Anti-virus & SQL Server on one system together are friends not enemies, if configured properly.
Anti-virus are very useful programs from security, audit & venerability detection & removal point of view. But if team managing anti-virus server did not configure anti-virus policies properly then your SQL Server is going to face the problem.
Here, we will discuss the file types that must be in exclusion list of anti-virus scanning policy. In other words, Let anti-virus programs deal with what they do best, and let SQL Server handle what it does best and avoid, at all possible costs, any interaction between the two
1. Binaries: Or the the paths to the actual executable for any of your running SQL Server Services (MSSQL, SQL Server Agent, SSAS, etc). Typically these are found, by default, in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server folder – though this could easily be a different path on many production machines. (And, note, you’ll likely want to make sure that C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server is included in any exclusions as well on x64 machines).
2. SQL Server Error Logs : Not your database log files, but the text files that SQL Server uses to keep its own ‘event logs’ running or up-to-date. (Which, in turn is also different than Windows’ system event logs as well.) By default the path to these files is, in turn, covered in the paths outlined above – or it’s part of the ‘program files’ data associated with your binaries – though you CAN move the location of these logs if desired (as an advanced operation via the startup parameters).)
3. Data And Log Files: Your actual .mdf, .ndf, and .ldf files – or the locations of your data files and log files. (Which you’ll want to make sure get excluded from anything that anti-virus monitors – otherwise creation of new databases, file-growth operations, and other normal ‘stuff’ can/will get blocked by anti-virus operations – which would be fatal in many cases.)
4. Backups: Yes, the path to any of your backups – or backup locations is also something you’ll want to make sure that anti-virus doesn’t monitor.
5. Others: Any other files related to SQL server & for its proper working. Like .TUF, .SS, .TRC etc.
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Reference : Rohit Garg (http://mssqlfun.com/)
Yes, you are right antivirus plays and most important role to secure a server, but it should be install properly. I found Linux is more secure OS as compare to windows and Sophos antivirus is good to install on Linux server. In any case if anybody wants help in installing antivirus on server or facing any kind of technical difficulties then Antivirus Support services would be the best option to resolve issues promptly.