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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

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 doing our fourth Anti-Virus software comparison.  Today we’re looking at Award Winning AVG Internet Security and avast! Professional Edition.  Now a lot of you will be sitting there thinking, ‘I’ve never heard of avast!’.  avast! are another ‘smaller’ Anti-Virus software company which is snapping at the heals of the ‘Big Three’, AVG, Norton and McAfee.  For more about avast! 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	Simple and of average length.  However, unlike AVG you still have a lot of configuration to do.	Takes an average length of time.  Quite extensive and helps you set up the basic features of the software.
Anti-Spyware
Anti-Rootkit
Anti-Virus
Task Scheduler
Automatic Updater
P2P and Instant Messenger Shield
Web Shield
Virus Chest (Known as Vault on AVG)
Network Shield/Identity Protection
Anti-Spam
Firewall
Anti-Malware
Available to buy from Brandstar?
RRP	£24.95 (1 year)	£39.14 (1 year)
Overall Rating	11 out of 16	14 out of 16

Overall AVG Internet Security is the better software by far, however, it is almost £15 more.  I would say that spending that extra £15 is worth it, especially if you look at the tools/features that you get with AVG compared to avast!  I would say avast! has loads of potential but it the product needs to be far more extensive to warrant a purchase.  After all, some of the features they’re missing out on are pretty basic, necessities for any Anti-Virus software.  avast! has a really cool interface (see picture), however it isn’t that easy to find you way around.

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.