Anti-virus options?

[jmontana]

I've been running with MS Security Essentials for a while, and it's mostly fine, but every once in a while it starts chewing CPU cycles. I presume this is a scan or something, but when it does this, Media Center gets very nonresponsive, and recordings start stuttering. I'm tempted to just shut it off, but of course than I'm without a net and that makes me nervous. I've also read recently that Security Essentials isn't a great choice anymore.

So I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on the best Anti-virus software to use. I want something light, and ideally something that can intelligently schedule the scans so they don't happen when I might be recording a show.

[Bryan]

I run MSE on everything I have, including my HTPC, and have never had any issues. Certainly never seen Media Center have any performance issues because of it.

[jmontana]

I run MSE on everything I have, including my HTPC, and have never had any issues. Certainly never seen Media Center have any performance issues because of it.

That used to be the case for me! But every once in a while (I haven't been keeping track, but I feel like once every couple of weeks) I'll notice that msmpeng.exe is using about 85%+ CPU. I can't kill it, it says access denied.

I don't really want to spend a lot of time troubleshooting why MSE isn't working. I tried that, thought I had a fix, and the issue came back. I'm just interested in getting an alternative product that will work, so I don't have to worry about it.

[Crash2009]

Set update and scan to run when you are sleeping.

[Mike88]

Here's some test results that may be helpful.
I use Avast Free on the HTPC. IIRC it was rated somewhat higher last year. MSE has always been at the bottom of this list.
http://www.av-test.org/en/

Here's some more tests. Click on the September results for the latest.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/

[jmontana]

Here's some test results that may be helpful.
I use Avast Free on the HTPC. IIRC it was rated somewhat higher last year. MSE has always been at the bottom of this list.
http://www.av-test.org/en/

Here's some more tests. Click on the September results for the latest.
http://www.av-comparatives.org/dynamic-tests/

Thanks, Mike88! I'll look into Avast.