It might be time for avid to revisit the certified anti-virus program issue. A lot has changed since avid certified Norton anti-virus 10.

Personally I also am very negative about Norton because of many issues I've had with it. Although I've had good results with avg free the past years. according to the info in this thread time has come to reconsider and maybe go for another anti virus solution. I hope more information and experiences will be shared in this thread.

Hey, someone out there found my lost post, thx!

malefunktion:

As for files and services remaining after an uninstall, I'm wondering whether you did an install of V9 over your previous version, or whether you did a clean install with any previous version removed?

I usually don't recommend that people manually go fiddling with the registry. Tools like CCleaner, Abexo Registry Cleaner and Tweaknow RegCleaner are excellent for spotting bits'n'pieces that might be left behind.

I hope you have some luck with MS Essentials (but I'm not convinced Microsoft is who I'd turn to for protection against nasties). Give CCLeaner a go for tracking down leftover AVG stuff.

I installed AVG Free v9  over v8.5 as per previous upgrades of Free.  There's no indication on AVG's site that a previous version should be removed for a clean install. 

I have CCleaner installed and use it regularly to clean up.

Microsoft Security Essentials, as far as I have seen, is getting positive reviews from tech sites and users as well.  Will see how it goes.

Regards, JR

JohnnyReboot:

I installed AVG Free v9  over v8.5 as per previous upgrades of Free.  There's no indication on AVG's site that a previous version should be removed for a clean install. 

Well there's nothing on the Avid site that says users may have to 'trash' user preferences and/or 'trash' media databases, but that doesn't mean it isn't good practice on occasion to avoid and/or solve problems.

My rule of thumb is that point releases should go on top of each other. V8.5.3 to say V8.5.4 of a software release would be a logical over-the-top install since the CORE program is still very clearly V8.5.

When an entirely new revision is released it's always been good practice (at least in my IT experience) to do a 100% clean install.

Just my 2p on the subject.

malefunktion:

JohnnyReboot:

I installed AVG Free v9  over v8.5 as per previous upgrades of Free.  There's no indication on AVG's site that a previous version should be removed for a clean install. 

Well there's nothing on the Avid site that says users may have to 'trash' user preferences and/or 'trash' media databases, but that doesn't mean it isn't good practice on occasion to avoid and/or solve problems.

My rule of thumb is that point releases should go on top of each other. V8.5.3 to say V8.5.4 of a software release would be a logical over-the-top install since the CORE program is still very clearly V8.5.

When an entirely new revision is released it's always been good practice (at least in my IT experience) to do a 100% clean install.

Just my 2p on the subject.

Understood, however...

Dug a little deeper on the AVG Free site and found this, see NOTE at bottom:

To install AVG 9.0 Free Edition over the current AVG 8.5 Free Edition please proceed as follows:

• Download the latest AVG 9.0 Free Edition installation file from our website.
• When you are prompted, please do not open this file directly from the Internet, but click the "Save" button and choose a location, where the installation file should be stored (we recommend saving the file to the Desktop).
• Reboot your computer.
• Close all running applications, locate the downloaded AVG 9.0 Free Edition installation file (it has a four color square icon and its name starts with AVG_...) and launch the installation.
• Follow the installation wizard to install the new AVG 9.0 Free Edition.
• If a restart is required after the initial configuration, please reboot your computer to finish the installation.

Note: Previous version of AVG will be automatically removed during installation. All settings from old version will be converted to AVG 9.0.

AVG's 2cents on the subject.

Well on this we'll have to agree to disagree. Instructions on upgrading software versions are common and yes, many apps will say it can be done without hassle. However, in real-world situations, simple upgrading can be extremely problematic.

Microsoft say you can purchase Windows 7 and upgrade over Vista with minimal hassle. I mean, afterall, it's an upgrade right? Well tell that to countless people that are having a helluva time with the process. It's always best to try and do fresh installs of major revision changes.

I will always stand by the methodology that has stood me well, which is that brand new versions require a good clean install, and point releases are just that, point releases.

Not sure why you had to include a but that's okay.

I hope MS Essentials works for you. At the end of the day, we all hope that folk are editing on clean, virus-free and stable systems.

I will echo again that Microsoft is not at the top of my list for security protection. Some 'holes' in their software exist in documented form (sometimes) for years, before they ever get round to 'fixing' them.

Hi all,

As those of you participating may have noticed, there's been a bit of weirdness on this thread with the forum software flagging JohnnyReboot's posts and not allowing them through.

I got in touch with Adam Kranitz, and he thinks it's due to excessive use of the word "free" making the forum software think y'all are trying to sell free stuff.  I'd suggest just referring to AVG as AVG and leaving off the second word.

good luck,
Carl 

Thanks for that Carl. I've probably posted a few too many AVG remarks and taken the thread a little off topic anyway, so apologies on my part. I was simply puzzled by someone experiencing quite a bit of bother with a program that doesn't remotely get in my way.

I genuinely hope that JohnnyReboot finds some success, somewhere along the line, with some form of security software.

Hi Steve,

malefunktion:

Thanks for that Carl. I've probably posted a few too many AVG remarks and taken the thread a little off topic anyway, so apologies on my part.

