AntiVirus Question

[mightyt]

My old SageTV 2.0.20 server is set up on XP SP1 and no Antivirus protection ... I have built a new v.2.2.8 server and have installed XP with SP2. Of course SP2 prompts you to recommend installing Antivirus software. I intend on installing McAfee.

Does anyone know of any issues with Sage and Antivirus ... or specifically with McAfee?

I will probably not set up a periodic scan that could impact record / play back performance ... I will manually scan the first time and then allow virus definition file updates. But I am also concerned about file scanning access as well, since it would scan files being recorded and may impact performance and quality. Any suggestions on settings?

What is the overall opinion of implementing virus software on a Sage Server?

Thanks, T.

[Wheemer]

If this is your Sage server then I see no need to install any antivirus... I've completely disabled the service even.

As long as your not downloading stuff on it.

[Lucas]

If you do choose to install the AV then configure it so it does not scan the partitions on which you have your video files (Recordings & Imported).

The periodic scans are not the problem. You could always schedule them in the early hours of the morning.

The problem would be with realtime monitoring of every file accessed.

If you have Virus Scan, you do this via the 'virus scan on-access scan properties'. In the 'All Processes' set, the Detection tab has an option 'What not to Scan'.

[nielm]

and don't use Macafee (expensive resource hog)

I run AVG Free on all my home systems, including Sage Server+Clients and it is very-low impact (don't know how, but it seems to avoid the 'scan every file every time they are used using lots of CPU' philosophy of other virus scanners...

[waynedunham]

Originally Posted by nielm

and don't use Macafee (expensive resource hog)

I run AVG Free on all my home systems, including Sage Server+Clients and it is very-low impact (don't know how, but it seems to avoid the 'scan every file every time they are used using lots of CPU' philosophy of other virus scanners...

I'm another AVG user on all my machines. My only gripe about it is that every CPU in the house wants to scan my 160gb NAS attached to the switch downstairs. Of course if I had the $$$ version of AVG instead of the free version I could declare which drives/dirs get scanned.
But with 3 machines scanning that Ximeta there shouldn't be any virii on it.

[lovingHDTV]

I have RoadRunner cable and they provide free for customers CA's EZ Trust. I'm using it now instead of the free AVG and have no problems. It appears to use even less resources than I had with AVG.

[Naylia]

i was just going to recommend AVG Free also, but beat to the punch it looks like

[Jesse]

I use Avast Home, which is free. Very nice so far, and can be set not to scan your vid files.

Jesse

[JasonJoel]

For free ones, I like Avast Home.


For pay/more features, I like Trend Micro.

Jason

[mightyt]

Thank you all for the configuration and alternate software suggestions. I will be looking in to them all before I make a decision.

[takeshi]

Aha! I had been wondering for quite some time why playback was suddenly so poor on my Sage box. I had forgotten that a few months ago i had changed out antivirus software and that it was performing real-time scans of my video drive. Now everything's back to normal.

[Polypro]

I use Kaspersky's online scanner to scan the whole HTPC once a week. My philosophy is if I'm not going run a "realtime" AV, why install at all and risk a conflict. I do my best to only download on my other computers and then move to the HTPC after the files have been scanned. Spyware Balster and MVPS Hosts file http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm is all I have on the HTPC.

P