You may ask, how essential is it for a homeowner to purchase security software products? If there are already existing and pre-installed antivirus programs that come upon purchasing the device, it sounds more like a nice thing to have. Additionally, compared to big companies and businesses that need to protect their assets and valuable company information, is there a need for you to buy device and network protection? The straightforward answer is YES. But the real question is, is there a need for it? Are you a candidate for hacker attacks?
To put this into perspective, let’s look at the present scenario. Nowadays, hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities and leaks in a network. Without a firewall that stops any data packets from leaking into your network, you’re allowing all unexpected traffic from freely entering and exiting. Not only will your device get infected, but all devices that are connected on the same LAN. You’re not just putting yourself at risk, but also people on the shared network.
Now that you have a glimpse of how important it is to avail software security protection, the next thing to do is to filter out software that will cater to your needs. In this article, we’re taking a look at AVG Internet Security 2020. The AVG Internet Security 2020 is advanced security software that protects your PC from viruses, spyware, and other malicious threats. Apart from basic antivirus capabilities, it provides a layer of protection even from email threats and phishing sites. Let’s have a look at why you should choose this software and the key features that come with it, the pros and cons of purchasing, and the system requirements that you need to look at before deciding to buy.
Why Choose AVG Internet Security?
Looking at the interface, the AVG Internet Security 2020 has a deceptively simple design in a minimalist, easy-to-use dashboard. Under it though is a long list of features that work together to provide adequate antivirus and malware protection. The comprehensive security service provides an extra layer of safeguards against ransomware and other malicious threats on the web.
Starting with its scanning capabilities, the AVG Internet Security 2020 has a powerful scanning feature that includes a PUA Scanner and a Turbo Scan. Both work by minimizing scanning time by skipping safe and known files, and getting straight to potentially unsafe programs and downloads.
As it’s powered with artificial intelligence, the AVG Internet Security 2020 can easily detect even new threats that aren’t registered on the database. Once it can detect such programs infecting your device and network, it automatically uploads the signature for immediate scanning and analysis. To put your mind at rest, it does this while putting the program on quarantine so it wouldn’t be able to wreak havoc on your computer any longer.
How it protects your data while you browse the web is also worth mentioning. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi, it gives you alerts on an unsecured network. It also makes scans on toolbars and extensions to check if they are safe. It has built-in PC webcam protection that blocks websites that try to access your camera without your permission.
Even websites that try to steal your passwords and banking details won’t get away with AVG Internet Security’s protection. Aside from blocking such websites, the AVG Internet Security also has a data protection feature and data shredding capabilities that secure your folders and data from malicious attacks on the web. It is powered with an enhanced firewall that blocks hackers from stealing your private files. Aside from this, it also provides online protection against malicious websites, emails, and downloads.
What we’ve mentioned are just some of the basic features that AVG Internet Security offers. This reliable security tool is available at such an affordable price point. Plus, whatever device you are using, you can avail of the software as it is compatible with both Mac, Windows, and Android. It works in real-time, is always turned ON, and runs quietly in the background without haggling your device and Internet speed.
You can avail of the product to protect one Mac or Windows device for $69.99 per year. To include mobile protection, you may choose the second plan which protects up to 10 devices at $89.99 per year. To test its features at no cost, AVG offers a 60-day free trial.
Pros
Windows, Mac, And Android compatible
Installs On Multiple Devices (but for an additional price)
Clean Interface
Easy To Navigate
Includes AntiVirus PRO For Android
Automatic Software Updates
Cons
Sneaks In Bundled Downloads
Pesky Amount Of Upsells For Other Versions Like AVG Ultimate
Key Features
Advanced Antivirus
The AVG Internet Security 2020 has an extended antivirus module feature that looks for and fights against viruses, ransomware, and different types of malware infections that could be installed in your network and PC.
Behavior Shield
Once it can detect any malicious activity on your PC, which we must mention being impressively fast judging from its antivirus reaction speed when tested with a possible online threat, it immediately blocks and quarantines the file in a few seconds and instantly sends you an alert.
AI Detection
Keeping up with the fast growth of emerging threats, it uses artificial intelligence to proactively identify malware samples the moment they enter your network or computer.
CyberCapture
It also has an automatic upload feature in which the moment it detects a malware, it immediately uploads it for scanning and analysis.
PUA Scanner
Since it’s impossible as a regular user to identify a threat just by looking at it, especially when it comes as a seemingly safe file to download, the AVG Internet Security 2020 identifies these apps through a powerful scan. With the Web Shield feature, it checks for hidden malware before downloading a file to your computer. It also checks email attachments which could be possible traps for phishing attacks using its Email Shield feature.
Turbo Scan
What makes some scans take longer is because it has to go through all the files and drives every time a threat occurs. AVG Internet Security can shorten the process by skipping files that are already familiar and considered safe. This way, it can immediately get to the infected file while other internet security products are still on the scanning process.
Wi-FI Guard
You are also exposed to threats every time you connect to a public Wi-Fi. Get alerts whenever you connect to an unsecured network.
Toolbar Remover
Even toolbars and extensions on your browser can’t get away with AVG Internet Security. The software removes potentially unwanted/unsafe toolbars installed.
Webcam Protection
The webcam protection feature takes on all these tech-savvy peeping toms on the web by blocking hidden Trojan Software that sometimes gets attached to your downloads. It blocks unsafe apps requesting permission to access your webcam.
Data Shredder
As you delete files, it goes into a deep section in your drive. And you aren’t able to get rid of them unless they are shredded and permanently deleted. This prevents any unauthorized recovery from hackers who are trying to retrieve possible useful files.
