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Using multiple AV programs safely

#1 User is offline   rroberto18 Icon

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Posted 14 February 2009 - 10:46 AM

No single AV app catches or can remove all infections -- so we're urged to use several

But on the other hand, we're advised to install and use only one AV program (much like only one firewall) at a time to prevent app conflicts, pc registry and other problems..

In fact some security suites with AV won't work at all unless you unload all other stand-alone AV programs

So how should a pc be set up to use multiple AV programs without causing instability problems?

--rroberto18
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#2 User is offline   SpiritWind Icon

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Posted 14 February 2009 - 11:15 AM

:D Hi :



Since there are few, if any computer "viruses" nowadays, One should be using

antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN program(s) . Security principles are for "real-time"

protection a MAXIMUM of 1 antiVIRUS program, 1 antiSPYWARE/antiTROJAN and

1 "firewall" . Therefore, on my computer, I use Avast antiVIRUS ( for "real-time" )

AND the FREE Version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware AND the FREE Version of

"SUPERAntiSpyware" and the "abandoned" Sygate Personal Firewall ( for "real-time" )

as the foundation of my Security .
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#3 User is offline   techie4fun Icon

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Posted 14 February 2009 - 04:46 PM

Running more than one antivirus application will cause major system stability issues. It is HIGHLY recommended to stick with 'one' antivirus scanner.
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#4 User is offline   Flashorn Icon

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Posted 14 February 2009 - 05:22 PM

Hey roberto !!



As was suggested by Spirit , you can only have ONE of each "installed".

Which means that you can have others as Stand Alone Scanners. You do not

have to install a stand alone scanner . Dr.WebCureIt , is a AntiVirus App.

that does NOT need an install. Simply download the .exe , Double Click on the .exe and run the rpogram.

This is a FREE program and the version you are downloading is the Up to Date version. No need to

update the definitions. Just run the program.It will n ot conflict with any other security program,



I like to have Real Time Shields for my AntiSpyware. So , I pay for Antispyware. Avira AntiVir provides real time

security for the Antivirus on my PC. SUPERAntiSpyware provides the real time

protection for Antispyware.



All of the security programs mentioned in this thread so far are excelent products and will fully

protect your PC provided you do not visit the Dark Side of the internet . There are always new

threats that are being developed and tempting as it might seem these security programs will

have limits as will all .



If you are to venture in unknown territory, the use of a sandbox would be a necessity. You can

find a free version of a sandbox here : Sandboxie . Read and learn how to use it

to keep safe .



FLASHORN. !http://forums.pcworld.com/legacyimages/
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#5 User is online   smax013 Icon

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Posted 15 February 2009 - 12:30 AM

As noted by others, you should only have one anti-virus program with an active "background", real-time scanner running. The only way to run multiple AV (or other types of similar, competing "anti-malware" programs) running at the same time is your do NOT have them running in a "real-time" scan mode...i.e. they are either designed to only be run in "manual", "on demand" scan mode or can be setup to run in such a mode.

FWIW, I have never run more than one AV scanner on a computer. If it is a "pure" AV scanner (i.e. is mainly after virus, but not other malware), then most catch the same stuff that there is not really much of a difference. You tend to see more differences in things like anti-spyware or anti-adware stuff as there can be wildly different interpretations as to who considers what to be spyware or adware. That is why the likes of Ad-aware and Spybot used to catch dramatically different things (and yes, I know that those are the "old" glory hounds and newer programs have become better...the point was that when they were in their heyday, it was commonly suggested to run both as neither "caught it all").
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