AVG Free 7.5 is no more.....
And there's a "catch" to it's replacement.
Monday, May 5, 2008 by Wizard1956 | Discussion: Personal Computing
I just ran my daily avg scan after which I got a splash screen telling me AVG Free 7.5 will no longer be updated,and you must upgrade to "free" version 8.0. Sounds good,right? NOT! So-called free version 8 will only scan your mail for 30 days then you must upgrade to the paid version.Read the reveiws on c|net here.http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?cdlPid=10834624 They barely mention the fact you're being "railroaded" into the paid version after 30 days. How much you want to bet that 8.0 is a real beast to remove after 30 days is up?
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DougyC
Reply #23 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:22 PM
Reply #23 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:22 PM
I get the McAfee Security center 2007 free with my O2 broadband.
However it's a bit of a system hog. I want my Nod32 back that was the best I've ever had but unfortunately with getting the McAfee for free I just can't justify it.
DANG IT!
However it's a bit of a system hog. I want my Nod32 back that was the best I've ever had but unfortunately with getting the McAfee for free I just can't justify it.
DANG IT!
Philly0381
Reply #24 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:27 PM
Reply #24 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:27 PM
I just want to report that yes AVG Free 7.5 has gone away.................it has been replaced by AVG Free 8.0! 
If I remember correctly this is how they did their last major update. It seems a poor way of getting you to upgrade to the paid version.
Open up 7.5, click un the upper left hand corner and it will take you to the AVG Free home page. You will see a comparison of three versions, the free, and two paid. Follow the prompts and it will take you to Download.com so you can upgrade to the New Free Version.
Some changes: The GUI, go figure. If you had been using AVG Free Anti-Spyware, this upgrade incorporates it. The install takes care of getting rid of the older versions. They seemed to have formulize registering. I guess they want to keep a better hand on people using the free version. It also appears that now everyone will get live forum support. Nice.
So, bottom line, you can still have a free version.
If I remember correctly this is how they did their last major update. It seems a poor way of getting you to upgrade to the paid version.
Open up 7.5, click un the upper left hand corner and it will take you to the AVG Free home page. You will see a comparison of three versions, the free, and two paid. Follow the prompts and it will take you to Download.com so you can upgrade to the New Free Version.
Some changes: The GUI, go figure. If you had been using AVG Free Anti-Spyware, this upgrade incorporates it. The install takes care of getting rid of the older versions. They seemed to have formulize registering. I guess they want to keep a better hand on people using the free version. It also appears that now everyone will get live forum support. Nice.
So, bottom line, you can still have a free version.
Achronous
Reply #25 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:28 PM
Reply #25 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:28 PM
Ugh... I keep away from Norton and MacAfee.. In my opinion they are worse than viruses, taking over the machine and preventing anything from running at any kind of appreciable speed. They used to be good, but they succumbed to the overblown hype of "I can do anything" (and take down your computer with it).
AVG more than does the job for me for well over a year and I hope it doesn't go that way, although its site has gone from the friendly "indie" look to megaprofessional clean, sterile look.
EDIT: Oh, I see what you mean, I just got this:
Oh, well, it's still free though
And anyway they would deserve the money, it was a good antivirus.
AVG more than does the job for me for well over a year and I hope it doesn't go that way, although its site has gone from the friendly "indie" look to megaprofessional clean, sterile look.
EDIT: Oh, I see what you mean, I just got this:
Oh, well, it's still free though
And anyway they would deserve the money, it was a good antivirus.
Hollow Man
Reply #26 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:44 PM
I use this and like it. The only thing annoying is it does throw a pop-up at you when it updates the virus signatures. But if you know what you're doing, you can set a local policy to kill it.
-HM
Reply #26 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:44 PM
There's Avira as well. I've heard it's good.
I use this and like it. The only thing annoying is it does throw a pop-up at you when it updates the virus signatures. But if you know what you're doing, you can set a local policy to kill it.
-HM
CobraA1
Reply #27 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:05 PM
Reply #27 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:05 PM
I've always liked AVG, and I'm using the paid version. I hate hearing about the email stuff being limited to 30 days, but I suppose they want to push people a bit harder to get their paid version.
After all, they are a business, and it costs them money to create their software.
It's very cheap - I only pay once every two years. I pay more to Stardock for all of the software and games I buy through them.
