What is the deal with McAfee & Nortan security products hogging system resources?

[pg22]

I know this is nothing new, but it?s almost getting out of hand. If I install just NAV 2005, and have it running all the time (protecting the PC, email, scripts, etc), my system resources go from 160MB on a fresh boot to 210MB.

If I install McAfee's security suite (VirusScan, Spamguard, & Firewall), my resources go from 160MB to 240MB!!!

What is the deal with all this raping of system resources? Is it really necessary? Should I simply install one of their anti-virus apps, run it at my own leisure, and leave any automatic systems off?

What do you guys do?

 

[spherrod]

I use XP's built in firewall and run Mcafee anti-Virus only - don't seem to have any resource issues.

 

[sourceninja]

Save money, use advast, or antivir, or avg. There is no reason to pay for antivirus. You can even use kerio firewall for free if you are worried about the security of windows firewall.