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Hello everyone as I promised this week. I will be address the many questions about AVG Free 9.0 I have received via e-mail over the last few weeks. So as always enjoy this new Q+A….

Q: Is It True Dec 1, 2009 AVG Free 8.5 Will No Longer Be Supported ?

A: So for this answer I contacted AVG/Grisoft and this is what they said…..”That is the official date when we will stop supporting AVG Free 8.5. However this date may be postponed.”

Hope that answer your guys Q,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: http://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

I am very happy to report that  is this week. Computer Savvy Weblog will be brining you something completely new and what you ask are we going to do. Well glade you asked we here @ The Computer Savvy Weblog will be doing one question we received from you guys over the past few weeks since AVG Free 9.0 launched.

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Here is The Official List Of Fixes and Improvements For AVG Free Anti-Virus version (9.0.709)

Program update AVG Free 9.0.709

Fixes & Improvements

Core: Detection of the next modification of Virut has been added.
Core: Fixed conflict of NTFS cache server with Kerio mail sever and accounting software.
Update: Fixed synchronization problem causing restart request.

So here is the link to the above information straight from the AVG Free Forum: http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=25409

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Hope this answers all the questions I’ve been getting about what are the improvements made to the new AVG Free (9.0.709)

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Hey everyone…This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is still not available via www.download.com. This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is only available Via Automatic or Manual Update. But when the new version is available @ download.com. I’ll let you guys know………….

Important Notice: This version is only available via Automatic or Manual update at this time…I’ll keep you updated when that changes…

Till Then,

Remy “Se7en”

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Q: It Is Safe To Delete The Messages From Virus Vault Folder Of Your Outlook ?

A: Yeah, once the files is put in your virus vault the virus is basically put ion a box were the file is de-activated is unable to run unless you restore said file and then viruses contained will not be executed during this process.

Hope that answers your questions,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Ok, now I have had all sort of reports of at least 3 new scam mail attachment virus attacks….

**There are 2 major Hotmail scam mail attachments virus attacks and one generic please open this. All they have is “PLEASE OPEN THE ATTACHMENT FOR MORE INFO“. Then they a small attachment to open…Please what ever you DO NOT OPEN IT….It contains a Trojan Virus that will put a back door on your computer and in only 24-48 hours you may start to notice if you are connected to the Internet. That you no longer can control your computer…IE mouse cursor moving by it self..

Q: What should I do if I get infected by this virus….?

A: If you have opened this attachment…Dis-connect your computer from the Internet and run a virus scan ASAP. So far AVIRA and AVAST have picked it up but not AVG Free (9.0.707).

If you guys need more help regarding this virus attack. Please leave a comment or e-mail me @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com….

But I would advise you to dis-connect from the Internet As Soon As Possible…

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

Disclaimer: We shall not be held responsible for anything related to the guide below. We are in no way affiliated with AVG, Grisoft, or any of their subsidiaries.

To disable the banner at the bottom of AVG Free:

1. Go to \Program Files\AVG\AVG9(or
2. Rename these files:

- avgfree_us.mht to avgfree_us.mht.bak

- avgmwdef_us.mht to avgmwdef_us.mht.bak

- any other files ending with the ‘.mht’ extension to ‘.bak’ …

- avgresf.dll to avgresf.dll.bak

If you’ve updated to the latest AVG Free 9.0.704 and you get an ad in the main interface beside the listed components, do these steps to disable it:

1. Go to \Program Files\AVG\AVG9(or
2. Rename ‘avgui.exe’ to ‘avgui.exe.new’
3. Rename ‘avgui.exe.old’ to ‘avgui.exe’

That’s it!

Sources: Wilders Security

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Here is The Official List Of Fixes and Improvements For AVG Free Anti-Virus version (9.0.707)

Program update AVG Free 9.0.707

Fixes & Improvements

LinkScanner: Fixed problem with possible connection hang-ups.

