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AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011
User Manual
Document revision 2011.04 (12. 11. 2010)
C opyright AVG Technologies C Z, s.r.o. All rights reserved.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This product uses RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm, C opyright (C ) 1991-2, RSA Data
Security, Inc. C reated 1991.
This product uses code from C -SaC zech library, C opyright (c) 1996-2001 Jaromir Dolecek
(dolecek@ics.muni.cz).
This product uses compression library zlib, C opyright (c) 1995-2002 Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler.
This product uses compression library libbzip2, C opyright (c) 1996-2002 Julian R. Seward.
A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
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  • Page 1 User Manual Document revision 2011.04 (12. 11. 2010) C opyright AVG Technologies C Z, s.r.o. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This product uses RSA Data Security, Inc. MD5 Message-Digest Algorithm, C opyright (C ) 1991-2, RSA Data Security, Inc.
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    4.2 Activate your AVG license ......................10 4.3 Select type of installation ......................11 4.4 Custom options ......................12 4.5 Install the AVG Security Toolbar ......................13 4.6 Close running applications ......................14 4.7 Install progress ......................14 4.8 Installation was successful ........................
  • Page 3 8. AVG Security Toolbar ......................48 8.1 AVG Security Toolbar Interface ......................48 8.1.1 AVG logo button ......................48 8.1.2 AVG Secure Search powered search box ......................48 8.1.3 Page Status ......................48 8.1.4 News ......................48 8.1.5 Delete history ......................
  • Page 4 ......................94 9.12.2 Dial-up ......................94 9.12.3 URL ......................94 9.12.4 Manage ......................101 9.13 Temporarily disable AVG protection ......................101 9.14 Product Improvement Programme ......................103 9.15 AVG Security Toolbar ........................105 10. AVG Scanning A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 5 10.7.3 Spyware Tab ......................127 10.7.4 Warnings Tab ......................127 10.7.5 Information Tab ......................134 10.8 Virus Vault ........................137 11. AVG Updates ......................137 11.1 Update Levels ......................137 11.2 Update Types ......................137 11.3 Update Process ........................139 12.
  • Page 6: Introduction

    1. Introduction This user manual offers a general overview of the tasks and detection technologies provided by AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011. We will briefly talk about the program installation, initial startup, configuration and use. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 is provided free-of-charge, and its functionality is limited.
  • Page 7: Avg Installation Requirements

    (and possibly higher service packs for specific operating systems) Note: The ID Protection component is not supported on Windows XP x64. On this operating system you can install AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 but only without the IDP component. 2.2. Minimum & Recommended HW Requirements Minimum hardware requirements for AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011: ·...
  • Page 8: Avg Installation Options

    3. AVG Installation Options To download the installation file of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 visit the AVG Free website (http://free.avg.com/) and follow the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 download link. Once you have downloaded and saved the installation file on your hard disk, you can launch the installation process.
  • Page 9: Avg Installation Process

    4. AVG Installation Process To download the installation file of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 visit the AVG Free website (http://free.avg.com/) and follow the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 download link. Once you have downloaded and saved the installation file on your hard disk, you can launch the installation process.
  • Page 10: Activate Your Avg License

    4.2. Activate your AVG license In the Activate Your License dialog you have to fill in your licence number. However, for the free edition the License Number text field is already filled in. Press the Next button to continue the installation process.
  • Page 11: Custom Options

    In the future, if the need arises to change the configuration, you will always have the possibility to do so directly in the AVG application. If you have selected the Quick Install option, press the Next button to proceed to the following Install the AVG Security Toolbar dialog.
  • Page 12: Install The Avg Security Toolbar

    AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 should be installed. By default, AVG will be installed to the program files folder located on drive C:. If you want to change this location, use the Browse button to display the drive structure, and select the respective folder.
  • Page 13: Close Running Applications

    Internet. Also, you have the option to decide whether you want to chose AVG Secure Search as your default search provider. If so, keep the respective check box marked. 4.6. Close running applications The Close running applications dialog appears during the installation process only in case there are some other clashing programs running on your computer at the moment.
  • Page 14: Install Progress

    4.7. Install progress The Install Progress dialog shows the progress of the installation process, and does not require any intervention: After the installation process is finished, the virus database and program will be updated automatically. Then, you will be redirected to the next dialog. 4.8.
  • Page 15 Below the registration form you will find the following two options: · Yes, keep me informed of security news and AVG 2011 special offers via e-mail - mark the checkbox to state you would like to be informed about what is new in the Internet security sphere, and would like to receive information on AVG product special offers, improvements and upgrades, etc.
  • Page 16: After Installation

