” but we don’t recommend bothering with it – it’s unnecessary (Windows Firewall will take care of internet security automatically.)  Businesses of course need to pay for AVG always.

How To Upgrade From 7.5

1. If you are already on 7.5, you simply need to start by uninstalling it.  Windows XP: Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.  Windows Vista: Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Programs & Features.
2. Restart your computer
3. Download AVG Free 8 from www.download.com (search for “AVG Free 8”)
4. Install AVG Free 8
5. We recommend disabling the daily scan – it is “too much” protection and will slow down your computer.

How to Install from Scratch

1. First uninstall any antivirus programs you already have.  Windows XP: Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs.  Windows Vista: Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Programs & Features.  Norton and McAfee offer “removal tools” which are a good idea to run after the uninstall.  Ask us for advice on that one.
2. You can leave on Antispyware programs like Spybot and AdAware installed.  If you have another product and aren’t sure if it’s OK to leave it installed, give us a call.
3. Download AVG Free 8 from www.download.com (search for “AVG Free 8”)
4. Install AVG Free 8
5. We recommend disabling the daily scan – it is “too much” protection and will slow down your computer.

Power Tip: Install AVG 8 without the LinkScanner (Command Line)

For those of you who want the ultimate performance from AVG, you can install it without the LinkScanner.  The LinkScanner scans result pages of Google and other search engines to warn you about bad sites before you go to them.  If you don’t want this level of protection, you want faster surfing, and you are OK with some DOS command line work, do the following:

1. Download AVG 8 installer to your desktop.
2. Open a DOS box and navigate to your desktop (usually “CD Desktop”)
3. Note the filename of your AVG download.  Usually something like avg_free_stf…)
4. Enter the following command: {your_filename} /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
   1. Be sure to replace {your_filename} with the exact filename you found in step 3.

That about does it, just give us a call or send an email if you have any questions, or leave your comments below.