AVG Internet Security 2012 Owner's Guide
AVG Internet Security 2012
User Manual
Document revision 2012.24 (19.6.2012)
Copyright AVG Technologies CZ, 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 -SaCzech library, C opyright (c) 1996-2001 Jaromir Dolecek
(dolecek@ics.muni.cz).
This product uses compression library zlib, Copyright (c) 1995-2002 Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler.
This product uses compression library libbzip2, C opyright (c) 1996-2002 Julian R. Seward.
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Contents
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1. Introduction
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2. AVG Installation Requirements
2.1 Operation Systems Supported
2.2 Minimum & Recommended HW Requirements
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3. AVG Installation Process
3.1 Welcome: Language Selection
3.2 Welcome: License Agreement
3.3 Activate your license
3.4 Select type of installation
3.5 Custom options
3.6 Install progress
3.7 Installation was successful
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4. After Installation
4.1 Product registration
4.2 Access to user interface
4.3 Scanning of the whole computer
4.4 Eicar test
4.5 AVG default configuration
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5. AVG User Interface
5.1 System Menu
5.2 Security Status Info
5.3 Quick Links
5.4 Components Overview
5.5 System Tray Icon
5.6 AVG Advisor
5.7 AVG Gadget
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6. AVG Components
6.1 Anti-Virus
6.2 Link Scanner
6.3 E-mail Protection
6.4 Firewall
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6.5 Anti-Rootkit
6.6 System Tools
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6.7 PC Analyzer
6.8 Identity Protection
6.9 Remote Administration
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7. My Apps
7.1 AVG Family Safety
7.2 AVG LiveKive
7.3 AVG Mobilation
7.4 AVG PC Tuneup
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8. AVG Security Toolbar
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9. AVG Do Not Track
9.1 AVG Do Not Track interface
9.2 Information on tracking processes
9.3 Blocking tracking processes
9.4 AVG Do Not Track settings
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10. AVG Advanced Settings
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10.1 Appearance
10.2 Sounds
10.3 Temporarily disable AVG protection
10.4 Anti-Virus
10.5 E-mail protection
10.6 Link Scanner
10.7 Scans
10.8 Schedules
10.9 Update
10.10 Anti-Rootkit
10.11 Identity Protection
10.12 Potentially Unwanted Programs
10.13 Virus Vault
10.14 Product Improvement Program
10.15 Ignore error status
10.16 Advisor - Known Networks
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11. Firewall Settings
11.1 General
11.2 Security
11.3 Areas and Adapters Profiles
11.4 IDS
11.5 Logs
11.6 Profiles
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12. AVG Scanning
12.1 Scanning Interface
12.2 Predefined Scans
12.3 Scanning in Windows Explorer
12.4 Command Line Scanning
12.5 Scan Scheduling
12.6 Scan Results Overview
12.7 Scan Results Details
12.8 Virus Vault
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13. AVG Updates
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13.1 Update launch
13.2 Update progress
13.3 Update levels
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14. Event History
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15. FAQ and Technical Support
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1. Introduction
This user manual provides comprehensive documentation for AVG Internet Security 2012.
AVG Internet Security 2012 provides multiple layers of protection for everything you do online,
which means you don’t have to worry about identity theft, viruses, or visiting harmful sites. AVG
Protective Cloud Technology and AVG Community Protection Network are included, meaning we
collect the latest threat information and share it with our community to make sure you receive the
best protection:
Shop and bank online safely with AVG Firewall, Anti-Spam & Identity Protection
Stay safe on social networks with AVG Social Networking Protection
Surf and search with confidence with LinkScanner’s real-time protection
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2. AVG Installation Requirements
2.1. Operation Systems Supported
AVG Internet Security 2012 is intended to protect workstations with the following operating
systems:
Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Windows XP Professional SP2
Windows XP Professional x64 Edition SP1
Windows Vista (x86 and x64, all editions)
Windows 7 (x86 and x64, all editions)
(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 Internet Security 2012 but only without the IDP component.