I would much rather you search for free versions of other antivirus software than to pirate it. Please don't pirate software. For one thing, it's often riddled with trojans, spyware, and viruses - the pirating underground is full of hackers and crackers who want to open your computer up to their whims. In addition, it's not supporting the company. If you don't pay for a product, that company is not getting money to support their product.
What I simply don't get is people who claim to like a company, but absolutely refuse to offer an ounce of financial support for their products. If your budget is tight, start putting any left over money into a savings account. It should build up quickly in two years. $4/month is all you need to save up for two years of AVG.
My philosophy is simple: If I like a product or a company, I do what I can to support them. Seriously, how can I expect them to keep creating and improving their products if I don't support them? My money is a resource for them to use. If they find themselves without that resource, they can't pay their employees, they can't pay their utility bills, they can't pay for their website, they can't pay for anything.
They're being nice enough to offer a free version - which ultimately is a huge cost for them, because they're spending money developing it and getting nothing in return.
Yeah, I used the free version for a while, and I still use it on older machines. My primary machine has the paid version, as well as my parents' computer.
How would you know you have a virus if you have no way of detecting it?
Today's viruses do **NOT** eat up CPU like older viruses did. Just in case that was going to be your reply. I've heard that "my CPU isn't overloaded, so I must not have a virus" story a million times. On machines with active viruses on them. Today's viruses are designed to send occasional spam emails, and they're doing it for profit. They are not the script kiddie "let's make a virus for fun" kind anymore.
I highly recommend at least doing a scheduled scan, even if you do not use a real time scanner. You can still have the protection without using your computer's resources.
I myself have not had an active virus on my system in a long time. But I know that because I check for viruses. I run a scheduled scan every week when I'm at work.
I have, however, seen several attempts to infect my system. Not just through downloaded files and emails! Web pages are increasingly attempting buffer overflows and trying to use known exploits. Keep your OS and browser up to date, and update and run that virus scan regularly.
After all, they are a business, and it costs them money to create their software.
It's very cheap - I only pay once every two years. I pay more to Stardock for all of the software and games I buy through them.
I would much rather you search for free versions of other antivirus software than to pirate it. Please don't pirate software. For one thing, it's often riddled with trojans, spyware, and viruses - the pirating underground is full of hackers and crackers who want to open your computer up to their whims. In addition, it's not supporting the company. If you don't pay for a product, that company is not getting money to support their product.
What I simply don't get is people who claim to like a company, but absolutely refuse to offer an ounce of financial support for their products. If your budget is tight, start putting any left over money into a savings account. It should build up quickly in two years. $4/month is all you need to save up for two years of AVG.
My philosophy is simple: If I like a product or a company, I do what I can to support them. Seriously, how can I expect them to keep creating and improving their products if I don't support them? My money is a resource for them to use. If they find themselves without that resource, they can't pay their employees, they can't pay their utility bills, they can't pay for their website, they can't pay for anything.
They're being nice enough to offer a free version - which ultimately is a huge cost for them, because they're spending money developing it and getting nothing in return.
Yeah, I used the free version for a while, and I still use it on older machines. My primary machine has the paid version, as well as my parents' computer.
I don't use anti-virus software. I never get any viruses.
How would you know you have a virus if you have no way of detecting it?
Today's viruses do **NOT** eat up CPU like older viruses did. Just in case that was going to be your reply. I've heard that "my CPU isn't overloaded, so I must not have a virus" story a million times. On machines with active viruses on them. Today's viruses are designed to send occasional spam emails, and they're doing it for profit. They are not the script kiddie "let's make a virus for fun" kind anymore.
I highly recommend at least doing a scheduled scan, even if you do not use a real time scanner. You can still have the protection without using your computer's resources.
I myself have not had an active virus on my system in a long time. But I know that because I check for viruses. I run a scheduled scan every week when I'm at work.
I have, however, seen several attempts to infect my system. Not just through downloaded files and emails! Web pages are increasingly attempting buffer overflows and trying to use known exploits. Keep your OS and browser up to date, and update and run that virus scan regularly.