So here it is straight from AVG Free Forum: http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=25409

Program update AVG Free 9.0.704

Fixes & Improvements

Core: Detection of the next modification of Virut has been added.
Core: Fixed possible false alarm caused by improper parsing of html files.
Core: Fixed report of broken digital signature on correctly signed files.
Safe Search: Improved blocking of certain types of known malicious web sites.
Safe Search: Added support for Japanese version of Yahoo!
Update: Fixed problem with proxy detection from Opera 10 browser.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Hope this answers all the questions I’ve been getting about what are the improvements made to the new AVG Free (9.0.707)

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Hey everyone…This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is still not available via www.download.com. This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is only available Via Automatic or Manual Update. But when the new version is available @ download.com. I’ll let you guys know………….

Important Notice: This version is only available via Automatic or Manual update at this time…I’ll keep you updated when that changes…

Till Then,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

I know that sometimes it can take a really long time to get the latest version of a lot of software @ www.download.com. But this time it is was available to download via automatic/manual update way before it was available @ download.com. Well anyways…enjoy the latest new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus version (9.0.704).

AVG Free Anti-Virus Version (9.0.704) Direct Download Link

I have checked this link and it works…Enjoy….Please report via comment or e-mail if this link is broken….

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

If you’re using AVG’s Free Anti-Virus program on your computer (as I know many of you are), you are probably receiving pop-up warnings that you have until Dec. 1 to upgrade to the new 9.0 version.

Word of caution: When you click on the ‘download‘ button you are taken to a page that basically tries to sell you the premium pay version.  If you are not careful, you may overlook the free download option altogether.  Look at the bottom of the page below the “Buy” section which is huge with a large download button next to prices like $49.95 and such.  In the smaller print below this, you will see a line that says something to the effect of ‘to upgrade existing free version.’

If you are not sure, simply close out of the pop-up box and Google: “AVG Free 9.0″ and you will see the site where you can upgrade.

Everytime AVG sends out an upgrade notice, I get calls from people crying that AVG is no longer free and they had to pay to continue it.  This is NOT the case!  AVG is trying to get you to buy their premium service, afterall, that is their purpose… they are not out there simply to offer free services to everyone.  If you do not want the additional services offered in the premium package, don’t pay for it.  You CAN still get it for free!

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Here is The Official List Of Fixes and Improvements For AVG Free Anti-Virus version (9.0.704)

So here it is straight from AVG Free Forum: http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=25409

Program update AVG Free 9.0.704

Fixes & Improvements

Core: Detection of the next modification of Virut has been added.
Core: Fixed possible false alarm caused by improper parsing of html files.
Core: Fixed report of broken digital signature on correctly signed files.
Safe Search: Improved blocking of certain types of known malicious web sites.
Safe Search: Added support for Japanese version of Yahoo!
Update: Fixed problem with proxy detection from Opera 10 browser.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Hope this answers all the questions I’ve been getting about what are the improvements made to the new AVG Free (9.0.704)

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Hey everyone…This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is still not available via www.download.com. This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is only available Via Automatic or Manual Update. But when the new version is available @ download.com. I’ll let you guys know………….

Important Notice: This version is only available via Automatic or Manual update at this time…I’ll keep you updated when that changes…

Till Then,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

(Last Updated Nov 7, 2009 @ 5:29 pm EST) Minor update…..Fixed Spelling and Grammar

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Ok this time, I went all out and this time I personally guarantee this post will not be a re-hash of old information found anywhere on the net. I have gone through AVG Free Anti-Virus 9.0.XXX with my team. This time with a fine tooth comb and have come up with some what of a compromise in regards to this issue.

Ok People, I did 3 tested in regards to this issue regarding Mozilla FireFox 3.0/3.5 stalling or hanging with AVG Free Installed and this is what I came up with. I personally was amazed by the results and by all means e-mail me or comment and yell at me. But did the test more then a few times and with more then a few computers. Enjoy or Don’t..BUT at least you are informed NOW…..

