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Our recently expired poll, Free or Subscription based Anti-Virus?, unsurprisingly resulted in subscription based anti-virus coming top.

However, we were worried to see that 41% of voters have either free anti-virus or no anti-virus whatsoever!  Whilst free virus protection is better than none it doesn’t provide your computer with the full protection that it requires to run successfully and safely.

Here at PCToolbox we recommend AVG Internet security.  Around June-July last year we ran an investigation, testing all the big name anti-virus protection programs against each other and concluded that in our opinion AVG Internet Security is by far the best.  Click to read the summary – ‘Antivirus Comparison – The Final Ratings and Rankings‘.

To find out more about AVG Internet Security watch the video in our recent post ‘Learn about AVG Internet Security 9.0 – Video‘.

Don’t forget to vote on our current poll…Do you get emails on your phone?

Here is a table comparing the latest AVG packages.  They are all 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	AVG Internet Security
RRP – 1 Year	Free*	£27.99	£39.99
RRP – 2 Years	Free*	£38.99	£59.99
Anti-Virus – Makes sure you can get or spread a virus, worm or Trojan horse
Anti-Spyware – Prevents unauthorized information access by spyware and adware
LinkScanner ® – Ensures every page you visit is safe – before you go there
Web Shield – Lets you download and exchange files without risking virus infections
Advanced Anti-Rootkit Protection – Ensures even the toughest and most sophisticated hidden threats are kept out
Game Mode – Keeps you safe without interrupting you while you’re playing
AVG Identity Protection – Keeps your private information safe from known and unknown threats.
Anti-Spam – Blocks spammers and scammers from clogging your system
Enhanced Firewall – Prevents hackers from seeing inside your computer
System Tools – Optionally customize how AVG Protection works with your system
Free Support – Free 24/7 support from AVG
Download	Free	30 Day Trial	30 Day Trial
Buy at Brandstar	N/A	Buy at Brandstar	Buy at Brandstar

Anti-Virus Software for 2 Years on 3 Computers only £44.99!

Save your money in this credit crunching time by purchasing your AVG Antivirus and Security software from Brandstar!

With Brandstar’s offers you can save up to £38.99 on AVG Anti-Virus Software!!

Want to find out more? Click on the image below!

Product	RRP	Brandstar Price	Saving
AVG Internet Security 2 Year 3 User	£83.98	£44.99	£38.99!!

Want AVG Internet Security for 2 years for 10 computers instead? RRP is £225.99! Why not purchase 4 copies of the ‘AVG Internet Security 2 Year 3 User’ package at £179.96 saving you £46.03 and leaving you with 2 copies of AVG Internet Security left over should you need them for other machines!

Want to find out more? Click on the product image!

Today we’re comparing Trend Micro Internet Security Pro and the Award Winning AVG Internet Security!  Many of you wouldn’t have heard of Trend Micro.  They’re one of the less known Anti-Virus Software providers.  For more information on Trend Micro visit 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 Long	Fast
Installation	Installation is of average length and is simple.  However, it doesn’t take you through any setup.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Anti-Virus
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Spam
Blocks unauthorized programs
Web Shield
Toolbar
Authenticates wireless hotspots and Wi-Fi Networks
Child Protection (inc time, length and content)
Personal Information Protection (Encryption)
Link Scanner
Snapshot of security features
Clean up PC for faster performance
Anti-Malware
Anti-Phishing
Anti-Rootkit
Identity Protection(Advanced)
Firewall
Available to buy from Brandstar
RRP (3 PC’s for 1 year)	£54.95	£58.71
Overall Rating	14 out of 21	19 out of 21

Overall I haven’t been that impressed with Trend Micro Internet Security Pro.  It has a long way to go before it will compete with the liks of AVG.  It may be cheaper but you have to buy the 3 PC package which is pretty pointless if you only have 1 PC.  The features that the software offers aren’t as capable and advanced as that of AVG Internet Security.  Trend Micro is however easy to use and have a very user friendly layout!  However, to fight for a place in the top 3 they’ll need to bring something unique and some quality to the table neither of which they provide now.  So my advice, if you’re stuck between the two go for AVG!

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!

Today we’re comparing McAfee’s Total Protection package with AVG’s Award Winning Internet Security Package.  The comparison will involve an overview of each packages features 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	Average	Fast
Installation	Installation time is long but happens automatically which discards any confusion.  However, unlike AVG you still have to configure all the software features after the installation/setup process.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Antivirus
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Spam
Anti-Phishing
Firewall
Identity Protection
Web Shield (Browse the web safely)
Link Scanner
Free 24 Hour Support
Anti-Rootkit
Data Backup
Parental Controls
RRP	1 Year: £58.69 (up to 3 PC’s)	1 Year: £48.93 (for 3 computers)
Available to download from Brandstar?
Overal Rating	10/16	14/16

So after playing around with the two programs I can conclude that we think AVG Internet Security is better than McAfee Total Protection.  It has a wider range of tools and equipment to give an overall better performance.  McAfee looks nicer than AVG but we all know looks can be deceiving and AVG turns out to be far easier to use.  A huge advantage of AVG is that you can buy it for 1 computer if you only have 1 computer, whereas you dont have the option to do that with McAfee Total Protection.  Although the installation of AVG involves you having to make some choices it saves you having to do them in the long run and it helps provide you with an even better performance.  Whereas with McAfee you spend ages doing the Automatic installation to find out you still have to configure all the features yourself!!

Next time we will be comparing AVG Internet Security with Kaspersky Internet Security.

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.

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

You may find that your AVG Anti-Spam isn’t catching some of your SPAM Emails.  There are two different ways to catch SPAM emails.  The below tutorial will show you both ways, starting off with HAM.  HAM training of Anti-Spam teaches AVG what emails you want.  The other method is SPAM training, this teaches AVG which emails you don’t want.  Both methods are pretty straightforward and we highly recommend you teach AVG to do it in both ways.  You may have to do this a few times but AVG catches on pretty quick!

Read the rest of this entry »

Over the past 12 days we’ve recommended 12 different retailers to you for Christmas present ideas.  As we are at the end of it all we thought it would be a good idea for us to do a quick review of who the 12 retailers were.

1. Apple
2. 123-Reg
3. Dell
4. Amazon
5. AVG
6. Misco
7. CD WOW
8. Dabs
9. HMV
10. PC World
11. The Carphone Warehouse
12. I Want One Of Those

Which retailers have you used?  Who is your favourite retailer?