AVG 11: Self-proclaimed dictator of one's computer security

THANK YOU, ky331.

I'd like to add: If you need our help cleaning malware, some of our tools will not run if you have AVG installed. You may find that helpers on various forums are intentionally skipping over you if AVG is installed.

They were even nice enough to provide ways to delete these "conflicting" products.  :emotion-43:

They sure spent a lot of ink about correcting problems that their buggy piece of junk  might cause.

I thought Rule Number 1 was to design a product that works well with others and doesn't automatically turn other products off. :emotion-18:

Thanks for the heads up David.

Here's a link to the discussion at the MBAM forum http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=65622

ky331:

I'm assuming all these conflicts apply to the free version of  the standalone AV (AVG 11), and not the AVG Internet Suite. If so, then I am as appalled as others.

By way of comparison, when I installed Outpost's firewall, which included a resident anti-spyware module, it detected that my AV (NOD32 v4) also included a resident anti-spyware that might conflict. Its default installation was to de-activate its own resident anti-spyware component, not NOD32's.

Now that is the type of behavior I admire from a vendor.

AVG has been removed from the Dell WIKI list of suggested free anti-virus programs.

It is no longer suggested at several other forums with similar lists of free security software.

Linda,

I see your suggested list of AVs still includes ClamWin:    "Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware".

Are you sure that you want to keep ClamWin listed?   --- Is it possible that you intended to include the "sound-alike" ClamAV for Windows  http://www.clamav.net/lang/en/about/win32/ , which includes: On Access scanning, On Demand scanning, Quarantine, and Removal; as well as an innovative Cloud-Based protection engine, Community based protection, and companion mode protection features. ???

Not really, David, but the assumption was made that the user would read the instructions on the page. I shall add the following note:

Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.
ClamWin Free Antivirus is based on ClamAV engine and uses GNU General Public License by the Free Software Foundation, and is free (as in freedom) software.

http://www.clamwin.com/

Just in case anybody needs this info:
System crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD)
http://www.avg.com/us-en/faq.num-4079#num-4079

Just in case anybody needs this info: System crash after the recent AVG 2011 update 3292 (BSOD) http://www.avg.com/us-en/faq.num-4079#num-4079

I believe this link may apply to the paid version of AVG only.

Those using AVG Free who experience this problem should see this:
 http://free.avg.com/ww-en/faq?num=4080

This is hardly the first time in recent memory AVG has trashed systems. Those using AVG (if their system is still working) would do well to read the AVG forum thread below in its entirety, to see the full extent of the grief experienced by multiple users from this update:
http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=129779&type=0

Note the initial dismissive (arrogant?) responses from some of the moderators.
Note the hoops those affected by this problem had to jump though to correct AVG's mistakes.
Note the posts from users who have not been able to implement the official fix, even today.

Then ask yourself if this an AV (free or paid) you really want to keep using, when there are several better alternatives.

Here is the product blog regarding the recent issue:

http://product-team.blog.avg.com/2010/12/avg-fix-for-computers-running-on-windows-7-64-bit-platform.html

I think both  free version of the standalone AV (AVG 11), and not the AVG Internet Suite conflict with any other anivirus programs. I have not seen that two antivirus work fine in a OS yet. Installing two antivirus together on windows, destroyed windows and you should reinstall windows to work again. If it was OK, i liked to install more than one antivirus for more protection but i doubt i can do it.

... If it was OK, i liked to install more than one antivirus for more protection but i doubt i can do it.

bestis1980:

Actually one can install as many AVs as one likes on one 's computer, to get a "second opinion" scan, provided one follows the following caveats:

- Only have one AV running in real-time (i.e. only one "resident" AV) at any given time.
- When running a "second opinion"  on-demand AV, make sure you disable your real-time AV scanner first. (Generally, by right-clicking on your real-time AV icon in your notification tray, to disable it).
- After running the "second opinion" AV scan, remember to re-activate your resident AV.

I have had as many as 4 AVs installed on my PC in the past, both free and paid, but do not generally recommend this. It gets complicated, and the potential to miss a step and get conflicts that degrade security is real. And all AVs do not offer the option to install as an on-demand scanner only.

 "[Attempting to run more than one anti-virus, by 'disabling' the real-time protection of all but one] gets complicated, and the potential to miss a step and get conflicts that degrade security is real". 

It has recently come to my attention that it's potentially even more complicated that that:   since the act of "temporarily disabling" one of the anti-viruses is typically done after that program has already loaded (i.e, at boot time), then even upon disabling its real-time protection, it can nevertheless leave its drivers intact.   Meaning there's the potential for negative interaction between the presumed "deactivated" driver and the "secondary"/activated anti-virus' protection.   Additionally, it's possible for the secondary scanner to react to the infected files in the primary scanner's quarantine.

The bottom line for me:   Choose your ONE resident antivirus.   Run the one, and the one alone.   While choreographed contortions might seem to allow two to try to run together, I myself would not want to take the chance.

I've got a question. Since these programs were mentioned here, I have been using the Hitman Pro 3.5 and Emisoft online scanners. Should I be shutting off Avast 5 whilel I am scanning. I do a scan about every week or so with them, in addition to my regular  quick scans of Avast, SOS, MBAM, ThreatFire, and Windows Defender...again about every week to 10 days?  Just wanted to clarify.

For the record, I should have also added that I no longer have any "second opinion" on-demand AV scanners installed myself. They  really are not necessary or desirable, even if "do-able". I got rid of them all some years ago.

There are plenty of on-line and "in the cloud" AV scanners available, if you want a second opinion. I'm partial to Hitman Pro 3.5 myself, which utilizes Emsisoft, Ikarus, Dr.Web, Prevx, and G Data engines.

@dale:

I cannot speak authoritatively, but I personally disable my resident AV, and Windows Defender whenever I run Hitman Pro, Emsisoft Anti-Malware, or any other installed, online, or "in the cloud" on-demand scanners. I've been doing this for years, with no adverse affects.