TEST 1 - The Non-Computer Re-start Test

Part 1 – Shut down AVG Free Via Task Manager (All instances of AVG and there are a few- I counted at least 6 instances of AVG Free Running different processes of course-

Part 2 – Then Run FireFox to see if it still hangs (Provided All Processes Are Ended)

Test Results for Positive Out Come #1A – With all instance of AVG Shut down – FireFox Ran Smoothly with little too no hanging

Test Results for Negative Out Come #1B – AVG Free Tray Icon will Shut down -But one or more AVG Free Process keep on re-starting or re-spawning

**Note On Test Results: I had both results..So I guess it is the luck of the draw. Other then that I can’t figure out why both results happened with the same parameters.

—————————————–

TEST 2 - The Computer Re-start Test with AVG Start-up Process Disabled

Part 1 – Use Windows Defender “SOFTWARE EXPLORER” to disable the AVG Free start-up (The computer says in 99% of all cases that the AVG programs is necessary for you to keep it enabled and it is and could cause damage. If you are not careful…)

Part 2 – Re-start your computer -When computer reaches the desktop part of start-up. You should notice that the AVG Tray icon is gone  and then you know you have prevented AVG Free from running at start-up.

Test Results for Positive Out Come #1A – AVG Free Will be de-activated and can be re-activated with AVG Free Short cut (May take a few minutes to load) Provided you do not re-activate AVG Free till you are done surfing the net you should see no hang time or stalling. By far the best result I have come up with. Other then TEST 3 Complete removal of AVG Free…

Test Results for Negative Out Come #1B – AVG Free becomes corrupted, Blue Screen of Death, Black Screen Of Death Or Corrupted .DLL Files. This is by far the worst out come I have come up with.

**Note On Test Results: Again I had both results..THIS TEST…..PLEASE TAKE EXTREME CAUTION WITH, I DID WARNED YOU GUYS. Of the possible negative results….Other then that I can’t figure out why both results happened with the same parameters.

————————-

TEST 3 - The AVG 100% Removal Test

Part 1 – Go to control Panel and completely remove AVG Free or use AVG Free Un-installer @ http://www.avg.com/download-tools (Regardless your gonna need a Registry Fixer/scanner I use PC Tools but that cost money. Other Members have used CCleaner if you want to go the free way….)

Part 2 – Re-start your computer -When your computer comes back and finished loading your desktop tray icons. You should not only see AVG tray icon gone but AVG Free Anti-Virus should be 100% gone from your computer. (If not run Registry Scanner/Fixer Again)

Test Results for Positive Out Come #1A – Now With AVG Free Anti-Virus 100% removed. Provided your Internet setting our in proper order your Firefox should be back up with little or no lag (Be forwarded Add-ons can cause the same issues with Firefox. so if you still have the same lag/hang issues. even after AVG Free is gone your gonna have to try de-activating your Firefox Add-ons.

Test Results for Negative Out Come #1B – Lag or Hang is still there…But AVG Free now has been removed as a suspect

**Note On Test Results: Now the negative result is not really that negative results this time around. Just more frustrating after going through removing AVG Free Anti-Virus and still the issue remains.

——————————

**If you guys are still having issue please let me know via comment or e-mail me @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com

——————————

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

(Last Updated Nov 7, 2009 @ 3:59 pm EST) 

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Results breakdown:

Passed – Did well in all the tests

Acceptable – Could go ether way…but in most cases it passed

Failed – Did not work or only worked 1 out of 10 times…the tests were run

——————————————————————————————–

1. Stability of Program -  Passed – There are still some issues of which still defy explanation. But AVG/Grisoft has made great strides

2. Number of times the program has been compromised by Hacker or Virus – Passed – AVG Free Anti-Virus has not had any direct attacks by ether hacker nor virus so (But way to early to tell)

3. Speed of Scan – Passed – Has made great improvements since 8.5.422.

4. Interface usability and ease of use test - Passed – Very Easy to use….But I do have issue with the hard to read version code on the lower right hand site (Not huge for average user)

5. Does AVG do automatic updates by itself with out issue – Passed- Yes, have not had issue yet

6. Residential shield test – Acceptable – Detection rate has Improved a great deal…But Avira and Avast still pick up the virus before infection occurs.

