Intel’s Accelerated Memory Scanning will use GPUs to make virus scans more efficient on Windows PCs

2 min. read

Published onApril 17, 2018

published onApril 17, 2018

Share this article

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Virus scanning, especially with third-party programs, is a processor-intensive task and can sometimes take a toll on the proficiency on a Windows PC. Well,Intel is now sayingit has plans to allow anti-virus programs to use integrated graphics systems (instead of the CPU) for increased battery life and performance when running scans for viruses and other malicious content (via The Verge).

Known as Accelerated Memory Scanning, the chip maker says its new tech leverages the power of the GPU to reduce CPU utilization from 20 percent to as little as 2 percent during virus scans. “Current scanning technologies can detect system memory-based cyberattacks, but at the cost of CPU performance. With Accelerated Memory Scanning, the scanning is handled by Intel’s integrated graphics processor, enabling more scanning, while reducing the impact on performance,” explained Rick Echevarria, VP of Intel’s platform security division.

Intel mentioned it will be partnering with Microsoft to support Accelerated Memory Scanning, with it coming to the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection later this month. However, it only will be available on modern chipsets, including the 6th, 7th, and 8th generation Intel processors. Intel also noted that they will also work with other third-party vendors to support the new type of scans.

Intel has faced heavy scrutiny in the tech media following the fallout from the Spectre vulnerability found in the company’s chipsets. The chipmaker, though now says its 8th gen chipshave built-in protectionsagainst Meltdown and Spectre thanks to Intel’s Security Essentials technology. “Intel Security Essentials will ensure a consistent set of critical root-of-trust hardware security capabilities across Intel Core, Intel Xeon and Intel Atom processors,” explained Echevarria.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

User forum

0 messages

Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes

Comment*

Name*

Email*

Commenting as.Not you?

Save information for future comments

Comment

Radu Tyrsina

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Intel’s Accelerated Memory Scanning will use GPUs to make virus scans more efficient on Windows PCs#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Intel’s Accelerated Memory Scanning will use GPUs to make virus scans more efficient on Windows PCs