Mcafee or AVG

[#1]

I already use AVG. And as a new Plusnet customer... I would like some feedback on whether there is any benefit to installing Mcafee and using it in place of AVG? ... Basically do they do the same job?

[#2]

The easy answer is no.
If you are happy with AVG stick with it.
I wouldn't recommend either of them myself.
If you want to look at at some independent results I would suggest starting here http://www.av-comparatives.org/en/comparativesreviews/detection-test

[#3]

Thanks  Oldjim... I feel a headache coming on... having to 'plow' through all those PDF's. 

[#4]

I use AVG Anti Virus Free Edition 2012.  In earlier versions under additional settings there was a facility to switch off the PC once a scan completed.  I can't see this option in the latest version.  Is it there?

[#5]

Hi artmo
Look in 'Scan Options' -> 'How to Scan' tab -> click 'Additional scan settings...' -> see 'Computer shutdown options'
Does that do it?
Chris

[#6]

Hi Chris,
That's funny but when I click on 'scan options' I don't get  'how to scan' tab.  You pointed me in the right direction though.  When I run a scan there is the 'additional scan settings' and by clicking it I then get the option to close the PC when scan finishes.
Thank you for your help.
artmo

[#7]

I currently use Norton Internet Security. When that licence expires I'm thinking of just using Microsoft Security Essentials. My router (TG585) already has a firewall as does my Windows XP Home. So I'll have firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware for free. Don't think I need anything else!

[#8]

Quote from: artmo

That's funny but when I click on 'scan options' I don't get  'how to scan' tab.

Sorry, i think I misled you  :-[. I can find the tabs by going into 'Manage Scheduled Scans' and clicking 'Edit scan schedule'....
However, you don't need that tab after all  :).  There's a link to 'Change scan settings' under 'Scan Options'. Then 'Additional scan settings....' brings up the dialogue box you need.
Anyway, having selected the switch-off option your way, this is now a bit irrelevant to you  ;D.
Chris

[#9]

No problem Chris. Grateful for the help.

[#10]

I Googled 'AVG Macafee comparison' ...to find some independent reviews. Many people seem to be saying that Macafee is a bloated program that uses a lot of resources and when updated slows down your computer. On the other hand, it is hard to find a bad review of AVG. If anyone here knows any better, I'd love to hear it.

[#11]

I would recommend Avast Free Antivirus :), more info and reviews here
http://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free-Antivirus/3000-2239_4-10019223.html?tag=rb_content;main
Regards
Mike

[#12]

Given this http://community.plus.net/forum/index.php/topic,100360.0.html I wouldn't touch Avast and the latest results show it is falling behind the competition  http://www.av-comparatives.org/en/comparativesreviews

[#13]

Used Avast for a number of years and was quite happy with it, these days I use nothing but then again i'm not using windows.

[#14]

Things I don't like about AVG:
1 - It encrypts its log files so you can't read them, and what it shows in the event history window is pretty minimal.
2 - Adding "apps" to the 2012 edition is just getting ridiculous.

[#15]

I'm a fan of Microsoft Security Essentials.
I got burned by buggy, slow and expensive antivirus software in the early 2000s and for a few years ran without it, instead, choosing to routine scans with services such as Trend Housecall. During that time I never suffered a virus infection, but these days sites are using so many features that locking down the browser to avoid exploits in Javascript, Java, Flash etc is impractical.
Having tried MSE on a variety of systems, I am very happy with it. Even the single core Intel Atom with Windows 7 and an old Athlon XP with XP run well. Plus it just sits there, completely unintrusive, receiving updates silently through Windows Update.