Aug182012

Which anti-virus programs will stress my SSD the least while providing good protection?

Joe Videtto asks:

Just installed and SSD with Windows 7 and want to use an anti-virus program. After reading about the concerns in shortening the life of an SSD with certain programs and utilities, just wondering with respect to anti-virus software which would be best suited for an SSD – please include both free and paid-for solutions in your suggestions. Thx.



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11 Answers -

0 votes

ha14

August 18, 2012

antivirus will have very little impact on your SSD, most of well known antivirus are suitable for SSD, you can try microsoft security essentials

Do Antivirus Suites Impact Your PC’s Performance?
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/antivirus-performance-benchmark,3045-6.html

Support and Q&A for Solid-State Drives
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx

0 votes

Elijah Swartz

August 19, 2012

Antivirus programs do not really stress your SSD. As your computer accesses certain files, the antivirus program will quickly check to see if it’s ok. This isn’t demanding at all for a SSD. Once a file is accessed and loaded into memory, the SSD is no longer being used. Instead it’s the RAM that is being used. Malware doesn’t just magically show up on your computer. It very likely gets infected just while you are online. If you want an antivirus program that is only active when you are on the web, try Panda’s Cloud Antivirus. As a bonus, it’s free!
http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/#!/free-antivirus-download

0 votes

Bruce Epper

August 19, 2012

AV solutions are primarily READING from the device. The life-shortener for SSDs is WRITING to them which is why you don’t want to be running defragmenters on them (and they don’t enhance performance on them at all).

0 votes

Dan Valentin

August 19, 2012

I was about to post without reading the last 2 comments.My mistake.I totally agree with Elijah.I use Panda for very long time and is the best solution in my opinion.So listen to him.No concern for ssd’s stress.

0 votes

Toufiq

August 20, 2012

I would rather suggest Microsoft Security Essentials if your windows is genuine. Its only 12+ MB. And definition is about 65 MB. I used Avast, Kaspersky, Norton, Panda, Eset, Comodo, Avira, Webroot. Far Most MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) and Eset is the best light antivirus with full security with other facility like (Boot scan, USB auto scan)

0 votes

DI

August 20, 2012

Microsoft Security Essentials.

0 votes

Reý Aetar

August 21, 2012

use windows security essentials

0 votes

jrasulev

August 22, 2012

Try Microsoft Security Essential, as this AV does not bother me at all, besides it lacks many features that disturb you and your SSD like web security, firewall, HIPS and etc.

0 votes

Nathan Wahler

August 29, 2012

Webroot SecureAnywhere is a great choice. All of its definitions are stored on in the cloud, so it doesn’t require any updating and very little maintenance. It is very quick and lightweight, so if you’re looking for a subscription-based service, I’d go with this. Also doesn’t hurt that it was PC Mag’s 2012 Editor’s Choice for AV software.

0 votes

Dimal Chandrasiri

September 25, 2012

Use Microsoft Security Essentials. It’s very light weight and doesn’t give much stress to your drive.

0 votes

Mai Katayama

November 7, 2012

Unthreat is very light on the system so I would definitely recommend that
you can download it here – unthreat.com