I haven't found any obvious damage to my systems yet, but..... For the last week or so, one of my computers using AVG Free (running under 32-bit Vista) has been plagued with "Unspecified AVG Error" messages. These occur usually when closing Internet Explorer. AVG has a tool to repair installations but it hasn't worked.In addition, I am now getting this error message on my FSX computer (running Windows7 64-bit). On this computer I have AVG Internet Security (payware). There is also a repair tool for this package. It didn't work.So, technical support at AVG has been unable to fix these problems Regarding my computer, AVG recommends I use something called AVG Buddies. This is interesting. It cost $50 to use this service. So, they want me to pay them to fix a problem that is probably in their software. That's very cool.My recommendation - If you are using either of these products and don't want to pay them to fix their problem, I recommend you uninstall AVG completely until they announce a solution to this issue. You keep running this software at your risk. NOTE: I'm not saying there is a definite problem but it looks very bad.Frank

AVG used to be good, now Avira and Malwarebytes are the best, and free

Use MSSE and be done with it.

I found Vipre to be very good.

Use MSSE and be done with it.

+1

Use MSSE and be done with it.

+2

+3Use the Windows 7 firewall and MSSE. Great combination, updated regularly and bath have a friendly UI.

Super responses - Thanks. I've managed to remove AVG from my system. After the standard uninstall process, I went into the Windows Registry and had to remove over 100 AVG tags that were not eliminated during the uninstall. This is definitely not good.I installed MSSE and of course I already used the Windows Firewall. Now, what can be done to eliminate the majority of stutters in FSX usually associated with security. When I was using AVG, I used FSX Processkiller to deactivate the AVG processes until I finished FSX. Do I now just turn off MSSE while using FSX or is there some other methodology to temporarily kill certain processes.Frank

Super responses - Thanks. I've managed to remove AVG from my system. After the standard uninstall process, I went into the Windows Registry and had to remove over 100 AVG tags that were not eliminated during the uninstall. This is definitely not good.I installed MSSE and of course I already used the Windows Firewall. Now, what can be done to eliminate the majority of stutters in FSX usually associated with security. When I was using AVG, I used FSX Processkiller to deactivate the AVG processes until I finished FSX. Do I now just turn off MSSE while using FSX or is there some other methodology to temporarily kill certain processes.Frank

Open MSSE, open the right tab (I am using a Dutch version but it should read something like Settings), and on the left there should be something like 'Exclude files and locations' (again: Dutch version here so I don't know the exact wording you will see). Add FSX.exe to the list and any other apps you have running with FSX and that should be it.

Jeroen,Let me see if I understand your instructions. I can use the "Settings" menu to disable MSSE's effect on FSX. If I understand correctly that means I can disable MSSE before I run FSX. I'm supposing I can then re-enable MSSE when I'm finished. Is this correct?Excellent! Thanks so much.Frank

No, you are just excluding MSSE from keeping track of FSX.exe. You are not disabling MSSE.

Just another viewpoint.MSSE is lightweight and easy too use. This is good. If you are careful and smart on your computer, it will protect you from what you expect(but what about what you don't expect?). Folks have used it for some time now, and been fine.But it is a little too lightweight. I use it on computers for quick, short term protection. But I would never leave it on a machine I really care about. I've seen it fail too often. I know folks will post that they've never had a problem. That's great. Bless you. But I've had to clean up too many messes it left behind. I'm not sure any AV is worth a darn.Just my experience, having seen a few computers.Bob

Super responses - Thanks. I've managed to remove AVG from my system. After the standard uninstall process, I went into the Windows Registry and had to remove over 100 AVG tags that were not eliminated during the uninstall. This is definitely not good.I installed MSSE and of course I already used the Windows Firewall. Now, what can be done to eliminate the majority of stutters in FSX usually associated with security. When I was using AVG, I used FSX Processkiller to deactivate the AVG processes until I finished FSX. Do I now just turn off MSSE while using FSX or is there some other methodology to temporarily kill certain processes.Frank

As others have said - AVG used to be very good, but as far as removal, Frank - you're lucky you don't have Norton's A / V. Since the middle to late '80's, Norton litter's the pc with bits and bytes everywhere. It's the most insidious program out there. You'll find a huge peace of mind with the MS SSE + FW. Great combo.Regarding shutting it down - yes - I run Ken Salter's free "AlacrityPC" to shutdown services and programs that don't need to be running when I'm flying, and have done it this way for years and years. Good luck!

I used to have MSSE but it missed a lot of incoming threats.I use Vipre with excellent results.It also uses very little resources,and is highly configurable.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it. Regarding MSSE - the software indicates that if scans all downloads and that e-mail is considered a download. However, there doesn't appear to be any scanning of e-mail traffic - out or in. I'm a little worried about not having visible e-mail security. I'll check out Vipre to see if that software works for me.