[egeozcan]

Most companies still purchase antivirus packages at bulk. I have a customer server where an installed AV slows down the SQL Server from time to time (especially when SQL server allocates more disk space) so much that the system becomes unusable. They still think it makes sense to install AV even to database servers. I think AV software is installed just to be scapegoats if there's a successful attack.

[mrweasel]

They may be required to follow some standard, or certification that states that anti-virus software and firewalls be present on all systems. Those "standards" are normally written by lawyers or accountants who know next to nothing about IT.

[phonon]

Yes, like PCI-DSS requirement 5. (required if you handle credit card numbers).

Requirement 5: Protect all systems against malware and regularly update anti-virus software or programs Malicious software, commonly referred to as “malware”—including viruses, worms, and Trojans—enters the network during many business approved activities including employee e-mail and use of the Internet, mobile computers, and storage devices, resulting in the exploitation of system vulnerabilities. Anti-virus software must be used on all systems commonly affected by malware to protect systems from current and evolving malicious software threats. Additional anti-malware solutions may be considered as a supplement to the anti-virus software; however, such additional solutions do not replace the need for anti-virus software to be in place.

5.1 Deploy anti-virus software on all systems commonly affected by malicious software (particularly personal computers and servers).

5.1.1 Ensure that anti-virus programs are capable of detecting, removing, and protecting against all known types of malicious software.

5.1.2 For systems considered to be not commonly affected by malicious software, perform periodic evaluations to identify and evaluate evolving malware threats in order to confirm whether such systems continue to not require anti-virus software.

5.2 Ensure that all anti-virus mechanisms are maintained as follows:  Are kept current,  Perform periodic scans  Generate audit logs which are retained per PCI DSS Requirement 10.7.

5.3 Ensure that anti-virus mechanisms are actively running and cannot be disabled or altered by users, unless specifically authorized by management on a case-by-case basis for a limited time period. Note: Anti-virus solutions may be temporarily disabled only if there is legitimate technical need, as authorized by management on a case-by-case basis. If anti-virus protection needs to be disabled for a specific purpose, it must be formally authorized. Additional security measures may also need to be implemented for the period of time during which anti-virus protection is not active.

5.4 Ensure that security policies and operational procedures for protecting systems against malware are documented, in use, and known to all affected parties.