2.2. Minimum & Recommended HW Requirements
Minimum hardware requirements for AVG Internet Security 2012:
Intel Pentium CPU 1.5 GHz
512 MB of RAM memory
1000 MB of free hard drive space (for installation purposes)
Recommended hardware requirements for AVG Internet Security 2012:
Intel Pentium CPU 1.8 GHz
512 MB of RAM memory
1550 MB of free hard drive space (for installation purposes)
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3. AVG Installation Process
Where do I get the installation file?
To install AVG Internet Security 2012 on your computer, you need to get the latest installation file.
To make sure you are installing the up-to-date version of AVG Internet Security 2012, it is
recommended that you download the installation file from the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/). T
he Support Center / Download section provides a structured overview of the installation files for
each AVG edition.
If you are not sure which files you need to download and install, you may want to use the Select
product service at the bottom of the web page. After you answer three simple questions, this
service defines the exact files you need. Press the Continue button to get redirected to a complete
list of download files customized for your personal needs.
What does the installation process look like?
Once you have downloaded and saved the installation file on your hard disk, you can launch the
installation process. The installation is a sequence of simple and easy to understand dialogs. Each
dialog briefly describes what do at each step of the installation process. We offer a detailed
explanation of each dialog window below:
3.1. Welcome: Language Selection
The installation process starts with the Welcome to AVG Installer dialog:
In this dialog you can select the language used for the installation process. Click the combo box to
roll down the language menu. Select the desired language, and the installation process will proceed
further in the language of your choice.
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Attention: At the moment you are only selecting the language of the installation process. The
AVG Internet Security 2012 application will be installed in the selected language, and in
English which is always installed automatically. However, it is possible to have more
languages installed and to work with AVG Internet Security 2012 in any of these. You will be
invited to confirm your full selection of alternative languages in one of following setup
dialogs named Custom Options.
3.2. Welcome: License Agreement
The Welcome to AVG Installer dialog provides then the full wording of the AVG license agreement:
Please read the entire text carefully. To confirm that you have read, understood, and accept the
agreement press the Accept button. If you do not agree with the license agreement press the
Decline button, and the installation process will be terminated immediately.
AVG Privacy Policy
Besides the license agreement, this setup dialog also offers you the option to learn more about the
AVG Privacy Policy and AVG Fair Processing Notice. Click the respective link to get redirected to
AVG website (http://www.avg.com/) where you can find the full wording of these statements.
Control buttons
From the first setup dialog, there are only two control buttons available:
Printable version - Click to have printed the full wording of the AVG license agreement.
Decline - Click to refuse the license agreement. The setup process will quit immediately.
AVG Internet Security 2012 will not be installed!
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Back - Click to return one step back to the previous setup dialog.
Accept - Click to confirm you have read, understood, and accepted the license agreement.
The installation will continue, and you will go on one step further to the following setup
dialog.
3.3. Activate your license
In the Activate Your License dialog you are invited to enter your license number into the provided
text field:
Where to find the license number
The sales number can be found on the CD packaging in your AVG Internet Security 2012 box. The
license number will be in the confirmation email that you received after purchasing your AVG
Internet Security 2012 online. You must type in the number exactly as shown. If the digital form of
the license number is available (in the e-mail), it is recommended that you use the copy and paste
method to insert it.
How to use the Copy & Paste method
Using the Copy & Paste method to enter your AVG Internet Security 2012 license number into the
program ensures that the number is correctly entered. Please follow these steps:
Open the e-mail containing your license number.
Click the left mouse button at the beginning of the license number, hold and drag the
mouse to the end of the number, and then release the button. The number should now be
highlighted.
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Press and hold Ctrl,and then press C. This copies the number.
Point and click the position where you would like to paste the copied number.
Press and hold Ctrl,and then press V. This pastes the number to the location you selected.
Control buttons
As in most setup dialogs, there are three control buttons available:
Cancel - click to exit the setup process immediately; AVG Internet Security 2012 will not
be installed!
Back - click to go one step back to the previous setup dialog.
Next - click to continue the installation and go one step further.
