Community Newsletter: Q&A: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility?
- 7/28/05 4:16 PM
there are many istbar variants but...
by bendis - 8/16/05 11:11 PM In reply to: I have AVG installed and it works great but by anniepepperAnnie, in case you have not taken your pc to the "shop" to get it cleaned yet, and if you're brave enough to do this...
There are many variants of this trojan; by any change did AVG tell you which one it found?
There is a link to some info on this trojan here:
http://www.sophos.com/search?search=Istbar&submit=Search&action=search
(copy this whole link, no spaces, to the browser address window). There are the variants explained and if you click on the blue link of the trojan's name, you'll be taken to the tabbed information; one of the tabs is Recovery. It is *fairly* simple but it does involve editing Registry file. Contrary to the "popular belief", it is NOT so bad or difficult if you print the article first then follow it carefully. Main thing: don't rush.
I have stepped the "non guru" users through worse things over the phone in my help-desk time, and it all can be done if you don't panic, don't rush and read the removal instructions three times if that's what it takes to understand the steps you need to take.
Oh, one more thing: ignore the post that advised you to "slave your hard drive".
Symantec servers had corrupted update files
by ddabney - 7/29/05 9:17 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I used to use Norton antivirus, paid $31.88 for Norton 2004. I kept getting corrupted update file errors from the Symantec servers while using Live Update, therefore causing the update to abort. This happened several times. I was very displeased paying $31.88 just to get an unupdatable anti virus application because of currupted files on the server.
So I uninstalled Norton & LiveUpdate, edited the registry to remove any entry that contained Norton or Symnatec, & decided to use only free antivirus software from now on.
I am using only the free version of AVG right now. It updates usually at least 4 times a week or more (and usually more often than that). I have never had any problems at all with corrupted update files on the avg server.
And, for the record, my OS is Windows Professional 2000 on an AMD computer.
Ditto on corrupt Live Update
by rbryan - 7/29/05 11:14 AM In reply to: Symantec servers had corrupted update files by ddabneyI also have Symnatec Systemworks 2004, and FINALLY have been able to restore the LiveUpdate after multiple, multiples uninstalls, reinstalls and fruitless discussions with their tech people. I never did get an answer to why the bloody thing quit working in the first place. The site would have you believe some unknown virus disabled it, but doesn't name it...and another company's antivirus program failed to discover it. I've used Norton for eons, and think this last one is the last one. NOT a happy (virtual) camper!
Randy Bryan
WIsconsin
Must have had a bad install
by r_rayjr - 7/30/05 6:49 AM In reply to: Symantec servers had corrupted update files by ddabneyI had Norton antivirus 2004. I never had a problem. In fact I had a friend that also bought it, and installed it. He had problems on his just as your saying. And he called me because he knew that I had it and that mine was running fine. So I tried to fix it, but could not. So I contacted Symantecs and they gave me the steps to properly unintall it. And then I reinstalled it and my friend has not had any problems since. Symantecs told me that some how the program was not installed right. Which they said could be from several reasons. But they said that after doing a complete uninstall should fix the problem, and it did.
Must have had a bad install
by jworgan - 7/30/05 10:00 AM In reply to: Must have had a bad install by r_rayjrHi Guy, Thanks for the Quick reply.
I had no trouble with Systemworks 2004 either. Or with 2003, 2002, 2001 or previous. But Systemworks 2005 is a different story. It maybe due to their overboard attempt to prevent pirateing.
I've totally un-installed and re-installed four times. With no success. I find their instructions useless or at least to me. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But, I have been in-stalling and re-installing programs for about 10 years. But, this is a nut that I can't seem to crack.
How did you manage to contact Symantec. Everytime I try they want about $29 dollars just to talk to me. Personally, I think their support is lousy. But, after paying $99 for their 2005 Premier edition and another $49 for their 2005 Personal Firewall, I hate to switch to someone else. But, I will if I can't straighten this out. The only support worse than Symantec is Microsoft.
Thanks again for the reply.
