Whether you are using Avira, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton, ESET, Avast, Comodo and etc, all of them slows Windows down and that is a fact. Most Windows users needs an antivirus because it can protect their computer from most viruses that are spreading through network, internet and USB flash drives. Without an antivirus, the user can get infected by virus, spyware, trojan, worms, bots very easily and quickly if they have not much knowledge in computers. Even though I know the importance of an antivirus software, I don’t really like to install them on my computers because of one simple reason only and that is slowing down in everything I do on the computer.
I do fine most of the time without an antivirus because like I said before I always test run and analyze any suspicious file that I downloaded on the Internet on another computer that is running a clean Windows without anything that the virus can steal or damage. However as a tech guy, I am faced with the ultimate question of which is the fastest / lightest / best antivirus? It is really hard to say which one is the best because there are a lot of points that has to be taken into consideration such as the performance, detection and removal.
I have completed 2 performance tests so far and I have to admit that both tests are flawed and inaccurate. The test is fair because the antiviruses are tested on the same computer with the same steps and method. However there are some illogical part of it which I will explain more in detail.
Firstly, the test was done on Windows XP which I would say it is an outdated Windows operating system today.
The application launch time test is flawed because I used Firefox as a test. Some antivirus installs addon to the browser and that would affect the launch time.
As for boot time increase, a reliable third party software (BootLog XP) was used to measure the time taken to boot up Windows, so no problem with that.
Idle memory usage was the biggest headache because I had to do a lot of reading to determine what type of memory that I should use. I used Kiwi Application Monitor before but I recently found out that it does not use the correct memory readings to display the memory usage of the process. If you didn’t know, even the Windows XP Task Manager memory usage numbers are wrong. Taking the memory reading after 10 minutes is also wrong because some antivirus are able to clear its memory usage down to a very low number.
Full scan time is accurate but incomplete because I only scanned once on a clean Windows operating system. First of all, some antivirus implements caching system which won’t scan the same file twice if the file is not modified. Secondly, some antivirus only implements caching on original Windows files and not on third party files. It is important that I launch the full scan twice and include third party files.
Here’s a good news, after realizing all the flaws on my previous test, I have been secretly creating another test which includes more tests such as audio conversion, file compression and decompression, downloading of files, more accurate boot time test and memory usage readings, installation / uninstallation of software, website browsing and etc. The results are more accurate, logical and reliable. The test is performed on Windows 7 and the results will be displayed in easy to read printable graph generated in real time using FusionCharts. This allows me to continue adding any new antivirus test to the charts easily. If everything goes well, the charts should be up in the navigation bar by tomorrow.
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are these tes will be perform on older
machines with low ram or newest with a lot of ram?
Morever the changing nature of the way
viruses are programmed, heuristics really play important role. Also
the intrusion detection component is a must.
Just an addition Sir, can you also
test Antivirus in playing games? Like online games using NProtect
GameGuard and heavy graphic games like Ragnarok and Grand Chase?
And can you also include Cloud Antivirus in the test?
PS: I also want to ‘thank
you’ to Paul/Hellnoire. Keep both in this way!!!
One last thing, Raymond wouldn’t
you agree that the bottleneck on all of today’s systems is
the hard drive? Any app that needs to verify read/write actions is
always going to slow down a system regardless of how fast your
processor is or how much memory you have.
you always do the good
job…
GO AHEAD…!!!
Looking forward to the test
results.
I’m looking forward
to the results!
Congratulations for your hard work and effort!
Thanks a lot!
Thank you for your effort Raymond.
I’m looking forward to it.
@35, I agree with Turko. AV is the
last line of defense, never ther first one. I think Windows is only
secure in a LUA environment, with no privileges, and then use RunAs
command (Shift + Right Click) or tools like RunAsSpc to access
Admin rights on some progrmas (mainly, online AV on demmand,
JKDefrag or MemBoost).
The PC runs much, much faster without AV (no constant access to
hard drive, no CPU stuck at 100%, no false positives, etc.) and
–IMO– it is much more secure.
@joy: there was a blog entry abt.
sandboxie a long time ago….
i dont think one needs an antivirus as in on a pc at home. adblock
plus is more than sufficient…as long as ur a sensible
user.
interesting! i’ll be waiting
Hey Raymond, I’ve actually been
trying to tackle this same problem so you hard work has helped me a
good deal. Your new test sounds great, more logical and I commend
you on you thoroughness. It is impossible to create a perfect test
so being thorough is the only way we can accomplish a test beyond
to much criticism. I myself do not use an antivirus either and I
rarely pick up infections. Most infections can be avoided with some
common sense about the internet and more importantly screening your
emails. I rely on my firewall for much but when configured right a
good firewall can do more to protect you than most believe. Im
through babbling, and I cant wait to see you test
results.
Although before upgrading to Win7 and
using MSE, I’ve gotten maybe 1 virus within like 5 years so
not too many anyways..
For my folks, who are completely
computer illiterate, I run LUA + SRP and remotely log in via
TeamViewer once a month or so just to run a Secunia scan. No matter
what I did they’d find a way to infect it. With the above
setup they have yet to get infected (over 2 years now)
Thanks for the info Ray, but in away
or another it is the big question: Fast computer and OS with no
protection, or secure computer with a little performance issues?
