What is the best anti-virus,firewall in terms of load on the processor ?

I am looking for an anti-virus,firewall that puts the least amount of load on the processor to minimize power consumption

 

antivirus avira or eset nod32.. firewall windows is sufficient

 

Wrong subforum -this should be in the security subforum.

Otherwise:
Some people run best with free software, others prefere paid software.

Personally I'm a fan of Kaspersky.

But please read the advice in teh securit subforum too, it can be found here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1046

 

Norton Internet Security 2009.
If you want to buy a full security suite which has strong overall protection and is also very light on resources, buy NIS.
NIS 2009 (and 2010, currently in beta) can't be compared to any of the older versions, the suite is very much improved.

 

Agreed. If you want a good, lightweight security suite and are willing to pay some money, take a look at NIS 2009.

If you'd rather use free software, Avira Antivir (antivirus software) and Comodo Firewall Pro are two good programs that are light on resources and are very effective. On my computer, Avira is currently taking up 1248 KB and Comodo is taking up 3652 KB.

 

Kaspersky 2010 for the win

I tried NIS 2009 and got infected from a banner ad

 

Is Kas light on resources in idle mode ? ( I don't care if it takes 100 % of CPU during scans)

What is the typical load on the processor of the lowest resource AV's ?


I am running AVG free at the moment and most of the time, the task manager indicates 0 %

 

Avira and Comodo idle at 0% CPU usage for me.

 

As far a I am aware yes.
I think KIS 2010 needs more RAM than KIS 2009 - and there is a potential memory leak in KIS 2010 - but CPU load is low.

You can actually work on your computer during a scan, but it will be slower.

If you buy a license for KIS you can instal 2009 or 2010 - and as long as your withing your 1 year license you can upgrade.

So it may be an idea to instal KIS 2009 and wait for a new release of KIS 2010 due to the memory leak.

I just had a look at the task manager - never more than 10% for both KIS processes, sometimes 0% but this is a very, very, very rough measure...

 

Windows Firewall + Avast = fine for me

cheers ...

 

Avast, outpost firewall

 

checking further, PC Tools firewall plus actually uses the least amount of resources of the top FW programs. If that is your primary need.

 

I don't care how much memory is used , the only thing that matters is the load on the processor

 

Heh, what......you guys forgot teh best of teh best? Teh almighteh NOD32 FTW?

NOD32 is the best antivirus you could pay for.......it has the lowest resources, you won't even feel you have an antivirus installed. + it has the best detection rate.

I have been using it for 5 years consecutively now and I've never gotten a virus.



You can download the demo here >>> http://download.eset.com/eval/win/eav/eav_nt32_enu.msi


Alternatively, you can download the ESET Smart Security Suite which is an all in one package containing NOD32 + antispyware + firewall >>> http://download.eset.com/download/win/ess/ess_nt32_enu.msi



To download 64 bit versions of the above demos click here >>> http://www.eset.com/download/free_trial_download_int.php


ESET SMART Security



Your most effective protection against today's huge volumes of threats from the web or emails. Based on ESET NOD32 Antivirus, it delivers proactive protection against new attacks during the critical hours when other vendors' products are not aware a new attack even exists. It also blocks spam and includes a personal two-way firewall. ESET Smart Security is lightning fast. Unlike other Internet security products, it will not slow down your system or inconvenience you while you work or play. Version 4 is faster, easier to use, and delivers stronger protection.

 

Maximus, do you work for Eset? Enough of your product showcase. Just because you are using it for 5 yrs doesn't mean that it's the best product in the AV world.

 

No I don't, I am saying the truth. If you don't believe me, then go read som reviews and research and you'll know what you're missing.

Furthermore, try the demo out, and you'll be hooked.

NOD32 FTW

 

No, you don't.
You just endlessly repeat the same mantra, NEVER post any links to serious reviews, showing NOD32 in front of the pack.
You only copy/paste text from the Eset website, how lame is that...
You're only a fanboi increasing his postcount with posts like above.

 

Most probably there are no PERFECT Antiviruses/Internet Security Suites. You can only choose those AV/IS that is considered good and suggestive.
In addition, you can't have all antivirus in a computer, that can cause much more inconvenient.
The famous list already been repeat plenty of time(I will repeat again). AVG is out of image.
Famous:
Norton Internet Security 2009/2010
ESET NOD 32
Kaspersky Internet Security 2009/2010(2010 seems have bug recently but I am not sure)
Avira Premium Suite
Avast Professional Edition

Semi-Famous:
Trend Micro
Panda Cloud
BitDefender

Non-famous
Vipre(very less populated but it is the most light resources if not mistaken)

BEST FREE AV you can use:
Avira Antivir Personal 9(recommended)
Avast Home Edition 4.8(recommended)
AVG 8.5
Comodo Security Suite

Lastly, some informations I provided might not be 100% accurate. Believe and not believe is in your brain.

 

I would recommend Avira AntiVir Personal and COMODO Firewall. Like other people said, both of these are free, and light on CPU load.

 

I also find NOD32 to the best... very unitrusive, does it owns thing low system resources. I would recommend its really fantastic if you like light wieght, no hassle AV.

 

nod32 uses the least amount of processor during idle periods, and only uses 50-60% during scans. probably the best suite avaiable, but Panda is also great, i use NOD32 on my laptops and Panda on all my workstations & my personal Desktop. NIS,Macafee are all resourse hogs&, IMHO are benifiting from good marketing and name recognition. the only "name" suite worth anything is kaspesky, but it uses a decent amout of resources to be optimal for a basic laptop.

 

hard drive drags down speed mainly doesnt it? (well i notice that the realtime scanning feature turned off speeds up my machine so it must be)

I never have CPU issues though, i run comodo internet suite and all the windows gear to keep me safe

 

Antivir and Comodo.

Those are my recommendations. Don't be fooled by it being free. Even though they are free programs, they are the best antivirus/firewall progs out there.

 

ESET Smart Security is the best!

 

I prefer Avira AntiVir.
Reasons?
1. Free (I'm a cheapo)
2. Best detection rates according to AV Comparative
3. Lightweight (low CPU and memory use)

For Firewall, Windows Firewall plus Router is enough for me. I used to use Comodo Firewall (without D+) but some of its updates and installation messed up my computer a few times and I grew tired of it.
My favorite firewall was Sygate Personal Firewall. It is not free, but I never encounter any problem while using it (unlike CPF). The bad is, its updates stopped years ago.
I used to be a user of Outpost Firewall when I tried to find a replacement for Sygate Personal Firewall, my biggest complain back then was the program starting time was slow and was quite a memory hog. It was years ago though, I cannot speak for the current Outpost.

You know, it is not cool to post/type like that. Plus, did Eset pay you to do advertisement for them?

 

You can also try AVAST! anti-virus Home Edition or its Professional Edition (free for 3 months only) which both are absolutely legal and free or its . Both get the latest updates every other day or two to make your PCs/notebooks fully updated to new threats/risks from the net The interface is simple but elegant; and the firewall is very easy-to-use and can be personalised to suit your needs. The only con here is the lengthy time of memory test which approximately lasts for 1.5-2.5 minutes before you can access AVAST! window.