Fake Website Detection and Payments Protection
A lot of payment transactions happen online. People are prone to phishing threats from sites that replicate the original. These make users believe they can disclose their data. AVG Internet Security avoids these fake websites altogether so you can make sure that all payments made online are secure.
Multiple Devices
AVG Internet Security has a separate price if you want to use it on several devices. For an $89.99 a year subscription plan, you can use AVG Internet Security in up to 10 multiple devices. However, if you’re just looking for an antivirus for your PC alone, you can avail of the year subscription plan for USD$69.99.
Support and Community
With the premium version, a 24/7 call and chat support are available. There’s also a built-in community that you can check out for common questions from users on the website.
Other Features
Real-Time Security Updates
Do Not Disturb Mode
Silent Mode
Link Scanner
Web Shield
Email Shield
Enhanced Firewall
Ransomware Protection
Password Protection
Hacker Attacks Protection
Antivirus / Malware Protection
Spam Filter
PC Performance Problem Detection
Personal File Security
Windows Operating System Compatibility
| Operating Systems | Windows 10 except mobile and IoT core edition (32 or 64-bit); Windows 8/8/1 except RT and Starter Edition ( 32 or 64-bit); Windows 7 SP1 or higher, any edition ( 32 or 64-bit) | ||
| Hardware | 1 GHz – Processor; 1GB RAM or above; 2GB Free space on the hard disk | ||
| Screen resolution | 1024 x 768 |
Mac Operating System Compatibility
| Operating Systems | macOS X 10.14 (Mojave); macOS X 10.13 (High Sierra); macOS X 10.12 ( Sierra); macOS X 10.11 ( El Capitan); macOS X 10.10 (Yosemite) | ||
| Hardware | Intel-based Mac with 64-bit processor; 512 MB RAM or above (1GB RAM or higher preferred); 256 minimum free hard disk space | ||
| Screen Resolution | 1024 x 768 |
How To Use
Think AVG Internet Security will be a great fit for your home and business needs?
Learn more about AVG Internet Security‘s features and current price here.
How to activate AVG Internet Security on my device?
There are two ways to activate your device. One, through the AVG My Account which is registered on the same email you used for purchasing. The other is through an activation code that you can enter after downloading and installing the software available through the AVG’s website.
How to create an AVG account?
- Open the AVG account page through https://my.avg.com/
- Click Create an account
- Type in your email address and password.
- Proceed with the on-screen instructions to continue
- You may need to verify account creation through your email
How to download Internet Security?
- Download the AVG Internet Security setup file.
- With the downloaded .exe file, right-click on the file and choose Run as administrator.
- A window will pop-up prompting permission. Click Yes.
- Proceed with setting up the software until it allows you to Run First Scan.
- You may need to restart the PC for updates to take effect.
- You can also get the same downloadable file and installation instructions from the AVG website.
How to activate Internet Security after downloading the setup file?
- Open the AVG Internet Security interface. Go to Menu, then to My Subscription.
- Select Enter valid activation code. Click Enter.
- Click to continue until confirmed of activation.
How to upgrade from AVG Free if I’m switching to AVG Internet Security?
- From the AVG Free Antivirus user interface, go to My AVG, then to My Subscription
- On the Subscriptions on my PC section, click Upgrade Now.
- Follow on-screen instructions, specifically downloading Internet Security to proceed with a purchase.
How to transfer AVG Internet Security subscription to another device?
- First, uninstall Internet Security program on the old device
- Download and install the AVG Internet Security program on the new device
- Simply activate the subscription on the new device
About AVG Technologies
AVG Technologies is a subsidiary of Avast known for creating a family of antivirus software compatible both in Windows, macOS, and Android devices. Ever since it was founded in 1991 in the Czech Republic, it has continued to release products that win valuable prizes due to their excellent, cutting-edge protection against online threats.
The AVG Free Antivirus remains to be a freemium product AVG is known for which does all the basic antivirus capabilities, such as protecting your PC from viruses, blocking unsafe links, and scanning the computer for performance problems. You can expect that additional functions in the premium versions are worth paying a couple of bucks for.
Disclaimer: You probably already know or have heard about AVG Free Antivirus which is the free antivirus software AVG offers its users to get a hang of how their software works. But the AVG Antivirus is a kind of a freemium version software where you get to test some of its basic features but will have to pay a price to test all.
While AVG Free is available, the purpose of such ‘freemium’ downloads is to make you enjoy the capabilities enough to consider other versions with added features with a price. Also, there’s a cause to such freemium versions–a risk of having your data being shared with the company’s sister companies.
Final Thoughts
The AVG Internet Security 2020 is just one of the many excellent security software options out there. However, even as new Internet securities populate the marketplace, products from the AVG line manage to populate a spot on the top list along with Norton 360, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Avast, and others. And it’s true for the Internet Security 2020 being complete with antivirus functionalities.
There are only a couple of concerns from current users. One is bundled downloads that come with installing the software. If you’re one who hates having extra features that you potentially won’t need, unnecessary downloads may appear to be annoying. The others are scheduled promotions in the software to upgrade the program or change to a better one. Many users find these updates unnecessary.
While it comes at a high price for an antivirus software compared to its competitors, being able to use it in several devices is a good deal. For antivirus security that provides the basic protection, plus more handy features in protecting your PC, the AVG Internet Security is worth subscribing to for such a reasonable price. Perhaps, if you can just ignore the pesky upsells.
How did you find our AVG Internet Security product review? Did it make you want to try it out? Or would you rather try other security software? If you want to check out other antivirus products or our other security suites, feel free to go through other reviews on the site. If you’d like us to review other products, go ahead and let us know!
