Antivirus that doesnt hog system

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrvinyl
  • Start date Start date
isfahani,

If you don't like Avast then try Avira. It's rock solid as well with the only con being the "nag" screen that pops up every now and then.
 
I was told a long time ago that I shouldn't have an antivirus program on the same computer my DAW is on.

are you guys doing that?
 
I was told a long time ago that I shouldn't have an antivirus program on the same computer my DAW is on.

are you guys doing that?
I have 2 computers I use for tracking. Neither have antivirus apps or are used online. They're rock-stable, 100% reliable when tracking to never have a glitch, and I never do any changes to their systems.

I do a lot of mixing on my internet machine though, and that has antivirus on it, and all the various security automatic updates that MS periodically does, and I don't have any problems w/playback stability when mixing. But I wouldn't use it for tracking because it's not completely reliable for that.
 
Prevention is the Key

Theres some preventative measures most people don't consider that can negate the need for anti virus programs alltogether:

Having a separate computer that goes online is a sure thing of coarse and since you don't need the latest greatest machine to surf the web any old second hand PC may do the job. Should you use an old PC for this, you may try a linux distro, or even pick up an old apple on Ebay. Both should stay virus free by themselves.

If you are using your same PC for recording and internet: Try creating separate user accounts. Have an "administrator" account that you just use to install software and then create a separate "limited" account that you just surf the web with. (Make sure both accounts are password protected)
The logic of this is that many viruses are actually small programs that install without your knowledge or permission. By not being signed in with administrator privileges these programs cant possibly install on their own.

Better yet, one more tactic I like to use is a dual boot system. I partition my hard drive to install Windows XP twice. One goes online and one doesn't. which is virtually the same as having two computers then once the online windows gets too jacked up, I just reinstall it and start fresh again while the other windows remains in tact. With the right partition software you can even install Windows and Linux or even Apple OS all on the same hard drive.

This all take a little advanced PC know how, which shouldnt be beyond most folks here.
 
I find exiting the antivirus program before recording to be the most simple solution. It's much easier than dicking around with multiple computers, dual booting, and multiple user accounts.
 
Dedicated computer for DAW is better

I have one computer dedicated for my DAW.

The only way it gets files is with a memory stick or if connected to the LAN I will shut off my modem to the outside world but keep the firewall on.

If the other computers are checked for viruses and the files being transferred as well.
For transfer of files using a memory stick will scan the stick before plugging it into the DAW computer

There is not any issues I have come across.

Plus the computer for the DAW I striped allot of useless crap off that chews up cpu cycles. On the win xp pro os so it runs very well and clean.
I can get a 1 ms latency delay when tracking.

The less background programs running the better more power for the recording software and plug ins

may have to set my latency to 5 ms if the project has a lot of tracks

My 2Kws
 
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