3.4. Select type of installation
The Select type of installation dialog offers the choice of two installation options: Express and Custom Install:
Express installation
For most users, it is highly recommended that you keep the standard Express installation. This way
you install AVG Internet Security 2012 in fully automatic mode with settings predefined by the
program vendor, including the AVG Gadget, the AVG Security Toolbar, and having configured the
AVG Secure Search as the default search provider. This configuration provides maximum security
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combined with the optimal use of resources. In the future, if the need arises to change the
configuration, you will always have the option of doing so directly in the AVG Internet Security
2012 application.
Press the Next button to proceed to the following dialog of the installation process.
Custom installation
Custom Install should only be used by experienced users who have a valid reason to install AVG
Internet Security 2012 with non-standard settings; e.g. to fit specific system requirements. In this
section you can decide whether the following features should be installed (both features are marked
as to be installed, and will be installed automatically unless you opt-out):
Sets, keeps and protects AVG Secure Search as your default search provider - keep
checked to confirm you want to use the AVG Secure Search engine that closely
cooperates with the Link Scanner component for your maximum security online.
Installs the AVG Security Toolbar to protect your computer from dangerous websites keep checked to have installed AVG Security Toolbar that guards your maximum security
while browsing the Internet.
If you decide for this option, a new section called Destination Folder appears in the dialog. Here,
you are supposed to specify the location where AVG Internet Security 2012 should be installed.
By default, AVG Internet Security 2012 will be installed to the program files folder located on drive
C:, as stated in the text field in the dialog. If you want to change this location, use the Browse
button to display the drive structure, and select the respective folder. To revert to the default
destination pre-set by the software vendor use the Default button.
Then, press the Next button to proceed to the Custom Options dialog.
Control buttons
As within most setup dialogs, there are three control buttons available:
Cancel - click to exit the setup process immediately; AVG Internet Security 2012 will not
be installed!
Back - click to go one step back to the previous setup dialog.
Next - click to continue the installation and go one step further.
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3.5. Custom options
The Custom Options dialog allows you to set up detailed parameters for the installation:
The Component Selection section provides an overview of all AVG Internet Security 2012
components that can be installed. If the default settings do not suit you, you can remove/add
specific components.
However, you can only select from components that are included in your purchased AVG
edition!
Highlight any item in the Component Selection list, and a brief description of the respective
component will be displayed on the right side of this section. For detailed information on each
component's functionality please consult the Components Overview chapter of this documentation.
To revert to the default configuration pre-set by the software vendor use the Default button.
Control buttons
As in most setup dialogs, there are three control buttons available:
Cancel - click to exit the setup process immediately; AVG Internet Security 2012 will not
be installed!
Back - click to go one step back to the previous setup dialog.
Next - click to continue the installation and go one step further.
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3.6. 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, you will be automatically redirected to the next dialog.
Control buttons
There are two control buttons available in this dialog:
Minimize - The installation process may take several minutes. Click the button to minimize
the dialog window into an icon visible on the system bar. The dialog appears again once the
installation is completed.
Cancel - This button should only be used if you want to stop the current installation
process. Please mind that in such a case your AVG Internet Security 2012 will not be
installed!
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3.7. Installation was successful
The Installation was successful dialog confirms that your AVG Internet Security 2012 has been
fully installed and configured:
Product Improvement Program and Privacy Policy
Here you can decide whether you want to participate in the Product Improvement Program (for
details see the chapter AVG Advanced Settings / Product Improvement Program) that collects
anonymous information on detected threats in order to increase the overall Internet security level. All
data are treated as confidential and in compliance with AVG Privacy Policy; click the Privacy Policy
link to get redirected to AVG website (http://www.avg.com/) where you can find the the full wording of
AVG Privacy Policy. If you agree, please keep the option checked (the option is confirmed, by
default).
Computer restart
To finalize the installation process you need restart your computer: select whether you want to
Restart Now, or you want to postpone this action - Restart Later.
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4. After Installation
4.1. Product registration
Having finished the AVG Internet Security 2012 installation, please register you product online on
the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/). After the registration you will be able to gain full access to
your AVG user account, the AVG Update newsletter, and other services provided exclusively for
registered users.
