dcumpian
2:43AM
Download and run CCleaner.
Check installed programs for fishy and unfamiliar stuff. Uninstall them if found.
Download and run Malwarebytes (excellent program).
Run MSE scan.
I think Avast kinda sucks, but just my opinion. It let in a virus on me a few years back.
Avast seriously impacts your PC. Stick with MSE for your DAW. If you want to install Avast just for a scan, like nuking from orbit, that's cool, but I would uninstall it after that.
Regards,
Dan
Even with automatic definition downloads disabled? I've found Avast doesn't interfere with my laptop at all and it is far less powerful than my DAW... mind you I'm not doing audio on it... yet. Back when I was still using my old severely outdated and underpowered XP laptops the only time it would cause a lag was during the definition updates (it would make web pages hang before loading) but aside from that it was pretty much unnoticeable and WAY better than AVG which was being used on the more powerful desktops where I used to use for work.
Either way I can still completely disable it when I'm offline which is most of the time. I like MSE because truly is unnoticeable unless it's nagging to be updated but I have always been a little wary of it in regards to security. It's so hard to tell how good an AV is until a problem arises which is rare for me because I try not to scrape the underbelly of the internet and block pretty much everything while I'm surfing. I don't even allow main domains load unless it's a) a site I trust and b) I absolutely need to get at the info. Noscript is really eye opening when you look at all the crap webpages are trying to load.
Another note on Avast... there are settings that can be changed which allow it to "phone home" with system data. These little chats going on in the background can sap resources and serve no real useful purpose to the user. There is a bunch of other new stuff in Avast that is related to data collection and/or allowing certain things through if they come from "trusted" places which usually means those companies bribed the AV maker. Noscript and ABP+ have also hopped on board with this type of thing as I'm sure others have too. Anytime I install fresh or see a new version update has happened for any security programs I always go into the settings to see if they weaseled something in there. Those things are usually turned on by default and it's annoying... but hey, it's free so what can ya do?
Cheers.