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General discussion

AVG free vs. NAV

by caktus Aug 29, 2004 12:21PM PDT

AVG 6.0 Free Edition only scans about 49,000 files. NAV 2002 scans about 122,000 files (every time).

AVG Free is set to test all file extensions, archives, and compressed files in the hard drive (C:\) as well as Integrity Check and Heuristic analysis.

I understand AVG free tests the full system upon installation and there after only files witch have changed since the last test. However, to my recollection AVG Free only tested 17,000+ files upon installation.

Is this variance a big deal? Or is NAV just better?

Since AVG is free I am limited to only the Help and FAQ. And my NAV subscription will expire soon and I need to decide weather to renew. Any help to understand what is going on here would be greatly appreciated.

I am using Windows ME, and IE 6 SP 1 and Internet Tools. Microsoft patches and virus definitions for AVG Free and NAV are up to date.

Thanks. Have a great day.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Re: AVG free vs. NAV
by Tman1 Aug 29, 2004 3:19PM PDT

I've been using Avast (free) and I love it.

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Re: AVG free vs. NAV
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 29, 2004 10:36PM PDT

Think about it. Does an antivirus need to scan .TXT files? What other files could be left out?

Awaiting your thoughts.

Bob

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Re: AVG free vs. NAV
by caktus Aug 30, 2004 7:57AM PDT

I really don't know. I always assumed the whole computer should be scanned since all the NAV programs I've used have always had options for "Full System Scan" or "Scan my computer". And I've always assumed that a virus could be designed to affect any type of file. But as I mentioned I really don't know.

An article I read awhile back suggested "Do configure the anti-virus program to scan all files ? not just executable programs" http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-1809.html

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Scan a .TXT file? Waste of your time.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 30, 2004 8:38AM PDT

Go ahead, but such are not executable and as such are a non-threat. Your time, your choice.

Bob

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Re: Scan a .TXT file? Waste of your time.
by caktus Aug 30, 2004 8:55AM PDT

Thanks Robert. I guess "dummies.com" had me in mind.

So do you think there is neccesarily a big difference between a paid NAV and AVG Free?

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Caktus, I prefer AVG Free...
by glenn30 Aug 30, 2004 9:12AM PDT

Been using it for months and very satisfied with results. It can be set for Auto Updates and Scans if desired. I find AVG is not nearly as intrusive as NAV. I suppose it is a matter of personal choice but I recommend AVG.

Best of luck,

Glenn

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Re: Scan a .TXT file? Waste of your time.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Aug 30, 2004 9:30AM PDT

Just FYI. It's not a d-word issue. It's a personal choice.

Since I have yet to find an exploit based on opening a text file I can't bring myself to include such in a scan. That's just one file type I leave out.

As to the NAV vs. AVG topic, its your choice and money. The 2004 version is best avoided. Just look at the user reviews.

Bob

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