Hey duders! I'm curious to know what kind of antivirus software you are using on your gaming rigs. I have used a number of the free options out there and most of them have either offered terrible protection, or just been too much of a system resource hog. I'm not opposed to paying for software so it doesn't need to be free. I'm just looking for a good antivirus solution that is lightweight and causes no interruptions during gameplay, such as frequent notifications or obnoxious alert sounds.

I don't use a proper antivirus instead opting for not browsing shady websites. Even when ads are infested with bad stuff I don't have a problem since all popups are disable. So all I'm using in windows 8.1 pro is windows defender. I understand some people love getting free games over torrent websites and that's a larger issue for everyone. I really don't think it's necessary unless you're not sure of what is happening with your computer. I have installed AVG and mcafee on machines built for companies though and they don't complain and typically their Japanese interns are the ones to be picking up virii while browsing unintelligible websites.

I just use Microsoft Security Essentials. It works just fine, and I've never had a problem with it interrupting gameplay with a notification or anything like that.

I just run a scan with Malwarebytes every so often. If you're a decent PC user then you can avoid mostly all spyware, trojans, and viruses now. One might slip through occasionally but something like malwarebytes can usually take care of it.

I use bitdefender (free) and it's supposed to be really lightweight and secure. But every so often (once a week or so) it does an auto update or a scan which uses up system resources. I put those off if I'm gaming. Actually I keep it off most of the time cause it doesn't seem to detect anything/ I've had no virus problems. So.. i'm not really sure lol

I mostly just use common sense, but there are occasions where I dive into places I know I shouldn't be. I usually run a combination of different scanners. SuperAntiSpyware is one, MalwareBytes, is another, and HitmanPro. That combination usually does the trick.

Avast doesn't get in the way really, though my tolerance for very occasional popups is high. There's an alert noise when it updates etc that you can disable, and im pretty sure you can turn off all the popups if you so choose. (Gaming mode does that in any case)

I'm currently trying out Kaspersky after switching from Windows Defender. In the past I've used F-Secure, but they seem to be getting into the cloud/social/bullshit category instead of selling a software suite. Anti-virus software is essential. No matter how smart you think you are about teh internets you can still get attacked. Also, running a weekly Malwarebytes' full scan is a good idea.

I've always used ESET NOD32 and I don't see myself switching to anything else in the foreseeable future. Highly customizable and lightweight.

I used NOD since version 2, but I recently I switched to Bitdefender and I am very happy with it.

I use MSE and run the occasional Malwarebytes scan occasionally or if I think something might be wrong. Seems to be working fine so far.

I've used AVG for years and never had any obnoxious sounds or interruptions.

MSE has the lowest detection rates and the highest false positive rates amongst almost any of the popular free antivirus solutions. The only good things about it are that it's bundled with Windows and at least it's better than nothing.

Avast has never steered me wrong, and I'm often deep in the land of fake download buttons and questionable links (nothing nefarious, mind... just tend to be on the hunt for obscure files). And if something does sneak through, Spybot S&D is great backup. Although I'm not sure how it holds up these days... it's been a few years since I've had to use it.

Bitdefender free here. Uses very little resources and doesn't have stupid popups all over the place. Very simple interface.

Norton is pure shit but I have to say Avast with most of the extra options aside from Browser protection disabled and running in Silent/Gaming mode is amazing while MSEssentials is literally useless and isn't even supported anymore.

Been using ESET Nod 32 for years now and sticking with it.

I use Webroot.

I've had it for a year now with no problems. (Switched from Kaspersky)

Simple UI and extremely lightweight.

I love it.

I gave up on anti virus, just don't open weird shit and you should be good, I do have the one that comes with windows 8.1 active though.

I have the default virus thing in Windows 8.1 enabled (Windows Defender). Also, not browsing / downloading shady stuff helps.

Many years ago I did a test where I connected an unpatched windows to the internet without a firewall, browsed some shady sites and left it running for a day. Then I made an image of that machine and ran a whole bunch of virus scanners on it. None of them found everything, some of them (e.g. Norton) found considerably less than the other ones. So even with a virus scanner you're never entirely safe, and you're better off doing shady stuff in virtual machines or something.

I was mistaken it was just the XP support they killed for it is actually still being updated, I still feel like its borderline useless but it is still getting updates on Vista+ if you won't use anything else your still better off using MSE than Nortons or Mcafee.

I really do think that while not perfect Free Avast in silent mode with most of the install options disabled is king right now. I am not sure about your false positive issue with steam I have a laptop and desktop running Steam and Avast at all times and never once had an issue but whatever I really do think its mostly a non-issue at this point the best Antivirus is you not going to shady porn sites or gambling online.