    EICAR test information there. Try to download the eicar.com file, and save it on your local disk. AVG Anti-Virus A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 17: Avg Default Configuration

    - the warning proves your AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 is installed properly: If AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 fails to identify the EICAR test file as a virus, you should check the program configuration again! 5.5. AVG default configuration The default configuration (i.e.
  • Page 18: Avg User Interface

    AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 open with the main window: The main window is divided into several sections: · System Menu (top system line in the window) is the standard navigation that allows you to access all AVG Free components, services, and features - details >>...
  • Page 19: System Menu

    AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 and the possibility of a full professional protection secured by AVG paid products. From the web page you can go and purchase the selected AVG product.
  • Page 20: History

    AVG advanced settings dialog where you · can edit the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 configuration. Generally, it is recommended to keep the default settings of the application as defined by the software vendor. A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 21: Help

    AVG Technologies CZ. 6.2. Security Status Info The Security Status Info section is located in the upper part of the AVG Free main window. Within this section you will always find information on the current security status of your AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011.
  • Page 22: Quick Links

    AVG Free main window). You may need to use this option in a specific situation but it is strictly recommended to switch off the "Ignore component state"...
  • Page 23: Components Overview

    Computer scanner link to open the AVG Free scanning interface where you can run scans, schedule scans, or edit their parameters - see chapter AVG Scanning >> · Update now - the link provides the date of the last launch of the update process.
  • Page 24: Statistics

    Ignore component state. Select this option to express you are aware of the component's error state for some reason you wish to keep your AVG Free so and you do not want to be warned by the system tray icon.
  • Page 25: Avg Gadget

    AVG Free system tray icon: The System Tray Icon can also be used as a quick link to access the AVG Free main window at any time - double click on the icon. By right-click on the System Tray Icon you open a brief context menu with the following options: ·...
  • Page 26 · Update now - click the Update now link to launch the AVG Free update directly from within the gadget: · Twitter link - opens a new AVG gadget interface providing an overview of the latest AVG feeds posted at the Twitter.
  • Page 27 · PC Analyzer - open the user interface in the PC Analyzer component A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 28: Avg Components

    · Generic detection - detection of instructions characteristic of the given virus/ group of viruses AVG is also able to analyze and detect executable applications or DLL libraries that could be potentially unwanted within the system. We call such threats Potentially Unwanted Programs (various kinds of spyware, adware etc.).
  • Page 29: Anti-Virus Interface

    There is just one operating button available within this component's interface (Back) - press the button to return to the default AVG user interface (components overview). 7.2. Anti-Spyware 7.2.1. Anti-Spyware Principles Spyware is usually defined as a type of malware, i.e.
  • Page 30: Anti-Spyware Interface

    There is also the potential risk that malware has been transmitted to your computer prior to AVG installation, or that you have neglected to keep your AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 up-to-date with the latest database and program updates.
  • Page 31: Link Scanner

    7.3. Link Scanner 7.3.1. Link Scanner Principles LinkScanner protects you from the increasing number of ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ threats on the web. These threats can be hidden on any type of website, from governments to big, well-known brands to small businesses, and they rarely stick around on those sites for more than 24 hours.
  • Page 32: Search-Shield

    AOL, AltaVista, EarthLink, Ask, Seznam, eBay, Twitter, Digg, and SlashDot) are evaluated for dangerous or suspicious links. By checking these links and marking the bad links, the AVG Link Scanner warns you before you click on dangerous or suspicious links, so you can ensure you only go to safe websites.
  • Page 33: Surf-Shield

    Hovering over an individual rating icon will display details about the particular link in question. Information include additional details of the threat (if any), the IP address of the link and when the page was scanned by AVG: 7.3.4. Surf-Shield This powerful protection will block malicious content of any webpage you try to open, and prevent it from being downloaded to your computer.
  • Page 34: Resident Shield

    Entering such web site is highly risky and it cannot be recommended! 7.4. Resident Shield 7.4.1. Resident Shield Principles The Resident Shield component gives your computer continuous protection. It scans every single file that is being opened, saved, or copied, and guards the system areas of the computer.
  • Page 35: Resident Shield Interface

