AVG free or paid?

I'm sorting out a neighbour's laptop. The original Norton Security Suite that was included expired long ago and there's been nothing in the way of AV on there for three years! I have enabled the Windows Firewall (XP) and I see that there's an AVG AV program paid-for edition or a free one. What's the difference? He's happy to pay a subscription for a year's protection.
I installed SP3 and then 82 updates came through! Interestingly I scanned with Malwarebytes and there is absolutely nothing nasty on the machine - has he just been very lucky?

I have used the free version of AVG for many years on all my computers and never had a problem with it.

He has definitely been lucky! Is the person tech savvy at all? I find the free version of AVG is perfect for people who know not to click on links that say 'Free Screensaver' but you need the additional protection that the paid for version offers if you don't have this sound level of knowledge...

On an upshot I am a reseller of AVG and can offer better rates that on the website, so PM if interested.

P.S. Don't forget to run the nrt (norton removal tool) before installing and new security suite!

Edited by deleted (Mon 05-Dec-11 11:16:17)

Tell him to go and open a Barclays Bank esavings account and he can have Kaspersky free every year via the internet banking portal.

Not bad just for opening an account for £1

AVG is now one of the least effective AV products. I'd avoid it in favour of MSE, Avira or Avast.

I don't find a need for anything other than Microsoft Security Essentials. It is an excellent product (particularly the latest incarnation now in beta).

AVG free is fine unless you really need your hand held; with that in mind your neighbour has been extraordinarily lucky. But AVG is getting sneaky now, installing toolbars with updates without asking. Can't really blame them, everthing costs one way or another and £30 a year is not excessive.

I have, FWIW, met very few people who like Norton. It carries an excessive overload and tries to be all things to all users. It is also very bossy and reports too many false negatives.

Yes, forgot to say that I totally zapped Norton from the system (although the shortcut was left on the desktop). What I said about three years' use with no updates and no infections is food for thought, although the owner is quite elderly and isn't a heavy user. I've downloaded the paid-for version (£25) from the AVG website and it's now running a scan as I write (nothing so far!). A word of warning - I got an email from them to say that the subscription would be automatically renewed after a year unless I click a link etc. to cancel. I have paid with my card and my neighbour was just going to bung me £25. He says he'll pay me every year and I'm not too bothered, but they should ask as part of the sign-up process if they are going to charge as an ongoing debit. This happened to me with McAffee until I complained.

Did you even tell your neighbour about the many free and superior products available?

Seconding this advice. It's also worth adding that not only do you get Kaspersky Internet Security, they also give you a key for Kaspersky Mobile Security.

And since Kaspersky normally relase their next version around May, you will be allowed to update to 2013 versions at no extra cost (though the original key periods will remain).

You don't even need to use the account.

This is the cheapest way to get comprehensive PC\handheld AV Security that i'm aware of, second only to getting something bundled with a new PC\Lappy etc

Edited by deleted (Mon 05-Dec-11 12:15:03)