Best antimalware that doesn't affect perfomance.

[Soul Reaper]

I upgraded my 2 year old gaming pc and am looking for a good, light antimalware program. Given that I don't store much sensitive data, I prioritize my pc's performance over security.

I use to have NOD32 around 2007, and it fitted my needs, but given the 3 year long gap, anything else I should consider?

[culla]

returnil2008 or similar

[Triple Helix]

Prevx with SafeOnline is very, very light!

TH

[Pedersen]

Immunet, One of if not the lightest AV on the market.

[Kyle1420]

I don't believe Immunet is one of the fastest, I'd say it's about average in terms of resource usage. Considering it has to send infomation back and forwards is also a factor.

Avast, after running the pc for 4 hours ( about 2 of those was gaming, the rest was utorrent) only 4 seconds of cpu time. Now thats light :thumb:

[shadek]

-{ Quote: "I don't believe Immunet is one of the fastest, I'd say it's about average in terms of resource usage. Considering it has to send infomation back and forwards is also a factor.

Avast, after running the pc for 4 hours ( about 2 of those was gaming, the rest was utorrent) only 4 seconds of cpu time. Now thats light :thumb:" }-

CPU-time isn't what's important. The thing that matters is the disk access techniques used by AVs, as it's the bottleneck of computers. CPU and RAM does not matter anymore (they did 5-10 years ago).

[lonelywolf]

Shadow Defender...even though it is no longer supported...also VirusTotalUploader, KeyScrambler personal and LastPass. There's no need for anything else. This combo is very light on resources.
;)

[kC_]

i'd say common sense is the lightest ;)

[NoIos]

I could suggest to use no AV and just do regularly on-demand scanning like with Hitman ( if you use win7 or Vista )

Then Microsoft Security Essentials could be an option(free) or an AV that you could set to scan only on execute...and why not have the possibility to exclude some folders..example...the folder of a game ( examples Avast, ZoneAlarm ). Specially the suite of Avast ( includes AV and firewall ) is really silent and offers a gaming mode.

[kerykeion]

ESET NOD32 is still light =)

[Kernelwars]

Vipre is awesome..light as feather;D and effective on the other hand:thumb:

[bellgamin]

Beside your firewall, the following 3 on-demand apps are all the security you need. The impact on real-time activities is ZERO!

Keriver 1-Click Restore (http://www.keriver.com/) -- On-demand Imager. Use it every week and just before making significant changes such as installing major software. $19.99

Tiny Watcher (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/olwatcher.html) -- On-demand system monitor. Use "Deep Scan" once daily at first boot. Free

Avira-Free (http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus) -- Use it on-demand only. Right click and scan each new install before you install it. Do a full scan at least weekly. Free

All of these applications are on-demand. Therefore the impact on real-time activities is ZERO. If Tiny Watcher or Avira-free spot an anomaly (real or potential malware), then simply use Keriver 1-Click to restore the latest clean image and you're good to go.

[Matthijs5nl]

In those last two years ESET didn't become heavier. It still is one of the lightest available, especially on boot time (which is the first thing you notice so quite important for me). Next to that ESET only made some imcremental updates (3.0 to 4.0 wasn't really shocking, it added some new features you won't directly notice, and 4.2 were mostly performance improvements). So if you did like ESET back then, and you don't mind paying some money, I think it will be a good decision to just use NOD32 again.
Next to that the automatic gaming mode (when opening a full screen app: delaying updates etc.) might come in handy if you game a lot. You can personally set up which kind of notifications you want to receive while you are in mid-game.
It hardly requires user interaction anyway, you will only receive messages when the signatures are being updated (won't do that in game) and when it blocks a threat, or needs help with blocking a threat (won't happen in game).

If you don't want to pay all the three A's are light options.
AVG fullscreen mode is automatic, the other two I am not sure about.
Avira could give those annoying ads when playing a game though, (I don't like hacking them away). Avast is probably the most set and forget of those three. Especially since it checks more frequently for updates (you can set it up) than AVG (mostly only once a day, if you are lucky twice).

[justenough]

You may find this helpful: http://www.raymond.cc/antivirus/

Sandboxie and NOD32 are a good combination on my computer.

[GES/POR]

-{ Quote: "i'd say common sense is the lightest ;)" }-

This is getting seriously old, ppl have been parotting that line for years but everytime someone says its like telling us Wilder's youve invented the wheel for us.

Common Sense does not prevent hackers, etc.

It simply prevents stupidity, thats all and we all slip up from time to time.

Now get ontopic and give a more sensible advice as in wich anti malware (basic insurrance alongside usin ones brain) would b most suitable for the poster's request.