The easiest way to register is directly from the AVG Internet Security 2012 user interface. In the
main menu please select the Help/Register now item. You will be redirected to the Registration
page on the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/). Please follow the instruction provided on the page.
4.2. Access to user interface
The AVG main dialog is accessible in several ways:
double-click the AVG system tray icon
double-click the AVG icon on the desktop
from the menu Start / All Programs / AVG 2012
4.3. Scanning of the whole computer
There is a potential risk that a computer virus has been transmitted to your computer prior to AVG
Internet Security 2012 installation. For this reason you should run a Scan of the whole computer to
make sure there are no infections on your PC. The first scan might take quite some time (about an
hour) but it is recommended that you launch it to make sure your computer has not been
compromised by a threat. For instructions on running a Scan of the whole computer consult the
chapter AVG Scanning.
4.4. Eicar test
To confirm that AVG Internet Security 2012 has been installed correctly you can perform the
EICAR test.
The EICAR test is a standard and absolutely safe method used to test antivirus system operation. It
is safe to pass around, because it is not an actual virus, and does not include any fragments of viral
code. Most products react to it as if it were a virus (though they typically report it with an obvious
name, such as "EICAR-AV-Test"). You can download the EICAR virus from the EICAR website at
www.eicar.com, and you will also find all necessary EICAR test information there.
Try to download the eicar.com file, and save it on your local disk. Immediately after you confirm
downloading of the test file, the Online Shield (a part of LinkScanner component) will react to it with
a warning. This notice demonstrates that AVG is correctly installed on your computer.
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From the http://www.eicar.com website you can also download the compressed version of the
EICAR 'virus' (e.g. in the form of eicar_com.zip). Online Shield allows you to download this file and
save it on your local disk but then the Resident Shield (within Anti-Virus component) detects the
'virus' as you try to unpack it.
If AVG fails to identify the EICAR test file as a virus, you should check the program
configuration again!
4.5. AVG default configuration
The default configuration (i.e. how the application is set up right after installation) of AVG Internet
Security 2012 is set by the software vendor so that all components and functions are tuned up to
achieve optimum performance.
Unless you have a real reason to do so, do not change the AVG configuration! Changes to
settings should only be performed by an experienced user.
Some minor editing of AVG components settings is accessible directly from the specific component
user interface. If you want to change the AVG configuration to better suit your needs, go to AVG
Advanced Settings: select the system menu item Tools/Advanced settings and edit the AVG
configuration in the newly opened AVG Advanced Settings dialog.
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5. AVG User Interface
AVG Internet Security 2012 opens 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 components, services, and features of AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
Security Status Info (upper section of the window) provides you with information on the
current status of your AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
Join us on Facebook (upper right-hand section of the window) button allows you to join
the AVG community on Facebook. However, the button only appears in case all
components are fully functional and working properly (for details on how to recognize the
status of AVG components see chapter Security Status Info)
Quick Links (left section of the window) allow you to quickly access the most important
and most frequently used tasks of AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
My Apps (left bottom section of the window) open an overview of additional applications
available for AVG Internet Security 2012: LiveKive, Family Safety, and PC Tuneup
Components Overview (central section of the window) offers an overview of all components
installed within AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
System Tray Icon (bottom right corner of the monitor, on the system tray) indicates the
current status of AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
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AVG gadget (Windows sidebar, supported in Windows Vista/7) allows quick access to
scanning and updating within AVG Internet Security 2012 - details >>
5.1. System Menu
The System menu is the standard navigation used in all Windows applications. It is located
horizontally in the very top part of the AVG Internet Security 2012 main window. Use the system
menu to access specific AVG components, features, and services.
The system menu is divided into six main sections:
5.1.1. File
Exit - closes the AVG Internet Security 2012 user interface. However, the AVG application
will continue running in the background and your computer will still be protected!
