AVG could just be one of the most generous companies in the world. For years it has offered a free download of its anti-virus software. Although many are grateful for this there is, of course, a paid-for option too. Grisoft, its Czech creator, is hoping people will upgrade to its full internet security suite.

AVG Internet Security has just reached version 7.5 and consists of anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and firewall programs. Installation is very simple; load the software from the supplied CD, enter the licence number and select the type of PC you're installing the firewall on. From AVG’s point of view there are four types: Allow everything, Block everything, Computer in domain and Standalone PC.

Obviously these choices aren’t exactly clear, not only for their descriptions but for their purposes too. 'Block everything' and 'Standalone PC' offer similar facilities while PCs on a home network will need to be set up as 'Computer in domain', which will allow your protected PC to work with other networked computers.

In essence, AVG could make firewall setup a lot more intuitive, simply by offering plain-language options such as ‘Are you working at home or in an office?’ and ‘Is there a broadband modem connected directly to this PC?’. Other internet security providers do this.

However, once set up, the anti-virus element works very much like its free counterpart AVG Antivirus 7.5 free download, though with more flexibility for things like scheduling scans.

The anti-spyware program works away in the background and you're only likely to see it if it finds something untoward. The anti-spam part prefixes suspect messages with [SPAM], making them easily identifiable.

£42 might seem a lot for an internet security suite with only four elements– there's no identity protection, anti-phising or file backup – but it includes the most widely-needed protection and the fee covers a two-year subscription that includes constant updates. A one-year subscription costs £10 less.

AVG Internet Security 7.5 does its job well, it just needs to show what it's doing rather better and be a bit more explanatory during set up.

Also consider
Norton Internet Security 2007
Anti-phishing and anti-spyware, but no anti-spam. Does it matter?

McAfee Internet Security Suite
All round internet protection

Panda Internet Security 2007
Complete but idiosyncratic security software

Tesco Internet Security
The supermarket giant’s budget security package helps to protect against a wide range of threats