Sorry for the rant,

Ges

[tpro]

-{ Quote: "i'd say common sense is the lightest ;)" }-

But it's not available for all users ;D

[justenough]

-{ Quote: "This is getting seriously old, ppl have been parotting that line for years but everytime someone says its like telling us Wilder's youve invented the wheel for us.

Common Sense does not prevent hackers, etc.

It simply prevents stupidity, thats all and we all slip up from time to time.

Now get ontopic and give a more sensible advice as in wich anti malware (basic insurrance alongside usin ones brain) would b most suitable for the poster's request.

Sorry for the rant,

Ges" }-

But not sorry enough to just not post the rant. With all respect, I believe you misread what kC said. He didn't say common sense is the best or only anti-malware (much less that he's "invented the wheel"), but rather that it is the lightest. Hard to argue with that. And I am sure you wouldn't say that common sense isn't pretty important in keeping a computer secure. And if it is just the repetition that bothers you, how many times has Avast or NOD32, etc been recommended on Wilders?

[Page42]

-{ Quote: "He didn't say common sense is the best or only anti-malware (much less that he's "invented the wheel"), but rather that it is the lightest. Hard to argue with that." }-
Aha! An excellent point you've made!
But might I ask, is it possible for someone with a heavy personality to have light common sense? ;)
My vote, btw, would be for avast...
not because I have tested all AVs and come to this conclusion scientifically, but simply because it's running so well for me
and seems to have such very little impact.
:thumb:

[Kernelwars]

how about a realtime hips and ondemand hitman pro..it will be hard for any malware to beat that IMO;D

[shadek]

-{ Quote: "how about a realtime hips and ondemand hitman pro..it will be hard for any malware to beat that IMO;D" }-

How is HIPS related to an antimalware application which doesn't affect performance? It ruins it thanks to all the pop-ups! It slows the computer down A LOT!

The easiest way to maximize security without any system impact is when running in a virtualized mode. I can recommend Shadow Defender or Returnil for that.

[justenough]

-{ Quote: "Aha! An excellent point you've made!
But might I ask, is it possible for someone with a heavy personality to have light common sense? ;)
My vote, btw, would be for avast...
not because I have tested all AVs and come to this conclusion scientifically, but simply because it's running so well for me
and seems to have such very little impact.
:thumb:" }-

You mean like a bull in a china shop? Yes, such things exist.

On reflection, I should retract my anti-rant rant. GES/POR was probably just fed up with the inanity of it all. If a person has common sense, they have it.
If they don't, telling them to go get some won't really do much to help.

[justenough]

-{ Quote: "How is HIPS related to an antimalware application which doesn't affect performance? It ruins it thanks to all the pop-ups! It slows the computer down A LOT!

The easiest way to maximize security without any system impact is when running in a virtualized mode. I can recommend Shadow Defender or Returnil for that." }-

I had high hopes for HIPS, but after trying a few, it was like fighting malware with more malware.

Virtualizing and a system image is a great choice.

[Kernelwars]

-{ Quote: "How is HIPS related to an antimalware application which doesn't affect performance? It ruins it thanks to all the pop-ups! It slows the computer down A LOT!

The easiest way to maximize security without any system impact is when running in a virtualized mode. I can recommend Shadow Defender or Returnil for that." }-
HIPS have the capability to stop any malware from entering and changing critical system config even if our av / as dont have signature for it.. So it wont be entirely wrong to relate it as antimalware app as well IMO;D

[GES/POR]

-{ Quote: " I should retract my anti-rant rant. GES/POR was probably just fed up with the inanity of it all. If a person has common sense, they have it.
If they don't, telling them to go get some won't really do much to help." }-

anti rant rant :thumb: lol

Well i suppose 1 could always learn but thats ofc as u might understand only 1 part of the equasation. The other part would be to use the force like Luke.

[moontan]

you want the best performance possible?

get rid of HIPS and real time AVs.

i also recommend light virtualization such as Shadow Defender.
Reboot and all the crap is gone.

[GES/POR]

-{ Quote: "How is HIPS related to an antimalware application which doesn't affect performance? It ruins it thanks to all the pop-ups! It slows the computer down A LOT!" }-

Depends on the product and in wich mode it is ran?

[Soul Reaper]

Alright, so far from what I've read, the lightest software are the on demand apps and sandbox/virtualization. I personally will stay away from the latter, as I just find them cumbersome to use.

An on-demand scanner does take zero resources but I would like to have some real time protection. Please note that I am not starved for resources, I have a i7-930 oc'ed to 4.1GHz and 6GB 1600MHz RAM. So I am looking for low disk usage/none at all during gaming and with cpu consideration second. However that doesn't mean I want a resource hogging program, but something that is still light overall.