    7.4.2. Resident Shield Interface Besides an overview of the Resident Shield functionality, and the information on the component's status, the Resident Shield interface offers some statistic data as well: · Resident Shield has been running for - provides the time since the latest component's launch ·...
  • Page 36 Please note: The software vendor has set up all AVG components to give optimum performance. Unless you have a real reason to do so, do not change the AVG configuration. Any changes to settings should only be performed by an experienced user.
  • Page 37: Resident Shield Detection

    (i.e. removed to the Virus Vault) · Move to Vault - the virus will be moved to AVG Virus Vault · Go to file - this option redirects you to the exact location of the suspicious object (opens new Windows Explorer window) A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 ©...
  • Page 38 · Ignore - we strictly recommend NOT TO use this option unless you have a very good reason to do so! In the bottom section of the dialog you can find the link Show details - click it to open a pop-up window with detailed information on the process running while the infection was detected, and the process' identification.
  • Page 39: E-Mail Scanner

    Personal E-mail Scanner scans incoming/outgoing e-mails automatically. You can use it with e-mail clients that do not have their own plug-in in AVG (but can be also used to scan e-mail messages for e-mail clients that AVG supports with a specific plug-in, i.
  • Page 40: E-Mail Scanner Interface

    7.5.2. E-mail Scanner Interface In the E-mail Scanner component's dialog you can find a brief text describing the component's functionality, information on its current status, and the following statistics: · Total e-mails scanned - how many e-mail messages were scanned since the E-mail Scanner was last launched (if needed, this value can be reset;...
  • Page 41: E-Mail Scanner Detection

    Please note: The software vendor has set up all AVG components to give optimum performance. Unless you have a real reason to do so, do not change the AVG configuration. Any changes to settings should only be performed by an experienced user.
  • Page 42: Update Manager

    For this reason, software vendors are continually issuing updates and security patches, to fix any security holes that are discovered. It is crucial to update your AVG regularly! The Update Manager helps you to control regular updating. Within this component you can schedule automatic downloads of update files either from the Internet, or the local network.
  • Page 43: Update Manager Interface

    7.6.2. Update Manager Interface The Update Manager's interface displays information about the component's functionality and its current status, and provides the relevant statistical data: · Latest update - specifies when and at what time the database was updated · Virus database version - defines the number of the currently installed virus database version;...
  • Page 44: License

    Please note: The software vendor has set up all AVG components to give optimum performance. Unless you have a real reason to do so, do not change the AVG configuration. Any changes to settings should only be performed by an experienced user.
  • Page 45: Pc Analyzer

    (http://www. avg.com). Please fill in your registration data; only customers who register their AVG product can receive free technical support. · Re-activate - opens the Activate AVG dialog with the data you have entered in the Personalize AVG dialog of the installation process.
  • Page 46 · Registry Errors will give you the number of errors in Windows Registry. As fixing the Registry requires quite advanced knowledge, we do not recommend to try and fix it yourself. · Junk Files will give you the number of files that can be most likely done without.
  • Page 47 · Fix now (displayed once the analysis is finished) - press the button to get to the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/) at page providing detailed and up-to- date information related to PC Analyzer component ·...
  • Page 48: Avg Security Toolbar

    If you select to install the toolbar during the installation of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011, it will be added into your web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, and Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or higher) automatically. Other internet browsers are not supported at the moment.
  • Page 49: Avg Secure Search Powered Search Box

    8.1.2. AVG Secure Search powered search box AVG Secure Search powered search box is easy and safe way to search the web using Yahoo! search. Enter a word or phrase into the search box press the Search button, or the Enter key, to start the search on the Yahoo! server directly, no matter what page is currently displayed.
  • Page 50: News

    Click the button to open an information panel with detailed data on the specific web page. 8.1.4. News Similarly, directly from within the AVG Security Toolbar, this button opens an overview of the latest news from selected media divided into several sections: In the right upper corner you can see two red control buttons: - the button opens the editing dialog where you can specify parameters of ·...
  • Page 51: Delete History

    · 8.1.5. Delete history Using this button you can delete the history of your browser just like via the AVG logo -> Delete history option. A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 52: E-Mail Notifier

    The E-mail Notifier button allows you to activate the option of being informed about newly arrived e-mail messages directly in the AVG Security Toolbar interface. The button opens the following editing dialog where you can define parameters of your e- mail account and the e-mail display rules.
  • Page 53: Weather Info

    8.1.7. Weather Info The Weather button displays the information on the current temperature (updated every 3-6 hours) in your selected destination directly within the AVG Security Toolbar interface. Click the button to open a new info panel with detailed weather...
  • Page 54: Facebook