No apology necessary, just don't say "free" too much.  :)

ciao,
Carl 

I used to have AVG Free on my computer but due to the EXTREME slow-down, stutters, flutters and, in general, a total "negative grip" it emparted to my entire system, I uninstalled it over a year ago and have never looked back. Since then, I keep my computer always fully updated at Windows Update in the "non-automatic" manual update mode. My speed & performance with AMC 3.1.3.2 is nothing short of incredible with no crashes in recent memory. Personally, I see no need to burden a system with the "lead boots" of an antivirus program if one just surfs known "safe sites." I keep a Compaq Presario desktop PC on the side just for leisure-time surfing and have no fears what sites I visit since there is no critical data on this system. By the way, I have no anti-virus on this computer as well and have yet to suffer an infection. Of course, suit yourself, but my friend, I am proceeding lean, mean, unprotected & FAST where Media Composer resides!

danlasvegasnv:

I see no need to burden a system with the "lead boots" of an antivirus program if one just surfs known "safe sites."

...

By the way, I have no anti-virus on this computer as well and have yet to suffer an infection.

Well with the ever-increasing use of file-based editing systems and formats (as opposed to tape), there's certainly no way on Earth that I'd trust a portable USB/Firewire hard drive from a client to be infection free. There's no way to tell, whether it's an SSD drive, USB drive, Firewire drive or a simple USB memory stick where it's been in it's digital life.

You may see no need for protection yet, but should you ever have the unfortunate experience of getting a nasty infection, you'll likely kick yourself for not being prudent with your security. Especially if an infection causes proper down-time with your editing platform, which for many folk, is their source of income.

I dunno, maybe I'm just overly cautious with this side of editing? Maybe because I use my editing platform for a multitude of multimedia purposes I'm justified in that safely-safely mentality, maybe it's because I haven't had any problems with my virus scanner and/or performance issues relating to it?

Who knows. I think i'd prefer to stay on the side of "better safe than sorry".

malefunktion:

Not sure why you had to include a but that's okay.

I hope MS Essentials works for you. At the end of the day, we all hope that folk are editing on clean, virus-free and stable systems.

I will echo again that Microsoft is not at the top of my list for security protection. Some 'holes' in their software exist in documented form (sometimes) for years, before they ever get round to 'fixing' them.

That's just my "wacky" face, not sticking my tongue out at you.

I'm going without antivirus for a while as I'm liking the extra zip it's giving me.  There are plenty of fre-e tools on Microsoft's site with which to scan my computer if I'm ever in need.

Still, in spite of Microsoft "holes", I've never lost any information ever, or had a virus shut me down, with or without antivirus software installed.  Just watch where you click.

danlasvegasnv:

I used to have AVG Free on my computer but due to the EXTREME slow-down, stutters, flutters and, in general, a total "negative grip" it emparted to my entire system, I uninstalled it over a year ago and have never looked back. Since then, I keep my computer always fully updated at Windows Update in the "non-automatic" manual update mode. My speed & performance with AMC 3.1.3.2 is nothing short of incredible with no crashes in recent memory. Personally, I see no need to burden a system with the "lead boots" of an antivirus program if one just surfs known "safe sites." I keep a Compaq Presario desktop PC on the side just for leisure-time surfing and have no fears what sites I visit since there is no critical data on this system. By the way, I have no anti-virus on this computer as well and have yet to suffer an infection. Of course, suit yourself, but my friend, I am proceeding lean, mean, unprotected & FAST where Media Composer resides!

I'm with you!

danlasvegasnv:

I see no need to burden a system with the "lead boots" of an antivirus program if one just surfs known "safe sites."

...

By the way, I have no anti-virus on this computer as well and have yet to suffer an infection.

If you can tell me how to identify a "safe site" with 100%, no fail, total reliability you need never work again.  Additionally, as malefunktion says

malefunktion:

with the ever-increasing use of file-based editing systems and formats (as opposed to tape), there's certainly no way on Earth that I'd trust a portable USB/Firewire hard drive from a client to be infection free.

As I said earlier, playing Russian Roulette won't always kill you.  Most of us would think that avoiding the risk is a good idea, though.

I compare anti virus software to using condoms. If you have intercourse with many people you need only one with a sexual transmitted decease to theoretically kill you. Do you take the risk? Some do but I don't.

If I had the luxury of not having to plug clients USB sticks and USB/firewire drives into my unity connected systems then I would remove the anti-virus software. But I don't and AVG has stopped virus infections more then 100 times within the last 6 months.

In the past I have used Norton anti-virus 10 (avid certified), NOD 32 and Kapersky. With all of those my systems got infected and these anti virus programs could not remove the infections after the infection happened. With AVG free I've not had this problem. Yes AVG free slows down your system and yes it's becoming bigger and uses more resources over time. And my biggest problem, it is not avid certified. But I've never had any problems with it. If there are problems with version 9... well I'll wait with updating as 8.5 still works.

Like I said before, I think Avid should revisit the anti-virus issue. The file base workflows undeniably demand a lot of attention to security. Norton anti virus 10 is old and I guess close to EOL. 

malefunktion:

Well with the ever-increasing use of file-based editing systems and formats (as opposed to tape), there's certainly no way on Earth that I'd trust a portable USB/Firewire hard drive from a client to be infection free. There's no way to tell, whether it's an SSD drive, USB drive, Firewire drive or a simple USB memory stick where it's been in it's digital life.

What I do with untrusted external drives (like the ones clients bring in) is keep an old computer around, one fully patched and with an up to date antivirus software; I use this machine to scan the external drive, and then if all is OK I plug it in the MC workstation. Another benefit of this is that you don't need internet or any networking software on your editing station ( as long as you keep your dongle!)