Well, I installed AVG 8.0 Free...

Click on "On-Line Help"...it launches an IE session. Isn't that special?

Shut off "Automatic Updates"...Win XP shield tells you, you are not protected...

I'm going to dump this over-arching, self-serving pig of a program soon.

The IE window opened because that is your default browser, mine opened in Firefox My default. Also the security shield will always tell you that you have no protection until you check the box under "recmmendations" that says "I have an antivirus program that I will monitor myself"

Thanks for the info. My eyes gloss over and my head swims when IE pops up...

FF is my default browser. I've set up FF itself for that, and went to check my Control Panel setting. However, I never checked off the box that said "Tell me if IE is not...etc." Never thought that was necessary - I assumed it was just a pesky notification thing by MS to urge me to use IE.

I've looked thru AVG 8.0. advanced settings, and elsewhere, and cannot find this recommendations check box.

Need to do that in the Windows Security Center Control Panel, not AVG.

Sorry I neglected that important point!!!

Internet Options lets me manipulate IE. Where within AVG 8.0 do I get to the "recommendations" ?

Forget trying to change settings in the AVG, as this will not help with your original question about not being protected. Go to start, control panel, security center, virus protection, recommendations. Check the box for "I have an antivirus program I'll monitor myself" While your at it, in the same "Security Center" window under "Resources" Click "Change the way security center alerts me" and uncheck all the boxes there. Now windows won't nag you for a firewall or auto updates either. Manually control all of these in the same security center window to the right.

Thank you - I will check it out. I appreciate your efforts on my behalf, Yankeedog.