7. Internet Browser Cookie detection rate and removal test – Passed – AVG now detects 3 out of 5 Internet cookies with out needing to change you AVG Free settings.

8.  Spyware/Adware test – Failed – Seems to miss every types of Spyware or Adware I tested it with. Such as 180souloutions, weatherbug, Zango and many many more…

9. Root Kit virus detection Rate -Failed – This was very sad not even one detection. Even with a over 15 different Root Kit multiplier virus tested.

10. Vista / XP Virus detection rate test – VISTA Acceptable / XP Acceptable -  Both XP and Vista have the same detection rate now. But that is not saying much

11. Link Scanner/ Safe Search Test – Acceptable – Don’t hold your breath that this will help you in all circumstances. (They AVG has made great strides in terms of stability and accuracy of the link scanner and safe search. But I still personally find it slows down what ever browser you are using…)

12.  E-mail scanner test – Acceptable – I still feel the e-mail scanner is way more of a hassle, then being useful. But both Ghost and Ding Dong Danny 2 of my blog members expressed to me. That they would not feel safe without AVG Free Anti-Virus E-mail Scanner Active. So that pushed the E-mail scanner form the usual FAILED status to Acceptable Status…

**Like always the results speak for itself. But as always I leave the final test up to you guys….

Overall Rating: 5 Passed, 5 Acceptable, 2 Failed (Total # of tests done 13)

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Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

Tur gļuku pagaidām ir vairāk kā saprašanas. Novērsu vienus, parādījās citi. Lietojiet 8.5, iepriekšējo versiju.

Kompim ik pa laikam BSOD, man x64 Home Basic Vista.

Instalējot (apdeitojot) uz AVG 9.0 nepieciešams izpildīt “Scan Optimization”, ko AVG piedāvā veikt. Šobrīd ir bug’s – ja šī skenēšana netiek veikta, AVG “apēd” līdz pat 2 GB RAM. Ar tuvākajiem apdeitiem tas tiks novērsts, bet šobrīd ir kā ir. Līdz pārinstalēšana un izvēlēšanās “Run Scan Optimization”.

Vairāk šeit.

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Here is The Official List Of Fixes and Improvements For AVG Free Anti-Virus version (8.5.425)

So here it is straight from AVG Free Forum: http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=387

Program update AVG Free 8.5.425

Fixes & Improvements

- Core: Detection of the next modification of Virut has been added.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Hope this answers all the questions I’ve been getting about what are the improvements made to the new AVG Free (8.5.425)

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Hey everyone…This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is still not available via www.download.com. This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is only available Via Automatic or Manual Update. But when the new version is available @ download.com. I’ll let you guys know………….

Important Notice: This version is only available via Automatic or Manual update at this time…I’ll keep you updated when that changes…

Till Then,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

I know that sometimes it can take a really long time to get the latest version of a lot of software @ www.download.com. But this time it is was available to download via automatic/manual update way before it was available @ download.com. Well anyways…enjoy the latest new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus version (9.0.698).

AVG Free Anti-Virus Version (9.0.698) Direct Downlownd Link

I have checked this link and it works…Enjoy….Please report via comment or e-mail if this link is broken….

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

So this morning I woke up and took a look at my computer monitor and what did I see. A huge pop-up that says the following “AVG 8.5 has been upgraded to AVG 9.0“….”Important: You must upgrade to version 9.0 before December 1, 2009“…

Now I wounder if AVG/Grisoft will keep the date stated in the pop-up becuase as many of you know they extended support for AVG Free Anti-Virus 7.5 more then few times. During the switch over to AVG Free Anti-Virus 8.0.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

(Last Updated Nov 7, 2009 @ 4:46 pm EST) 

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

I personally did not think I was gonna need to review this version of AVG Free becuase of AVG Free is now @ the 9.0 stage. But after a ton of e-mails I changed my mind. Even thou this review is gonna be almost the same point for point VS. my (8.5.421) review. People still seem to really want us to review it. So you asked so nice you don’t have to ask twice..Enjoy the review

Results breakdown:

Passed – Did well in all the tests

Acceptable – Could go ether way…but in most cases it passed

Failed – Did not work or only worked 1 out of 10 times…the tests were run

——————————————————————————————–

- Stability of Program – Acceptable – Still seems to have  issues some of which defy explanation.

