Block viruses, spyware and hackers, and protect yourself from identity theft with this enhanced security suite
AVG Premium Security 2012 is an enhanced edition of AVG's all-in-one PC protection suite.
New in this version is Identity Alert, an interesting web service which scours the darkest corners of the web looking for details like your credit card numbers. If anything is found - perhaps as a hacker tries to sell them - then you'll be alerted by email, giving you time to alert your bank, and perhaps saving you a great deal of cash.
The other addition in Premium Security is Quick Tune, a simple PC optimisation tool which cleans the Registry, deletes junk files, defragments your hard drive and finds and deletes broken shortcuts.
And elsewhere you'll find all the features provided in AVG Internet Security 2012. So for instance a strong antivirus engine constantly monitors your system, detecting and removing malware before it can cause any damage. NewProtective Cloud Technology uses multiple scanning engines to improve accuracy, and a "User sensitive" scanning option automatically uses less resources when the program detects user activity, which means scans are far less likely to interfere with anything else you might want to do.
Browsing protection starts with AVG LinkScanners safety ratings, displayed on your search engine results. The program now also includes Social Networking Protection, analysing Facebook and MySpace links in real time to keep you safe. And it doesn't just block URLs: enter an address at the new ThreatLabs (http://www.avgthreatlabs.com) and you can find out why the page is regarded as dangerous, too.
Other bundled modules include an enhanced firewall, which closely monitors all your internet traffic, but without hassling you with alerts regarding obviously safe apps.
AVG Identity Protection prevents your passwords, credit card numbers, addresses and other valuable data from leaving the PC, without your explicit permission. There's a comprehensive, and very configurable spam filter. And Windows Vista and 7 users can now see their security status, launch scans, and check their updates from a simple desktop gadget, without having to launch the full AVG user interface.
Review by Mike Williams.
