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Before we go any further, I want to explain some commonly used terms in “computer protection” speak. This will not only clear things up in your head, but will also increase the relevancy of this article. Can I get a “Woo hoo” for all those who will no longer be scratching their head at confusing computer jargon?
Just like getting sick, your computer can get a virus. The antivirus is your daily vitamins that will prevent you from getting any viruses.
As the name implies, someone (or something) will lock your computer down until they are paid a ransom. Seems a bit like an action movie.
Think of this as your bouncer. It blocks unauthorized access to your computer, but allows outside communication.
All three of these are important to get a base understanding of. Do you need to be an expert on them? No. But, have a general feeling for what they can do for your computer because it will help you understand what to look for in your software.
Glad you asked! With the vast amount of the software options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose one. We have done the heavy lifting for you and here is what we have decided: AVG Ultimate All-in-One Protection. This protection will give you the best bang for your buck. I will dive deeper into the specific features below, but this is my choice when it comes to protecting a computer.
So, why is this the best computer protection software that you can get? Let me break down some of the key features that it offers and you will see that they have thought through every detail.
Do you or your family have more than one computer? I am assuming the answer to that is a “yes”. If so, by purchasing this software once, you are able to install it on however many personal devices that you have. No more buying multiple of the same protect to make sure you are covered. One purchase does the trick.
If it was not enough that they are protecting your computer, they will also give you computer a tune-up. Similar to dropping your car off at the mechanic for a tune-up, this software will clean up any junk data, improve your battery life, and identify small issues that could potentially grow into major ones and fix them. It really is like getting new tires, brakes, oil changed, belts changed on your computer all while getting a car wash.
A lot of people are wondering if the “unlimited installs” that I mentioned above includes mobile protection. The answer is a “yes”. If you have an android or tablet, they have made an app that will extent the protection to your mobile device. We all know how much we cherish our phones so this is such a great add-on that cannot be overlooked when comparing this to competitors.
No more buying additional updates or reinstalling the latest version of a product. AVG automatically updates on your computer so that you have the latest model as soon as it comes out.
Have you ever gotten something stolen and wondered if you could just take a picture of the thief? Well, now you can. This is, personally, one of my favorite additions to the model. If your phone is ever stolen, this benefit will allow you to take a picture from your phone so that you can capture the thief’s face, surroundings, or whatever other data you might want to collect.
With technology being so ingrained into our phone, we now have banking apps and other highly important and sensitive information that is contained on our phones. If your phone gets taken, you need a way to make sure that the person does not have access to all that data. This feature allows you to lock down certain apps on your phone so that the person cannot access them.
If you happen to misplace or get your computer stolen, there is a way to lock it down. Similar to the app lock feature mentioned above, you are able to lock your computer and even wipe it clean of all the data if you believe that it is in a real threat. This can all be done remotely, which will soothe your conscious whenever you misplace it.
Nowadays, everything in (or should be) in the cloud. The cloud helps back up your data so that everything is not only on one computer. This helps prevent a major problem if one computer gets lost and all your important files were on there.
There is an entire list of additional features that this product has on their website, but here are just a few more without explanations: hacker protection, browser and disk cleaner, payments protection, email protection, and smart photo cleaner.
I know for me, I can read a blog and be about 95% of the way convinced on purchasing the product. However, that extra 5% that holds me back is not getting the actual companies point (granted, it is biased), but knowing that they give their short pitch usually will grab that extra 5% for me. So, if you are anything like me, here is their description (edited for length).
AVG is constantly improving their technology and they have a passion to serve their customer with the best products that they can design. They want to provide the best product to you for the most cost efficient price.
While I can boast of the amazing features that this software offers, it will be irrelevant if the price was absurd and not worth purchasing. In fact, some of you might have even scrolled to the bottom of this article to find the price and once you ease your conscious, you will go back and read the features. For those who are itching to know the price, here it is: Normally $99,99/year – but for a limited time only $79.99/year. Now, that might seem like a lot, but in the world of protecting your computer, it is reasonable!
Still not sold on the price? Think of it this way, if you passed on an average of 2 Starbucks drinks (assuming $4) each month, you will have saved enough money to pay off this purchase. Two drinks a month is hardly anything for someone like me who is fueled off cover!
There are a few fine-print items that I want to make you aware of. If you are reading this on a fairly new computer, you can skip this section. However, if you are working on a much older computer, there are some system requirements that must be met in order for this system to work on your computer.
Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP SP3 or OSX 10.8 or above operating system on your computer
Android 2.2 version or better for operating on phones
You need to space to save the software (2gb of RAM or 512mb of RAM)
That’s basically it! While I am almost positive that most people will be covered when installing the system, I did not want to lead you astray. For anyone still wondering if they are covered, if you go quickly to your settings, you will be able to figure out if you have the appropriate setup.
While I would like to say that there are no cons to this software, each program has their strengths and weaknesses. AVG is no different. Here are a few negatives that you should consider prior to making your purchase.
This could be an issue depending on what type of searching and browsing you do on the computer.
I would definitely recommend this to PC users, but MAC users should do some more research on how covered their computers really will be. I’m sure AVG is working on a better model, but something to keep in mind.
Besides that, the system provides great support to it’s users and the automatic updates ensures that you will always have the best protection that they can offer their customers. Just like other products, the company is constantly improving their products so if these make you too nervous to buy right now, come back in a few months to see there updates.
Technology is only becoming more important as we continue to innovate. Your phones and computers will carry more, not less, data in the future. They are an extension of your social security and will only become more valuable. If you are not protecting them properly, you will be at risk of losing everything.
By paying $79/year, you can rest assured that your life and your family members information will be secure from any hackers, viruses, ransomware, or any other potential threat that might slow you down from enjoying your life. Don’t overlook this opportunity to add a layer of insurance to some of the most important documents in your life.
Parker Benjamin is the owner of DMAD and has been writing for the web for over 10 years. He is passionate about design, Wordpress, travel, language learning, fine dining, and online marketing. Note: Some links on this site are monetized by affiliate programs - see disclosure for more details.
Parker, a review on BestBuy.ca dated Dec. 14, 2017 indicates that when Windows updates, AVG crashes your computer. Have you come across that issue?
Thanks for responding.
Hey Mr. Bonin,
Unfortunately I only tested the software for the review, so I can’t answer that question from my own experience. Hopefully someone else can jump in and shed some light.
I purchase the AVG Ultimate on July 13, 2019. It required assistance to download on my Windows 10. When I tried to download on my MacBook Pro, it would only download the “basic” and not the full program. I spent 3 hours with AVG Techs? to try and solve the problem. Finally I was told I would have to wait for an “update” in order to get the Ultimate. They had no idea when the update would be available..it could be tomorrow or next year. I paid $70.00 for ONE DEVICE and will have to purchase another software for my Mac computers.