AVG is a popular antivirus program across the globe. It offers a good free version as well as a comprehensive set of security tools that competes with the top suites from Bitdefender and McAfee. It’s easy to setup and use and its user interface is functional rather than flashy.

It’s important to note that while AVG’s suite comes with a variety of features that protect against malware and other cyber threats, a lot of them are only available if you opt to upgrade to the premium version. AVG’s support center is accessible directly from the software client and has forums, how-to guides as well as community-based advice and an online form for submitting tickets. There’s also a dedicated phone line for premium users, though that’s only open during normal business hours.

The malware scanner uses machine learning and heuristic analysis to detect potential threats that may slip past traditional signature-based detection systems. It can identify rootkits, worms, trojans and other sophisticated malware that may be missed by other scanners. It also has an auto-scan function that runs automatically and a speedy scan that skims over files AVG recognizes as safe and a thorough scan designed to take longer but offer more comprehensive protection.

AVG’s antiphishing system is extremely effective. It also comes with firewalls that can be set up to block specific ports or applications. It also comes with a device optimization tool that can remove unnecessary applications and speed up your PC, and password vaults for photos. The anti-theft tools are more sophisticated than those offered by rival applications, allowing users to mark a lost or stolen device as such and remotely track it with GPS. You can also set a siren, and remotely lock the device or avg antivirus wipe the data if you suspect someone is stealing it.