Low footprint virus software anywhere?

artao · 11-07-09, 01:27 AM

Ahoy mates!!

As modern games are VERY processor/memory intensive, AND being an artist I work on CG rather regularly, I need anti-viral software with a very low cpu/memory footprint, and/or able to COMPLETELY shut it down easily such that it leaves nothing in memory. I want intensive apps to have full access to all of my computer's capabilities.
Been offline for awhile, and used to use AVG and liked it, but the new version eats over 300megs while running(I've only got a gig, so with xp+avg, over half my memory was unavailble without HEAVY swapfile use), and is nigh impossible to completely shut down, so I've uninstalled it. Now looking for something that actually fits my needs.
Any recommendations?

Castout · 11-07-09, 02:30 AM

As a whole package I would recommend COMODO Internet Security(CIS) get it here http://forums.comodo.com/

And if you still not convinced with the AV of it then install Avira AV too to go with it.

CIS is really light on the PC

. And it's GREAT!
Avira is too a great Anti virus and is not heavy on the system as well.

If you have to pick only one then I'd recommend CIS over Avira for sure

JSLTIGER · 11-07-09, 11:07 AM

avast! uses under 100MB...I've been running it for over three years now with no problems.

goldorak · 11-07-09, 11:46 AM

Avira Antivir, free version.

Skybird · 11-07-09, 02:28 PM

since years I recommend Avira AntiVir, free version.

Just their update server for the free version since several months now has traffic problems. If it's free, you can't demand much service, can you.

Task Force · 11-07-09, 04:49 PM

yep Avaira is a good one.

free version is what im useing as my 2nd AV now.

CaptainHaplo · 11-07-09, 06:59 PM

I second the Avast nod.

artao · 11-08-09, 03:28 AM

Thanks all, one question tho:
can any/all of these be COMPLETELY shut down such that NOTHING is left memory-resident? Used to use Avast! too, so that's most tempting so far, tho Comodo looks good to me as well. But my complete shut-down requirement/desire is very important to me.
Guess I should up my RAM to 2G ...

Reece · 11-08-09, 05:28 AM

COMODO Firewall with AVIRA Antivirus software!!

CaptainHaplo · 11-08-09, 11:14 AM

artoa - any app can be totally unloaded from memory. Easiest way is just identify what threads are loaded, then write a batch file to kill the services and threads at will, along with another batch file to restart them all as needed.

If you want to kill it for a game, double click your batch file, wait 5 seconds till the command window disappears, then start your game knowing you have maximized the resources. When your done, another double click on the restart batch, and your once again protected.

artao · 11-08-09, 11:57 AM

Interesting idea re: batch file .... don't know what commands I would use tho. Also, many AV products protect their processes; for example, running AVG, I used a utility I've got (DTask Manager) to send Kill signals to a process tree, but AVG just auto-restarted them on me. I have found a few more utilities that may be of use in this matter, but have not yet tested them.
The search goes on.

conus00 · 11-08-09, 12:46 PM

I have been running Kaspersky Anti-Virus 8.0.0.506 for some time now without any problems.

CaptainHaplo · 11-08-09, 10:55 PM

If your using windows XP - the command for process killing is:

taskkill

I suggest you also use the /F arguement to force kill the process. DO NOT use this on services however. For services, use the commands

net stop

net start

to first stop, then later start, services. This allows the service to terminate gracefully. A quick google search on these will provide you with enough info to build your batch file.

Just make sure with the services, you set them to manual instead of automatic. This is one of a few ways programs like AV restart the threads they use.

Castout · 11-09-09, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

COMODO Firewall with AVIRA Antivirus software!!

May I correct that a bit COMODO Internet security with Avira Anti Virus. COMODO anti virus will be the one to first detect anything if set to on access. Anything that leaks through will still be protected through Avira. COMODO anti virus is not bad it has been vastly improved over a few versions now. The thought of abandoning Avira came to my mind now.

Mind you if you decide to use CIS you must by all means turn off the windows firewall.

kiwi_2005 · 11-09-09, 12:12 PM

Windows firewall and Windows defender if you want to go as cheap as possible and they're okay have them running on 2nd pc for over 2 years now with no problems - just as long as windows is always updated. Main pc runs Nortons 360.

Also MS free security suite (beta) when final it will be free to genuine windows users that will detect viruses, spyware and malware. Im sure its still in beta if so just a warning it ran terrible when i last tried it - to much checking in the background made my browsing/and just normal tasks a chore.

