Problem (apparently) with AVG Free 2013

[Ivo]

Hi,

I installed AVG free 2013 yesterday, rebooted and Win 7 locked up shortly after boot up (I could still move the mouse pointer but stuff didn't respond). Hard reset into normal Win 7, locked up the same. Hard reset into Safe mode, uninstall AVG free 2013, works.

Tried installing it again, rebooted, it started fine. Had it on all Saturday, turn on Sunday morning, locks up again. I now have it removed but I'm wondering if anyone else had issues like these, I'm wondering if it is really AVG free fault or if there is some virus trying to protect itself (I think that sort of stuff used to happen back in the day).

Ivo.

[bmoc]

Checking for malware wouldn't be a bad idea. I typically use Kaspersky's TDSSKiller, Malwarebytes, and HitmanPro in that order.

As for AVG, I'm not an expert on their program but I have used it in the past with success. I'd say unless you have some reason that you have to use it, go with a different antivirus since it seems to be the culprit (assuming you don't find any malware on your system).

There are lots of other good free antivirus programs out there. I use Microsoft Security Essentials because it only every bothers me if there is a problem and doesn't nag me to upgrade to a Pro version or anything like that. Avast and Avira are also pretty popular as far as free antivirus programs go.

One other thing, if you previously had Norton or McAfee on your system, use their respective removal tools to get rid of remnants. Their normal uninstallers are pretty terrible and leave stuff behind which could be conflicting with AVG.

Norton Removal Tool

McAfee Removal Tool

[irixith]

Don't use AVG (or Avast). They are far too hard on your system -- they constantly make your hard drive go crazy with reads and generally slow everything you're trying to do down with too many processes running in the background. Those programs are practically malware themselves.

Use Microsoft Security Essentials -- not only are you getting far better protection, there's virtually no hit to your system performance at all.

[hailrazer]

Use Microsoft Security Essentials -- not only are you getting far better protection, there's virtually no hit to your system performance at all.

Microsoft Security Essentials gets some of the worst reviews of any free antivitus out there. I would not use it personally no matter how little system resources it uses.

[stickem]

Don't use AVG (or Avast). They are far too hard on your system -- they constantly make your hard drive go crazy with reads and generally slow everything you're trying to do down with too many processes running in the background. Those programs are practically malware themselves.

Use Microsoft Security Essentials -- not only are you getting far better protection, there's virtually no hit to your system performance at all.

this. avg is a resource hog. mse works great.

[isiolia]

Use Microsoft Security Essentials -- not only are you getting far better protection, there's virtually no hit to your system performance at all.

Microsoft Security Essentials gets some of the worst reviews of any free antivitus out there. I would not use it personally no matter how little system resources it uses.

MSE usually gets a "good-not-great" grade these days, not exactly terrible reviews. Some roundups have it coming in above AVG, some below.

[bmoc]

Opinions will vary a lot when it comes to what antivirus is good or bad. As someone who has worked with many different products both for home and the enterprise, I would say that the only truly terrible one that stays consistently terrible is McAfee. Even Norton has gotten better in recent years though I still do not like any version of Norton with a firewall.

It has been my experience that best defense will always be:

1. Safe browsing habits
2. Any antivirus that meets your needs without noticeably impacting you or your computer
3. A tertiary realtime line of defense such as Malwarebytes Pro, SuperAntiSpyware Pro, etc. (something that plays nice with your antivirus)

Also the founder and CEO of Malwarebytes is doing a Reddit AMA right now. Lots of good food for thought in there.