New Free AVG Version 8.0, Now with Spyware and Website Protection

Posted on April 27th, 2008 by Xcomp

AVG just released a new version of their (legitimately) free virus scan a few days ago which has an improved updated interface at version eight. Also good to see it now scans for malware and allows you to define exceptions too unlike the previous version.

I’m not too sure about the Link Scanner though which checks for unsafe websites and marks links in search engines such as Google with some meaningful icons; a green check mark if they’re safe and red if they’re not. It’s well integrated but seems to slow down surfing a little.

Below is just an example of it in action. I already got a legitimate copy of Office 2007 when the student offer was on.

It’s a good scanner considering you don’t have to pay an annual license fee. Or you could always try sticking with a Mac or Linux distro like Ubuntu and you’ll be pretty much free from all the Windows vulnerabilities, viruses and malware. I’ve chosen not to because apart from Open Office, I can’t seem to find good alternatives to the likes of Paint Shop Pro and my other favourite programs that I’m used to.

Filed under: PC Related

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9 Responses to “New Free AVG Version 8.0, Now with Spyware and Website Protection”

  1. Owen S, on April 27th, 2008 at 2:22 pm Said:

    Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully this will be faster than 7.5…

  2. Xcomp, on April 28th, 2008 at 10:20 pm Said:

    If you’re talking about scanning then, it appears to be the same speed. Launching the menus takes a little longer because of the new interface and new modules.

  3. Xephyr, on May 3rd, 2008 at 5:19 am Said:

    Is it just me or does the version 8.0 takes up more resources??

    Seems to me that the link scanner lags somewhat and if I disable the scanner the AVG tray icon puts up a big fat “!”…it’s somewhat annoying =X

  4. iron2000, on May 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm Said:

    Using AVG Free 8 too.

    About the Linkscanner there are 2 ways to go about doing it.

    1) Disable the AVG Safe Search browser plugin.
    - http://free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1253#faq_1253

    2) Reinstall AVG Free 8, this time without the Linkscanner.
    - http://free.grisoft.com/ww.faq.num-1338#faq_1338

    Another tip:
    To remove the “Did you know?” notification, delete, move or rename the file ‘avgmwdef_us.mht’ in the AVG program files folder.

  5. Xcomp, on May 4th, 2008 at 1:24 am Said:

    Xephyr,
    Probably because of all the new features.

    As for the big red icon, a lot of other scanners do the same thing when you try and disable something. Norton for example, goes red if you disable its “worm protection” if I remember correctly. Makes you feel like you’ve done something wrong or the computer’s gone faulty doesn’t it?

    Fortunately, it looks like Iron’s found a solution to get rid of LinkScanner! I can’t be bothered re-installing, though ^^;

    Iron2000,
    Thanks for the tips! The new info bar has been pretty obtrusive too!

  6. Xephyr, on May 4th, 2008 at 4:26 am Said:

    Iron2000,

    Know a way to remove the “Attention Enhance Your Protection” notification?? =D

  7. iron2000, on May 4th, 2008 at 6:19 am Said:

    Didn’t know theres a new one, Xephyr.
    Hope they didn’t embed it in the exe or something.

  8. iron2000, on May 4th, 2008 at 6:21 am Said:

    Ok for the new one, delete, move or rename the file “avgresf.dll” in the AVG program files folder.

  9. Xephyr, on May 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pm Said:

    Thanks!

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