AVG’s malware scanner uses machine learning and heuristic analyses alongside an online database of look at this site malware to identify new threats. During our tests it scored well with its excellent smart scan and deep scan performance. But it lags behind some competitors in its ability to identify new and unknown “zero-day” malware.
After a simple installation, the program begins its first “Smart Scan” to conduct a thorough scan of your computer for potential threats and malware. It takes just 35 minutes to scan 430,167 different files on our test system. This is lower than other tools, but it’s still an enormous amount of files.
The program’s clean and modern interface makes launching scans or exploring its other key features relatively easy. It features recognizable thumbnails, headings, and other elements that make it easy to understand what each feature does. The settings menu provides various options for customization. For example you can change the intensity of a deep scan, or set up a data shredder by adding an option to Windows right-click menu.
Premium subscribers are able to enjoy certain additional features that aren’t included in the free version. These include “Webcam Protection” is a feature that blocks access to your camera and makes video calls more secure, as well as “Sensitive Data Shield” that encrypts your personal files. Additional features such as a password manager and performance tuning aren’t available, however they’re available because AVG has other paid programs in its portfolio that offer these capabilities.
The mobile app from AVG offers a variety of features, including the option to remotely lock an Android device or wipe it (Android only) and an image vault that allows you to securely share files. Its most useful mobile feature though, is the anti-theft option, which lets you locate a lost smartphone or tablet and also sounds an alarm to disorient it.