    On this tab you can specify toolbar control buttons that should be displayed or hidden within the AVG Security Toolbar panel. Mark any option in case you want to have displayed the respective button. Further find described the functionality of each of the toolbar buttons: ·...
  • Page 55: Tab Useful Buttons

    Toolbar · AVG News Button - the button opens a web page providing the latest AVG related press release · News Button - the button provides a structured overview of current news from the daily press · Delete History Button - this button allows you to Delete complete history, or...
  • Page 56: Tab Security

    8.2.3. Tab Security The Security tab is divided into two sections, AVG Browser Security and Ratings, where you can mark specific check-boxes to assign AVG Security Toolbar functionality you want to use: · AVG Browser Security - check this item to activate or switch-off the...
  • Page 57: Tab Advanced Options

    (the listed caption refers to the default AVG Secure Search settings): · Set and keep AVG Secure Search as the search provider for Address bar - if marked, this option allows you to type a search keyword directly into the address bar into your Internet browser and the AVG Secure Search service will be used automatically to search for relevant websites.
  • Page 58: Avg Advanced Settings

    9. AVG Advanced Settings The advanced configuration dialog of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 opens in a new window named Advanced AVG Settings. The window is divided into two sections: the left part offers a tree-arranged navigation to the program configuration options.
  • Page 59 · Select the desired language of the application and confirm your selection by pressing the Apply button (right-hand bottom corner) · Press the OK button confirm · New dialog window pops-up informing you the language change of AVG user interface requires the application restart: Balloon tray notifications Within this section you can suppress display of system tray balloon notifications on the status of the application.
  • Page 60: Sounds

    9.2. Sounds Within the Sounds dialog you can specify whether you want to be informed about specific AVG actions by a sound notification. If so, check the Enable sound events option (off by default) to activate the list of AVG actions:...
  • Page 61: Ignore Faulty Conditions

    - while all parts of AVG are working properly, the icon is · displayed in four colors; however, if an error occurs, the icon appears with a yellow exclamation mark, ·...
  • Page 62: Virus Vault

    (or switched off) and you do not wish to get informed about it. The same option of Ignoring component state is also available for specific components directly from the components overview in the AVG main window. 9.4. Virus Vault...
  • Page 63: Pup Exceptions

    ( programs that were installed on purpose). Some programs, especially free ones, include adware. Such adware might be detected and reported by AVG as a potentially unwanted program. If you wish to keep such a program on your...
  • Page 64 Checksum - displays the unique 'signature' of the chosen file. This checksum is an automatically generated string of characters, which allows AVG to unequivocally distinguish the chosen file from other files. The checksum is generated and displayed after successful addition of the file.
  • Page 65: Link Scanner

    9.6. Link Scanner LinkScanner settings dialog allows you to switch on/off the elementary features of the LinkScanner: · Enable Search-Shield - (on by default): advisory notifying icons on searches performed with Google, Yahoo!, WebHledani, Yandex, Baidu, Bing, AOL, AltaVista, EarthLink, Ask, Seznam, eBay, Twitter, Digg, or SlashDot having checked ahead the content of sites returned by the search engine.
  • Page 66: Scans

    9.7. Scans The advanced scan settings is divided into four categories referring to specific scan types as defined by the software vendor: Whole Computer scan - standard predefined scan of the entire computer · Shell Extension Scan - specific scanning of a selected object directly from the ·...
  • Page 67 The Scan settings section offers a list of scanning parameters that can be optionally switched on/off: · Automatically heal/remove infection (on by default) - if a virus is identified during scanning it can be healed automatically if a cure is available. If the infected file cannot be healed automatically, the infected object will be moved to the Virus...
  • Page 68 · Selected file types - you can specify that you want to scan only files that are possibly infectable (files that cannot get infected will not be scanned, for instance some plain text files, or some other non-executable files), including media files (video, audio files - if you leave this box unchecked, it will reduce the scanning time even more, because these files are often quite large and are not too likely to be infected by a virus).
  • Page 69 AVG user interface. Also, you can define that the scan result should only be displayed in case an infection is detected during scanning.
  • Page 70 All parameters set up in this configuration dialog apply only to the areas selected for scanning with the Scan of specific files or folders! Note: For a description of specific parameters please consult the chapter Advanced Settings / Scans / Whole Computer scan.
  • Page 71: Schedules

