pctoolbox.co.uk » 8.5

Avira Premium Security Suite vs AVG Internet Security

Alex — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:41 +0000

Today we’re comparing Avira’s Premium Security Suite and the Award Winning AVG Internet Security. Avira again are relatively unknown to the typical user but I think in a few years time it will be fighting AVG, Norton and McAfee for the most popular software providers. For more about Avira check out their website! The comparison will involve an overview of the features each package has and then at the end we’ll tell you which we think is better through our rating system. Our ratings are worked out by the amount of ticks the product has. Further points are awarded for faster download, simpler/better installation and cheaper price.

Feature
Download Time	Very Fast	Fast
Installation	Installation was long. You setup a couple of the basic features but most features you need for a decent performance are still left to be configured. Also, very frustratingly it isn’t compatible with complementary anti-virus software such as, Windows Firewall. However, it does allow you to continue the installation process. A warning just appears to say they aren’t compatible.	Takes an average length of time. Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Anti-Virus
Anti-Adware
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Phishing
Anti-Rootkit
Web-Shield/Guard (Protection whilst surfing the Internet)
Anti-Bot
Email-Scanner
Backup System
Anti-Spam
Firewall
GameMode
Parental Control
Easy to remove Viruses
Task Scheduler
Identity Protection
Link Scanner
IM Scanner
Available to buy from Brandstar?
RRP	£26.95 (1 year)	£39.14 (1 Year)
Overall Rating	17 out of 22	18 out of 22

Overall I have been very impressed with Avira’s Premium Security Suite! It’s really given AVG Internet Security a run for its money! As you can see, Avira’s feature’s aren’t quite as extensive as AVG’s, this is represented by the lower price. For Avira to really compete with the likes of AVG they will need to increase its compatibility and bring in features such as Identity Protection. Avira’s userface could also do with a ‘facelift’ to make it easier to user and generally nicer to look at.

To conclude, watch out for Avira in the next few years…it’s bound to be big!

Norton 360 vs AVG Internet Security

Alex — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:49 +0000

Over the next few weeks we are going to run a series of comparisons between different Anti-Virus Software. In these comparison post’s we’re going to show you the main features that the two products provide and then tell you which we think is better through our rating system. Our ratings are worked out by the amount of ticks the product has. Further points are awarded for faster download, simpler/better installation and cheaper price. This time it is Norton’s 360 v3.0 vs AVG’s Award Winning Internet Security v8.5.

Feature
Download Time	Average	Fast
Installation	Quick but slightly tedious (you have to register for a second time.) Doesn’t help you set up the general running of the software.	Takes an average length of time. Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Antivirus Technology
Identity Protection (Including Phishing Protection, Checks Links, Keeps you details safe whilst shopping online, etc)
Antispyware
Backup Software
Automated Virus Updater
Protects against Viruses, Bots, Spyware, Rootkits, Worms, Trojan Horses, etc.
Online Storage Available?
Helps Secure and Monitor Networks
Download and Instant Messenger Screening
Firewall Protection
RRP	1 Year: £59.99 2 Years: £109.99	1 Year: £39.14 2 Years: £58.71
Available to Download from Brandstar?
Overall Rating	9 out of 14	12 out of 14

So to conclude, from our investigations and playing around with the two software’s, we can announce that we think AVG Internet Security is the better software of the two. It may not have any backup software within the package but it works out cheaper to get AVG and then buy yourself a decent back up tool and external hard drive.

Next time we’ll be comparing AVG Internet Security with McAfee Total Protection.

Tip – How to improve Anti-Spam on AVG

Alex — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:00:13 +0000

Are you finding that emails from some of your contacts are sneaking into your Junk Mail/Spam folder? Here is a great little tip for those of you who are running AVG 8/8.5 to stop this happening!

Open up the AVG Interface (Start –> Programs –> AVG –> AVG User Interface)
Click tools and then advanced settings
Click on the (+) next to Anti-Spam and then Click Settings. After this click in the box next to ‘add recipients of sent e-mails to whitelist’ to make sure there is a tick in it. (Click on below image to make it bigger)
Select Apply and then click OK.

We hope this helps!

AVG Comparison

Alex — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:49 +0000

Here is a table comparing the latest AVG packages. They are currently available from Brandstar with a 15% Discount!

Free Anti-Virus software doesn’t protect you, your files or your identity while:

Shopping online
Banking online
Chatting to friends
Downloading music, files and films

Feature	AVG Free	AVG Anti-Virus Pro 8.5	AVG Internet Security 8.5

RRP – 1 year	Free*	£29.35	£39.14
Brandstar Price		£25.52	£34.03
RRP – 2 year	Free*	£39.14	£57.81
BrandstarPrice		£34.03	£50.27
Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protects against viruses, spyware, adware and identity-theft
Safe Search scans search results to ensure that pages are safe
Prevents Identity Theft helps prevent identity theft
Anti-Rootkit protection against hidden threats on your computer which can deliver malicious content onto your machine
Safe Downloads scans your downloads for any dangerous content
Safe Instant Messaging protection for your ICQ and MSN communication
Safe Surf real-time protection from poisoned web pages
Free Support free 24/7 Support from AVG
Anti-Spam catches e-mail threats including phishing, fraud and spam
Firewall stops hackers and viruses spread over the internet
System Tools assists the admin when finding problems
Download	Free	30 day trial	30 day trial
Buy at Brandstar		Buy at Brandstar	Buy at Brandstar