AVG Anti-Virus V8.5 - 2 Year Subscription [OLD VERSION]

by AVG Technologies Ltd.

Product Features

• Easy to download, install and use
• Protection against viruses, spyware, adware, worms and trojans
• Real-time security while you surf and chat online
• Top-quality protection that does not slow your system down
• Free support and service around the clock and across the globe

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000S5X3Q0
• Item model number: R-85AV24001-SB
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 18, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,454 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

AVG Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software delivers fast, efficient security for home PCs, automatically protecting systems without slowing them down.

AVG Anti-Virus
Security protection against viruses, worms, trojans, and potentially unwanted programs.

• Easy to use protection--install and forget
• New program versions and updates, for free, throughout the license duration
• Quality proven by all major antivirus certifications
• 24/7 technical support provided at no extra cost
• Improved virus detection based on better heuristics and NTFS data streams scanning
• Smaller installation and update files
• Improved user interface

AVG Anti-Spyware
Security protection against spyware, adware, and other malicious programs.

• Easy to use protection--install and forget
• New program versions and updates, for free, throughout the license duration
• 24/7 technical support provided at no extra cost
• Resident shield with on-access scanning
• Unique automatic threat-removal anti-spyware engine
• Self-protection at kernel layer guarantees gapless monitoring
• Strong signatures for higher resistance to malware (malicious software) variations

Product Description

Maximum protection against viruses on your PC / Routine, regular updates for 2 years / Use the Internet with confidence and security AntiVirus and antispyware protection for Windows from the world's most trusted security company. Use the Internet with confidence in your home or small office. Real-time protection, automatic updates, low-impact background scanning for on-line threats, and instant quarantining or removal of infected files ensures maximum protection. Every interaction between your Computer and the Internet is monitored, so nothing can get onto your system without your knowledge. When you purchase an AVG product, everything you need is included in the price for the full license duration - technical support, virus updates, and new Program versions. All users of paid AVG products also qualify for generous discounts on subscription renewals and product upgrades.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! A SECURITY SOLUTION WHICH IS BOTH EFFECTIVE & LIGHT!, December 16, 2007

By 

NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: AVG Anti-Virus V8.5 - 2 Year Subscription [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

I have been through the lot! THIS IS THE BEST ANTI-VIRUS I HAVE EVER HAD - and it comes with THE MOST EFFECTIVE ANTI-SPYWARE today!

For years I sweared by NORTON - until two years ago it got so heavy and demanding it slowed my computer to a crawl. Then I gave McAFEE a try which, although lighter, pestered me with pop-up messages. When that license expired I gave KASPERSKY Internet Security a try: real secure feeling and detailed settings control; however, a number of internet applications, although given full internet access, were slowed to a trickle.

A couple of months ago I downloaded the AVG AV & ANTI-SPYWARE as a 30-day trial. I liked it so much, I gave their INTERNET SECURITY a try too!
Yes, THIS IS THE ONE!

Light, heuristically effective (it even found a malware that KASPESKY failed to locate - and KASPERSKY has the best reputation on cleaning out everything!), no conflicts, email integration (although not with ThunderBird yet, a minor glitch), excellent AI and quiet.
This is legendary AntiVirus that blew the whistle on BIOSHOCK's RootKit!

It may seem a bit pricey, yet keep in mind that it comes with a 2 YEAR license, not the usual 12 months that most other Security applications come with.

If you already have a Firewall solution (no, I don't mean the one Windows comes with, that is a joke - the best free one is ZONE ALARM) THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED. If, however, you want a comprehensive Security solution, try AVG INTERNET SECURITY instead.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

UPDATE [April 26, 2008]: AVG offered the FREE option to upgrade to v8.0 for the remainder of the license to every customer that had bought v7.5. Now, THIS is a company that knows how to built customer loyalty!

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What was once the best, is now like all the rest.. awful, September 7, 2008

By 

D. Crain "nanohead" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AVG Anti-Virus V8.5 - 2 Year Subscription [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

Something happened to the folks at Grisoft. They were the poster child for respectful software development, rational performance, and customer awareness. I guess they hired someone who decided they would become a "security software company". The result is that AVG 8 is by far the most disastrous product they have put out EVER.

It consumes more system resources than even the terrible McAfee and Symantec. I've been a paid subscriber of the family package to AVG for years, and when the AVG 8 "upgrade" appeared, I enthusiastically loaded and then the trouble started. AVG now requires almost the entire computer just to run itself. Internet download speeds dropped (I have verizon Fios) from 20Mbps to 5 and upload speeds from 4 Mbps to 200Kbps (yes, you read that right). Web pages take minutes to load, file copy operations are amazingly SLOW (I thought it was Vista, but its NOT!!)

Basically, I have written AVG off as another clueless group who wants to add value, but with no awareness of the damage they do in the process.

This has become what one person referred to as "elephantware", and I agree. I've been through many of these products, and they each become more important than the actual computer it seems. Now AVG has gone the way of the dodo

On the pro side, it has the best update and scheduler that I've seen, and it does indeed deal with most viruses. It also has a new pretty icon.... but thats all thats positive I can say.

I've rolled my whole family back to AVG 7.5, and am now evaluating a bunch of other products. Back to the drawing board

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Astounding customer service & stunning spyware protection, February 28, 2008

By 

imvho - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AVG Anti-Virus V8.5 - 2 Year Subscription [OLD VERSION] (CD-ROM)

I had Norton Antivirus 2005, which I'd renewed yearly every January. Was perfectly happy with it, until around October 2007 when I had a sneaking suspicion that I'd been infected with spyware that Norton hadn't intercepted because whenever I was online my computer just seemed to crawl more sluggishly than before. So after several hours of research for better Virus/Spyware packages, scrolling relentlessly thru customer & tech reviews on Amazon, CNet, etc (and feeling so frustrated in finding no anti-virus solution that met with resounding acclaim) I finally selected this software and purchased it through Amazon.

Before installing this, I uninstalled Norton. (Scary moments there, feeling a little naked!)

But after installing this and booting up, it found 77 pieces of spyware, and I knew I'd done a smart thing by choosing this software, and every interaction with AVG has proved that.

I had a problem initially because I installed it in late January 2008 but the software license was telling me it would expire in October 2009 (2 years after I purchased it, instead of 2 years after I installed it). But I emailed their support and got an answer the very next day, apologizing for the mistake, and giving me a new code which was ridiculously simple to install, following the instructions they gave me.

After I installed, I was perturbed that it would run a full system scan every time I booted up...which slowed my 5-year-old laptop to a near standstill. I emailed them with a "please help!" message and again had an answer the very next day, with a solution that worked.

Since that time, I've been very happy with AVG. It takes about 10 minutes to download & install the latest virus updates every time I connect my ancient laptop to my wireless DSL, but then it runs quietly in the background.

Granted, Norton had good customer service too. But successive versions (2006, 2007) of Norton got decreasingly good expert & consumer reviews. So AVG, for the price, is the better solution...especially since it eliminates spyware.

My laptop specs:
Dell Inspiron 2650
Intel Celeron 1.6 GHz
384 MB RAM
Windows XP Home