- Written by: Enemali Okwoli Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
AVG Overview
AVG is a popular antivirus with millions of global users. So, I was very disappointed when I found out that its parent company (Avast) has been secretly selling the personal data of its users for years. Worse still, Avast only responded to the accusations after significant backlash from the public and media. I can no longer recommend AVG given this privacy violation.
It’s disappointing because AVG offers near-perfect malware detection rates on both its free and premium subscription plans. Unfortunately, AVG doesn’t measure up with top antivirus brands due to its privacy issues.
I ultimately believe you’re better off with a trustworthy antivirus service that won’t put your privacy at risk . Norton has strict data protection policies , a perfect malware detection rate, and powerful online protection tools, all for an affordable price.
Try Norton risk-free for yourself
In a Rush? Here’s a 1-Minute Summary
- Privacy concerns after data-selling scandal — AVG was a trusted name in cybersecurity, but it was actually spying on millions of users. Learn more about how Avast sold user data to make money .
- Strong antivirus and malware detection features — AVG protects you against malware and other threats free of charge, but many of the best features are locked behind a paywall. Find out more about AVG’s security features .
- Easy installation and intuitive design — User-friendly apps for Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS, but the free version is packed with annoying upgrade prompts. See how AVG performs on desktop and mobile devices .
- Responsive customer support — 24/7 live chat is the fastest option but expect persistent upselling. Check out AVG’s customer support options .
- Overpriced premium plans — AVG’s paid subscriptions offer additional features but aren’t worth paying to upgrade for. Take a look at AVG’s different plans .
Security
AVG offers robust security features with decent performance. It provides near-perfect malware detection scores. Its real-time protection will protect you against zero-day threats, ransomware, and phishing protection. AVG also offers an enhanced firewall that protects you from network attacks.
Warning! AVG’s parent company Avast has sold millions of its users’ browsing data to marketers and third parties.
Avast sold users’ data through Jumpshot — a data-harvesting subsidiary that has since ceased operations. Jumpshot recorded every user’s click and documented which websites they visited, when, and from where. The sold data included people’s Google searches, YouTube viewing history, and even visits to adult websites.
While Avast claimed the data it collected was fully anonymized, a media investigation revealed the opposite. It would be easy for companies that purchased the data to combine it with their own activity logs to reveal your identity. Avast earned revenue by invading its users’ privacy for years and only stopped due to public pressure.
I recommend you use a more ethical antivirus provider like Norton or TotalAV. Both companies are backed by strict privacy policies and do not sell their users’ data.
Virus Scan — Protect Your Devices With a Wide Variety of Scans
AVG detected 99.98% of malware planted on my test device. My team and I rigged a Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64-bit machine with malicious software to conduct the tests. While I was impressed with AVG’s detection rate, it didn’t quite catch everything and it also wrongly flagged 10 legitimate files. If you want antivirus software with a more robust virus scan capability, Norton antivirus achieved a 100% detection rate in the same test.
AVG gives you access to 6 different scan types:
- Smart Scan: Quickly scans your system by ignoring trusted and known files
- Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your entire system (including storage drives and memory)
- File or Folder Scan: Scans specific folders
- Boot-Time Scan: Runs during your next system startup to detect and remove malware before launch
- USB/DVD Scan: Scans removable media attached to your devices, such as USBs and external drives
- Performance Scan: Searches your system for issues that may affect your device’s speed and security, such as useless data. To resolve issues, you must have AVG TuneUp installed (available separately or bundled with the Ultimate plan)