5.1.2. Components
The Components item of the system menu includes links to all installed AVG components, opening their default dialog page in the user interface:
System overview - switch to the default user interface dialog with the overview of all
installed components and their status
Anti-Virus detects viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, unwanted executable files or libraries
within your system, and protects you from malicious adware - details >>
LinkScanner protects you from web-based attacks while you search and surf the Internet -
details >>
E-mail Protection checks your incoming e-mail messages for SPAM, and blocks viruses,
phishing attacks, or other threats - details >>
Firewall controls all communication on each network port, protecting you from malicious
attacks and blocking all intrusion attempts - details >>
Anti-Rootkit scans for dangerous rootkits hidden inside applications, drivers, or libraries -
details >>
System Tools offers a detailed summary of the AVG environment and operating system
information - details >>
PC Analyzer provides information about your computer status - details >>
Identity Protection is constantly protecting your digital assets from new and unknown
threats - details >>
Remote Administration is only displayed within AVG Business Editions in case you have
specified during the installation process you want to have this component installed
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5.1.3. History
Scan results - switches to the AVG testing interface, specifically to the Scan Results
Overview dialog
Resident Shield detection - opens a dialog with an overview of threats detected by Resident
Shield
E-mail Scanner detection - opens a dialog with an overview of mail messages attachments
detected as dangerous by the E-mail Protection component
Online Shield findings - opens a dialog with an overview of threats detected by Online Shield
service within the LinkScanner component
Virus Vault - opens the interface to the quarantine space (Virus Vault) to where AVG
removes all detected infections that cannot be healed automatically for some reason. Inside
this quarantine the infected files are isolated, your computer's security is guaranteed, and
at the same time the infected files are stored for possible future repair
Event history log - opens the history log interface with an overview of all logged AVG
Internet Security 2012 actions
Firewall log - opens the Firewall settings interface on the Logs tab with a detailed overview
of all Firewall actions
5.1.4. Tools
Scan computer - launches a scan of the whole computer.
Scan selected folder... - switches to the AVG scanning interface and allows you to define
within the tree structure of your computer which files and folders should be scanned.
Scan file... - allows you to run an on-demand test on a single specific file. Click this option
to open a new window with the tree structure of your disk. Select the desired file, and
confirm the scan launch.
Update - automatically launches the update process for AVG Internet Security 2012.
Update from directory... - runs the update process from the update files located in a
specified folder on your local disk. However, this option is only recommended as an
emergency, e.g. in situations where there is no connection to the Internet (for example, your
computer is infected and disconnected from the Internet; your computer is connected to a
network with no access to the Internet, etc.). In the newly opened window select the folder
where you have previously placed the update file, and launch the update process.
Advanced settings... - opens the AVG advanced settings dialog where you can edit the
AVG Internet Security 2012 configuration. Generally, it is recommended that you keep the
default settings of the application as defined by the software vendor.
Firewall settings... - opens a standalone dialog for advanced configuration of the Firewall
component.
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5.1.5. Help
Contents - opens the AVG help files
Get Support - opens the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/) at the customer support
center page
Your AVG Web - opens the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/)
About Viruses and Threats - opens the online Virus Encyclopedia where you can look up
detailed information on the identified virus
Reactivate - opens the Activate AVG dialog with the data you have entered in the
Personalize AVG dialog of the installation process. Within this dialog you can enter your
license number to either replace the sales number (you have installed AVG with), or to
replace the old license number (e.g. when upgrading to a new AVG product).
Register now - connects to the registration page of the AVG website (http://www.avg.com/).
Please fill in your registration data; only customers who register their AVG product can
receive free technical support.
Note: If using the trial version of AVG Internet Security 2012, the latter two items appear as
Buy now and Activate, allowing you to buy the full version of the program right away. For
AVG Internet Security 2012 installed with a sales number, the items display as Register
and Activate.
About AVG - opens the AVG Information dialog with four tabs providing data on your
purchased license and accessible support, product and program information, and the full
wording of the license agreement.
