AVG is now history, on my system, and I've just installed Avast. The installation was smooth, and so was the welcoming voice I heard after it installed. What a pleasant surprise.

What I need to know is whether to use the free version, just virus and spy protection, or go for the paid version which has more of what I want.

I'm asking because I had the paid version of AVG and, well, it bit me in the tush. Also, getting the full version of Avast is way less expensive than AVG was. Opinions??

If you want some of the features that only the pay version has, go ahead and get it. If you're not sure whether you want it or not, download the 30-day trial of the version you want. There are instructions on how to do that ***here***.

Hi Jenny,

I've downloaded the free version, and installed it moments ago. I'm just trying to find out if anyone having the paid version has ever had any trouble with it.

I bought the paid version of AVG, and it turned out to be an unpolished program. I don't want to again spend money just to find out I've invested in another stinker.

Homer..

I have the free Avast version for a year now...It does everything I need it for..

I use Malwarebytes which is free also for spyware...

Why pay if you don't have to...

The free version is not the same as the trial.
The trial versions are time-limited versions of the pay versions.

And from what I'm reading on the Avast main screen, the free version is limited until it's registered. In my case I've until 1-3-11 to register.

Using the trial version, Jenny, might be a good idea. But because I'm not on the computer daily I'm not sure 30 days would give me a real good feel should any problems with the program occur. On the other hand, because of the smooth installation there might not be any problems with our system.

Even without the bells and whistles, the free version is up and running right now and the system is better than with AVG.

I'll give it some thought.

to Homer6,
It is soooooooo easy to register and it is quick, you usually get an Email response from them within the hour or so with a reg. Code and you enter it into your Avast and you are good to go for a year.

For the free version, you register by typing in your name and email address and clicking a button. Once you've done that, you're registered for a year.

There are some limits on the free version's functionality: the Pro version allows you to run your browser in a sandbox mode, for example, theoretically blocking unwanted programs from trying to hijack your browser. In practice it's just another fallible layer of security you can put between your computer and the internet, and it can cause minor issues if it blocks the wrong program from working. The Internet Security version adds a few features like spam blocking for email, a firewall and so on.

But all versions have essentially the same basic antivirus abilities, so all will protect you from viruses with roughly the same level of effectiveness.

It isn't about registering the program, or what features each program offers that I'm concerned about.

AVG makes the third virus program to bite me in the tush. The third program to basically take over my computer.

What I'd like to know, from those of you who've used the paid version of Avast, does it really sit in the background? Will it take over my computer like AVG and the others I've used?

And most importantly, will Avast cause the HD on my computer to run more than I think is necessary? As AVG did.

to Homer6,

I would strongly take the advice of Jenny100 and try out the 30 Day Trial and see for yourself if it will work well with your machine.
The beauty of 30 Day trials is that you can start with the Maximum Protection one, the Avast Internet Security and if you find that it is slowing down your machine, uninstall it and then try the Avast Pro one.

Just my 2.5 cents worth from a guy who has been helping people with their computer problems since 1995. (Mind you these problems rate from easy to Medium +, the Hard and Heavy stuff, I leave to the pros.)

I have had the free verison of Avast for more than a year now, When it expired I opted to download it again and it let me. It is a great piece of software: I do loads of surfing and have never had problems with virus etc and it does not spa the energy (resources) of my machine as Norton used to. I thoroughly recommend Avast free version.

I agree with Jenny100 and Starcom - download the 30 day free trial and then you will know how it works on your computer.

Star, it isn't that I don't trust Jenny's advice but rather I'm not in the mood to fight another buggy virus program.

Just as I learned AVG 2011 had problems by visiting AVG's free forum, I learned Pro has a problem with Web Shield by visiting Avast's forums. Many people on Avast's forum have experienced internet blockage once they've installed Pro with Web Shield. It was late when I read the posts, and I don't remember the exact nature of the problem, but it's a setting problem that is fixed by going to a web site and downloading a specific program which changes some setting in Windows. At least I think that's what it does. It was late.

It's things like this I'm trying to find out about before making a decision. Yes, I understand not every program is going to run the same way on every system. But it shouldn't have the same problem on every system.

I'll keep thinking about it.

That's why the 30 day trial will tell you what you want to know about how it will run on YOUR system. And at least this time, you're not out any money if it doesn't work out!

I went back to Avast's forum and did a little more investigating following the fixes listed in the thread about web shield blocking internet connection.

Turns out the Winsock on my system passed the netdiag test, which was the major concern I had after reading that thread and related threads. So it looks like I'll take the plunge and give Avast! Internet Security a try, since it has identity protection.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Update:

Well, the trial version of avast! Internet Security is installed and doing fine. So far. And so far it has picked up what it says is a trojan, though I believe it's a false positive because of threads I've read on avast's forum and elsewhere. I also believe it's a false positive because Maleware didn't find the same file.

Also, as I was Googleing avast! killed the connection to two sites listed in Google. Nice.