The AVG antivirus program is one of the few Czech software products that are well-known even abroad. The originally simple antivirus can now be bought as a AVG Internet Security package that also serves as a firewall, checks visited websites, manages user identity protection and filters spam.
Do not expect any radical changes from the new version, at least nothing in the current AVG 9.0 Beta version suggests that you should. The user environment went only through several slight changes concerning the main window icons. Even though most changes occur under surface, there is no doubt that the users will benefit from them.
Improved environment and adapted installer
If you use AVG daily, you might notice some changes in the installer. It is a bit more user-friendly – specifically it allows you to set the planned tests and the computer internet connections easier. You can choose between desktop and notebook mode and among several types of internet connection. You might also take notice of the fact that the appearance of the buttons has been modified – they do not take on the current Windows setting any more. I must admit what I am not a great fan of this.
AVG 9.0
User environment of the main window is now a bit tidier - it uses new icons but in principle the existing controls remains, which will surely please the users who had some difficulties getting used to the AVG environment.
AVG 9.0
Greater speed and optimization
Test speed optimization that the program offers after the installation and the first initialization of the program look very interesting. A database of known trustworthy files is created that the program uses while scanning the computer. Thanks to this cashing the AVG’s scanning speed should increase considerably.
AVG 9.0
List of files that you wish to exclude from scanning should also speed the scan up. Of course this is nothing new but AVG 9.0 adds a few extra options to this function. It also promises better control and error reporting in case of any problems concerning actualizations.
Players will be doubtlessly pleased by the fact that new AVG 9.0 provides an improved gaming mode that should prevent situations when the program takes you out of the game in a moment when you least expect it. Those who are partial to sound alerts for different event will definitely enjoy the new item called Sounds that allows you to assign different sound files to different events in AVG (test start, test finish, warnings).
AVG 9.0
Improved firewall
On my computers with Windows I use only the firewall that is incorporated directly into the operating system I avoid anything else, because I think it loads the computer to an excessive degree and I resent the constant alerts and queries of third party firewalls. I also disapprove of the automatic settings because if it is on, the firewalls usually block home network file sharing, remote desktop access etc.
The AVG 9.0 firewall should newly offer automatic decision-making based on Trustworthy database entries. With their help the program should bother the user less but at the same time it should enable safe programs and disable the unknown ones on its own. After some time I spent testing this function I must say that it looks very promising. When the program creates a new entry in the trustworthy database, you will be informed by a panel in the Windows system tray. Otherwise you will hardly notice any changes to the system. However, the important thing is that you are not forced to respond to queries whether you want to allow the program to communicate any more.
Of course, many firewalls solve this problem using a Do not ask in the future check-box, but when the firewall knows immediately that it is supposed to enable internet communication, it makes things much easier. Besides, less expert users often don’t know whether they should allow network communication with some processes or not.
AVG 9.0
Have you noticed the Identity protection component? Although it should have already cooperated with AVG 8.5, in the ninth version it has been finally fully integrated into the whole AVG system.
AVG 9.0
AVG 9.0 Internet Security will certainly find its fans
Although the new AVG is still only in the form of a beta version, I think that fans of this antivirus will surely like it. The controls remain the same, but the program offers a few slight improvements and above all greater speed. I consider the automatic communication enabling through the firewall using the trustworthy database to be a significant improvement. The less the user is bothered by the program the better.
Note: Czech version of this review can be find on Maxiorel.cz in AVG 9.0: rychlejší kontrola, chytřejší firewall, lepší podpora her article.
