First impressions of AVG Internet security 8!

Mar 1, 2008

AVG has recently released the all new internet security and now hits the version 8 with this new release. I’ll now write down my experience with AVG Internet Security 8. Lets see how this new release fairs :

Installation : AVG internet security 8 is around 59 Mb large in size and the installation was fairly simple. They ask you if you would like to make Yahoo! as the default search provider and allows you install the AVG toolbar a new feature, which we’ll discuss further.

Features : AVG internet security 8 is one of the complete solution, I’ve seen so far. It comprises of anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-rootkit, firewall, link scanner, anti-phishing. It has inbuilt support for Microsoft outlook for scanning incoming and outgoing emails.

AVG has proved it’s worth as a great anti-virus as it hardly misses any virus and has great scanning engine.

AVG toolbar is the new addition in this version, it comprises of Yahoo search, and McAfee Siteadvisor like feature of scanning the links and displaying if that site is safe to visit or not.

User Interface : AVG internet security 8 brings all the security products under one umbrella and has done a great job in making the interface pretty simple. All the features are accessible from the control center. But the strange thing is that it doesn’t scan for rootkits by default, you have to enable the setting in order to do so.

It would have been better if they would have provided the settings button in the left menu bar of the control center. It really doesn’t matter that much but it would have become more evident.

Overall review and ratings :

AVG is not a new name in the field of security and from many years they’ve been providing excellent products. AVG internet security 8 is no less than the old versions, only it has gone better in terms of features and that’s beneficial for the users only. AVG toolbar is an impressive addition and should be beneficial for the users.

I’ll give 5/5 to AVG internet security 8 for the excellent work.

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64956 Responses2008-03-01+08%3A19%3A14ReviewSaurus so far | Have Your Say!

Madhur Kapoor
March 1st, 2008 at 6:10 pm #

Great review buddy but is it free ?
Nirmal
March 1st, 2008 at 9:48 pm #

Madhur,
Right now version 8 is not free, but I guess they would bring out a free version of 8. Nice review, I was also impressed with the new version.
Rakshit
March 1st, 2008 at 9:56 pm #

Very well written. It seems to be worth trying and as Nirmal said, if it becomes free, I’ll surely going to use it.
Craig
March 1st, 2008 at 10:34 pm #

Internet Security Suites from AVG have not been offered free, unfortunately. Just the anti-virus program. However, the suite is offered at a reasonable price compared to other security suites.
Venkat
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm #

This time they worked out their interface to perfection, the interface looks great.
Super Sunday Links Episode 3
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:28 pm #

[...] ReviewSaurus gives his first impression on AVG Internet Security 8 [...]
Jawwad
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 pm #

It really looks nice but I will wait(prey) for the free version (8.0)
Paul
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:29 am #

There is a free 30 day trial of this security suite (which I will be downloading soon). The interface is a much needed upgrade, simpler to use and better looking.
Saper
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:37 am #

As of May 1, 2008 the free version of AVG 8 has been released for download
Installs fine
Sharon
May 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pm #

I downloaded the free version last night and it locked up my pc every time it did anything. Had to uninstall it and put 7.5 back on but don’t what I’ll do when they stop supplying updates for 7.
GMF
May 27th, 2008 at 8:08 am #

I downloaded today free version 8 and cannot update it. The message I receive is General error, not enough free memory, write error. What do I need to do to correct this? Thanks.
tko
June 10th, 2008 at 2:20 am #

I also get an error message when I try to update on free 8.0: “general error, not enough free memory, write error”. I don’t get it – I seem to have plenty of ram (”physical memory”), “available physical memory” and hard disc space. What’s going on?
Mac
June 12th, 2008 at 10:38 am #

My error message was caused by primary drive inadvertantly connected to secondary channel.
chedcaje
June 16th, 2008 at 9:28 pm #

@GMF

i had the same problem setting the update manager to get settings from browser or automatic detection…

the error was strange but i solved by setting correctly the parameters about the proxy (in my case adress username and password) instead.