5.1.6. Support
The Support link opens a new AVG Information dialog with all types of information you might need when trying to find help. The dialog includes basic data on your installed AVG program (program/ database version), license details, and a list of quick support links. The AVG Information dialog is divided into four tabs:
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The License and Support tab provides information on the product name (type of licence, and number of seats), the license number, and the expiration date:
Control buttons and links
You will find the following buttons and hyperlinks in the tab:
(Re)Activate - Click the button to open the new AVG Activate Software dialog. Fill in your
license number into the respective field to either replace your sales number (that you use
during the AVG Internet Security 2012 installation), or to change your current license
number for another (e.g. when upgrading to a higher AVG product).
Copy to clipboard - Use this link to copy the license number, and paste it where needed.
This way you can be sure the license number is entered correctly.
Renew now - We recommend that you purchase your AVG Internet Security 2012
license renewal in good time, at least one month prior to your current license expiration.
You will be noticed of the approaching expiration date. Click this link to get redirected to
AVG website (http://www.avg.com/) where you find detailed information on your license
status, the expiration date, and the renewal/upgrade offer.
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The Product Information tab provides an overview of the AVG Internet Security 2012 most
important technical data:
The tab is divided into several sections:
Product information - provides information on the AVG Internet Security 2012 version, the virus database version, the LinkScanner version, and the AVG Security Toolbar version.
Installed components - provides a complete list of all currently installed components.
Installed e-mail protection - offers an overview of all installed e-mail protection plug-ins.
System information - lists all relevant parameters of your operating system (processor
type, operating system and its version, build number, service packs used, total memory
size, and free memory size).
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On the Program tab you can find information on the AVG Internet Security 2012 program file version, and on the third parties code used in the product:
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On the License Agreement tab you can read the full wording of the license agreement between you
and AVG Technologies:
5.2. Security Status Info
The Security Status Info section is located in the upper part of the AVG Internet Security 2012
main window. Within this section you will always find information on the current security status of
your AVG Internet Security 2012. Please see an overview of icons possibly depicted in this
section, and their meaning:
- the green icon indicates that your AVG Internet Security 2012 is fully functional.
Your computer is completely protected, up-to-date, and all installed components are working
properly.
- the yellow icon warns that one or more components are incorrectly configured
and you should check their properties/settings. There is no critical problem in AVG Internet
Security 2012 and you have probably decided to switch a component off for some reason.
You are still protected!. However, please pay attention to the problem component's settings!
Its name will be provided in the Security Status Info section.
The yellow icon also appears if for some reason you have decided to ignore a component's
error status. The Ignore component state option is available from the context menu (opened
by your mouse right-click) over the respective component's icon in the component overview of
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the AVG Internet Security 2012 main window. Select this option to state you are aware of
the component's error state but for some reason you wish to keep your AVG Internet
Security 2012 so and you do not want to be warned by the system tray icon. You may need
to use this option in a specific situation but it is strictly recommended that you switch off the
Ignore component state option as soon as possible.
Alternatively, the yellow icon will also be displayed if your AVG Internet Security 2012
requires a computer restart (Restart needed). Please pay attention to this warning and restart
your PC using the Restart now button.
- the orange icon indicates that AVG Internet Security 2012 has a critical status!
One or more components does not work properly and AVG Internet Security 2012 cannot
protect your computer. Please pay immediate attention to fixing the reported problem. If you
are not able to fix the error yourself, contact the AVG technical support team.
In case AVG Internet Security 2012 is not set to the optimum performance, a new button
named Fix (alternatively Fix all if the problem involves more than one component) appears
next to the security status information. Press the button to launch an automatic process of
checking and configuring the program. This is an easy way to set AVG Internet Security
2012 to the optimum performance and reach the maximum security level!
It is strongly recommended that you pay attention to Security Status Info and if the report indicates
any problem, go ahead and try to solve it immediately. Otherwise your computer is at risk!
Note: AVG Internet Security 2012 status information can also be obtained at any time from the
system tray icon.