I guess I'll give the latest NOD32 a try to see if its still good, but if there are anything lighter, throw em at me. I also heard about superantispyware from a friend, that any good?

[justenough]

-{ Quote: "Alright, so far from what I've read, the lightest software are the on demand apps and sandbox/virtualization. I personally will stay away from the latter, as I just find them cumbersome to use.

An on-demand scanner does take zero resources but I would like to have some real time protection. Please note that I am not starved for resources, I have a i7-930 oc'ed to 4.1GHz and 6GB 1600MHz RAM. So I am looking for low disk usage/none at all during gaming and with cpu consideration second. However that doesn't mean I want a resource hogging program, but something that is still light overall.

I guess I'll give the latest NOD32 a try to see if its still good, but if there are anything lighter, throw em at me. I also heard about superantispyware from a friend, that any good?" }-

Virtualization software such as Sandboxie or GesWall or Shadow Defender, even VMWare and VirtualBox, doesn't seem that complicated to me, and I'm pretty much a noob. I read the manual, set up Sandboxie for browser and mail and that's about it. Recovering a download takes an extra click or two.

But if you don't want to deal with it, NOD32 is a good choice. And yes, SAS is a good backup scan to MBAM and Hitman Pro. For an idea as to how those three stack up, you could look at these on-going tests: http://malwareresearchgroup.com/category/malwareproducttesting/ (if you get weird formatting, which I do, look down until you see these words in blue and underlined, and click on them: 'MRG Product Comparison'. And there are a lot more tests to look at if you click on the greyed out 'older entries' at the bottom left of the page)

[Soul Reaper]

-{ Quote: "Virtualization software such as Sandboxie or GesWall or Shadow Defender, even VMWare and VirtualBox, doesn't seem that complicated to me, and I'm pretty much a noob. I read the manual, set up Sandboxie for browser and mail and that's about it. Recovering a download takes an extra click or two.

But if you don't want to deal with it, NOD32 is a good choice. And yes, SAS is a good backup scan to MBAM and Hitman Pro. For an idea as to how those three stack up, you could look at these on-going tests: http://malwareresearchgroup.com/category/malwareproducttesting/ (if you get weird formatting, which I do, look down until you see these words in blue and underlined, and click on them: 'MRG Product Comparison'. And there are a lot more tests to look at if you click on the greyed out 'older entries' at the bottom left of the page)" }-

Alright so I'll consider NOD32 still. I took a look at the settings and it seemed pretty much the same from back when I used it. . I took a look at http://www.raymond.cc/antivirus/gamefps.html and decided to look at Immunet, is the plus version any good to make it worth buying over others?

Funny thing is I noticed norton getting a good score there too, did they revamp the software, as back when I used it, the thing was a major slowdown.

Edit: My tech friend suggested I just use MS Security Essential and some free add-on protection like threatfire or Immunet. I might do this instead as its free and seems decent.

[justenough]

-{ Quote: "Alright so I'll consider NOD32 still. I took a look at the settings and it seemed pretty much the same from back when I used it. . I took a look at http://www.raymond.cc/antivirus/gamefps.html and decided to look at Immunet, is the plus version any good to make it worth buying over others?

Funny thing is I noticed norton getting a good score there too, did they revamp the software, as back when I used it, the thing was a major slowdown.

Edit: My tech friend suggested I just use MS Security Essential and some free add-on protection like threatfire or Immunet. I might do this instead as its free and seems decent." }-

Yes Norton has made major improvements.

Your tech friend has good advice, though for free IMHO you can do better than MSE as far as detection. Matthijs5nl gave you some good advice there. To quote him:

"If you don't want to pay all the three A's are light options.
AVG fullscreen mode is automatic, the other two I am not sure about.
Avira could give those annoying ads when playing a game though, (I don't like hacking them away). Avast is probably the most set and forget of those three. Especially since it checks more frequently for updates (you can set it up) than AVG (mostly only once a day, if you are lucky twice)."

There's an easy way to disable the Avira ad, which may be worth it since it has such a good detection rate. But Avast is probably the lightest, and you can custom install the shields you need.

Adding a layer or two or three is always a good idea, so long as they are light-weight and don't conflict. Some people have issues with Threatfire, but I believe there is a new version just out, haven't checked it out, since I am using WinPatrol Plus as a light HIPS. It is hardly noticeable, and there is a free version, or you can get the life-time license if you like it.