I've been using Kaspersky since around Christmas last year. So far I haven't had a problem with it at all.

I also didn't get many viruses or anything like that beforehand and I was only using Windows Security Essentials (or Defender, or whatever Windows 8 calls it) as well as running weekly Malwarebytes scans. However, as @mb said, you are always open to malware. Just because you don't download torrents or watch porn or otherwise venture into the darker places of the internet doesn't mean you're safe from the nastier parts of it.

That said, there's no better defense than some good habits. Don't download something you don't trust. Don't sign up for newsletters (that's a flat "don't", by the way, I'm sure some of them are safe but you don't need to know about the latest and greatest products and announcements from whoever). Don't click on ads (Use Adblock for everything except the sites you trust and visit most). Don't go digging into piracy. Hover over links so you can see where they go before clicking on them. Be wary of the internet in general.

Malwarebytes recently got rid of a nasty browser hijack which also disabled access to regedit that I somehow became infected with. Prior to that, I don't think I've had any malware/virus/keylogger problems for years and years, so I was pretty surprised. MSE failed to even notice it, so Malwarebytes gets my vote.

@believer258: Sure, but with a good AV you're 99.9% safe, versus 50%. I'll also champion Adblock Plus, even if you use it as a temporary work-around. Even sites I trust have sometimes served up malicious ads asking me update my Flash Player. I had to switch it on for a few days until it got taken care of.

As for free options, I like Avira, although I find them to be a little too spammy with their ads, and not very intuitive to use. It is effective though.

I have AVG Free and it's ok. It has caught some things over the years and does its job just fine. I don't install/activate all of its features because some are completely superfluous. I just have the standard antivirus protection and the email scanning enabled.

The downside is that once in a while it likes to put up a little window that wants me to install some crappy module that will be a pain in my ass (and I could see how the wording could fool people inot letting AVG install any crap that you don't need for simple antivirus).

I'm now using BitDefenderFree after getting fed up with AviraFree. I also use AdBlockPlus and Scan with MalwareBytes now and then... and stay away from shady downloads. Can't suggestion Avira one bit. Ipmgui and avnotify will constantly hit you with popups. Even if you take some backdoor ways to disable them, they still launch for a split second, which will steal passive focus from your fullscreen games (it won't minimize, but you'll lose control for a split second, such as when holding W to walk forward you're character will stop walking until you re-press it).

Thanks @mb! Although, whenever I have Malicious Web Protection on, my browsing slows to a crawl and websites don't even open.

Microsoft Security Essentials. It's free, does a good job (my web traffic's pretty vanilla but whatever) and it doesn't bombard you with subscription/upgrade notifications.

I use Bitdefender (subscriber version). It even has a cool little 'Game Mode', where you basically tell it to quiet right down. It's probably the best anti-virus I've ever used.

I let MS Security run and update. I reinforced the bulwarks of protection with Malwarebytes. And then I just use AVG as the belt to reinforce the suspenders of the other two. I think people worry a bit too much about "light weight" these days. Unless you have a super old machine your family computer can run virus protection just fine without getting in the way of most activities. Also most OS are pretty nimble with resource switching...unless you have spyware on them.

I use the MSE/Malwarebytes combo a lot of others use in combination with an ad blocker, a JavaScript blocker, and Ghostery, along with common sense internet usage practices (if it seems shady, it probably is, etc.). Haven't had a piece of malicious software in years apart from a piece of adware that I got from a SourceForge download because I hadn't realized they had turned the site from a reliable way to get software to wrapping most software in an adware/malware installer.

I honestly thought I was crazy when it happened a few months back and then Ars Technica posted an article on it.

Just wanted to echo this. If you want to use next to no antivirus and rely on common sense and good practices that is perfectly fine for you, but MSE is not a strong antivirus anymore and should not be regarded as such. If people do not have good practices and are looking for a real anti virus, MSE is not really to be recommended.

I'm personally trying out Avast and Panda on different computers at the moment and I'm pretty pleased with both. Neither are disruptive at all which is always the first hurdle for some programs.

I've been using ESET NOD32 for probably 5 years or so now and love it. It now even has a "gaming mode" where it automatically prioritizes your games' resource usage when running. I know there are "lighter" antivirus programs out there (and cheaper), but NOD32 still has my business. Never had any issues with it taking too much resources or interfering with any other programs (i.e. never had to disable it to get anything to work).

Same boat. Never had a problem with Nod32 or their Smart Security.

I've never had a problem since I started using microsoft security essentials; I really don't go anywhere sketchy on the internet anymore though.