    9.7.4. Removable Device Scan The editing interface for Removable device scan is also very similar to the Whole Computer scan editing dialog: The Removable device scan is launched automatically once you attach any removable device to your computer. By default, this scanning is switched off. However, it is crucial to scan removable devices for potential threats since these are a major source of infection.
  • Page 72 9.8.1. Scheduled Scan Parameters of the scheduled scan can be edited (or a new schedule set up) on three tabs: On the Schedule settings tab you can first check/uncheck the Enable this task item to simply deactivate the scheduled test temporarily, and switch it on again as the need arises.
  • Page 73 (in full color with a flash light) informing a scheduled scan is running. Right-click on the running scan AVG icon to open a context menu where you can decide to pause or even stop the running scan, and also change the priority of the currently running scan: A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 ©...
  • Page 74 On the How to scan tab you will find a list of scanning parameters that can be optionally switched on/off. By default, most parameters are switched on and the functionality will be applied during scanning. Unless you have a valid reason to change these settings we recommend to keep the predefined configuration: ·...
  • Page 75 and harmless when acquired from the manufacturer directly, but can be misused for malicious purposes later. This is an additional measure that increases your computer security even more, however it can possibly block legal programs, and is therefore switched off by default. ·...
  • Page 76 Adjust how quickly Scan completes Within the Adjust how quickly Scan completes section you can further specify the desired scanning speed dependent on system resource usage. By default, this option value is set to User sensitive level, which means that minimum resources are used while you work with your PC, and the scan runs in the high priority mode while you are away.
  • Page 77 On the What to scan tab you can define whether you want to schedule scanning of the whole computer scanning of specific files or folders. If you select scanning of specific files or folders, in the bottom part of this dialog the displayed tree structure activates and you can specify the folders to be scanned.
  • Page 78 9.8.2. Virus Database Update Schedule On the Schedule settings tab you can first check/uncheck the Enable this task item to simply deactivate the scheduled virus database update temporarily, and switch it on again as the need arises. The basic virus database update scheduling is covered within the Update Manager component.
  • Page 79 Once the scheduled update is launched in the time you have specified, you will be informed on this fact via a pop-up window opened over the AVG system tray icon provided that you have kept the default configuration of the the...
  • Page 80 Once the scheduled update is launched in the time you have specified, you will be informed on this fact via a pop-up window opened over the AVG system tray icon provided that you have kept the default configuration of the the...
  • Page 81: E-Mail Scanner

    9.9. E-mail Scanner The E-mail Scanner dialog is divided into three sections: E-mail scanning In this section, you can set these basics for incoming and/or outgoing e-mail messages: · Check incoming e-mail (on by default) - mark to switch on/off the option of scanning of all e-mail messages delivered to your e-mail client ·...
  • Page 82 In this section, you can specify how the e-mail messages will be scanned: · Use Heuristics (on by default) - check to use heuristics detection method when scanning e-mail messages. When this option is on, you can filter e-mail attachments not only by extension but also the actual contents of the attachment will be considered.
  • Page 83: Certification

    you might like to check the box to ensure that files with macros will be reported as suspicious. · Report hidden extensions – hidden extension can make e.g. a suspicious executable file "something.txt.exe" appear as harmless plain text file "something.txt"; check the box to report these as potentially dangerous. ·...
  • Page 84: Mail Filtering

    Checked by AVG. Version: x.y.zz / Virus Database: xx.y.z - Release Date: 12/9/2010 If you decide to use certification of either incoming or outgoing e-mail messages, further in this dialog you can specify the exact wording of the user part of the...
  • Page 85 9.9.3. Servers In the Servers section you can edit parameters of the E-mail Scanner component servers, or set up a new server fusing the Add new server button. In this dialog (opened via Servers / POP3) you can set up a new E-mail Scanner server using the POP3 protocol for incoming mail: ·...
  • Page 86 example, 123.45.67.89). If the mail server uses a non-standard port, you can specify this port after the server name by using a colon as the delimiter (for example, pop.acme.com:8200). The standard port for POP3 communication is 110. · Additional settings - specifies more detailed parameters: o Local port - specifies the port on which the communication from your mail application should be expected.
  • Page 87: Servers

    · SMTP Server Name - in this field you can specify the name of newly added servers (to add a SMTP server, click the right mouse button over the SMTP item of the left navigation menu). For automatically created "AutoSMTP" server this field is deactivated.
  • Page 88 In this dialog (opened via Servers / IMAP) you can set up a new E-mail Scanner server using the IMAP protocol for outgoing mail: · IMAP Server Name - in this field you can specify the name of newly added servers (to add a IMAP server, click the right mouse button over the IMAP item of the left navigation menu).
  • Page 89: Resident Shield

    o Local port - specifies the port on which the communication from your mail application should be expected. You must then specify in your mail application this port as the port for IMAP communication. o Connection - in this drop-down menu, you can specify which kind of connection to use (regular/SSL/SSL default).
  • Page 90 · Scan files on close (off by default) - on-close scanning ensures that AVG scans active objects (e.g. applications, documents …) when they are being opened, and also when they are being closed;...
  • Page 91: Advanced Settings

