Hello, I have a Domain Controller (AD) running Windows Server 2003 an I have a few clients (Some 2000, 98, Vista or even ME) but most of them run XP Pro.

Now, all my computers appear to be slow eversince I installed all my programs on it. Before program installation, the computer started up and ran programs faster. I clean installed XP Pro on my old Dell 8200 System without installing any virus software and the computer was lightning fast! The virus software is McAfee Virusscan Enterprise 8.5. I tried installing Symantec Antivirus Coorporate Edition on my server and that took up all my CPU on it which made my network slow, so I had to uninstall that.

Now, maybe the solution to having FAST COMPUTERS is to NOT install and deploy antivirus software to my clients. Now, is this a security risk? Why does Antivirus Software take up so much CPU usage? Do I HAVE to install antivirus software my clients? I mean once I join the domain, Windows XP stops bugging me to install a Virus software. Why can't I just install an antivirus software on a server and the server scans all my domain computers?

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Everything is a trade off.
You have to decide your risk level.
AV is a part of best practices. The more you use the safer your data is.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

Every PC, that can connect to the internet, receive e-mails a.s.o. is potentially at risk to be infected by a virus.

Also e.g. lets say that only one workstation can connect to the internet but also has connection to servers or other workstations in your local network,
all other workstations and servers are at risk and must run anti virus software.

I know, it slows down the performance but, if you don't use anti virus software, you maybe have to reinstall servers, workstations or loose your data.

So the question is, is it worth to try without anti virus.

It's also recommended to use a firewall !!!

keep you w2003 always updated is more important than AV (my opinion) our company servers win2003 ent. as AD and win2003 Web-Ed as web server have only sheduled windows updates and the antivirus for incoming e-mails (integrated to e-mail server) to prevent workstations infection... everything works about 5 years.

Jeff

get avg free or threatfire.
works great on workstations and uses very little resources, and its free!