Tools: AVG Anti-Virus

There are a lot of anti-virus software offerings out there. Some are expensive, some are free. Some are effective virus-killers, some are ineffective hard drive space-wasters. But without actually installing and testing the myriad options available, it's difficult to know which applications are trustworthy.

So how do you decide what software you should use? How can you know what will keep your computer safe, but also be worth your investment?

Put your mind at ease, reader. I have the answers you seek.

AVG anti-virus software is a solid combination of stability, reliability, and freeability. It's an excellent weapon to have in the fight against those ubiquitous "viruses" you hear so much about.

The software comes in two forms: a free, consumer version and a professional corporate edition you can purchase. The free version provides the complete virus detection functionality offered by the professional edition. You will get the exact same security for free.

In addition to the standard seek-and-destroy method of eliminating infections from your system, AVG also includes an optional email scanner. If you use a mail client like Mozilla Thunderbird, Eudora, or (hopefully not) Outlook Express, AVG will run its virus detections on all incoming mail. Since mail propagation is easily the most common form of virus distribution, it's a pretty useful feature to have.

Again, this is all included in the free consumer release.

The paid version will add 24/7 technical support, faster whatnots, and bells and whistles in other languages. That part isn't important. The only thing you need to know is that you will get Download.com's highest rated commercial-grade anti-spyware software for (I'm saying it once more for effect) no cost.

Once you've got the thing, it's easy to use. On first run, AVG walks you through your first backup and scan - showing you exactly how to use the software. The interface is overly simple. It isn't pretty to look at, but who cares? It's keeping your PC healthy. Give it five minutes and you'll have it figured out.

Personally, I've never been a huge advocate of anti-virus applications. I haven't found them to be absolutely necessary, and in some cases, they're shamefully inadequate. But AVG has given me a reason to keep an anti-viral running on my PCs.

No software of this sort is perfect - particularly one you aren't paying for. But AVG is the closest thing I've found. It's trustworthy. It's a smart download.

Go get it.