    9.10.1. Advanced Settings In the Files scanned by the Resident Shield dialog it is possible to configure which files will be scanned (by specific extensions): Decide whether you want all files to be scanned or just infectable files - if so, you can further specify a list of extensions defining files that should be excluded from scanning, and also a list of file extensions defining files that must be scanned under all circumstances.
  • Page 92: Excluded Items

    9.10.2. Excluded items The Resident Shield - Excluded Items dialog offers the possibility of defining files and/or folders that should be excluded from the Resident Shield scanning. If this is not essential, we strongly recommend not excluding any items! The dialog provides the following control buttons: ·...
  • Page 93 are then considered safe, and during scanning are skipped. The settings dialog offers two options: · Caching enabled (on by default) - uncheck the box to switch off the Cache Server, and empty the cache memory. Please note that scanning might slow down, and overall performance of your computer decrease, as every single file in use will be scanned for viruses and spyware first.
  • Page 94: Update

    By default, the immediate update option is selected since this way AVG can secure the maximum safety level. Scheduling an update for the next PC restart can only be recommended if you are sure the computer gets restarted regularly, at least daily.
  • Page 95 Additional update options · Build new system restore point during each program update - before each AVG program update launch, a system restore point is created. In case the update process fails and your operating system crashes you can always restore your OS in its original configuration from this point.
  • Page 96: Proxy

    9.12.1. Proxy The proxy server is a stand-alone server or a service running on a PC that guarantees safer connection to the Internet. According to the specified network rules you can then access the Internet either directly or via the proxy server; both possibilities can also be allowed at the same time.
  • Page 97 · Port – specify the number of the port that enables Internet access (by default, this number is set to 3128 but can be set differently – if you are not sure, contact your network administrator) The proxy server can also have configured specific rules for each user. If your proxy server is set up this way, check the Use PROXY authentication option to verify that your user name and password are valid for connecting to the Internet via the proxy server.
  • Page 98: Dial-Up

    9.12.2. Dial-up All parameters optionally defined in the Update settings - Dial-Up connection dialog refer to the dial-up connection to the Internet. The dialog's fields are inactive until you check the Use dial-up connections option that activates the fields. Specify whether you want to connect to the Internet automatically (Automatically open this connection) or you wish to confirm the connection manually every time ( Ask before connection).
  • Page 99: Url

    9.12.3. URL The URL dialog offers a list of Internet addresses from which the update files can be downloaded. The list and its items can be modified using the following control buttons: · Add – opens a dialog where you can specify a new URL to be added to the list ·...
  • Page 100: Manage

    9.12.4. Manage The Manage dialog offers two options accessible via two buttons: · Delete temporary update files - press this button to delete all redundant update files from your hard disk (by default, these files are being saved for 30 days) ·...
  • Page 101: Temporarily Disable Avg Protection

    Resident Shield component first. If you do have to temporarily disable AVG, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you are connected to the Internet or a network during the time your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.
  • Page 102 AVG users. Nowadays, there are far more threats out there than plain viruses. Authors of malicious codes and dangerous websites are very innovative, and new kinds of threats emerge quite often, the vast majority of which are on the Internet.
  • Page 103: Avg Security Toolbar

    LinkScanner functions and to adjust its behavior. If you select to install the toolbar during the installation of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011, it will be added into your web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, and Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or higher) automatically. Other internet browsers are not supported at the moment.
  • Page 104 Within this AVG Security Toolbar dialog you can activate or deactivate the entire AVG Security Toolbar component from AVG application advanced settings interface, via the Enable AVG Security Toolbar option. The Repair button will put all parts of AVG Security Toolbar...
  • Page 105: Avg Scanning

    10. AVG Scanning Scanning is a crucial part of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 functionality. You can run on-demand tests or schedule them to run periodically at convenient times. 10.1. Scanning Interface The AVG scanning interface is accessible via the Computer scanner quick link.
  • Page 106: Predefined Scans

