Game-Friendly Antivirus Software?

Can anybody recommend a reasonably-priced antivirus package that doesn't interfere with game performance?

I was considering CA (Computer Associates) Anti-Virus 2007, but I have two reservations:

• Price---At first glance, it looks as though it costs just $50, but if you read through the "feature list", you'll find this:

Continuous Protection to keep your computer protected from the latest internet risks by automatically renewing your subscription at the then current renewal price (plus applicable tax), so you don't have to.

Gee, thanks! They don't even say how often you have to renew, and how much the renewal costs! Is that $50 every year???

• The "Real-time Scanning" feature. According their feature list this "proactively stops viruses by scanning files when they are opened, closed or saved to your PC".

I really don't like the idea of something hooking into the OS at a low level and scanning every file that's opened. I'd rather just schedule a weekly scan or something.

Any recommendations?

You want to pay for AV software? Theres perfectly functional free AV software thats great.

I recommend AVG or AVAST. Both free. Both great.

You want to pay for AV software?

TheCrazed420

Not if I can help it! :P

Theres perfectly functional free AV software thats great.

I recommend AVG or AVAST. Both free. Both great.

TheCrazed420

Thanks very much for the recommendation! I'll check out AVG and AVAST.

I tried AVG but it was way to popup-y and it kept microsoft word from working for me for some strange reason.._SpaceCase_

Yeah, I recently had issues with AVG and Bioshock as well. But the reason I like that one especially is its so light on system resources. And in the 2 years I've used it, I had no previous conflicts or viruses.

You want to pay for AV software? Theres perfectly functional free AV software thats great.

I recommend AVG or AVAST. Both free. Both great.

TheCrazed420

I use both and totally agree .... both are free and work very well.

free.grisoft.com 4twin

Avast and Antivir in my opinion are the best. AVG is good, but I don't care for it too much since It feels bloated compared to the others.

But all 3 would be perfectly fine.

Avast and Antivir in my opinion are the best. AVG is good, but I don't care for it too much since It feels bloated compared to the others.

But all 3 would be perfectly fine.

sepheronX

:shock: Avast is larger and more visible that AVG by a long shot, how can you say AVG is bloated?

I've been using AVG for a few days now and think its great. I had a few viruses on ma pc for sometime (due to CA not updating cuz i didn't renew my service) but avg got rid of all that and its virus scans are quicker then CA's. whenever youre not using it just opposite click on the icon and select quit avg ect. and it closes entirely with no bs unlike CA.

Basically as a CA customer from 2004-07, it sucks monkey butt. In reality these days not to many ppl make viruses just mainly malware slowin ya rig down & worst of all port attacks which no virus or firewall software can protect. (ya gotta close down ports that have no use to negate attacks) heres a lil info on it as far as actually closing ur ports do a google search

http://linuxgazette.net/issue68/tag/10.html

This anti-virus is marketed towards gamers, but I'm not sure if it's good or not.

I use NOD32. It's by far the best anti-virus out there. Influential tech guys like Leo Laporte recommend NOD32 for its outstanding protection and small footprint (it takes up very little memory).

Thanks to everybody for your suggestions! :)

Just one question about AVG and Bioshock: Do the problems arise because AVG attempts some sort of "on the fly" scan when Bioshock tries to load data files? If so, isn't there a way to disable this "scan on open" functionality?

I'd really prefer to use antivirus software that only scans files on demand, or at some scheduled time.

I'm very uncomfortable with software that tries to intercept all file operations---feels a bit too much like that Starforce ****!

Thanks to everybody for your suggestions! :)

Just one question about AVG and Bioshock: Do the problems arise because AVG attempts some sort of "on the fly" scan when Bioshock tries to load data files? If so, isn't there a way to disable this "scan on open" functionality?

I'd really prefer to use antivirus software that only scans files on demand, or at some scheduled time.

I'm very uncomfortable with software that tries to intercept all file operations---feels a bit too much like that Starforce ****!

Stesilaus

In my case, when I went to install it, it popped up a warning saying the exe was a virus. It really was a pain because a few days later, the exe stopped working completely. After reinstalling the game, the update wouldnt work because of AVG again. So yeah, the only workaround I had was to completely remove AVG from my comp and switch to AVAST.

That being said, that is the first problem I've had with AVG in years. So give it a try, and if you're having problems, go with AVAST during your Bioshock run, and switch back to AVG after you're done with the game if you prefer.

This anti-virus is marketed towards gamers, but I'm not sure if it's good or not.

I use NOD32. It's by far the best anti-virus out there. Influential tech guys like Leo Laporte recommend NOD32 for its outstanding protection and small footprint (it takes up very little memory).

Einhanderkiller

"Compatibility - SteelSecurity is designed for Windows® XP Home, XP Professional and 2000. If you are using a different operating system, you should leave this application alone. Really."

That's a direct quote from their website. I use Vista and would totally try it, if not for them telling me not to. :p

Does the free version of AVG include a firewall? Masterfulfish

nope ... I personally hate using firewalls when I game. It always seems like they run slower when I have a firewall running as opposed to not. To each their own. If you still want one I've heard ZoneAlarm's free version being pretty good, if a little bloated.

[QUOTE="Einhanderkiller"]

This anti-virus is marketed towards gamers, but I'm not sure if it's good or not.

I use NOD32. It's by far the best anti-virus out there. Influential tech guys like Leo Laporte recommend NOD32 for its outstanding protection and small footprint (it takes up very little memory).

sirus1210

"Compatibility - SteelSecurity is designed for Windows® XP Home, XP Professional and 2000. If you are using a different operating system, you should leave this application alone. Really."

That's a direct quote from their website. I use Vista and would totally try it, if not for them telling me not to. :p

Does the free version of AVG include a firewall? Masterfulfish

nope ... I personally hate using firewalls when I game. It always seems like they run slower when I have a firewall running as opposed to not. To each their own. If you still want one I've heard ZoneAlarm's free version being pretty good, if a little bloated.

*ugh* software firewalls are never a good idea. For one, it runs on your computer and it is always better to stop the packets BEFORE it gets to your computer. Hardware firewalls cost about the same as a decent retail software firewall and has no affect on your computer performance or resources. If you absolutely insist on using software firewalls... "Tiny Personal Firewall" is about as good as it gets for freeware.

Not quite sure what the problem is all about. I had been using full versions of Norton for the last six years, aside from great protection all you have to do is turn the sucker OFF when you play games.

It might still effect a game performance, but it's so minimal that it doesn't matter. I don't mind sacrificing 1-3 fps, I do more then just game on my PC. And Internet is Online 24/7, I don't wish to worry.
Every computer that has any kind of Internet access should have a good anti-virus software in my opinion.

In the end it's not only a anti-virus that might affect your gaming. Any program running in background does.

That's all there is to it, unless you have a very old machine with little RAM.

I'd really prefer to use antivirus software that only scans files on demand, or at some scheduled time.Stesilaus

NOD32 does that, and it's damn good at it.

Avast.

No problems for me.