- Number of times the program has been compromised by Hacker or Virus – Passed – AVG Free Anti-Virus has not had any direct attacks by ether hacker nor virus

- Speed of Scan – Acceptable – Has improved since last update but still far away from AVIRA or AVAST

- Does AVG do automatic updates by itself with out issue – Acceptable – Depends on the computer it appears and what programs are on said computer…..Sad but very true…

- Residential shield test – Acceptable – I did not notice any detection rate Improved since last version (8.5.423)

- Internet Browser Cookie detection and removal test – Failed – AVG still does not auto-detect most Internet cookies with the AVG Free default settings,  AVG picks up 1 out of every 10 Internet cookies I tested it with. AVG Free still fails to catch the ever popular WEBTRENDS cookie from Google. Now even with AVG Free setting changed to catch Internet cookies it will only very slightly changed the detection rate form 1 to out of 3 or 4 out of every 10 Internet cookies (Now you need to change the default setting to pick up more Internet Cookies)

-  Spyware/Adware – Failed – Seems to miss every types of Spyware or Adware I tested it with. Such as 180souloutions, weatherbug, Zango and many many more…

- Root Kit detection Rate -Failed – This was very sad not even one detection. Even with a over 10 diffrent Root Kit multiplier virus tested.

- Vista / XP Virus detection rate test – VISTA Acceptable / XP Acceptable -  XP seems for some reason to have a a little bit of a better detection rate then Vista. But only very slightly….

- Link Scanner/ Safe Search – Acceptable – Don’t hold your breath that this will help you in all circumstances.

-  E-mail scanner – Acceptable – I still feel the e-mail scanner is way more of a hassle, then being useful. But both Ghost and Ding Dong Danny 2 of my blog members expressed to me. That they would not feel safe without AVG Free Anti-Virus E-mail Scanner Active. So that pushed the E-mail scanner form the usual FAILED status to Acceptable Status…

**Like always the results speak for itself. But as always I leave the final test up to you guys….

Overall Rating: 1 Passed, 8 Acceptable, 3 Failed (Total # of tests done 12)

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***Please people if you can download the latest version of AVG Free Anti-Virus (9.0.686). It is a lot better then any 8.5 version of AVG and keep you eyes peeled for my review of AVG Free (9.0.698) coming later this week.

———————————————–

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Here is The Official List Of Fixes and Improvements For AVG Free Anti-Virus version (8.5.424 )

So here it is straight from AVG Free Forum:  http://forums.avg.com/ca-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=387

Program update AVG Free 8.5.424

Fixes & Improvements

Safe-Search: Changed versioning of the Firefox Safe-Search extension.

—————————————————————————————————————-

Hope this answers all the questions I’ve been getting about what are the improvements made to the new AVG Free (8.5.424)

Till Next Time,

Remy “Se7en”

Dear Readers,

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

Hey everyone…This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is still not available via www.download.com. This new version of AVG Free Anti-Virus is only available Via Automatic or Manual Update. But when the new version is available @ download.com. I’ll let you guys know………….

Important Notice: This version is only available via Automatic or Manual update at this time…I’ll keep you updated when that changes…

Till Then,

Remy “Se7en”

(Last Updated Nov 2, 2009 @ 1:09 am EST)

Now You Can Follow The Computer Savvy Weblog Via Twitter: https://twitter.com/Computer_Savvy

If you disagree are still having issues…then by all means comment or e-mail me @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com

Q: Is It Normal To Have Two Or More AVG Free Processes Running At The Same Time Such As “AVGCSRVX.EXE” ?

A: Yes that is normal becuase AVG is a muti-layer scanner.MEANING AVG is scanning not just for viruses it also scans for root kits and spyware.

———————————

Till My Next Post,

Remy “Se7en”