AV & Firewall software with low overheads

D_Brasted · 7 Aug 2007 at 13:18

Hi,

I realise there are a lot of threads on this subject, and I've looked at the most recent ones, including the big poll...

However, if I could get some recommendations for both AV and firewall software, I'd be grateful. I require them for a 2.6Ghz Celeron laptop running XP Home with only 256Mb RAM (and shared gfx), so the lighter the packages the better.

On my home system I run NOD32, which I love, and Sygate. I haven't had any problems with either so far, but there are a lot of people who like the latest Kapersky here so I thought I'd ask. What are the typical overheads on the latest Kapersky AV and how do they compare to NOD?

I'm happy to pay for the AV, but I'd rather not pay for the firewall as well if possible.

Thanks.

The_KiD · 7 Aug 2007 at 13:35

Do you use a router at home? if so the chances are it has a firewall and NAT built in, so using that along with the default Windows firewall is enough to protect you from Hackers.

NOD32 is excellent as you already know in terms of overheads, I have just deployed it across a 90 site WAN and it is brilliant in comparison to F-Secure that we were using before.

Cant really say for Kaspersky, but a lot of people think it is just as good as NOD in terms of overheads.

mattyrigby00 · 7 Aug 2007 at 13:46

i use avg and zonealarm (both free versions), and it works well

i have a router though so tbh on the next re format i wont re install zonealarm because its not needed.

D_Brasted · 7 Aug 2007 at 13:54

Yeah, I have a router at home - but the laptop's going to be on a college wireless network shortly, and I don't know how secure it's going to be.

barnettgs · 7 Aug 2007 at 13:58

AVG and SP2 firewall (if you have a router).

D_Brasted · 7 Aug 2007 at 14:04

What are the overheads like on AVG?

And although the college network will be accessed through a wireless router, I have no idea whether or not NAT will be enabled.

barnettgs · 7 Aug 2007 at 15:31

D_Brasted said:
What are the overheads like on AVG?

And although the college network will be accessed through a wireless router, I have no idea whether or not NAT will be enabled.

Very low...its almost as if you have no antivirus installed.

Then SP2 firewall is for you...otherwise college network won't be safe without firewall.

D_Brasted · 7 Aug 2007 at 18:19

barnettgs said:
Very low...its almost as if you have no antivirus installed.

Could you be a little more specific? How much memory are the AVG processes taking up on your system at the moment (from task manager)?

Thanks.