AVG is a very poor anti-virus solution, with virus detection rates that miss almost 20% of all malware.
From a recent test at www.virus.gr the top 25 in virus detection rates:
(free programs are noted in ()s.)
1. Kaspersky version 6.0.0.303 - 99.62%
2. Active Virus Shield by AOL version 6.0.0.299 - 99.62% (free)
3. F-Secure 2006 version 6.12.90 - 96.86%
4. BitDefender Professional version 9 - 96.63%
5. CyberScrub version 1.0 - 95.98%
6. eScan version 8.0.671.1 - 95.82%
7. BitDefender freeware version 8.0.202 - 95.57% (free)
8. BullGuard version 6.1 - 95.57%
9. AntiVir Premium version 7.01.01.02 - 95.45%
10. Nod32 version 2.51.30 - 95.14%
11. AntiVir Classic version 7.01.01.02 - 94.26% (free)
12. ViruScape 2006 version 1.02.0935.0137 - 93.87%
13. McAfee version 10.0.27 - 93.03%
14. McAfee Enterprise version 8.0.0 - 91.76%
15. F-Prot version 6.0.4.3 beta - 87.88%
16. Avast Professional version 4.7.871 - 87.46%
17. Avast freeware version 4.7.871 - 87.46% (free)
18. Dr. Web version 4.33.2 - 86.03%
19. Norman version 5.90.23 - 85.65%
20. F-Prot version 3.16f - 85.14%
21. ArcaVir 2006 - 83.44%
22. Norton Professional 2006 - 83.18%
23. AVG Professional version 7.1.405 - 82.82%
24. AVG freeware version 7.1.405 - 82.82% (free)
25. Panda 2007 version 2.00.01 - 82.23%
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82
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For an excellent free anti-virus:
I like AOL AntiVirusShield. Don't let the name AOL fool you. AntiVirusShield is made by Kaspersky which is one of top-rated anti-virus vendors in the world.
In recent tests, the most popular free anti-virus, AVG, was only able to detect about 82% of a very large sample of viruses. On the other hand, AntiVirusShield was able to detect better than 99% in the same test.
http://www.virus.gr/english/fullxml/default.asp?id=82&mnu=82
AntiVirusShield has excellent virus detection rates and is extremely light on using your computer resources. (6mb)
And it updates 15 to 20 times a day with new virus definitions, 7 days a week.
Free to anyone, AOL member or not from:
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp?