AVG 2011 Bug Affects Browsing Experience, Could Also Hurt Websites

[hackerman1]

hi !

AVG 2011 Bug Affects Browsing Experience, Could Also Hurt Websites


"A serious bug in a component of the new AVG 2011 anti-malware products causes computers to flood websites with unnecessary HTTP requests and in many cases prevents users from properly using their browsers.

At this time the problem is not very well documented, but reports about it, dating back to the end of last month, can be found on various forums and discussion groups around the Web.

It appears that the bug is located in the LinkScanner component, which is found in the entire AVG 2011 product line, including the company's popular free antivirus.

LinkScanner has two features. One called Search-Shield, which places safety ratings next to search results and another one called Surf-Shield, which checks pages in real time.

AVG Surf-Shield actively checks web pages in real-time every time you click a link or enter a web address directly into your browser ," the company explains."

more information: AVG 2011 Bug Affects Browsing Experience, Could Also Hurt Websites - Softpedia

 

[Corrine]

Thank you for this. (I wish I had known about this problem yesterday when I was dealing with this non-response issue.)

I stopped recommending AVG at least two years ago.

 

[hackerman1]

hi Corrine !

Thank you for this. (I wish I had known about this problem yesterday when I was dealing with this non-response issue.)

I stopped recommending AVG at least two years ago.

yes, i have read that thread.....

AVG´s LinkScanner might be the problem.

i was going to post about it in that thread, but i noticed that you had already seen my post, since you had edited your advice.

 

[yowanvista]

One more reason to use MSE

 

[CarlTR6]

Not only do I not recommend it, I recommend uninstalling it. I tried it for two months on my system. While it did not cause a crash, it definitely slowed my system down when downloading and sometimes caused a long hang up, three minutes or more, before it would let go of a file and I could access the file.

 

[Jacee]

LinkScanner has always been a problem ... it definitely slows the computer down, for one thing!
I bought the pro version before AVG started bundling it. I regretted spending the money on this product. I was on dial-up at the time and you can imagine what opening a webpage was like. Extremely frustrating

 

[CarlTR6]

AVG on a dialup would be horrendous!

 

[Bill2]

I dont use AVG any longer, but the last time I did, I installed it WITHOUT linkscanner. This was how it was done.

Setup and Install AVG 8 Without Web/Search/Surf Shield, Firewall, Toolbar and Link/Email Scanner Feature (And Silent Switch) » My Digital Life

Dont know whether that trick works in this version. But apparently you can do it officially.

If you wish to uninstall the LinkScanner component from AVG 2011 Free Edition, please proceed as follows:

• Download the AVG 2011 Free Edition installation package from our website.
• Run the installation file by double-click.
• Proceed through the installation wizard and in the Select Setup Type window please select the Add or remove components option.
• Then proceed through the steps of the wizard to reach the Component Selection window and uncheck the LinkScanner component.
• Afterwards complete the rest of the steps of the installation wizard. The LinkScanner component will be removed from AVG.

If there is no AVG on your computer yet, then please proceed this way:

• Download the AVG 2011 Free Edition installation package from our website.
• Run the installation file by double-click.
• Proceed through the installation wizard and in the Select Installation Type window please select the Custom installation option.
• When you reach the Component Selection window, uncheck the LinkScanner component.
• Finish the installation wizard. AVG will be installed without the LinkScanner component.

Source: AVG Free - Frequently Asked Questions | Antivirus and Internet Security | FAQ - Installation

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[JMH]

Re AVG slowing down a system...
Don't use AVG on dinosaurs.

We find AVG Pro fast, efficient & non intrusive. [ including LinkScanner]

 

[hackerman1]

Re AVG slowing down a system...
Don't use AVG on dinosaurs.

We find AVG Pro fast, efficient & non intrusive. [ including LinkScanner]

thanks for the advice, but i have no intention to install AVG on my "famous" DINOSAUR....

"Windows 7 runs on a P2 with 266MHz CPU, 96MB RAM & 4Mb graphic card !"
http://www.sevenforums.com/performa...ldest-dinosaur-running-win7-5.html#post131577

but i was thinking about installing EAM....

 

[CarlTR6]

Re AVG slowing down a system...
Don't use AVG on dinosaurs.

We find AVG Pro fast, efficient & non intrusive. [ including LinkScanner]

I do have a dinosaur and I was using AVG free, not Pro. I can only attest that AVG slowed my system down scanning downloaded files (like BSOD dump files). It would take three to five minutes to scan these files. LinkScanner worked well. It was slow at scanning incoming email also. Other than the slowdowns, I had no problems with AVG. I am now running AVAST and there are no slowdowns at all.