hope this helps
Ben
June 17th, 2008 at 1:36 am #

I have the same problem when i try to update – “general error, not enough free memory, write error.” I don’t get it because everything seemed to work fine for a while and this has only recently started happening. I know I have plenty of ram and hard disc space. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it several times and this did not help, and, no where on the internet seems to have a solution! What’s going on?!??
Greg
June 18th, 2008 at 12:15 am #

I am also having the AVG general error – Not enough memory write error message when AVG is trying to update. I have 2GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive, so I do not think that is the problem. All other apps are working correctly, I have ran chkdsk and also done a defrag of the hard drive. Any ideas, AVG works just fine on my other PC.
chedcaje
June 18th, 2008 at 7:13 pm #

how did you set the parameters for update connection?

Tools -> Advanced Settings -> Update (and sub Menus) ?
Jules
June 19th, 2008 at 2:36 am #

Same as Ben, I have the same problem when i try to update – “general error, not enough free memory, write error.�? I don’t get it because everything seemed to work fine for a while and this has only recently started happening. I know I have plenty of ram and hard disc space. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it several times and this did not help.

Just tried what chedcaje suggested in the proxy but probablly did it a little wrong as noy too IT offay. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hitesh
June 19th, 2008 at 10:41 am #

I got it working. I went to the update site of AVG http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-update and then I downloaded all the files listed in a folder. Clicked on Tools – Update From Directory on AVG Interface and pointed to the directory where I downloaded them and it identified the update updated it and now it works fine for me :-)
DELL - Guru
June 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm #

…Or you can disable your firewall, sometimes AVG program updates requires to write on protected windows system folders, and is automatically blocked by firewall settings. Temporarily disabling firewalls then retry updating again will solve this issue. Be sure to turn on the firewalls again.
Holly
June 27th, 2008 at 2:29 am #

I find the toolbar brutal and invasive. It slowed my browsers to a crawl and stalls when I try to use Google instead of their preferred partner Yahoo. After a scan I had a false positive that was not a threat however a window kept popping up 3 times alerting me to the same threat – each time I had to keep clicking ignore. I’m sure there are some settings I could configure but I expected the next free version w/out the bells to continue to be user friendly and intuitive not less. It’s also become more bloated at 47megs – 7/5 was 30.
Robert
June 30th, 2008 at 9:15 am #

Tried the download updates manually link http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-update and that didn’t work – not enough memory (which is not true). Then I disabled my firewall temporarily and the whole update worked. C’mon – a better error than General – not enough memory is expected
!
angus
July 1st, 2008 at 5:12 pm #

I bought the internet security 8.0 It worked for two days and then I got the same problems: general error etc. I’ve been on to avg and the help they’ve given me untill now has only used up several hours of my time and still no joy. I expected better.
arcking
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm #

Same error here (not enough memory). I am going to go in search of a better solution. I have been using 8.0 since if was first available. Something has changed since this just started today. This SHOULDN’T happen. I have wasted hours today trying to get this working again. I’m off to search for something else and then delete this thing.
A. N.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:18 am #

I have had the same error message but no resolution. I am changing. Goodbye AVG, hello Avast.
tinyang
July 5th, 2008 at 1:44 am #

I’m having the same problem. Has anyone found any info? Please post back here if you do to help the rest of us..
tinyang
July 5th, 2008 at 3:54 am #

http://freeforum.avg.com/read.php?12,135773,backpage=1,sv=

This fixed this problem for me. HTH!
Lana
July 5th, 2008 at 8:16 pm #

I also had the general error – not enough memory. I disabled my firewall and had to try three times to update. Then it worked. (I’ve got Windows Vista)
Michael
July 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm #

I was getting the same Write Error as everybody else. I had plenty of space! It seemed to have trouble updating while FireFox3 was open. It worked fine after FireFox closed.
James
July 7th, 2008 at 6:40 pm #