Jack
Must have had a bad install
by jworgan - 7/30/05 10:10 AM In reply to: Must have had a bad install by jworganHi again,
P.S. I just finished building this machine two months ago. I don't know if there might be a conflict with one of the components. I don't know how, but, I have had some glitches with previous machines that I built.
I'm running an AMD 64 3400+ CPU with a ASUS A8V Deluxe motherboard, 2GB of 3200 - 400 DDR Ram and a 200 GB Western Digital SATA hard drive.
Jack
Must have had a bad install
by jworgan - 7/30/05 10:20 AM In reply to: Must have had a bad install by jworganHi again, Looks like my memory is failing.
Oh well, at 78 what do you expect. I'm using Windows 2000 Pro for my operating system.
I would switch to XP, but, two of my friends did and everything was fine until they downloaded SP 2. They feel that Windows ME is back. I tried ME when it first came out, for several months, and went back to 98SE. Since I've up dated to Windows 2000, I've been very happy.
Jack (or I think I am)
Similar problem with Norton Internet Security
by JohnOfOrange - 7/30/05 10:30 PM In reply to: Symantec servers had corrupted update files by ddabneyHello,
I had a clean installation of Win2K Pro, SP3 and Norton Internet Security 2005. I kept getting an
error message to the effect that the my computer could not access the Live Update server.
Symantec even had a "fix" for this. It did not work, however. I had to go to the website to manually download the virus and other definitions. Needless to say, this is too time consuming to keep all of the components updated.
Then I did another installation of Win 2K. This time I tried installing the SP and various applications in
a different order (of course the order should not make a difference just a little superstitious) Again, I was unable to access the Update Server.
I finally tried once more. This time I installed XP Pro. Then I installed Norton. Live Update worked.
I will now try the AVG on the 2K Pro installation. When the current subscription runs out on the XP install, I will try the AVG on that as well.
The 60+ dollars pales in comparison to the time lost.
Take care,
JohnOfOrange
Orange, CA.
One or More Running Antivirus Utilities on PC or Laptop!
by UritheStripe - 7/29/05 9:52 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use both the AVG and the Avast Home Edition on my laptop and the two together do not slow it down. These two are my favorite anti-virus utilities to use. I run both of them, at the same time, to check for viruses about once every two weeks or so. Avast will catch a virus that AVG will sometimes miss and vise versa. I also use a very cool tool from Avast called the Virus/Worm Cleaner Application. This app will clear your PC of any viruses and worms that were deleted by the anti - virus app, and it is free.
As above
by Agostino - 7/29/05 11:13 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I beg to differ.
I have been running Norton System Works Premier 2005 plus Norton Internet Security 2005 which includes Antivirus 2005, along with V-Com System Suite 5 (which also includes it's own built in Antivirus program) since the begining of 2005 with no problems / conflicts what-so-ever. one does not interfere with the other.
Reply to 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one Virus Checker
by Sparky48 - 7/29/05 11:27 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I was so glad to read the comments regarding all the various Checker programmes and the ifs and buts.
Can I please ask about running Zone Alarm Plus AND Norton 2005 Virus protection, TOGETHER, please?
I agree with what the writer said about Virus checkers slowing down systems and causing Freeze ups, as I have been a victim of this recently.
I want to ask please about the necessity of running Zone Alarm AND Norton 2005 together?
Someone told me that Norton 2005 which now inclusdes Worm or Trojan detection; does A LOT of the same functions as Zone Alarm(I am a Plus member at Za).
For the last six months or so I had terrible problems logging into (for example) Delphi Forums Message board system.
Once I finally got in THEN I had to Shut down ZA(leaving Norton running) to access Delphi's Chat rooms. I felt safe in this as I was informed as above that Norton was covering quite a lot of what Zone Alarm was protecting me from. Also I now find with ZA closed and just Norton running, I have NO TROUBLE Logging on to Delphi Boards.
I should add this problem logging in with ZA and Norton running does not affect Logging on to Go Jabber Messageboards.
This brings me to the next question please...
have I doubled up unnecessarily in protections?