5.3. Quick Links
Quick links are located on the left side of AVG Internet Security 2012 user interface. These links
allow you to immediately access the most important and most frequently used features of the
application, i.e. scanning and update. The quick links are accessible from all dialogs of the user
interface:
Quick links are graphically divided into three sections:
Scan now - by default, the button provides information on the last scan launched (i.e. the
scan type, and the date of last launch). Click the Scan now command to launch the same
scan again. If you want to launch another scan, click the Scan options link. This is how
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you open the AVG scanning interface where you can run scans, schedule scans, or edit
their parameters. (For details see chapter AVG Scanning)
Scan options - use this link to switch from any currently opened AVG dialog to the default
window with an overview of all installed components. (For details see chapter Components
Overview)
Update now - the link provides the date and time of the update last launch. Press the
button to run the update process immediately, and to follow its progress. (For details see
chapter AVG Updates)
Quick links are accessible from AVG User Interface at all times. Once you use a quick link to run a
specific process, either a scan or an update, the application will switch to a new dialog but the quick
links are still available. Moreover, the running process is also graphically depicted in the navigation,
so that you have a full control over all launched processes running within AVG Internet Security
2012 at the moment.
5.4. Components Overview
Components Overview sections
The Components Overview section is located in the central part of your AVG Internet Security 2012 user interface. The section is divided into two parts:
Overview of all installed components consisting of graphic panels for all installed
components. Each panel is labeled by the component's icon and providing information on
whether the respective component is active or inactive at the moment.
Component's description is located in the bottom part of this dialog. The description
briefly explains the component's basic functionality. It also provides the information on the
current status of the selected component.
Installed components' list
Within the AVG Internet Security 2012 the Components Overview section contains information
on the following components:
Anti-Virus detects viruses, spyware, worms, trojans, unwanted executable files, or libraries
within your system, and protects you from malicious adware - details >>
LinkScanner protects you from web-based attacks while you search and surf the Internet -
details >>
E-mail Protection checks your incoming e-mail messages for SPAM, and blocks viruses,
phishing attacks, or other threats - details >>
Firewall controls all communication on each network port, protecting you from malicious
attacks and blocking all intrusion attempts - details >>
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Anti-Rootkit scans for dangerous rootkits hidden inside applications, drivers, or libraries -
details >>
System Tools offers a detailed summary of the AVG environment and operating system
information - details >>
PC Analyzer analyzer provides information about your computer status - details >>
Identity Protection is constantly protecting your digital assets from new and unknown
threats - details >>
Remote Administration is only displayed within AVG Business Editions in case you have
specified during the installation process you want to have this component installed
Actions accessible
Move mouse over any component's icon to highlight it within the components overview.
At the same time, the component's basic functionality description appears in the bottom
part of the user interface.
Single-click any component's icon to open the component's own interface with a list of
basic statistical data.
Right-click you mouse over a component's icon to expand a context menu with several
options:
o Open - Click this option to open the component's own dialog (just like a single-click
on the component's icon).
o Ignore the state of this component - Select this option to express you are aware of
the component's error state but for some reason you wish to keep this status, and you do not want to be warned by the system tray icon.
o Open in Advanced settings ... - This option is only available for some components;
i.e. those that provide the option of advanced settings.
5.5. System Tray Icon
The AVG System Tray Icon (on your Windows taskbar, right-hand bottom corner of your monitor)
indicates the current status of your AVG Internet Security 2012. It is visible at all times in your
system tray, no matter whether the user interface of your AVG Internet Security 2012 is opened or
closed:
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AVG System Tray Icon display
In full color with no added elements the icon indicates that all AVG Internet Security
2012 components are active and fully functional. However, the icon can also be displayed
this way in a situation when one of the components is not fully functional but the user has
decided to ignore the component state. (Having confirmed the ignore for component state
option you express, you are aware of the component's error state but for some reason you
wish to keep it so, and you do not want to be warned about the situation.)
The icon with an exclamation mark indicates that a component (or even more
components) is in error state. Always pay attention to such a warning and try to remove the
configuration issue for a component that is not set up properly. In order to be able to
perform the changes in the component's configuration, double-click the system tray icon to
open the application user interface. For detailed information on which components is in error
state please consult the security status info section.
