Anti virus software when needing to download updates etc.

Any ideas on a good internet security software that will work on win 7 64 bit and not get in the way i.e. hog system resources? 

Jill

I've switched almost all my systems to the free, Microsoft Security Essentials package.  I find it to be very non-intrusive, and seems not to be heavy on my system.  I think Microsoft finally got the security suite right this time.  I've been protected and it's very much a set and forget type program.  

As always, individual mileage may vary.

ba_midi

Jind


I've switched almost all my systems to the free, Microsoft Security Essentials package.  I find it to be very non-intrusive, and seems not to be heavy on my system.  I think Microsoft finally got the security suite right this time.  I've been protected and it's very much a set and forget type program.  

As always, individual mileage may vary.

I'm not a fan of microsoft in general - for many reasons (including their bully-like approach overall), and I especially worry about their free stuff ;)

If it works, I tend not to read much else into it.  I'me very much a "use what you use" type person so as I stated individual mileage may vary.  When it stops working or causes too much load on my system I'll consider something else, until then - it works.  As for not being a fan of a company and not using their products because of it, that's very much your right. 

ProjectM


The Windows thing here as well, on all machines. Despite what you think of MS, it's IMO Ace!!

And I've tried many. For the first time I don't notice my AV at all

This alone is the reason I'm very pleased with Security Essentials.  I haven't had to think about my security status since I've switched to it, and all is working well with my DAW and the software I use on it.

ba_midi

jillmus


Any ideas on a good internet security software that will work on win 7 64 bit and not get in the way i.e. hog system resources? 

Jill

I use, as do many, ESET NOD32.  Very transparent, small footprint.


ESET.COM  is where to go check it out.


I use it on my DAWs and on all my personal/business and client computers.  I never have a problem with it.
I use the Antvirus version NOT the "smart security" (that's just more bloat basically).

Yes, I use ESET at the moment, though smart security. It does seem to occasionally get in the way when checking for updates etc. though I do have the option of setting when I want that to happen.

Jim Roseberry 

Hi Jill,     If you meet all the following conditions, you don't need A/V software. 

You're behind a hardware Firewall (using a router)

You're not sending and receiving Email with the DAW

You're not doing general-purpose Internet surfing (just going to trusted sites for updates/authorizations) If you absolutely need A/V software, Microsoft's (free) Security Essentials works great... and has a light footprint. 

   Thanks for this, and to all for suggestions. I will check the essentials out for a bit and see how it goes (as its free then its easy to do)

Jind. another vote for microsoft security essentials. It is surprisingly unintrusive

CJaysMusic


Ive been using Norton with Win 7 64bit and its working great. With today's pc's, it doesn't matter.

There wasllot of miss information about Norton and I was one of those spreading it, but after having it on my Win 764 bit pc for about a year, i can say it works great and it keeps my pc safe and secure.

Likewise I've had a McAffee subscription on the Internet Security Suite since 2003 and to hear some of the comments I get about it you'd think it was designed to melt down my machine.  I've had a couple of issues when they've upgraded the software over the years but I've never been infected and it's never interfered with my usage.

p.s. The software used is only part of a good security policy it doesn't guarantee immunity.  And as Jim says if you meet those criteria you may not even need it.

To the OP, turn off the auto-updating feature and do a manual update daily when it suits you.  Otherwise you should be fine with what you already have.

THambrecht

There should be no virus-scanner on an audio-workstation.

If you want to have internet on your computer, take a seperate little old computer and install it as an internet-server. Install a software (proxyserver) like http://www.entensys.com (running proxy and virus-scanner) and then connect your audio-workstation via LAN to the that internetserver. So you have internet and security on your audio-workstation without the need for a local virus-scanner.

I don't mean to say your wrong, but I will ask why?  Even Jim Roseberry who builds professional audio PC's for a living replied with a suggestion for a product.  This really seems to be a generalization that has carried forth over the years.  It probably depends on ones usage, ones environment.

Jind


I've switched almost all my systems to the free, Microsoft Security Essentials package.  I find it to be very non-intrusive, and seems not to be heavy on my system.  I think Microsoft finally got the security suite right this time.  I've been protected and it's very much a set and forget type program.  

As always, individual mileage may vary.

I've been using MSE on my desktop since last September and found it to be totally reliable.


Consequently I didn't hesitate to install it on the new DAW and so far, no problemo.

I ran a lappy with several different AV solutions on it at various times. I never recalled having issues with it interfering with the DAW doing it's job.

I use MSE on all my online machines.....and sine the DAW is off line and has no AV in it, I simply scan the zip drive in the host before loading stuff to the DAW. 

If we had a direct connection to the DAW software updates we need We wouldn't need antivirus. Running Anti-Virus on a DAW is quite different from running Anti-Virus on an internet download. There are virus's that don't interfere with DAW operation and unless you're a realy good computer tech, you might never know they are there. The whole goal of more sophisticated virus's is to steal your data, not screw up your system. It's always wise to download updates to a protected machine, butit's not wise to run Anti-virus on a working-recording-editing-mastering DAW, because Anti-Virus programs scan and look for things that don't fit "known" operating profiles for software. So..., if DAW software and it's workings are not fully known to an Anti-Virus program, you will get delays from the scanning and analysing features of the Anti-Virus software. If not crashes and interruptions of the audio streaming process and interruptions of other complex editing and effects processing features. When an Anti-Virus program isn't sure something is safe, it might stop a process.

CJaysMusic

There should be no virus-scanner on an audio-workstation.

That's hogwash. Ive been running antivirus software for over 10 years with audio recording programs and I never once had any issues with 5 or 6 different antivirus software. You're irresponsible by saying what you said. Its 2012, not 1994
 
Cj

Haha...  


Although I generally agree with you, CJ, there are some systems out there, and some configurations, that don't seem to do as well as others with Antivirus s/ware running.   SO while I agree it's not 1994, I wouldn't rule out problematic systems happen.


If windows gets a corrupt registry entry (it happens!) all kinds of weirdness takes place.  So I think I would say in general running a small-footprint antivirus that is known to be pretty transparent is ok, in general, but if you experience a problem, that changes the game.

jillmus


Any ideas on a good internet security software that will work on win 7 64 bit and not get in the way i.e. hog system resources? 

Jill

I only use MSE,seems very unobtrusive to me,though a PC mag. did say it does use more resources,but they also said it was the best at protection out of all the free security services,and I like the fact there are NO bleeps,or hassles to upgrade.

Jim Roseberry

Any ideas on a good internet security software that will work on win 7 64 bit and not get in the way i.e. hog system resources?

 
Hi Jill,
 
If you meet all the following conditions, you don't need A/V software.

• You're behind a hardware Firewall (using a router)
• You're not sending and receiving Email with the DAW
• You're not doing general-purpose Internet surfing (just going to trusted sites for updates/authorizations)

If you absolutely need A/V software, Microsoft's (free) Security Essentials works great... and has a light footprint.

Im 100% with Jim on this one. If you only go to trusted sites and don't surf with your daw no need for AV software at all.

+1 for MSE

I've used AVG & Avast before, but MSE does the job very well and without any intrusions/pop-ups etc...