Due to growing concerns with AVG’s security software, I’ve decided to stop selling and recommending their product to my customers. However, I would not do this if I did not believe that a more superior option was available for those who trust me for guidance in managing their system security.
The Replacement
For several months I’ve been recommending Microsoft’s free offering called Microsoft Security Essentials. Among many other strengths, it is reliable, simple and does not impede system performance.
You can read more about this free software and find out how to download it by clicking here.
The Problem With AVG
I continue to support several users of AVG security software and don’t want to suggest that users of AVG software are somehow more vulnerable. That is not the case. My issues with AVG software aren’t connected to reliability.
In their most recent versions, AVG began to push other non-essential add-ons for their software that I believe are more problematic and confusing for their users than they are helpful. More than making a profit from reselling software, my goal has always been to provide my customers with a reliable but simple resource to help prevent threats on their system. This is why I’ve chosen to recommend free Microsoft Security Essentials.
Microsoft has a vested interest in securing their operating systems as one of the consistent criticisms they receive is poor defense against malicious software. Make no mistake, Microsoft Security Essentials is not perfect (no antivirus software is), but it is a great product and it is free.
It Is Versatile
AVG required business users to utilize only their pay-products, which became expensive for my customers. Microsoft Security Essentials licenses their free software for several systems in small businesses. This has allowed me to help my customers save big money and devote more funds to upgrades and maintenance.
The Big Seller
AVG, even the pay versions, has quite frankly become Adware. They may not serve random ads from third-parties, but the fact that they constantly market their higher-end products and add-ons, even to paying/licensed users surely classifies them as Adware. This, for me, is just a glaring indicator that they’re more interested in profit than performance.
As their software has continued to grow and do more unnecessary things, system performance for their users has (at least in my experience) suffered significantly. This is unacceptable for me and for my users, and so I can not in good faith sell or recommend the product they sell or offer freely.
I hope that as others take note of these issues (I am not alone in my displeasure with AVG), the software’s engineers will look for a more appropriate balance between marketing and user satisfaction.
In the mean time, I am happy to recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. If you’re looking for an affordable (see: free) solution to help maintain the security on your system, please feel free to consider it as an option.