Wizard1956
Reply #28 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:07 PM
I suspect that as development costs rise,this less free, more limits trend will continue. I'm ok with that, but I will use this opportunity to try out something new. I have heard good and bad about just about all (well, no good about Norton,lol,which came pre-installed on my HP) Nod32 is very highly regarded, I was happy with AVG ,Avira is well integrated,etc. It would be great to have one app for a-v and spyware. That would no doubt require a purchase that I can't afford right now.I really appreciate the input from everyone as most all of you have far, far more experience than I. Well, back to mowin' the field I call a yard.Thanks, everybody
Reply #28 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:07 PM
So, bottom line, you can still have a free version
Yes ,but no mail scanning after 30 days.I get 2-5 e-mails a week so maybe it's not even that big of a deal. 
I suspect that as development costs rise,this less free, more limits trend will continue. I'm ok with that, but I will use this opportunity to try out something new. I have heard good and bad about just about all (well, no good about Norton,lol,which came pre-installed on my HP) Nod32 is very highly regarded, I was happy with AVG ,Avira is well integrated,etc. It would be great to have one app for a-v and spyware. That would no doubt require a purchase that I can't afford right now.I really appreciate the input from everyone as most all of you have far, far more experience than I. Well, back to mowin' the field I call a yard.Thanks, everybody
Philly0381
Reply #29 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:56 PM
Reply #29 Monday, May 5, 2008 1:56 PM
Wizard1956 we all have been there, that's not to say that all of us have turned into experts, some have, not all.
About the 3mail scanning. Depending how you have your email set up your ISP may be doing that scanning all ready.
About the 3mail scanning. Depending how you have your email set up your ISP may be doing that scanning all ready.
Zyxpsilon
Reply #30 Monday, May 5, 2008 2:38 PM
Reply #30 Monday, May 5, 2008 2:38 PM
AVG was and still is my choice for good reliable *FREE* virus protection.
I already noticed the version 8.0 recommendations and knew very well that one day this had to come. Similar process as going from 6 to 7 to 7.5 and so on.
The eMail scanner new limit for 30 days would make sense if it could give them more paying customers; Would you do the same if you also had a company to maintain and employees to pay?
But there's something to say about the whole Anti_Virus security method(s) used by the industry as a whole; some stuff out there is either completely useless, fairly complex to handle, system resources over-grabbing or plain silly waaaayyy too expensive beyond its main purpose ; piece of mind and protected (somehow) PC assets.
My major concern has always been that this entire function should be given out absolutely FREE to anyone & everyone (not a single exception) logging to the web -- it's in the best interest of plenty if not all of us to DO and encourage active measures to either eliminate or at least get high control over these issues. All of your ISPs may just offer you an indirect solution also... but, they're after your ca$h -- duh. I pay for the service, it MUST be worth what i spend on it. Including flaws monitored and properly-swiftly fixed by whomever.
Besides, the infra-structure is already available and with MS crazy profits - i wonder what it would take to convince a central decision power even if Government(s) driven. International or not, btw.
I already noticed the version 8.0 recommendations and knew very well that one day this had to come. Similar process as going from 6 to 7 to 7.5 and so on.
The eMail scanner new limit for 30 days would make sense if it could give them more paying customers; Would you do the same if you also had a company to maintain and employees to pay?
But there's something to say about the whole Anti_Virus security method(s) used by the industry as a whole; some stuff out there is either completely useless, fairly complex to handle, system resources over-grabbing or plain silly waaaayyy too expensive beyond its main purpose ; piece of mind and protected (somehow) PC assets.
My major concern has always been that this entire function should be given out absolutely FREE to anyone & everyone (not a single exception) logging to the web -- it's in the best interest of plenty if not all of us to DO and encourage active measures to either eliminate or at least get high control over these issues. All of your ISPs may just offer you an indirect solution also... but, they're after your ca$h -- duh. I pay for the service, it MUST be worth what i spend on it. Including flaws monitored and properly-swiftly fixed by whomever.
Besides, the infra-structure is already available and with MS crazy profits - i wonder what it would take to convince a central decision power even if Government(s) driven. International or not, btw.
XX
Reply #31 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:18 PM
Reply #31 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:18 PM
I will wait and see. I rarely get any viruses at all ( other than single browser trojan caught by AVG ) so I doubt I will ever buy an anti-virus program. I will however switch if it gets too resource hog or ineffective.
AVG, get the hint. Macfee and Norton used to be good, but then they did what you are doing now...