Thanks Michael, it seems to be Firefox 3 that causes the problem. The problem only started after I installed it… and if you close firefox AVG updates fine. Cheers!
Regine
July 9th, 2008 at 2:33 am #

Confirmed. I only managed to update AVG when I closed my Firefox 3 even with firewalls down. And by some strange reason trying to update AVG with Firefox 3 up would cause an error message from AVG and close Firefox 3. Kinda annoying. Hope they fix this in the future, but I got it updated so I am happy :)
TheEmperor
July 12th, 2008 at 11:04 pm #

One way to solve the general error when updating is to go to Tools -> Advanced Settings -> Update and uncheck the box that says “Use DNS update”. This will generally solve the issue.
Shane
July 15th, 2008 at 4:05 am #

I had the same error–general error-not enough memory. I used tinyang’s link and now works fine

Thanks
:)
Louise Tyvol
July 18th, 2008 at 4:21 am #

I’m having same problem with “not enough memory. Will try suggestions listed above.

Can’t AVG get this fixed?
Jo
July 28th, 2008 at 2:59 pm #

Why do I have to install the AVG Update Manager each time I’m connected?
Would appreciate any help.
terry
August 6th, 2008 at 10:50 am #

Re AVG 8 Free. Can anyone help me please. I tried to download AVG onto a friends computer – She on WIndows XP and is a newer computer than mine, but when trying to install AVG 8 free it came up with an error message saying Windows 2000 not supported by AVG8. Haven’t had any trouble loading up till now ?? Thanks
David Stacey
August 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm #

Thanks for the comments!
Just disable your firewall temporarily and it will work!
Tim Whittle
August 17th, 2008 at 10:56 am #

None of the above solutions have worked. It being August now, and this problem’s been around for a while, it seems it is time to move on. Thanks for wasting so much of my time.
Mark Greensall
August 20th, 2008 at 5:31 pm #

Hello, Have been using AVG Sec. Suite for 2 years, upgraded to the 8 version no probs. There have been two major upgrades since then and now my suite doesn’t recognise new programme upgrades. I had to mess around and finally upgraded to V.8.0.156 but now a new version is out (8.0.164) and again won’t recognise the new version. Also have problem when accessing ‘System tools’, I get an error message (Microsoft alert) ‘avgsystx.exe encountered an error and needs to close’. Now, I don’t know if this is related to the programme update problem or not. The anti virus and anti spyware updates without any probs. My pc is high spec and I use XP Pro. I have contacted tech. Supp’t. but they take weeks to answere, if at all. Any help would be appreciated.
Heavenly Saint
August 21st, 2008 at 6:36 am #

Just want to share my experience installing AVG IS 8.0.164, my OS is Windows XP SP2, my browser is Firefox 3.0 and I didn’t have any problems that you guys mentioned. What I did first is disconnect internet connection then uninstall Avira Premium Security Suite and install AVG I.S. 8.0.164. After installation finished, reconnect internet connection, update that’s all.
Mark Greensall
August 21st, 2008 at 12:12 pm #

Hi Heavenly Saint, If you did a ‘clean’ install from scratch then you shouldn’t have a problem. My problem started after I first upgraded from 7.5 version to the new 8 version. The first upgrade to the new suite went fine but after it’s first upgrade that was when I noticed the problem. The second big upgrade (8.0.156) wasn’t being acknowledged as available and I couldn’t download it from the site. I had to run a repair option from my original disc to get it but now the 164 v. is out again it doesn’t detect either so now I have an older v. plus an older database v. which won’t update.
Pete Conway
August 31st, 2008 at 1:27 pm #

I have the ” not enough memory” for update and tried TheEmperor’s suggestion to no avail, I will try the link from tinyang as a last resort but to be honest this version (8) is too buggy for me I’m gonna drop it off altogether if the link don’t work, I had no problems with 7.5 and only had to install this because of a HD meltdown, but not being a techie I have no wish it spend hours trawling through QnA bug fixes, by the way you guys thanks for at least trying to help us dweebs out.
Pete Conway
August 31st, 2008 at 2:29 pm #

