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November 25, 2005
Software you need: AVG Free (new version)
I do hope you've given Roboform a try now, which was the first program I introduced in this "Software you need" series. Along with Roboform, another program I install on all new PCs is AVG Free Edition. AVG Free is a really nice anti-virus program which does just what an anti-virus program should: it stays out of the way! At 4am each morning it quietly wakes up and downloads the latest updates, and then goes back to sleep until it's called on. The price is right: AU$0.00. It doesn't nag, advertise, or contain spyware.
A new version of AVG has just come out which boasts faster scanning speeds. If you already have AVG Free installed, it will have silently installed the upgrade for you already.
I suggest you also enable anti-virus on your email server, if it supports this feature. If you use FastMail, click Options->Spam/Virus Protection, and check 'Enable virus protection'.
Posted by at November 25, 2005 03:47 PM
Comments
Gotta love that AVG Free - it's the pnly AV software I bother with these days. Not only is the price right but it doesn't seem to be the resource hog that NAV ends up being and has a far easier interface to use than Mr Norton's product (well, Symantec really).
In fact, when securing a PC you can do a grat job with AVG Free, Zone Alarm, Spybot and a good dose of common sense (really, why would the FBI send you an email and do you really need larger breasts or a longer penis?).
These days, other than the Windows OS, you can build a pretty decent work PC with free software (OpenOffice, GIMP, Firefox, Thunderbird,etc). Or you can go totally Linux/Open Source although I've quite managed that despite a few efforts.
Or, just switch to Mac - but that's an argument for another day!
Posted by: Anthony Caruana at November 25, 2005 07:31 PM
AVG is excellent for the average user. You only need to step up if you require complex configurations such as corporate networks and advanced tcp/ip applications.
As for Roboform it is great and have used it for most of the year and now having different passwords all over the internet and not having to remember any is great. Though TypeKey login's seem to have me beat at the moment as RoboForm just dislikes the dynamic URI key that is generated each time for signing in. Maybe i'll read the instructions one day. It just works except for the one place so I'll stck with it and type that single password.
And yes you can build a very good PC with Open Source software these days. I can build a 'great' PC with Microsoft, I am just in a position where I can afford to do such a thing. I am yet to rant much here on the Bleeding Edge about Microsoft but it is coming and probably will be a loud one at that.
Posted by: Stephen at November 26, 2005 02:44 AM
i have also been using avg for quite awhile now and cant say a bad thing about it. its fantastic! and highly recommend it to everyone
Posted by: stanna at November 29, 2005 09:44 AM
thank you for information of the new AVG free edition ????? :-)
Posted by: zamro at October 20, 2007 01:49 AM