(I’m saying this with a good antivirus
application).
How about Panda Cloud AV or Immunet?
Is the best solution for keep PC running fast? The best way –
switch to Linux and forget about it!
watching closely for the results.
it’s quite obvious that the antivirus programs slow down our
computers some more than others. it will beneifit to know which is
the better of. we thank you Raymond for all the work you do to help
us have a better internet experence. hoping you had a wonderful
holiday
It’s a well known fact that the
two least memory-intensive antivirus programs are:
Keep up the great work! Many
thanks.
Raymond, It is clear that antivirus
will for sure slow down the PC as they got real time components.
But that slow up can be managed upto a level, as antivirus now have
options to add trusted applications, and also add the folders/files
into exclusion so that they are not scanned for traffic and changes
in real time.
By the way Ray have u ever tried using
any sandbox applications like sandboxie and then scanning the
things only which have been downloaded. might help
Are the results out yet? if they are I
must be blind as I cant find the link, many thanks.
Thank you very much Sir Raymond for
your hardwork. Everybody will benefit and help to decide what to
choose. I really waiting for this one.
Just great its like watching a race.
We have several PCs and the ones w/ ESET are definitely faster over
Ad-Aware Plus, Kaspersky and AVG equipped. Thanks a lot, looking
forward to your results.
Looking forward to seeing the
results
You are damn genius person, always
doing good for us… Thanks for your such dedication…
keep up the good work… Thanks a tin.
great work as usual Rey , keep it
up
Frankly, A/V is archaic and should be
considered as a last line of defense and not the first.
This will be great.
I used your last review a lot when comparing antivruses.
I can’t say anything else..you
are the man!!
Congrats Ray. Waiting for the
review…:)
That’s a lot of work Ray–
thanks for taking your time out for such a rigorous test
I think change the way of thinking:
There is no way to have the secure and fast computer with whatever
the OS is and the antivirus installed on, it is that: can this
computer do what it should to do?
now THAT is one real gem in this world
of technological blog chaos.
Thanks Raymond for good news. Eagerly
waiting for results (Test # 3). Please also consider released 2011
version(s) of antivirus.
Great job.. waiting for the result..
great job man…would love to see
the results.
only thing that remains is intrusion
prevention!.
To get MSE just google, and you should
find Microsoft’s site with download links for any windows
version you have. However I have read, that MSE can run a bit slow
on XP.
Wow that’s some great
news.
Nice going Ray.
Now, I got to know whats keeping you
]
so busy. Waiting for the graphs and want to see which is the best
Anti-Virus. I still believe in Mcafee Enterprise Edition and the
best is KIS 2011 [Recently updated to it, for free
Cheers, and thanks for your blog. A
must
Eduard
waiting for it to come up
soon
Thank You, Waiting For The Review
…
However for a windows machine, i
really feel the necessity of a good security program even though
one is an IT guy, cybercrimes are increasing, and even the windows
on screen keyboard isnt that safe from keyloggers. So a third party
security tool is necessary.
TRY QUICK HEAL OR BULL GUARD…
BOTH ARE REALLY GOOD NEAR TO BEST … EXCEPT THEY INCREASE THE
BOOT TIME.. WE HAV TO PAY SOME PRICE FOR THE SECURITY.. NOTHING IS
PERFECT!!!! RITE???
Nice one Raymond. I sincerely want to
appreciate all the effort you are putting in doing all these.
Definitely wanna look at them. Hope you wont have any difficulty
putting them up by tomorrow.
Thank you very munch for all your
effort. Awaiting for tomorrow your incoming news.
Interesting concept Raymond, I’m
looking forward to the charts.
Whoaaaw…
very kind of you ray..
What I would like to know is the
amount in which a system is slowed down by an AV in comparison to
the amount in which it is slowed down when that AV is turned off
(as distinct from not-installed).
What about applications like
Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware?
I use just the pro version of Malwarebytes and never had a
infection for about six months now.Please if possible test these
apps. too.
PE guard 2 looks fine too by the way
I also don’t use any antivirus
for many years (4+) but always check a suspicius file inside a
virtual machine or (in extreme cases) in a online antivirus
checker.
Using Win7 & Microsoft security
essentials I’ve never had any slow downs.. MSE is actually a
really good & FREE Anti-Virus. After upgrading to Windows 7 and
using MSE, I’ve haven’t gotten virus even
once.
Eset Smart security 4.2 is the lowest
resource user,
which one mostlyyy slow the
computer,
I think MACafee on 1st place, which one slower the pc,
what do u think ,send me replyy me at ,
”
thanks a lot for sharing your time to
us. i will wait your new post tomorrow to see that chart.
it’s gonna be more interesting to see which of those
antiviruses performed well.
I haven’t used A/V since I
discovered Sandboxie, NoScript, VirusTotal, Secunia and Virtual
Machines. Not only am I safer, but resources are
sparred.
Wow! This is gonna be interesting for
sure!
Can’t wait! Will you chart also show results on Vista? Either
way…i think its a great effort on your part for the benefit
of people like me who still debate on which AV is the best.
Thanks!
Still nothing on this Raymond? Really
want to see the results of your testing.