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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.

3.5

Antivirus, malware, and spyware protection
Internet and email protection
Coverage for all your PCs
Enhanced firewall
Android protection included

Visit AVG

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By Laura E. Hilton

Oct 19, 2020

3 min read

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review.

AVG 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

Visit AVG

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 installation

Cons

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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Written by

Laura E. Hilton

Laura is a writer, teacher, and mother based out of Utah. She is passionate about making and maintaining strong, safe, healthy communities. To learn more, visit her website at lauraehilton.com.