At the heart of the software, now in version 7.1, is the AVG Control Center, which presents a graphical interface that contains the software's main antivirus-protection functions.

The interface shows you, at a glance, the main protection features, the calendar dates on which the next tests and program updates are scheduled to run, and the current status of the program's Virus Vault, which is where infected files are first quarantined and then subjected to further treatment.

Whenever the state of any Control Center component needs attention, the software highlights the relevant panel in red and the program's system-tray icon turns grey. One potential trigger of this feature is when the program's virus database is out of date and needs to be updated.

Features

The intuitive Control Center provides for a high degree of customizations should you wish to change any of the default settings. For example, you have control over which features can run automatically as well as the time at which they will be engaged.

The Control Center also provides easy access to the program's test center as well as to Grisoft's online antivirus updates and Virus Encyclopedia.

The software gives you the ability to limit virus scans with certain file criteria -- such as specific classes of file extensions -- so you don't have to run time-consuming scans on all your PC's files. In addition, you can exclude specific directories from the routine scans.

The program can heal infected files automatically whenever it is possible to do so. When it is not possible to extract a virus from a file, the software will place that file in quarantine so you can take a look at some point down the line.

The Control Center also offers the option of configuring several advanced settings, giving you more direct control over certain processes. For example, you can assign specific shortcut keys to frequently used functions and you can configure what functions you want appearing in the Control Center itself.

Rounding out the features is an e-mail scanner that can check inbound and outbound messages for infections.

Performance

Grisoft AVG Free Edition is designed to operate on both Windows and Linux machines. Moreover, the program is fully compatible with the latest 64-bit operating systems. (continued...)

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