AVG, get the hint. Macfee and Norton used to be good, but then they did what you are doing now...
DethAdder
Reply #32 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:29 PM
Reply #32 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:29 PM
Had AVG Free for yeasrs weith no complaints and no popup about 8.0 yet. I actually would like to upgrade to a paid version but all I want is the A/V, No firewalls, no popup blockers or email scanner, just a plain antivirus. Last time I checked they had some kind of suite they were offering and I didn't look much further. Maybe it's about time to check back.
Wizard1956
Reply #33 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:48 PM
After checking into that( I do my homework) both my mailboxes do have AV scanning as a standard feature, so AVG's is redundant. So now, really it boils done to switching to another company for better performance,if any, or staying with AVG who I know and trust, at least til I check out v8.0 for myself.The only thing I never liked about it was long scan times,up to two hours, for so little on my HDD.(35Gb) Maybe they've improved that,I'll see. I won't be broke forever....famous last words
Reply #33 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:48 PM
About the 3mail scanning. Depending how you have your email set up your ISP may be doing that scanning all ready
After checking into that( I do my homework) both my mailboxes do have AV scanning as a standard feature, so AVG's is redundant. So now, really it boils done to switching to another company for better performance,if any, or staying with AVG who I know and trust, at least til I check out v8.0 for myself.The only thing I never liked about it was long scan times,up to two hours, for so little on my HDD.(35Gb) Maybe they've improved that,I'll see. I won't be broke forever....famous last words
karmat
Reply #34 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:49 PM
Reply #34 Monday, May 5, 2008 5:49 PM
I've been using Avast for almost a year now, it works great. My IT person recommended it because I was using Norton (came with my Rogers Yahoo service), and it was so slow. Avast is skinnable. I'd recommend it.
Philly0381
Reply #35 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:05 PM
We need one of the experts to stop by and explain just how an AV scan works. Could the time a scan takes be effected by memory and or cpu?
Reply #35 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:05 PM
The only thing I never liked about it was long scan times,up to two hours, for so little on my HDD.(35Gb) Maybe they've improved that,I'll see. I won't be broke forever....famous last words
We need one of the experts to stop by and explain just how an AV scan works. Could the time a scan takes be effected by memory and or cpu?
zakai1369
Reply #36 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:18 PM
I'm not an expert at all but I would guess so since he said that and usually for me (also using AVG 7.5) it usually runs about 2.5 to 3 hours for about 400 GB worth of content.
Reply #36 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:18 PM
The only thing I never liked about it was long scan times,up to two hours, for so little on my HDD.(35Gb)
We need one of the experts to stop by and explain just how an AV scan works. Could the time a scan takes be effected by memory and or cpu?
I'm not an expert at all but I would guess so since he said that and usually for me (also using AVG 7.5) it usually runs about 2.5 to 3 hours for about 400 GB worth of content.
Nimbin
Reply #37 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:28 PM
Reply #37 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:28 PM
i have been using AVG 8 free for a while now and have not come across this no email scanning after 30 days thing. Maybe you downloaded a trial version of the paid program?.
pjdark
Reply #38 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:56 PM
Reply #38 Monday, May 5, 2008 6:56 PM
yeah i use nod32 but before that i used avg. pretty good software.
mrtee
Reply #39 Monday, May 5, 2008 7:53 PM
Reply #39 Monday, May 5, 2008 7:53 PM
AVG 8 Pro (paid) no firewall is 34.99 for 2 years http://www.grisoft.com/ww.upgrade-free. Not too bad, $17.50 per year, that is less than $1.50 a month.
I have had the paid version of AVG since Sept. of 2001 and have had no problems or viruses.
I have had the paid version of AVG since Sept. of 2001 and have had no problems or viruses.
erathoniel
Reply #40 Monday, May 5, 2008 8:13 PM
Reply #40 Monday, May 5, 2008 8:13 PM
*coughComodocough*
Comodo's actually quite good for everything. Though their firewall really owns (100%). And it's all free.
Comodo's actually quite good for everything. Though their firewall really owns (100%). And it's all free.
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Reply #21 Monday, May 5, 2008 12:12 PM
I have never used the email scan portion ever ...my server scans my email and I just dont open anything that looks fishy.
If I have to buy AVG - then I'll buy it.
I spent $100 buying Nortons a few years ago and it was a piece of crap.