Morning folks!

New PC inbound - just thought I'd canvas opinions on best AV software for gaming.

Have Norton on the old rig - but that seemed to throw up a lot of conflicts - especially when connecting for ARMA2 - and the 'exceptions' often didn't seem to stick...

Any thoughts?

MS Security Essentials or Avira Free. No need to pay for AV anymore. Free Malwarebytes saved me a couple of times too.

I always recommend GData AVK.

It's one of the best out there and has a special gaming mode.
GData UK

Slightly OT: What are the specs of your new rig? And when are we going to have our next SimHQ joint US/EU event?

Heard good stuff about G-Data.

I have been using Kaspersky IS for the past 4-5 years. Never had a virus problem and no conflicts with any game. It also features "game mode".

Stay clear from Norton.

I'm with Speedbump about MS SE. Comes from MS, so it's the most tuned to run with Windows, and no one knows Windows like MS--no one else actually has the code to know what belongs. Seems to use the least resources of any I've used. Best choice for an aging pc as well, switching to that speeded up an older laptop tremendously over Trend Micro, my next favorite. Plus, MS SE is free and updates with your regular Windows updates. Not nearly as often as TM updated, but probably better updates since they aren't just playing catch up as much as everyone else.

No love for Avast here? I've been using it for a few years. Should I consider dumping it for one of the products speedbump mentioned?

MSE.

I'm sure Avast and AVG are OK. I just remember the AV companies Mcafee and Norton threatening to sue MS over some code they did not want to let them in on when Vista came out. They were saying they could not make as good a AV as Microsoft without that code. I think MS gave it to them finally.

The only catch to MS Security Essentials, if it can be considered a catch, is your OS has to be legit. It checks before it will install.

Thanks for the advice folks - looks like MSE is the way to go...





Good point - been busy with RL recently but we have to get another op organised!

Ditto.

I use Avira Free, Malywarebytes and Spybot free.

All are very good. Spybot can scan my system in as little as 7 minutes.

You can try MSE over Avira, but still get Mbam and Spybot.

I've found that running both ESET NOD 4.2 and payed malwarebytes (realtime protection) gives me little hassle and good protection.

Mcafee Stinger is very good at getting rid of those pesky fake anti-virus popups that are so prevalent now.

I'm using Norton 2012 Internet Security, and I can recommend it, well if you use it manually, the automatic mode is pretty good to keep most computer unlegits out of trouble. I have several features turned off though, SONAR sometimes if it makes trouble, and then that browser protection stuff, nothing beats Better Privacy and Adblock plus combined.

Frankly Insight is useless if you're computer savy, it's more a feature for the unknowing, and it often reports mods or other rarer files, as they are not know. I haven't had false alarms safe for some old files, 2012 is less nagging than 2011 though. The Firewall works pretty good, once you've turned it to manual control, though I sometimes meddle with the rules, so the programs only get acces to my computer and not a free pass, to all computers. Configuring them is pretty easy, the port settings are precise and only those needed are opened and only for the program. I know that is standard, but then there have been firewalls that opened ports anything.... It's good if you need one solution for several people with different levels of computer knowledge.

I don't know about the MS SE I've never used them, as I trust MS as far as I can throw an elephant. Also I'm curious about the MSSE calling home to MS. Seems though that they got it right this time.