Beepster


Yes... which AV? Microsoft Security Essentials is free, is supposedly top notch in protection and is considered a resource light AV so it's great for DAWs. Cake support recommended it to me for my DAW (I knew about it but have been an Avast user for years) and I've never had a problem with leaving it enabled while working.

Absolutely agree!
Microsoft Security Essentials is FREE and its one of the BEST Virus program with low impact out there..
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/security-essentials-download
 

 
 
MSE is one of the simplest and easiest to use anti-malware tools around. It's quick, unobtrusive and works without slowing your PC down.
Malware is caught quickly, and the default actions work well for most users.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/utilities/anti-malware-software/microsoft-security-essentials-640587/review

The only time my DAW is online is when I'm registering/authorising software.

Believe me, this is an absolute must for Native Instruments & IK Multimedia

When I'm done, I disconnect the dongle and literally pull it out of the machine

All my downloads are done on another machine and transferred via a USB stick (after thoroughly scanning the download)

For the brief time the DAW is online, I use MS SE

Another +1 for MSE. Been using it since upgrading my DAW and laptop to win7 a few years ago and never had any issues. 

I'm running the MacAfee suite that's free with the AT&T Uverse subscription. I don't see anyway to disable it in it's control panel. I'm not sure if I need to but I have had X2 crash several times. I don't use this pc on the internet much but I do visit the forums and moderately trusted sites.

Would it be best to disable the internet connection while using X2? That seems to be the easiest thing to do. I'm really the only person using this computer. Is disabling the UAC worth messing with?

jackasspenguin


I'm running the MacAfee suite that's free with the AT&T Uverse subscription. I don't see anyway to disable it in it's control panel. I'm not sure if I need to but I have had X2 crash several times. I don't use this pc on the internet much but I do visit the forums and moderately trusted sites.

Would it be best to disable the internet connection while using X2? That seems to be the easiest thing to do. I'm really the only person using this computer. Is disabling the UAC worth messing with?

1.  I don't disable wireless or internet most of the time when using X1 or X2.  If I have clients recording, then I often do, though only as a "belt & braces" kind of thing, as I've had no problems at other times.
 
2.  I have not found it necessary to disable UAC.  It should not cause any problems.  Don't always listen to people who say it's only there to stop numpties causing havoc.  It is a useful safegaurd, and shouldn't cause any problems, so leave it alone IMO.

McAfee is like a weed that grows into every inch of your computer and is almost impossible to pull out without leaving bits behind. I hate it with a passion. It's almost like a virus the way it installs itself onto systems randomly...

I'm an Avast guy. Seems to work well. Cept you have to remember to turn off the constant annoying "Avast Virus Database has been updated!!!!! WOO!!!" every time you turn on your PC...

If you buy a PC with Mcaffee or Norton or any of the other craptastic bloatware trial AVs immediately go to CNET (after creating your initial system image of course) and download CCleaner and remove them. Then install Avast or MSE... as well as Malwarebytes and SpyBot S&D.

@matt... I've never had to go back into sttings to turn off the Avast warnings after the first time I do it. I do however keep the visual pop up alerts active so I know that it hasn't forsaken me. 

Nope I would never run two antivirus or malware products on one PC. Not a good idea as they have a tendency to conflict :-) Go for one package that handles everything.

Nb McAffee used to supply a clean removal utility as a download ?

Those other programs aren't traditional AVs. They are malware/spyware removal/prevention tools. They even tell you not to use them as a main AV. They scope out little nasties the main AV can miss. CCleaner isn't even that. It's good for clearing your cache, registry and removing programs more thoroughly than Windows uninstall and uninstall tools that come with most programs (hint... those included uninstall programs tend to leave crud on your system so they can do whatever nefarious crap they want).

C'mon, dude. You should know this stuff. You're all smart and shiz. ;-p