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AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014

Neil J. Rubenking
 & Neil J. Rubenking Principal Writer, Security

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS
The latest version of AVG AntiVirus Free scores high with independent testing labs, and also fares well in our hands-on tests. Once again, AVG is an Editors' Choice for free antivirus. - AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014
4.0 Excellent

The Bottom Line

I had a bit of trouble getting AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014 installed on my malware-infested test systems, but once installed it did a good cleanup job, and it was even better at protecting an already-clean system. You'll get excellent free antivirus protection from AVG.

Pros & Cons

    • Excellent protection against malware attack on a clean system.
    • Effective malware cleanup.
    • Toolbar offers secure search, Do Not Track, Facebook view, more.
    • Includes secure deletion file shredder.
    • Free!
    • Difficult installation on malware-infested test systems.
    • Some users may object to numerous upsell attempts.

When hundreds of millions of people worldwide run your free antivirus program, you must be doing something right. The latest edition of AVG AntiVirus Free earned good scores from the independent labs and in our own hands-on testing. Oh, and those rumors about AVG selling your personal data? They proved to be unfounded. AVG is an Editor's Choice for free antivirus once again.

The program's dark-hued main window features five large panels representing five security areas: Computer, Web, Identity, Email, and Firewall. Each panel includes a colored circle that's proportionally colored to reflect how complete your protection is, and each circle changes from green to red if there's a problem. If you want to see completely green circles, meaning full protection, you'll have to upgrade to the non-free AVG AntiVirus (2016)SEE IT.

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Final Thoughts

The latest version of AVG AntiVirus Free scores high with independent testing labs, and also fares well in our hands-on tests. Once again, AVG is an Editors' Choice for free antivirus. - AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014

AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014

4.0 Excellent

I had a bit of trouble getting AVG AntiVirus FREE 2014 installed on my malware-infested test systems, but once installed it did a good cleanup job, and it was even better at protecting an already-clean system. You'll get excellent free antivirus protection from AVG.

About Our Expert

Neil J. Rubenking

Neil J. Rubenking

Principal Writer, Security

My Experience

When the IBM PC was new, I served as the president of the San Francisco PC User Group for three years. That’s how I met PCMag’s editorial team, who brought me on board in 1986. In the years since that fateful meeting, I’ve become PCMag’s expert on security, privacy, and identity protection, putting antivirus tools, security suites, and all kinds of security software through their paces.

Before my current security gig, I supplied PCMag readers with tips and solutions on using popular applications, operating systems, and programming languages in my "User to User" and "Ask Neil" columns, which began in 1990 and ran for almost 20 years. Along the way, I wrote more than 40 utility articles, as well as Delphi Programming for Dummies and six other books covering DOS, Windows, and programming. I also reviewed thousands of products of all kinds, ranging from early Sierra Online adventure games to AOL’s precursor Q-Link.

In the early 2000s, I turned my focus to security and the growing antivirus industry. After years of working with antivirus, I’m known throughout the security industry as an expert on evaluating antivirus tools. I serve as an advisory board member for the Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization (AMTSO), an international nonprofit group dedicated to coordinating and improving testing of anti-malware solutions.

The Technology I Use

Much of the testing I do, particularly testing with real-world ransomware, is just plain dangerous. To perform such tests safely, I sequester them inside virtual machines managed by VMWare Workstation. For cross-platform testing, I use a MacBook Air, a Google Pixel 4, and a 6th-generation iPad.

I rely on my Delphi coding skills to create and maintain small applications. These include programs to check whether an antivirus correctly handled the malware it detected, launch dangerous URLs and record the security program’s reaction, and analyze the malware that I collect for use in testing. I also wrote a tiny browser and text editor for use in testing security apps that have predefined reactions for known products.

I do my writing and research on a Dell OptiPlex desktop, relying on Microsoft Word (my fingers know all the shortcuts). Many of my articles include charts and analysis; Excel is my go-to for those. When work hours end, though, I escape the bounds of Microsoft and Windows. There’s an iPhone in my pocket, I relax with my oversized iPad, and my Kindle Oasis is always loaded with the best science fiction and fantasy.

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