Nah…I tried to clean install twice same old prob when updating…Goodbye AVG hello Avast.
It’s been good while it was good!
rajiv
September 16th, 2008 at 12:53 am #

I think there is no problem in avg but the update file should have a correct file name.if it is wrong then it won’t update.it will give the same error. so jus go to the site and download the updates and store them in a directory and rename them for example: u7iavi16714.bin this the latest update file it have worked for me i think it works for you. AVG roks….
Mark Greensall
September 17th, 2008 at 11:00 am #

I finally did a complete reinstall and everything appears fine now! I downloaded the latest version of the security suite and saved to desktop. I uninstalled from the programme and restarted the computer.
I didn’t do these other two steps but you may consider them.
Remove the following two folders (Make sure that”Show hidden folders” function under Windows Folder option is enabled).
C:/Programme Files/AVG
C:/Docs and Settings/All Users/Applications data/AVG8
I then reinstalled from the newly downloaded version from the desktop and followed the wizard setting it all up again.
Avg Internet Security 8 - Not leaving a good impression | ReviewSaurus - The Techie Dino!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:34 am #

[...] time when I reviewed AVG Internet Security 8, I gave it 5/5 and it deserved it too. However, I noticed that many commenters on that particular [...]
Jepoi
November 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm #

How to disable the firewall of AVG8? I can’t find..I want to run the built in windows firewall. Thanks.
fazi31
November 27th, 2008 at 7:22 am #

I can not update my AVG8 for some time.
I get the message – general error – not enough free memory, write error.

I tryed the firewall hints – it did not solve the problem.
I can't find any help on thiese words.
What can I do?
The program is not save anymore.

I use Windows Vista Home Premium
AVG version 8.0.173
This is an update problem and maybe a firewall problem
Char6
December 13th, 2008 at 1:42 am #

rajiv has a good solution, i use manual update, after i download the update i rename the file i had and doing the manual update, but the problem is my Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware data base is still out dated, please help… T_T
countrygal
January 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am #

i just bought an hp with windows premium vista, spent 80 dollars on kaspersky internet protection, had problems with my tower took it back and got new one, so had to install my protection again, says it should run three computers, when I loaded it in wouldnt register, so went to avg 8.0 free addition, I hope I am protecting every thing, can anyone tell me if there is more protection I need?
McDonuts
January 30th, 2009 at 5:42 pm #

The simplest way to fix the out of memory error (and other errors caused when updating), is go to Start, then Search, then All Files and Folders. Type in avg*.ctf, click on More Advanced Options and make sure Search System Folders and Search Hidden Files and Folders are checkmarked, then click Search.

It should come up with 2 files in the results. Delete those files and then try updating AVG again. There should be no errors now, until the update files get corrupted again (I don't know how to prevent that).
MaUmAu
February 1st, 2009 at 2:40 am #

I excluded the 2 files with ".ctf" extension and AVG update worked again.
Folder: C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersDados de aplicativosavg8updatedownload
Good luck!

OBS: I'm brazilian and the names of my folders are portuguese.
MaUmAu
February 1st, 2009 at 2:45 am #

This method work if the "Use DNS update" is OFF. (Tools>Advanced Settings>Update
But when I turn it ON again, the problem continues…
keithster
February 1st, 2009 at 5:40 am #

Thank YOU!!! I have been unable to update AVG virus database last three days on WIN 2000 desktop with all WIN updates installed—get the General Error – Not enough free memory, write error…
Grammy
February 1st, 2009 at 5:22 pm #

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! I am a Grandmother~ do not know much abt this stuff. I deleted ALL of my photos trying to "free up" space (as error) said. Still got same error message-tried your tip & all worked great! Thank you again!
Menauhant
February 10th, 2009 at 4:20 pm #

Thank you, I actually found 4 files. Deleted all of them started update and it worked without any issues.

BTW: I also tried several other suggestions posted on this board and none of them helped. I am running W2000