The system tray icon can further be displayed in full color with a flashing and rotating
beam of light. This graphic version signalizes a currently launched update process.
The alternative display of a full color icon with an arrow means that one of the AVG
Internet Security 2012 scans is running now.
AVG System Tray Icon information
The AVG System Tray Icon also informs about current activities within your AVG Internet Security
2012, and on possible status changes in the program (e.g. automatic launch of a scheduled scan or
update, Firewall profile switch, a component's status change, error status occurrence, ...) via a popup window opened from the system tray icon:
Actions accessible from AVG System Tray Icon
AVG System Tray Icon can also be used as a quick link to access the user interface of AVG
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Internet Security 2012; just double-click the icon. By right-click the icon you open a brief context
menu with the following options:
Open AVG User Interface - click to open the user interface of AVG Internet Security
2012.
Temporarily disable AVG protection - the option allows you to switch off the entire
protection secured by your AVG Internet Security 2012 at once. Please remember that
you should not use this option unless it is absolutely necessary! In most cases, it is not
necessary to disable AVG Internet Security 2012 before installing new software or drivers,
not even if the installer or software wizard suggests that running programs and applications
be shut down first to make sure there are no unwanted interruptions during the installation
process. If you do have to temporarily disable AVG Internet Security 2012, you should reenable 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.
Firewall - click to open the context menu for Firewall settings options where you can edit
the major parameters: Firewall status (Firewall enabled/Firewall disabled/Emergency mode),
gaming mode switching and Firewall profiles.
Scans - click to open the context menu for predefined scans (Whole Computer scan, and
Scan Specific Files or Folders) and select the required scan; it will be launched
immediately.
Running scans ... - this item is displayed only if a scan is currently running on your
computer. For this scan you can then set its priority, alternatively stop or pause the running
scan. The following actions are also accessible: Set priority for all scans, Pause all scans
or Stop all scans.
Run PC Analyzer - click to launch the PC Analyzer component.
Update now - launches an immediate update.
Help - opens the help file on the start page.
5.6. AVG Advisor
AVG Advisor has been designed to detect problems that might be slowing your computer down, or
putting it at risk, and to recommend an action to solve the situation. If you see a sudden computer
slowdown (Internet browsing, overall performance), it is not usually obvious what exactly the culprit
is, and subsequently, how to solve the problem. That is where AVG Advisor comes in: It will
display a notification in the system tray informing you what the problem might be, and suggesting
how to fix it. AVG Advisor keeps monitoring all running processes within your PC for possible
issues, and offering tips on how to avoid the problem.
AVG Advisor is visible in the form of a sliding pop-up over the system tray:
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Specifically, AVG Advisor monitors the following:
The state of any currently opened web browser. Web browsers may overload the
memory, especially if multiple tabs or windows have been opened for some time, and
consume too much of system resources, i.e. slowing down your computer. In such
situation, restarting the web browser usually helps.
Running Peer-To-Peer connections. After using the P2P protocol for sharing files, the
connection can sometimes remain active, using up certain amount of your bandwidth. As a
result, you can see web browsing slowdown.
Unknown network with a familiar name. This usually only applies to users who connect
to various networks, typically with portable computers: If a new, unknown network has the
same name as a well-known, frequently used network (e.g. Home or MyWifi), confusion can
occur, and you can accidentally connect to a completely unknown and potentially unsafe
network. AVG Advisor can prevent this by warning you that the known name actually
represents a new network. Of course, if you decide that the unknown network is safe, you
can save it to an AVG Advisor list of known networks so that it is not reported again in the
future.
In each of these situation, AVG Advisor warns you of the possible problem that might occur, and it
provides the name and icon of the conflicting process, or application. Also, AVG Advisor suggests
what steps should be taken to avoid the possible problem.
Supported web browsers
The feature works with the following web browsers: Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari.
5.7. AVG Gadget
The AVG gadget is displayed on the Windows desktop (Windows Sidebar). This application is only supported in the operating systems Windows Vista and Windows 7. The AVG gadget offers immediate access to the most important AVG Internet Security 2012 function, i.e. scanning and
updating:
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