Spyware, viruses, & security : Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer?
Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer?
by analyzerbunny - 9/20/08 10:01 AMMy desktop computer was recently taken down by a virus and was in the shop for week getting reformatted and fresh OS install of Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3.
The computer technician recommended I keep the Avast program he had installed on the computer and to use Fix It 8 as a utility and its anti-viral program as a back up but to make sure they weren't both running at the same time.
As it turned out, I wasn't able to get Fix It 8 back on my desktop after uninstalling it for troubleshooting purposes and decided to check out ESET NOD 3.0 as an alternative back up antiviral program.
ESET told me to make sure I uninstalled any antivirus programs on my computer before installing ESET because it could cause system instability, apparently, even if both of the programs are not running simulataneously.
So, what options do I have?
Is it too risky to have a second antivirus program on one computer even if they are not running at the same time?
If one can have two antivirus programs, does it matter which 2 programs you have?
I'd love to get opinions from people about this and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
It is usually only one anti-virus - not two but
by DCL3 - 9/20/08 10:14 AM In reply to: Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer? by analyzerbunnyThere are at the top, virus scans that are free to use. Save a link in your favorites. Darrell
My thoughts and opinion...
by glenn30 - 9/20/08 12:37 PM In reply to: Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer? by analyzerbunnyI see no problem having two anti-virus programs on the computer but only one should be active and running... the other can be used on demand but even then I would shut down or disable the other while a scan in in progress.
AFAIK it does not matter which anti-virus programs are used... there are plenty of free ones that should do just fine. I am presently using Avast and have used AVG in the past... never any problems with viruses or malware.
Hope this helps.
Glenn
Thanks, Glenn...
by analyzerbunny - 9/21/08 9:51 PM In reply to: My thoughts and opinion... by glenn30Thank you for the feedback.
I'll download AVG again.
AVG was on my laptop before, but I uninstalled it when I installed Avast thinking I couldn't have the two programs on the same computer.
So, I really appreciate your comment.
Thanks, again.
Don't do it.
by DADSGETNDOWN - 10/5/08 3:28 AM In reply to: Thanks, Glenn... by analyzerbunnyDon't do it.
Don't get AVG.
and don't install 2 ANTIVIRUS.
I loved AVG.
Get something else.
Me ? I use AVAST! now too, very good.
You didn't read what I said...
by glenn30 - 10/5/08 5:47 AM In reply to: Don't do it. by DADSGETNDOWNOnly one anti-virus should be "ACTIVE AND RUNNING" at the same time... I see no problem having two but NOT running at the same time as there could be conflicts with each fighting for supremacy rights.
Makes a big difference!
Glenn
agreed
by ramarc - 9/22/08 5:59 PM In reply to: My thoughts and opinion... by glenn30you can have two if you're paranoid, but you should not have 2 active anti-virus products since you'll be needlessly slowing down your pc.
I'm running two.
by Walter Harvey - 9/22/08 11:42 AM In reply to: Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer? by analyzerbunnyI'm running Windows Defender and Spyware Doctor, both active, and having no problems whatsoever. Every so often a window pops up from Windows Defender telling me I should only have one av running at a time and asking if I want to close Defender. I just say no and things continue without incident.
You can have more than...
by Larry38 - 9/22/08 12:33 PM In reply to: I'm running two. by Walter Harveyone Anti-Spyware Program running at one time, however only one AV.
Those are antispyware. NOT A/V
by DADSGETNDOWN - 10/5/08 3:31 AM In reply to: I'm running two. by Walter HarveySorry not offense.
Those are "Antispyware" or "Spyware" programs.
They are NOT "Antivirus"
2 completely different programs.
Be careful...........
by trojan destroyer - 9/22/08 12:25 PM In reply to: Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer? by analyzerbunnyHi analyzer, i'm afraid that some of the very helpful advice you have been receiving is not entiraly correct
It is ok to have more then 1 Antispyware program on your computer as there is NO conflicts resulting in system instability, but an Antivirus app works differently, based on the current technology they work based primarily on signature detection as well as sophisticated heuristic algorithms which i wont go into right now, so in effect an antivirus application works because they are using real viruses to detect viruses!! so if you have 2 antivirus installed on your system it WILL cause system instability as they will both think the other program is an actual virus! and not 1 of the good guys, this not only will use up huge amount of your system resources, but will slow your computer right down to a crawl, and cause system conflicts and instability, so my advice will be to only have 1 Antivirus installed at a time, and multiple antispyware for good backup! all the best hope this helps
Two real-time antispyware
by Someones - 9/24/08 1:45 AM In reply to: Be careful........... by trojan destroyerI've heard that more than one real-time antispyware is also not good. There'll be no obvious conflicts, but they could actually stop each other from detecting malware. I'm not too sure of the details myself, but it was from a trustworthy source.
RESPONSE 2 ANTI-VIRUS IN ONE COMPUTER
by GEO2003 - 9/22/08 12:39 PM In reply to: Can You Really Have 2 Anti-Viral Programs on One Computer? by analyzerbunnyIt is not recommended, because Antiviruses lock themselfs at the kernel level.
One type of programing might see the other as a threat, hence creating a conflict on the boot process.
Or it may simple see the other antivirus as a competing application and try to disable one another, again creating a conflic.
Even if both work together it will slow down your pc.
Why would you want to have to when one well design, should do the job.
Try using AVAST HOME EDITION FREE, from www.avast.com.
It has seven shields that cover all, Antivirus/Antispyware/Antirootkit, email checking(client or online), p2p checking, web shield, general shield, chat shield.
It works fantastic with XP and Vista.
You can even stop MS Window Defender, but this one does not conflict with AVAST.
PCTOOLS, Antivirus/Antispyware Free edition does not conflict with AVAST either.
The free version of this can only be downloaded from Google Applications even if you don't download any of Google applications.
However, pctools application wants to constantly send information about your usage to pctools so that they can keep track of how many infections they have stopped.
This to me is too intrusive and really don't need it with AVAST.
AVAST is also free, you need a key but the only thing they request for you to get your key is your email address.
And to renew it every years.
No big deal for the protection AVAST provides for free.
For a review on Avast got pcmag.com and search for Avast Reviews.
Definitely YES to Avast over AVG!!!
by btljooz - 9/22/08 1:39 PM In reply to: RESPONSE 2 ANTI-VIRUS IN ONE COMPUTER by GEO2003Avast saved my computer just yesterday! However, I do back it up with an online scanner like the Symantec one given above.
Only I use F-Secure (rated second only to Symantec):
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml
Hope this helps. Good Luck! 
Yes to Avast..
by jjuujj - 9/22/08 1:58 PM In reply to: Definitely YES to Avast over AVG!!! by btljoozI have been using Avast for some time now and it has never let me down...I mean perhaps I have never come across a virus that this guy couldn't catch, but that is all I know......no problems......another spyware catcher I like is Advanced Windows Care (free-version)...it does about 7 different functions with one push of a button, and does it well and has never caused a problem or conflict, low on resources and it just plain works well.....It catches some things that Ad-aware, spy-bot R*D, crap cleaner, e-z cleaner and some others didn't do too well with.....highly recommend Avast and Advanced Windows Care.......
best..
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