    In the AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 you will find the following types of scanning predefined by the software vendor: 10.2.1.
  • Page 107 Scan configuration editing You have the option of editing the predefined default settings of the Whole computer scan. Press the Change scan settings link to get to the Change scan settings for Whole Computer scan dialog (accessible from the scanning interface via the Change scan settings link for the Whole computer scan).
  • Page 108 · Scanning parameters - in the list of scanning parameters you can switch on/ off specific parameters as needed: o Automatically heal/remove infection (on by default) - if a virus is identified during scanning it can be healed automatically if a cure is available.
  • Page 109 o Computer shutdown options - decide whether the computer should be shut down automatically once the running scanning process is over. Having confirmed this option (Shutdown computer upon scan completion), a new option activates that allows the computer to shut down even if it is currently locked (Force shutdown if computer is locked).
  • Page 110: Scan Specific Files Or Folders

    Warning: These scan settings are identical to the parameters of a newly defined scan - as described in the chapter AVG Scanning / Scan scheduling/ How to Scan. Should you decide to change the default configuration of the Scan the whole computer you can then save your new setting as the default configuration to be used for all further scans of the whole computer.
  • Page 111 Scan configuration editing You have the option of editing the predefined default settings of the Scan of specific files or folders. Press the Change scan settings link to get to the Change scan settings for Scan of specific files or folders dialog. It is recommended to keep to the default settings unless you have a valid reason to change them! A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 ©...
  • Page 112 · Scanning parameters - in the list of scanning parameters you can switch on/ off specific parameters as needed: o Automatically heal/remove infection (on by default) - if a virus is identified during scanning it can be healed automatically if a cure is available.
  • Page 113 o Computer shutdown options - decide whether the computer should be shut down automatically once the running scanning process is over. Having confirmed this option (Shutdown computer upon scan completion), a new option activates that allows the computer to shut down even if it is currently locked (Force shutdown if computer is locked).
  • Page 114: Scanning In Windows Explorer

    Besides the pre-defined scans launched for the entire computer or its selected areas, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 also offers the option of quick scanning of a specific object directly in the Windows Explorer environment. If you want to open an unknown file and you cannot be sure of its content, you may want to have it checked on demand.
  • Page 115: Command Line Scanning

    · Select the Scan with AVG option to have the file scanned with AVG 10.4. Command Line Scanning Within AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 there is the option of running the scan from the command line. You can use this option for instance on servers, or when creating a batch script to be launched automatically after the computer boot.
  • Page 116: Cmd Scan Parameters

    launched from the command line, the Command Line Composer dialog only allows you to specify most scanning parameters in the comfortable graphic interface. Since this dialog is only accessible within the Windows Safe Mode, for detailed description of this dialog please consult the help file opened directly from the dialog. 10.4.1.
  • Page 117: Scan Scheduling

    Report re-compressed archive files 10.5. Scan Scheduling With AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 you can run scanning on demand (for instance when you suspect an infection has been dragged to your computer) or based on a scheduled plan. It is highly recommended to run the scans based on a schedule: this way you can make sure your computer is protected from any possibility of getting infected, and you will not have to worry about if and when to launch the scan.
  • Page 118 Schedule scans Click the graphical icon within the Schedule scans section to open a new Schedule scans dialog where you find a list of all currently scheduled scans: You can edit / add scans using the following control buttons: A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved. 1 1 8...
  • Page 119: Schedule Settings

    Whole computer scan schedule pre- defined within the default settings can never be deleted. · Back - return to AVG scanning interface 10.5.1. Schedule Settings If you wish to schedule a new test and its regular launch, enter the Settings for scheduled test dialog (click the Add scan schedule button within the Schedule scans dialog).
  • Page 120 · Save - saves all changes you have performed on this tab or on any other tab of this dialog and switches back to the AVG scanning interface default dialog. Therefore if you wish to configure the test parameters on all tabs, press the button to save them only after you have specified all your requirements.
  • Page 121: How To Scan

    10.5.2. How to Scan On the How to scan tab you will find a list of scanning parameters that can be optionally switched on/off. By default, most parameters are switched on and the functionality will be applied during scanning. Unless you have a valid reason to change these settings we recommend to keep to the pre-defined configuration: ·...
  • Page 122 (HTTP cookies are used for authenticating, tracking, and maintaining specific information about users, such as site preferences or the contents of their electronic shopping carts). · Scan inside archives (off by default): this parameters defines that the scanning should check all files even if these are packed inside some type of archive, e.g.
  • Page 123 Ø All file types with the possibility of defining exceptions from scanning by providing a list of comma separated file extensions that should not be scanned; Ø Selected file types - you can specify that you want to scan only files that are possibly infectable (files that cannot get infected will not be scanned, for instance some plain text files, or some other non-executable files), including media files (video, audio files - if you...
  • Page 124: What To Scan

