Question about Anti-Virus Programs.

[Mickalino]

I bought and installed this one Anti-Virus program, and in the instructions it said not to have any other AV programs on the PC, or else they would interfere.

Is that a general rule not to have multiple AV's, or does it depend on which combination of AV's you're using ?

Or was this AV program just saying that, for marketing reasons, to keep people from trying and possibly buying their competitor's programs ?

If it depends on the programs, whether you can combine them, how do you determine that ? Is there just a small amount, that you can just name them off ?

[Toe Jam]

You can typically only have one running at at time without complications.

I don't know why you paid for one. The new Microsoft Security Essentials is hands down the best value out there.

[Mickalino]

You can typically only have one running at at time without complications.

You mean only one installed, or one that has "real-time" protection ?

Like, could I have just one of them enabled with real-time, and the rest of them disabled. But when I want to do a manual scan, use them one at a time, to catch anything that the other one(s) don't catch ?

That's my goal.

[Enter Apotheosis]

You mean only one installed, or one that has "real-time" protection ?

Like, could I have just one of them enabled with real-time, and the rest of them disabled. But when I want to do a manual scan, use them one at a time, to catch anything that the other one(s) don't catch ?

That's my goal.

Completely uninstall all anti-virus programs but the one you intend to use. Anti-spyware and anti-malware programs (such as Malwarebytes, Spybot, and Ad-Aware) are not anti-virus programs and are what you should have installed if you want extra protection.

[Baculus]

I always recommend the Avast! Home Edition for non-commercial uses. It is free and has no problems co-existing with anti-malware applications.

[Larry]

I've never heard of anybody having problems due to having two. (Although, I can't recall ever hearing about anybody trying it, either.)

However, I will say that an anti-virus program will impose a really hefty price on your system's performance. (I'm a big fan of Norton, which I'll freely admit is a serious speed brake.)

(And I have heard that a lot of anti-virus programs will detect each other as being viruses. Since an anti-virus program, to work, has to contain pieces of viruses, so that it knows what to look for.)

[Mickalino]

Completely uninstall all anti-virus programs but the one you intend to use. Anti-spyware and anti-malware programs (such as Malwarebytes, Spybot, and Ad-Aware) are not anti-virus programs and are what you should have installed if you want extra protection.

Well, I keep hearing how some AV programs catch viruses that other don't, so I figured by adding more AV programs, I would be able to cover all the bases.

So if I suspected I had a virus, I would manually run a scan on each AV program.

Then I could allow the added programs to catch any viruses the others didn't.

Is that feasible ?

[Enter Apotheosis]

Well, I keep hearing how some AV programs catch viruses that other don't, so I figured by adding more AV programs, I would be able to cover all the bases.

So if I suspected I had a virus, I would manually run a scan on each AV program.

Then I could allow the added programs to catch any viruses the others didn't.

Is that feasible ?

Feasible? Yes.
Practical? No.
A potential source of additional problems you will not be equipped to handle on your own? Absolutely.

The way I see it, running more than one program is far more trouble than it's worth and something you would be wise to avoid. Most of the stuff your typical anti-virus program will miss WILL be caught by an anti-malware program. Not that it should miss a lot, anyway.

Also keep in mind that some of the programs that are more apt to detect things that other programs miss are a bit over-zealous in nature and get a lot of false positives. In other words, they err on the side of caution to the point where it will flag safe content as a virus.

[mattsb84]

No, running 2 AV applications is not smart. You don't need two and it will cause issues. The main difference between the different AV applications is the foot print it leaves on your system (ie the resources it uses). For the most part, each company has the major viruses covered.

If you're constantly being hit with viruses/malware I'd suggest not going to certain sites, stop clicking on pop-up ads, and stop downloading questionable content from untrusted sources.

Also, I'll jump on the MS Security Essentials bandwagon. The previous version of it was called MS Live OneCare and it was pretty awesome for malware/viruses, both detection and removal.

[Mickalino]

Also keep in mind that some of the programs that are more apt to detect things that other programs miss are a bit over-zealous in nature and get a lot of false positives. In other words, they err on the side of caution to the point where it will flag safe content as a virus.

Does that mean you shouldn't immediately choose "Delete" or "Remove" if it finds something malicious, and rather try "Repair" instead ? If you do remove it, would you potentially be deleting something critical on your computer, necessary for it to function ?

[Enter Apotheosis]

Does that mean you shouldn't immediately choose "Delete" or "Remove" if it finds something malicious, and rather try "Repair" instead ? If you do remove it, would you potentially be deleting something critical on your computer, necessary for it to function ?

False positives typically don't remove anything of vital importance. When they do its usually an error that is corrected via update within hours by the anti-virus company, so your chances of actually even seeing such an error are incredibly slim.

What program did you pay for, anyway?

[Mickalino]

I bought Bit-Defender

[MisterPinstripe]

I bought Bit-Defender

Im not a fan. The free programs work just fine, I would recommend Avast or AVG free editions. And than just use Malwarebytes, spybot, and ad-aware for manual scans if you are worried about missing anything.

Would not recommend trying to use two anti-virus programs at the same time.

[codeorama]

I downloaded the trial bitdefender. It made me uninstall the program that came stock on my pc. I haven't paid yet, but am looking for a good free one. So far, the trial of bitdefender has been good. I like it better than norton or mcafee

[JetSkins]

Microsoft Security Essentials = best free anti-virus

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/default.aspx

[Enter Apotheosis]

Microsoft Security Essentials = best free anti-virus

http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/default.aspx

That assessment may be a little premature. I have yet to see any hard, consistent data comparing MSE to other anti-virus software.


I downloaded the trial bitdefender. It made me uninstall the program that came stock on my pc. I haven't paid yet, but am looking for a good free one. So far, the trial of bitdefender has been good. I like it better than norton or mcafee

As far as good free software goes, Avira is probably the best of the free programs in terms of detection rates and minimal false positives. However, some users experience problems getting it to update correctly. Avast is a close second if you're one of those people.

AVG used to be a good option but has become extremely bloated over the last two version. I wouldn't recommend it now.