I am running Windows XP with Pentium 3?? processor I think?
I also use Telstra BigPond Broadband Cable Internet service here in Australia, and my understanding is I need the Firewall of Za because of hackers etc. I am also informed because Cable users stay on the same Web Address all the time, as opposed to Diallup users who get a new Web Address every time they log on to the Net, I need to update my passwords for getting Online, regularly.
Appreciate any comments and I have bookmarked all the helps given re Virus protection and running several Virus protections simultaneously and so on.
Regs,
Geoff Moore JP Australia
Runnning more than one Antivirus
by ebray - 7/29/05 11:31 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I downloaded an antivirus Free ware from PC mag.
I have Norton Int.Security.The new download did a nice job.had slow down and could not access some programs.I uninstalled the new program and everything came back to normal.Dont believe you need another if you have norton.
ebray
no problem with multiple apps.
by coach438 - 7/29/05 11:51 AM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have three anti-virus software programs running simultaneously. Have had for years now and have never had a problem. Norton is one of them.
Free Antivirus
by thedonsway - 7/29/05 1:07 PM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I personally run upto 3 antivirus programs on my PC.
The way to do this with success is to PREVENT them from starting with windows.This for more for the computers safety.I got stung badly by the Klez.h virus, I had my antivirus running in the background which happened to be PC Cillin 2000 at that time, I clicked on a persons name in yahoo games and saw the virus download before my eyes. I moved my cursor down to the taskbar to get the antivirus up to see what was happening but it disappeared, within seconds windows 2000 started shutting itself down, this was the start of my nightmare. My computer rebooted itself and started running slower than a snail. My antivirus was no longer usable, the virus had literally deleted it, over a period of 2 weeks it disintergrated windows and my 10 GB hard drive.
I replaced my hard drive and got the system up and running again, but this time I made certain the antivirus was never ever running in the background again. Sure enough, a month or so later I watched a virus download again, I must add here that it is only a split second flash on the screen of a file download box, I have 24 years of experience working with computers and I've learnt what to look for and what not to touch. This time after the virus hit, nothing out of the ordinary happened, so I rebooted the computer myself to allow the virus to do whatever it wanted to do and embed itself wherever is so desired.
After reboot I started PC Cillin antivirus program and did a scan, not only did it find the same virus that destroyed my computer, but it deleted the virus completely. I am still running that same hard drive now.
In conclussion, I feel that it is very UNSAFE to have any antivirus running in the background.
I used to use Norton before I received a free (magazine) copy of PC Cillin, PC Cillin picked up, on installtion, 3 virus that Norton had missed. This year I went to Kaspersky Antivirus and found it quite ok, but not running in the background, only when I need it.
I also run Panda Antivirus, not in the background, and I also run Etrust EZ antivirus, not in the background.
I've found that what 1 antivirus misses you need another to be able to pick up. Each 1 has the chance of missing a virus, and the next has the chance of picking it up. If 3 antivirus programs miss a virus, then I will give up the internet for the rest of my life. I only went away from PC Cillin because now they are more focused on internet security rather than the antivirus, I have my own choice of internet security and if thats the only way I can have PC Cillin, then I dont want it or need it.
re 2 antivirus
by Anom - 7/29/05 2:01 PM In reply to: 7/29/05 Is it OK to run more than one antivirus utility? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Interesting reading. People might find it interesting to know on my PC running 98se on a 2.6 GHz chip, and on my presario 700 laptop running XP sp2 I have the configuration. They all have running both Norton Corporate, and AVG 7 free, spybot search and destroy, win patrol, Zone Alarm, and both are scanned weekly with Adaware SE. I check for updates on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day.
Since loading them I have had no virus or spyware problems, I used to have a few. This arrangement does not seem to cause my machines any problems. Excluding Nortons, the rest I install regularily on PCs I fix, and to date no problems have arisen, except people who click "allow" on the warning flags that come up during attempted invasion.
So far there have been no direct problems. This brings me to the conclusion that some software works together and some doesn't.
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