    · Save - saves all changes you have performed on this tab or on any other tab of this dialog and switches back to the AVG scanning interface default dialog. Therefore if you wish to configure the test parameters on all tabs, press the button to save them only after you have specified all your requirements.
  • Page 125 · Save - saves all changes you have performed on this tab or on any other tab of this dialog and switches back to the AVG scanning interface default dialog. Therefore if you wish to configure the test parameters on all tabs, press the button to save them only after you have specified all your requirements.
  • Page 126: Scan Results Overview

    AVG scanning interface default dialog. 10.6. Scan Results Overview The Scan results overview dialog is accessible from the AVG scanning interface the Scan history button. The dialog provides a list of of all previously launched scans and information of their results: ·...
  • Page 127: Scan Results Details

    · Delete result - press it to remove the selected item from the scan results overview · Back - switches back to the default dialog of the AVG scanning interface 10.7. Scan Results Details If in the Scan Results Overview...
  • Page 128: Results Overview Tab

    · Rootkits - this tab is displayed only if rootkits were detected during scanning Information - this tab is displayed only if some potential threats were · detected but these cannot be classified as any of the above categories; then the tab provides a warning message on the finding.
  • Page 129: Infections Tab

    10.7.2. Infections Tab The Infections tab is only displayed in the Scan results dialog if a virus infection detected during scanning. The tab is divided into three sections providing the following information: · File - full path to the original location of the infected object ·...
  • Page 130 Locked file - not tested - the respective object is locked and AVG is therefore unable to scan it o Potentially dangerous object - the object was detected as potentially dangerous but not infected (it can contain macros, for instance); the...
  • Page 131: Spyware Tab

    10.7.3. Spyware Tab The Spyware tab is only displayed in the Scan results dialog in if spyware detected during scanning. The tab is divided into three sections providing the following information: · File - full path to the original location of the infected object ·...
  • Page 132 Locked file - not tested - the respective object is locked and AVG is therefore unable to scan it o Potentially dangerous object - the object was detected as potentially dangerous but not infected (it can contain macros, for instance); the...
  • Page 133: Warnings Tab

    They can neither be positively labeled as dangerous but they are still worth your attention. AVG scan is able to detect files which may not be infected, but are suspicious. These files are reported either as Warning, or as Information.
  • Page 134: Virus Vault

    AVG tests. Once an infected object is detected during scanning, and AVG is not able to heal it automatically, you are asked to decide what is to be done with the suspect object. The recommended solution is to move the object to the Virus Vault for further treatment.
  • Page 135 · Original object name - all detected objects listed in the chart have been labeled with the standard name given by AVG during the scanning process. In case the object had a specific original name that is known (e.g. a name of an e-mail attachment that does not respond to the actual content of the attachment), it will be provided in this column.
  • Page 136 · Delete - removes the infected file from the Virus Vault completely and irreversibly · Empty Vault - removes all Virus Vault content completely. By removing the files from the Virus Vault, these files are irreversibly removed from the disk ( not moved to the recycle bin).
  • Page 137: Avg Updates

    Update manager component. Once you start the update, AVG will first verify whether there are new update files available. If so, AVG starts their downloading and launches the update process itself. During the update process you will get redirected to the Update interface where you...
  • Page 138 ...). Note: Before the AVG program update launch a system restore point is created. In case the update process fails and your operating system crashes you can always restore your OS in its original configuration from this point. This option is accessible via Start / All Programs / Accessories / System tools / System Restore.
  • Page 139: Event History

    · Event date and time gives exact date and time the event occured · User states who initiated the event · Source gives the source component or other part of the AVG system that triggered the event A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved.
  • Page 140 · Event description gives brief summary of what actually happened Control buttons · Empty list - deletes all entries in the list of events · Refresh list - updates all entries in the list of events A V G A nti- V irus Free E dition 2 0 1 1 © 2 0 1 0 C opyright A V G T ec hnologies C Z, s .r.o. A ll rights res erved. 1 4 0...
  • Page 141: Faq And Technical Support

    AVG Free users accessible at http://forums.avg.com. Unfortunately, using AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 you are not entitled to technical support provided to full versions of AVG products. You may want to consider buying the full version of AVG, then please visit the AVG website (http://www.avg.

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