Once its in a good enough stage thou I'll probably switch over to the MS suite.
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

11-07-09, 01:27 AM	#1
artao Officer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 238 Downloads: 144 Uploads: 0	Low footprint virus software anywhere? Ahoy mates!! As modern games are VERY processor/memory intensive, AND being an artist I work on CG rather regularly, I need anti-viral software with a very low cpu/memory footprint, and/or able to COMPLETELY shut it down easily such that it leaves nothing in memory. I want intensive apps to have full access to all of my computer's capabilities. Been offline for awhile, and used to use AVG and liked it, but the new version eats over 300megs while running(I've only got a gig, so with xp+avg, over half my memory was unavailble without HEAVY swapfile use), and is nigh impossible to completely shut down, so I've uninstalled it. Now looking for something that actually fits my needs. Any recommendations? __________________ l8r, artao

11-07-09, 02:30 AM	#2
Castout Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 4,794 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 6	As a whole package I would recommend COMODO Internet Security(CIS) get it here http://forums.comodo.com/ And if you still not convinced with the AV of it then install Avira AV too to go with it. CIS is really light on the PC. And it's GREAT! Avira is too a great Anti virus and is not heavy on the system as well. If you have to pick only one then I'd recommend CIS over Avira for sure __________________ My blog: http://exposingsingapore.wordpress.com/

11-07-09, 11:07 AM	#3
JSLTIGER The Old Man Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Parkland, FL, USA Posts: 1,437 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	avast! uses under 100MB...I've been running it for over three years now with no problems. __________________ Thor: Intel Core i7 4770K\|ASUS Z87Pro\|32GB DDR3 RAM\|11GB EVGA GeForce RTX 2080Ti Black\|256GB Crucial M4 SSD+2TB WD HDD\|4X LG BD-RE\|32" Acer Predator Z321QU 165Hz G-Sync (2540x1440)\|Logitech Z-323 2.1 Sound\|Win 10 Pro Explorer (MSI GL63 8RE-629 Laptop): Intel Core i7 8750H\|16GB DDR4 RAM\|6GB GeForce GTX 1060\|128GB SSD+1TB HDD\|15.6" Widescreen (1920x1080)\|Logitech R-20 2.1 Sound\|Win 10 Home

11-07-09, 02:28 PM	#5
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	since years I recommend Avira AntiVir, free version. Just their update server for the free version since several months now has traffic problems. If it's free, you can't demand much service, can you. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

11-07-09, 04:49 PM	#6
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	yep Avaira is a good one. free version is what im useing as my 2nd AV now. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

11-07-09, 11:46 AM	#4
goldorak Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,320 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Avira Antivir, free version.

11-07-09, 06:59 PM	#7
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	I second the Avast nod. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-08-09, 03:28 AM	#8
artao Officer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 238 Downloads: 144 Uploads: 0	Thanks all, one question tho: can any/all of these be COMPLETELY shut down such that NOTHING is left memory-resident? Used to use Avast! too, so that's most tempting so far, tho Comodo looks good to me as well. But my complete shut-down requirement/desire is very important to me. Guess I should up my RAM to 2G ... __________________ l8r, artao

11-08-09, 05:28 AM	#9
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,688 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	COMODO Firewall with AVIRA Antivirus software!! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

11-08-09, 11:14 AM	#10
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	artoa - any app can be totally unloaded from memory. Easiest way is just identify what threads are loaded, then write a batch file to kill the services and threads at will, along with another batch file to restart them all as needed. If you want to kill it for a game, double click your batch file, wait 5 seconds till the command window disappears, then start your game knowing you have maximized the resources. When your done, another double click on the restart batch, and your once again protected. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-08-09, 11:57 AM	#11
artao Officer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 238 Downloads: 144 Uploads: 0	Interesting idea re: batch file .... don't know what commands I would use tho. Also, many AV products protect their processes; for example, running AVG, I used a utility I've got (DTask Manager) to send Kill signals to a process tree, but AVG just auto-restarted them on me. I have found a few more utilities that may be of use in this matter, but have not yet tested them. The search goes on. __________________ l8r, artao

11-08-09, 12:46 PM	#12
conus00 Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2008 Location: DB85 Posts: 804 Downloads: 166 Uploads: 0	I have been running Kaspersky Anti-Virus 8.0.0.506 for some time now without any problems. __________________

11-08-09, 10:55 PM	#13
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	If your using windows XP - the command for process killing is: taskkill I suggest you also use the /F arguement to force kill the process. DO NOT use this on services however. For services, use the commands net stop net start to first stop, then later start, services. This allows the service to terminate gracefully. A quick google search on these will provide you with enough info to build your batch file. Just make sure with the services, you set them to manual instead of automatic. This is one of a few ways programs like AV restart the threads they use. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-09-09, 12:12 PM	#15
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	Windows firewall and Windows defender if you want to go as cheap as possible and they're okay have them running on 2nd pc for over 2 years now with no problems - just as long as windows is always updated. Main pc runs Nortons 360. Also MS free security suite (beta) when final it will be free to genuine windows users that will detect viruses, spyware and malware. Im sure its still in beta if so just a warning it ran terrible when i last tried it - to much checking in the background made my browsing/and just normal tasks a chore. Once its in a good enough stage thou I'll probably switch over to the MS suite. http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.