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AVG Internet Security Review
AVG Internet Security offers comprehensive antivirus and malware protection along with unique features for securing all your devices with one yearly subscription.
- Antivirus, malware, and spyware protection
- Internet and email protection
- Coverage for all your PCs
- Enhanced firewall
- Android protection included
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3 min readAVG Internet Security at a glance
Owned by the same company that created Avast Antivirus, AVG is one of many internet security options out there. Along with adequate antivirus and malware protection, users get email scans, webcam blocking, and fake website detection.
For most mobile users, antivirus is already embedded into the operating system on your smartphone or tablet, so it’s unlikely that you’d need a separate antivirus program. But for PC users, malware, phishing, worms, and other viruses can cause real issues—so an antivirus product like AVG is useful.
Pros
Reasonable price for multiple devices
Comprehensive security services
Solid antivirus and ransomware protection
Easy installation
Cons
Counterintuitive user interface
Few customer service/tech support options
Known data breach
Best for complete PC protection
AVG Internet Security
- Antivirus, malware, and spyware protection
- Internet and email protection
- Coverage for all your PCs
- Enhanced firewall
- Android protection included
AVG Internet Security program costs about $70 for a year of service, or $140 for two years. But if you’re just curious about AVG, you can try it for 30 days at no cost.
This program protects your computer, web and email activity, and payments online. It also watches for hacker attacks like viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malware.
In our tests, AVG Internet Security was easy to navigate on mobile devices and on a Windows PC—once you got used to the system. It also didn’t seem to slow down our devices at all, which can be a problem with some antivirus software. On our Windows PC (which is a few years old), we did have to uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials to get AVG to work.
Data breach
In December 2019, Avast collected user data through its subsidiary Jumpshot, reaching far beyond the tool’s performance needs. While the company claimed it anonymized all data, we were still concerned about the risk to users and rescinded our recommendation of Avast. The company has since severed ties with Jumpshot, though we still hesitate to recommend the software.
Pricing and plans
AVG AntiVirus | AVG Internet Security | |
Free | $69.99/ 1 year | |
| Real-Time Security Updates |  No
|  Yes
|
| Personal File Security | No
| Yes
|
| Webcam Protection | No
| Yes
|
| Fake Website Detection | No
| Yes
|
| Enhanced Firewall | No
| Yes
|
| Visit AVG | Visit AVG |
Pros
Price point
Free trial Cons
Constant upsells
Extra costs for live customer support Price point
If you need AVG Internet Security for only one PC, $70 per year could seem steep. But if you have a household full of devices, they’ll all be covered under one license, making the price a pretty good deal.
Free trial
You can test out AVG Internet Security free for 30 days before making any commitment.
Constant upsells
When using the free trial on your mobile device, you’ll see a lot of ads for other AVG products. And on your PC, the main AVG menu will constantly show an upgrade option.
Extra costs for live customer support
If you need help beyond the support articles on AVG’s website, you’ll have to pay for a Premium Support subscription.
Features and usability
This product is fairly easy to install—but using it isn’t as easy, especially when you get into the more complex setup required for small businesses or multiple devices.
Pros
Easy installation
File security
Many layers of protection
PC optimization Cons
Counterintuitive menus Easy installation
The prompts for installing the program made the entire setup take only a matter of minutes.
File security
We love that AVG’s Internet Security suite gives you options to secure your personal photos and other documents.
Many layers of protection
This program offers a comprehensive security plan and protects you from all kinds of malware, like ransomware, viruses, spyware, and Trojans. And it will protect you while you’re surfing the web, opening email attachments, banking, and shopping.
PC optimization
AVG will not only scan your computer for problems but will also clean up your hard drive so your computer will work faster.
Counterintuitive menus
AVG antivirus software is organized differently than a lot of competitors, so it can take some getting used to if you’ve been using a different program.
FAQ
You can’t have multiple antivirus or security suites running on your PC at the same time. What level of antivirus protection you need depends on how often you use your PC and what you use it to do. For average users, the built-in security systems should work fine. But if you do a lot of online shopping, have a webcam, or do anything that requires a lot of file downloads, you may require a stronger security suite.
Yes, this plan works with Androids. iPhones already have antivirus software built in and don’t require any extra help.
AVG Internet Security is compatible only with PCs and Android, though there other AVG products for Macs, and Apple users report success with the security suite.
The AVG website has a lot of links for information and a built-in community to offer support. But unless you pay for a Premium Support account, you can’t call or chat with a customer support rep.
AVG is currently not compatible with Chrome. Chrome has a solid, highly effective antivirus program already built in.
The bottom line
We’re hesitant to recommend AVG Internet Security after its 2019 data breach. But if you decide it’s a good fit for you, it offers a full security suite, AVG Internet Security offers a full security suite to protect you.
One license is good for all your devices, so every PC and Android in your household is covered. Live customer support isn’t included, so if you need a more hands-on service, you may have to spring for a Premium Support package.
Pros
Reasonable price for multiple devices
Comprehensive security services
Solid antivirus and ransomware protection
Easy installationCons
Counterintuitive user interface
Few customer service/tech support options
Known data breach How we evaluated AVG Internet Security
We evaluated this product by testing it on a Windows PC and Android mobile devices. We also scoured online forums and looked at technical reviews. For more information, see our Methodology.
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