Best virus Checker for P3D

[PDX Flyer 111]

Any thoughts of the user community of which is regarded as the best virus checker to have.  My main purpose of the computer is P3D, to a lesser degree the internet and MS Office.

[Bobsk8 12,523]

For the least interference with your PC's performance, Webroot can't be beat. 

[GSalden 4,655]

System Protector

Part of Advanced System Optimizer

[Biggles2010 342]

There are probably as many opinions about virus scanners as there are products available. Many seem to become more bloated with each new release.

 

While running the sim you don't really want any virus scanner running. They can result in unpredictable behaviour. Software downloads from the usual reputable sources will not cause any problems and the common recommendation is to turn off any virus scanner while downloading, because they are known to cause corruption problems from time to time. You can run a scan after downloading, before installing.

 

I run my sim on a dedicated pc with internet connection, but without a virus scanner operating. As far as possible I do downloads on my other pc where I run AVG free version. I also run Malwarebytes from time to time. Also as a general rule, with or without a virus scanner, it's a good idea to avoid any of the higher risk websites (nothing to do with flight simulation).

[Jim Young 2,356]

There is no "best" virus checker.  They all work about the same.  The main issue is that it be disabled when installing P3D or any P3D add-on.  I don't own an anti-virus program (never have since 1991 and no viruses) but I do own Anti-Malwarebytes as I have gotten some malware in the past (still it does not completely protect you from malware).  One just has to be careful where one travels on the Internet, making sure all downloads are from safe or known sources, and links are not opened unless you are positive you know where the link leads.

 

Malware and anti-virus programs will scan your system occasionally and scan it when you download and install P3D or an add-on for P3D.  You want to exempt scans for those directories or you could get "false-positives" and a file is quarantined.  I have my who drive that contains all of my FS programs and add-ons exempted from scanning.  It only scans my C:\drive.  So that's the important thing in regards to anti-virus programs for P3D.

 

Best regards,

Jim

[jabloomf1230 2,445]

Here's a good overview:

 

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-antivirus,review-2588.html

[Glynn 405]

 

 

For the least interference with your PC's performance, Webroot can't be beat.

 

Bob nails it, Webroot is the best I have used, absolutely nil impact on your PC.

[Firstpon 0]

No antivirus that can detect all virus you have. I have kaspersky lab anti virus it very good. Earlier I had found bitdefend it is best antivirus ( detect almost all of virus) but the thing that I don't like is it make computer very slow down but kaspersky is not.

 

Sorry for my bad english.

[Egbert Drenth 250]

For a long time, both Kaspersky and BitDefender are considered to be the best virus scanners, at least in the reviews I read the last years.

https://www.av-comparatives.org/

 

On my FS system (partition) I don't have a virus scanner installed anyway.
Only on my normal system (different partition, multi boot).
 

[Firstpon 0]

For a long time, both Kaspersky and BitDefender are considered to be the best virus scanners, at least in the reviews I read the last years.

https://www.av-comparatives.org/

 

On my FS system (partition) I don't have a virus scanner installed anyway.

Only on my normal system (different partition, multi boot).

 

Yes, both are the best but Kaspersky is more expensive than Bitdefender.(In my country)

[ckyliu 1,749]

I always thought NOD32 had a good rep amongst the FS community. I'm using Avira as it's free (was using Avast but it's got bloaty recently).

 

In any case, always disable the "real time shield" function before playing any games or installing any software, otherwise the sim takes a lot longer to load (because everything it loads is being scanned).

 

Like most have said here, you only really need an antivirus when web browsing or checking e-mail, you can disable it most of the time without exposing yourself to significantly increased risk.

[SierraHotel 974]

None, and a second PC for surfing the net.

[Don t moderate me this way 882]

No need to disable real-time protection for simming, if you exclude all the sim folders from the scan.

 

By and large flightsim addon developers ask too much from you when it comes to computer security: I have rarely had issues with

• real-time malware protection (define exclusions)
• firewalls active (Windows firewall usually asks when an exception is required)
• User Account Control kept at its highest Level (frequent confirmations of program launches required, though)
• Real-time scanning of downloads and executables (set your AV software to "always ask and remember the answer")

 

I've been using Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast! for all-around protection. MSE doesn't protect from adware, Avast! does. Avast! also checks your browser addons.

[max2770 74]

I got the top version of Bitdefender (Internet Security or Total Security) for around $25 during one of their sales, and for the last 2 years bought a one-year extension for around the same price when it goes on sale.  The year versions (2015, 2016, 2017) are not linked to the subscription, when it is released you just upgrade your software.

 

It works very well, and the "autopilot" feature recognizes gaming and makes sure not to interfere.

[greggerm 312]

I'm a NOD32 user - extremely low impact (*I've never noticed any) and very lightweight. I've found it to provide effective protections.

 

While I haven't used it, I have heard good things about Webroot as well.