AVG 9 Antivirus Improves Performance, Adds Identity Theft Tool

[homesick]

Windows only: One of our readers' favorite antivirus applications, AVG, has updated, claiming faster scan times (up to 50%), boot times (10-15%), and less memory usage. On top of that, it's added a new feature to assist with identity theft.

The identity theft feature, as reported by CNET, is only available in the U.S., and pairs the folks at AVG with a service called Identity Guard that integrates with your browser toolbar (Firefox and IE only); Identity Guard is there to help you avoid and handle identity theft.

Frankly, the Identity Guard addition doesn't seem like something to get all that excited about (who wants another browser toolbar, anyway?), but if nothing else, the performance boosts are worth the update for die-hard AVG fans.

AVG comes in both freeware and shareware versions, Windows only. Currently only the shareware version is ready for the update—apparently AVG delays the release of AVG Free to give their pay versions a little more time in the limelight. Unfortunately that means AVG Free users—which I suspect is most AVG users—will have to wait a bit longer to update to the faster version.

AVG Anti-Virus 9.0 [via CNET]
AVG Free

From - Lifehacker, tips and downloads for getting things done

 

[ParatoOptima]

I upgraded from AVG Free 8 to AVG Free 9.
9 slowed my DSL connection to a crawl slower than Dial-Up.
I disabled it's link and email scanners but it didn't help.
The only other protection type software installed at the time was ZoneAlarmPro.
I had to uninstall it.

I have friends using it successfully in XP-Pro SP3 and Vista.
It didn't play well with my XP-Pro SP2.

 

[hadmad]

how much ram have you got installed

 

[ParatoOptima]

I have 1GB RAM.
The friends I mentioned with SP3 and Vista are on laptops with 32 not 64 versions of Win.

 

[hadmad]

is there any reason why you did not upgrade to sp3

 

[Linny40]

I already have this as i have avg prof but didnt know about the identity theft tool! But then i have disabled the toolbar.

I must admit as its now on my new windows 7 pc i cant say i have noticed it running so it must be much quicker

 

[ParatoOptima]

I was of the understanding that it had more invasive garbage from MS far worse/intrusive than WGA.

is there any reason why you did not upgrade to sp3

 

[dan-ger-ous]

I was of the understanding that it had more invasive garbage from MS far worse/intrusive than WGA.

I havent noticed any difference between SP2 and SP3 when i upgraded, all i do know is your limiting yourself with the security patches and updates that are available only after you have upgraded to SP3.