AVG Anti-Virus Free Market vs. Microsoft Security Essentials

In the free antivirus software market, AVG Anti-Virus Free and Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) are both designed to provide protection against viruses, spyware, Trojans and rootkits. Both work with Windows 7, XP and Vista, download quickly from their respective websites and perform real-time and scheduled scanning.

After producing the first version of MSE in late 2009, Microsoft launched version 2.0 in December 2010 with two new features: network-intrusion detection called Network Inspection System, and a new anti-malware engine. Version 2.0 also integrates with Internet Explorer to scan for web-based viruses.

Meanwhile, AVG’s 2011 version of Anti-Virus Free came out in September 2010 the new Smart Scan feature that only scans new and uncertified files on your computer so it won’t slow you down with unnecessary scanning of safe files. It also avoids scanning any files you might be using to make your system run faster while a scan is in progress.

Once downloaded, the AVG vs. Microsoft Security Essentials question comes into focus. On the surface, both software applications are easy to use. You can set each to run scheduled scans at times you choose, and you can perform partial on-demand scans as needed. To scan folders only, both systems allow you to right-click on the folder and choose the scan option from a pull-down menu.

In use, the AVG vs. Microsoft Security Essentials debate becomes clearer. The MSE interface is simpler than AVG’s, with just a few scan options in view once you’ve opened the software’s home window. To the right you see three scan options: Quick, Full and Custom. These scan options appear as words only, without icons, and they’re immediately visible when you open the software. You simply check the type of scan you want and click on the “Scan now” button.

Jumping over to AVG’s user interface, you’ll find a busier home screen with icons for antivirus, anti-spyware, email, rootkit and other features. These icons have checkmarks that indicate whether protection is active for those components. To perform a manual scan, look to the left-hand side for scan options and click on one. You’ll open another window that allows you to select scans for your whole computer, specific files or folders, and rootkits. This second screen also allows you to manage scheduled scans.

The icons make AVG’s interface more complicated to view quickly, but only until you get used to them. For a simpler interface right off the bat, MSE is a good choice for user friendliness.

As for support, both companies offer online community support when you have questions, but in keeping with their free nature, neither one provides immediate support from a live person. If you need more coverage than a free antivirus product provides, AVG stands ready to sell you Anti-Virus and Internet Security products that extend the abilities of its free offering.

A note to those who want to experiment with either product: while downloading takes just moments, don’t try to download more than one antivirus product at the same time. You’ll eat up valuable space on your system, and since each product installs its own real-time monitor, you’re likely to compromise each product’s ability to run properly.

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