Antivirus + Firewall for HTPC

Deco · 2006-10-02, 23:48

Hi all,

I'm looking for an antivirus and firewall suitable for a HTPC.

My current one (McAfee Internet Security) has expired. However, whilst it worked (no viruses etc.) I use my PC just for MediaPortal.

One thing I don't like about McAfee are the pop-up's. These are fine on my work or day-to-day PC, but a nuisance for a 'stand-alone' MediaPortal system.

I've used Norton in the past on my work PC but don't think it fits the bill either.

So my criteria are:
- Relaible (obviously)
- Use low resources
- No 'nuisance' pop-up's

Suggestions anyone please?

Deco.

zag2me · 2006-10-03, 00:03

Nortan/symantec is even worse than having a virus I think

Personally I dont use one, as my htpc only runs media portal and I back it up regularly. Firewall, I use the XP inbuilt one, and port forwarding on my router.

ohdarklord · 2006-10-03, 01:15

i use zone alram for my firewall and avast for my anti virus

once zone alarm has been setup correctly there are no pop ups and avast only has pop ups when it updates the database or when it finds a virus but you may be able to turn those off.

Efros · 2006-10-03, 01:55

I use the xp firewall in conjunction with my router firewall and bitdefender as AV, have bitdefender setup to scan and update in the middle of the night, as my HTPC is a dedicated unit this is probly overkill.

Callifo · 2006-10-03, 02:39

I just use the windows firewall on mine along with symantec corp antivirus. I use that as the server and it manages all the other clients in the house.

infinityloop · 2006-10-03, 07:18

note:
we have allready noticed that some firewalls can cause issues on HTPCs.

i.e. one user reported that zonealarm was causing timeshift function to fail.

Paranoid Delusion · 2006-10-03, 09:11

I use windows firewall and AVG free, which is not a system hog, unlike symantec and quite a few others.

Regards

zag2me · 2006-10-03, 09:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callifo

I just use the windows firewall on mine along with symantec corp antivirus. I use that as the server and it manages all the other clients in the house.

I have extensivley tested symantec corporate edition at work as I use it on 500+ pc's, and I get on average about a 25% slowdown in system speed with it installed and auto protect turned on. Its a truely aweful piece of software.

Zonealarm is another one of my pet hates, its completly pointless because it does nothing more than the default XP firewall, with about 1000 more popups

I do home network support sometimes and the amount of people I get who accidently diasabled their entire internet with zonealarm is pretty funny

McChots · 2006-10-03, 09:53

I use AVG antivirus and filseclab personal firewall which are both free.
I have Norton Internet Security/Antivirus on my laptop and it is definitely a memory hog.

Smirnuff · 2006-10-03, 10:43

I've been using NOD32 as my anti-virus for the past two years, its inexpensive and very resource friendly. No infections and its received many awards.

2006-10-02, 23:48	#1 (permalink)
Deco Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Ireland Age: 38 Posts: 71 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Antivirus + Firewall for HTPC Hi all, I'm looking for an antivirus and firewall suitable for a HTPC. My current one (McAfee Internet Security) has expired. However, whilst it worked (no viruses etc.) I use my PC just for MediaPortal. One thing I don't like about McAfee are the pop-up's. These are fine on my work or day-to-day PC, but a nuisance for a 'stand-alone' MediaPortal system. I've used Norton in the past on my work PC but don't think it fits the bill either. So my criteria are: - Relaible (obviously) - Use low resources - No 'nuisance' pop-up's Suggestions anyone please? Deco. __________________ Dell Dimension 5000, 3GHz P4, 1.5 GB RAM, BIOS Rev. 07, 512 Mb Radeon HD2600XT Video, Catalyst 8.2 drivers Hauppauge PVR-150 MCE, Hauppauge HVR-1300 Microsoft MCE Remote, BTC 9019URF Wireless Keyboard Win XP Home, SP2, .NET 1.1, 2.0 Media Portal 1.0.0.0 RC1, no SVN; TV Server

2006-10-03, 00:03	#2 (permalink)
zag2me Portal Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 29 Posts: 198 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Country:	Nortan/symantec is even worse than having a virus I think Personally I dont use one, as my htpc only runs media portal and I back it up regularly. Firewall, I use the XP inbuilt one, and port forwarding on my router. __________________ silent htpc with SSD drive, 3.6tb media server, 46" Samsung tv + NEC 720p Projector http://www.themoviedb.org

2006-10-03, 01:15	#3 (permalink)
ohdarklord Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	i use zone alram for my firewall and avast for my anti virus once zone alarm has been setup correctly there are no pop ups and avast only has pop ups when it updates the database or when it finds a virus but you may be able to turn those off. __________________

2006-10-03, 01:55	#4 (permalink)
Efros Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 464 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	I use the xp firewall in conjunction with my router firewall and bitdefender as AV, have bitdefender setup to scan and update in the middle of the night, as my HTPC is a dedicated unit this is probly overkill. __________________ "Here's to the electron may it never be of any use to anyone!" Allegedly a toast at the Royal Institute of Physics at the turn of the 20th Century. Current skin: Mepo Green

2006-10-03, 07:18	#6 (permalink)
infinityloop Project Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: 127.0.0.1 Age: 29 Posts: 6,219 Thanks: 174 Thanked 136 Times in 98 Posts Country: My System	note: we have allready noticed that some firewalls can cause issues on HTPCs. i.e. one user reported that zonealarm was causing timeshift function to fail. __________________ regards chris MediaPortal Project Coordinator Test Team Leader Do not start to moan if something is not working as you want it to be. Remember that MediaPortal is Open Source. YOU can improve it!

2006-10-03, 02:39	#5 (permalink)
Callifo Retired Team Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Adelaide, Australia Age: 22 Posts: 1,444 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 1 Post Country: My System	I just use the windows firewall on mine along with symantec corp antivirus. I use that as the server and it manages all the other clients in the house.

2006-10-03, 09:11	#7 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 6,619 Thanks: 129 Thanked 233 Times in 207 Posts Country: My System	I use windows firewall and AVG free, which is not a system hog, unlike symantec and quite a few others. Regards __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

2006-10-03, 09:53	#9 (permalink)
McChots Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Johannesburg Age: 26 Posts: 95 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	I use AVG antivirus and filseclab personal firewall which are both free. I have Norton Internet Security/Antivirus on my laptop and it is definitely a memory hog.

2006-10-03, 10:43	#10 (permalink)
Smirnuff Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 630 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post My System	I've been using NOD32 as my anti-virus for the past two years, its inexpensive and very resource friendly. No infections and its received many awards. __________________

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