Mac slows down at Start Up after installation of Sophos Antivirus

Hello drLou,

as files are scanned when they are accessed and scanning naturally has some impact a slowdown is to be expected. While it is noticeable it should not be unbearable. Of course it depends on which programs run at startup and the preferences for on-access - did you modify them?. 

Are you talking about the Home Edition? If so, please note that there's a dedicated forum, SophosFreeTalk.

Christian

Christian,

Thanks for your observations about slow down issue.  I understand that Sophos software scans files and this may be the reason for noticeable slowdown of computer. I installed the Home Edition.  I appreciate the tip about Sophos FreeTalk; I've registered.

I'll take your response as resolution of issue for the time being.  I'm thinking of Uninstalling Sophos Home Edition as perhaps the  best course of action. Thanks for your response. drLou 

Hello drLou,

I'm thinking of Uninstalling Sophos Home Edition as perhaps the  best course of action

I beg to differ. As Macs are becoming a target and the additional resources used by the scanner shouldn't be a show-stopper. You might want to read for example this post by Graham Cluley.

What's your startup time with and without Sophos? Is there really that much difference?

Christian 

Hello Christian,

I shall read the article with care.  I should add that since installing Sophos Antivirus software, the Mac-computer is not only slower at startup but much slower when trying to connect with other internet resources.  I can live with a slower StartUp time, however, the delay in connecting with internet resources is not trivial.  I have not clocked the difference in times, perhaps I should? Anyway, thanks again for your thoughtful responses; I will re-think the uninstall option.  drLou

I can live with a slower StartUp time, however, the delay in connecting with internet resources is not trivial

This is not normal. After startup you shouldn't experience excessive delays (while I don't use a Mac a "primary" computer I occasionally use a not too new MacBook running Sophos and eleive me, I'm not too patient when it comes to internet resources).

If you decide to carry on with an antivirus solution please let's discuss this at FreeTalk.

Christian

Hello Christian,

I plan to visit the Faculty Lab Coordinator at SJSU to determine best course of action. I have heard from a couple of other MAC Users who have experienced similar delays.  I have sent them copies of our emails.  I shall keep in touch when my own efforts and a bit more research warrants more posts.  For the time being, however, and until I learn more, perhaps we should consider the problem "resolved"?  Thanks again.  drLou

I recently installed sophos on my MacBppk pro and have noticed a significant slow down on loading applications accessing the internet and reading emails. I am considering un-installing it unless they are any updates te reslove these issues?

Regards

Warby

Hello Warby,

Our University Faculty Computer Coordinator recommended that I Uninstall Sophos from my MacBook for the time being or at least until such time as a newer version or a patch is issued to fix the the slow-down-issue. She Uninstalled Sophos following instructions for uninstalling Sophos to the letter.

Meanwhile, the Faculty Lab Coordinator recommended ClamX AV, freeware;  another Freeware AV is iAntivirus (PC Tools).  I am using ClamX AV software on MacBook; it appears to be working OK.  I note that Windows Users using Sophos AV are not experiencing slowdown of their PCs. drLou

I don't have a mac but all my computers are slow during startup and also on the internet it's slower than before.

I did'nt time it but the difference is more than 5 minutes at startup and also more than 1 minute going on a different site on the internet.

What is sophos doing during startup?

Why was my old virus programm quicker than Sophos? I had NOD32.... it was quick and detected also al the mall ware and viruses...