This guarantees the identical download scenario during the endurance test. Most security packages scan the data or the data stream during the download and may thus slow down the procedure. Nearly all the products handle this task so well, however, that the scores fall below the 20 percent mark, thus 21 out of 23 packages consistently receive only an average of one load point.
Only the products from Avira and G Data are slightly above this level on average and for that reason are penalized with somewhat more load points. For this test, a few dozen premium websites are launched, such as Amazon, Yahoo, Apple or Google. The selected websites are always highly available in the web and therefore perfect for the comparison. The test sounds simple, but it is tremendously revealing. Because in final analysis, only three products achieve a low load level under 20 percent and therefore only sustain 1 point: Bitdefender, Kaspersky and McAfee.
An additional 20 products break through the barrier of 20 percent more load and require up to 40 percent. For this reason, those products also receive 2 load points.
The only anomaly here is the product Threat Track, which slows down the website launch tremendously and therefore scores 4. In the test, applications are installed per command line without clicks , and the time is clocked for this operation.
Included in this test section are popular programs such as the Flash Player or the Adobe Reader. The applications and their versions are naturally identical throughout the entire endurance test. This test is also part of a user's typical daily procedure. The findings show that many security programs delay the installation procedure to a certain extent.
Bitdefender, Bullguard, G Data and Trend Micro remain within normal bounds, thus only scoring 1 load point. An additional 9 solutions are between 1 and 2 points on average, 9 products score between 2 and 3 points, and Microsoft Security Essentials or Microsoft Defender even above 3 load points. In this test, a DOC file, a pdf file and a presentation file — all having a large size — are opened repeatedly and directly with LibreOffice.
The security packages monitor the access and the opening of files. Some solutions thus delay the procedure. In this area of the endurance test, the products from Bitdefender, ESET and Kaspersky were hardly noticeable and thus received only 1 load point.
An additional 16 products were above 1 point on average, 4 solutions scored even 2 or more load points. Especially when copying data under Windows, most security solutions cause frustration among users.
That is why the lab team examined how heavily the products delayed the copying of files. The test featured a 3. Up to this test phase, most of the products were still virtually neck and neck. Due to the findings in this test category, however, many security packages fell behind the top finishers.
The test demonstrates that Qihoo and Kaspersky delay the copying procedure only ever so slightly. They considerably slow down the copying procedure under routine conditions. This fact is also reflected in the overall findings. For the test, several PCs with absolute identical hardware were used in the laboratory: Intel Xeon X 2.
Because these computers might perform differently, however, they were selected from a pool of 60 test PCs. The computers of identical speed were then defined as test systems. Their speed ratings serve as a reference for the test. Before and after each product test, it was evaluated whether all the computers still delivered the same reference ratings.
Each product goes through a cycle of all the tests multiple times. Afterwards, a status quo ante of the PC is re-established with the help of a disk image, including the installed application. Microsoft Defender Antivirus, aka Windows Defender, can't really be measured for background system impact because it's built right into Windows 8. Meanwhile, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition doesn't have a quick-scan option. It is clear that Avast is in last place in the free bunch.
Most antivirus brands offer three or four different paid Windows programs, all sharing the same basic protections but adding a few more extra features with each increase in price.
But only the last has all the bells and whistles that Bitdefender offers, such as a password manager, webcam protection, parental controls or a system optimizer. Meanwhile, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition uses the same malware-detection engine as its paid siblings, just with far fewer options and extra features. When deciding which antivirus program to buy or download for free , evaluate which one has the features you need. For more on this, check out our guide on how to choose antivirus software.
Paul Wagenseil is a senior editor at Tom's Guide focused on security and privacy. He has also been a dishwasher, fry cook, long-haul driver, code monkey and video editor. He's been rooting around in the information-security space for more than 15 years at FoxNews. It's true: Antivirus programs can slow your computer, sometimes by quite a lot. Check how much space your system is taking up and delete any unnecessary apps and programs. However, it might drain your battery quicker.
Note: Your CPU speed will increase, but it will detain your battery at a faster rate. Your web browser can also be the reason why your computer is slowing down. This can happen to users who usually have several tabs and extensions open. Even though your browser is just a single app, the tabs and extensions take up memory and processing power, which can affect the performance of your computer.
Related: Is Firefox Running Slow? You don't need to break the bank to get a high-performance laptop. Kim is a technical writer who is passionate about animal welfare and the environment. A writer by day and a reader at night, she takes pleasure in acquiring new knowledge.
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