True or false: do antivirus strongly slow down your computer?

The idea that antivirus slows down computers is deeply rooted in public belief and rightly so. Because, for years, certain protective software was indeed particularly heavy, triggering endless analyzes which monopolized the resources of the system and blocked any other manipulation.

The old versions of McAfee or Bitdefender, for example, were often pointed out. This negative impact on the performance of machines has contributed to building this received idea which still persists today, while technologies have evolved, allowing not only to the machines ofImprove their performancebut also to the antivirus of monopolize fewer system resources. Unfortunately, many users instinctively attribute the slowness of their computer to their antivirus, even today, without always taking into account other factors such as hardware wear, the presence of applications in the background or not carried out updates.

Do today's antiviruses still slow down your computer as much?

Today, antiviruses have grown widely. Detection methods have been optimized And the software is designed to operate in the background without disturbing the user experience, or at least by impacting it as little as possible, especially for players, whose sessions are very much demanding the resources of their machine.

The old technology based on systematic file scans has given way to Intelligent solutions exploiting behavioral analysis and comparison of cloud databases. Rather than scrutinizing each file individually, which could formerly be very gourmet in resources, Modern antiviruses monitor the behavior of real -time software. As soon as a program acts suspect, it is quarantined without requiring an exhaustive analysis of the entire hard drive.

In parallel, some publishers have managed to Lighten the consumption of antivirus by rationalizing their operation. Windows Defenderthe antivirus integrated into Windows, is a good example. Unlike third -party software that seeks to offer a multitude of additional features, it is satisfied with a Essential protection and well integrated into the operating system. Other solutions, such as Avast or Norton, use online databases to avoid weighing down the system with overly frequent updates. These developments show thatIt is possible to be protected without sacrificing the performance of your computer.

Other factors may explain the slowdown in your computer

It is important to understand that slowdowns are not only caused by an antivirus. An aging computer, for example, can give the impression of being slowed down when it is simply his equipment that begins to tire. A fragmented hard drive, an overloaded RAM or an exceeded processor Can cause poor performance, regardless of the presence of protection software. Likewise, too many open applications simultaneously Can consume available resources and create latencies, especially if gourmet software runs in the background. Finally, a poorly maintained operating system, with unpaid updates and accumulated temporary files, can also be the cause of slowdowns.

Rather than uninstalling his antivirus on the pretext that he affects performance and risking being infected with a virus, it is preferable toAdopt good practices to optimize its use.

First, it is advisable to choose a solution adapted to your needs. An average user, which mainly brings up the internet and consults their emails, does not necessarily need an antivirus with advanced features such as an integrated firewall or protection against real-time ransomware. Opt for a light antivirus, like Windows Defender Or Free antivirus avastmay be enough. For more demanding users, Some paid solutions allow a better balance Between safety and performance thanks to adaptable protective modules.

Another way to avoid inconvenience is to correctly configure your antivirus. Most software can plan analyzes at specific times, for example when the computer is inactive. It is also possible to exclude certain large files or specific software from the automatic scan, especially those which are frequently used and considered as safe. In addition, it is recommended not to multiply antivirus on the same device. Install several protective software May seem to be a good idea to strengthen security, but in reality, this leads to conflicts and excessive consumption of resources. A single well -configured antivirus is more than enough to protect a system.

Last important point, the importance of a regular system maintenance. Cleaning your hard drive, deactivating unnecessary applications at start -up and updating its operating system guarantee fluid operation and avoiding slowness attributed to antivirus. A well -maintained computer, equipped with a modern and optimized antivirus, will not suffer from excessive slowdowns. Thus, far from the obsolete image of protection software of formerly, current antiviruses have become tools that are both efficient and discreet, ensuring effective protection without compromising the user experience.

What are the less -resources antiviruses?

To find out the names of the least resource antiviruses, we went to the AV-Test site, an independent laboratory for safety solutions tests. To certify the best antivirus for private users in Windows, the evaluation is based on 3 major themes: protection, performance and use.

For performance, subject of our article, candidates must obtain the best note on 5 different tests:

• slowdown in popular websites consulted
• Downloading programs download often used
• slowdown in standard software execution
• slowdown in the installation of programs often used
• slowdown in file copy (locally and on the network)

In the latest December 2024 report, the following 3 antiviruses obtained the maximum note not only on performance tests, but also on the other 2 test categories: protection and use.

Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus offer a Free, continuous and global protection against viruses, malware and spy software, and is completed Optimization and configuration features of your device. Much more than just antivirus, it is a complete security continuation that uses proactive threat detection technology Who blocks them even before they infected your device.