Have you looked over this list? http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/probably-best-free-security-list-world.htm

[ExtremeGamerBR]

Free Antivirus:

Avast! Free (File / Behavior only)

Avast! is very light, almost can not even realizing you have antivirus.

Antivirus Paid:

Norton Antivirus 2011 with Smart Definitions

NOD32 is also very light, but in testing protective Norton wins. :thumb:

[culla]

-{ Quote: "you want the best performance possible?

get rid of HIPS and real time AVs.

i also recommend light virtualization such as Shadow Defender.
Reboot and all the crap is gone." }-

exactly as i said in first answer ::)

[moontan]

-{ Quote: "exactly as i said in first answer ::)" }-

yes, and?

i am still allowed to give my own opinion i hope.
even if it mirrors a previous recommendation.

[jmonge]

also AppRanger is slowly disapearing:'( too bad as i really like this scaner,but i am happy i replace it with hitman pro:)

[malexous]

-{ Quote: "Funny thing is I noticed norton getting a good score there too, did they revamp the software, as back when I used it, the thing was a major slowdown." }-Norton was re-written to consume less resources for the 2009 version. I don't notice the 2011 version on either of our low specced machines.

[Mr.PC]

+1 for Nod32 and avast!

[culla]

-{ Quote: "yes, and?

i am still allowed to give my own opinion i hope.
even if it mirrors a previous recommendation." }-

too right mate no probs all good ok ;D

[moontan]

-{ Quote: "too right mate no probs all good ok ;D" }-

it's all cool m8!

cheers. :)

[Soul Reaper]

Alright, it boils down to NOD32 and Norton for paid, Avast or avg for free. Anyone know if the latest norton incorporates the gaming edition that was discontinued?
If threatfire can conflict I'll reconsider on that, any other light options?

[ALookingInView]

AV-Comparatives does performance testing. The Raymond's blog suggestion was also good IMO.
If you're not wanting any extras (firewall, anti-spam, etc) then I would encourage you to try avast! Free. It protects well, you can tailor it to suit your needs, it's not in-your-face (especially when configured to not be), and it is light.

If you'd prefer a paid product then either of the two you mentioned should work well for you.
Norton will install a toolbar (IE and FF) to provide its web/link protection though.

Edited for clarity.

[justenough]

You do know that you can try most of these programs for 30 days, don't you?

[Cutting_Edgetech]

Shadow Defender! It has no effect on system performance that I can tell. If there is it's so minuut that it's not noticeable.

[GES/POR]

Bitdefender has a gaming edition: http://www.bitdefender.com/media/html/gamesafe.html

U basicly get a full suite, designed for gamers at the cost of 30$

[Woodgiant]

With Eset smart security or Nod32, you will not get a slowdown on your Pc, and if you use it wiht Shadow Defender, that definitely do not use much ram, then I will state that you are very good protected. And furthermore do not have a negative performance on System resources.:thumb:
Best Regards

[trjam]

The Avast Internet Suite is as light and fast as some of the fastest AVs I have tried. That is on 32 and 64 bit OS using Windows and 7.

[ExtremeGamerBR]

-{ Quote: "Alright, it boils down to NOD32 and Norton for paid, Avast or avg for free. Anyone know if the latest norton incorporates the gaming edition that was discontinued?
If threatfire can conflict I'll reconsider on that, any other light options?" }-

Norton has detected a full-screen, so there interruped during games and movies:

223255

I believe that Norton 2011 is much faster than the 2009 edition of games. :thumb:

[bellgamin]

Read again my earlier post in this thread. Running ANY antivirus while playing online action games is tantamount to taking along a lawnmower to go Scuba diving.

[malexous]

-{ Quote: "Norton will install a toolbar (IE and FF) to provide its web/link protection though." }-NIS and N360 only; not NAV.

If it's your desire, you can disable or hide the toolbar but you can't customise or uninstall it.

All Norton products protect against known web exploits through Norton IPS. Blocked every single fake scanner page and exploit in my tests (MDL links) of NAV 2011 on an outdated Windows XP SP2 (real environment).

Norton Safe Web Lite and Norton DNS, both free, offer similar protection to the toolbar in NIS and N360.

[lonelywolf]

DefenseWall or Shadow Defender with KeyScrambler, Sygate personal firewall, LastPass, VirusTotal Uploader, Secunia. Very light and effective, no need for an antivirus running on your system.

[jmonge]

agree wolfy;D

[yeuxbleus]

My combo of Sandboxie running on limited user account and srp is very light.

[Reimer]

All I currently use is a Standard user account in Win7 Pro x64 and SRP. Seems like the lightest setup you can have with it being very effective.

Patiently waiting for GesWall 3.0 though