What Antivirus Program Uses The Least Resources?

Check the ratings of the various products here; http://www.av-comparatives.org/ (the 2006 summary).

I use NOD32 because it is light on resources (essential when you have a 450Mhz CPU and 128 MB of Ram!) and routinely achieves ADVANCED+ in the various tests.

person,

I didn't mean to suggest that AV-comparatives.org provided resource use figures (I'm not sure how anybody could, given that it all depends on the individual computer?).

My point was that NOD32 (and some others) get consistently high ratings at detecting malware (much better than some others mentioned here). It is a matter for each individual as to how much notice they take of 'tests' such as these, but I'm very happy with NOD.

My computer is ancient and has limited resources because I'm running Zone Alarm Pro and the free version of System Security Monitor with NOD (and there are a couple of other things watching the Registry - well I did say I was paranoid!).

I have no doubt that, if I attempted to run one of the 'big name' AV's, my computer would grind to a halt. Although I consider myself to be a safe surfer, I will not entrust my online safety to a free AV. Lots of people do and are, apparently, happy to do so, and that's fine by me.