I'm looking to build a PC, and I have heard people say there are better Antivirus software than others for gaming. For example, I have been told Norton has a lower RAM usage. I thought I'd defer to the Escapist community. Any programs you swear by?
Is There an Antivirus Software That's Better Than Another for Gaming?
- Thread starter TheSteeleStrap
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I'm not too much of a heavy gamer, but my antivirus set up is ESET NOD 32 with the combined power of Anti-Malware bytes.
The only reason why my laptop was slow was because it was old and is on it's last legs of usability in terms of anything really intensive.
The only reason why my laptop was slow was because it was old and is on it's last legs of usability in terms of anything really intensive.
I swear by Microsoft's free software. Windows Defender for Windows 8 and Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7.
I haven't had a virus in years using it. My browsing habits don't take me to salty sites either so consider that when you make your decision.
As for Norton, I can't speak for the modern software but I stopped using it with Windows 98 because it was such a resource hog. It seems the longer a utility franchise goes, the more bloated it gets, look at Nero.
I haven't had a virus in years using it. My browsing habits don't take me to salty sites either so consider that when you make your decision.
As for Norton, I can't speak for the modern software but I stopped using it with Windows 98 because it was such a resource hog. It seems the longer a utility franchise goes, the more bloated it gets, look at Nero.
I'd go with Microsoft Security Essentials because it doesn't cost anything and it's decent. Other decent no cost alternatives are Avast!, Avira Antivir, and AVG and I'd probably recommend them in that order but they should all be equally good.
If you are looking for something paid, though, I'd second ESET NOD 32 - it's lightweight and quite good at what it does, but it's...well, has a cost in money.
If you are looking for something paid, though, I'd second ESET NOD 32 - it's lightweight and quite good at what it does, but it's...well, has a cost in money.
Microsoft Security Essentials is actually pretty good. It's very lightweight.
Though, the best defense against viruses is Firefox + NoScript add-on. 98% of viruses come from pages with malicious scripts. So stopping those scripts outright means preventing viruses from ever getting on your system in the first place. No-Script allows you to choose which scripts to allow, and which to block, with just a little observation it's easy to learn how to make your browsing very safe.
Though, the best defense against viruses is Firefox + NoScript add-on. 98% of viruses come from pages with malicious scripts. So stopping those scripts outright means preventing viruses from ever getting on your system in the first place. No-Script allows you to choose which scripts to allow, and which to block, with just a little observation it's easy to learn how to make your browsing very safe.
I haven't had any issues with Kaspersky, and with a reasonable yearly fee that covers multiple computers it has been my choice for 4 years now.
As stated many times before Windows security is good and light.
I have two others I would recommend.
1: MalwareBytes is fantastic, and it has a free version that is great.
2: Hit Man Pro 3.5 is super lightweight on hardware and is always up to date on the latest threats. It is fast and effectice. Between thoes 3 I havent gotten a virus in the past 3 years.
I have two others I would recommend.
1: MalwareBytes is fantastic, and it has a free version that is great.
2: Hit Man Pro 3.5 is super lightweight on hardware and is always up to date on the latest threats. It is fast and effectice. Between thoes 3 I havent gotten a virus in the past 3 years.
By the time i stopped using it, nothing had changed in that regard.WeepingAngels said:
Even worse now, even if you disable Norton antivirus itself, to truly get rid of it you have to go download the Symantec Removal Tool and use it, or else put up with a unkillable process that will lock down one of your CPU cores doing absolutely nothing.
That and the regular reminder to renew your Norton subscription.
I just use Ad-aware Antivirus. Ignoring the questionable naming they used it features a game mode that will change what tasks it does without lowering your game performance.
Urgh, my family used to use Norton when I was a teenager and I swear the damn thing is just like a virus when you're trying to get rid of it. The irony...gigastar said:
OT: I use AVG and haven't noticed any problems with it, but looking at what other people are saying it looks like it might be worth my while changing to something else. My poor little laptop needs all the help it can get in the gaming department.
I favor avast. Currently it's running in the background sucking up a piddly 4.3 MB of RAM, absolutely negligible considering my system as 16 gigs.
Avast also has a game mode. I don't think it messes with the functionality or makes the (tiny) resources used smaller but the little notification things don't pop up.
Avast also has a game mode. I don't think it messes with the functionality or makes the (tiny) resources used smaller but the little notification things don't pop up.
I'll echo the rest of them in here and say that I go with Microsoft Security Essentials. I was using it back when Microsoft was still charging for it per year like Xbox Live. Then it went free and the name was changed from Windows Live Onecare to Microsoft Security Essentials.
Finally, it was renamed to Windows Defender in Windows 8 and comes built in standard. No need to download it.
I'm not saying that you wont get viruses... but MS Sec Ess is free and made by the same people who made Windows.
Finally, it was renamed to Windows Defender in Windows 8 and comes built in standard. No need to download it.
I'm not saying that you wont get viruses... but MS Sec Ess is free and made by the same people who made Windows.