2 antivirus programs at once?
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Posted on Jan 01, 2009 05:03 pm
fortymile
Member Since: Jan 18, 2003
avg anti-spyware is no longer supported. users are advised to update to avg free 8, which sweeps for spyware and for viruses. however, i've always had mcafee installed here. it worked fine along with the avg anti-spyware. when you try to install avg 8, though, you get a notice which says it's inadvisable to have two security products installed at the same time. i was wondering if this is something i can ignore or else what the logic behind it is. does the one recognize the other as a strange process or something? what could happen if you run two antivirus programs at once?
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olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Jan 01, 2009 05:22 pm Mostly a matter of 2 products doing the same thing at the same time, so it's going cause some loss of performance on your PC which you may or may not notice. I would either let AVG take over all the protection or find a new spyware protection. There are several free ones around, Windows Defender being one that I've used that works very well with no performance problems.
Dan
Jan 01, 2009 06:10 pm they can conflict if they are both trying to use the same resources...and, well, I recommend not doing it.
Jan 01, 2009 07:59 pm i just did it. that warning is too vague for me, db. haha. how about something more specific?
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 01, 2009 08:04 pm basically they can get into a turf war... they'll try to quarantine viruses out of each others vaults and then as a result declare each other malware.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 01, 2009 08:32 pm Yep, the message is McAfee's way of saying "Stop using the freeware that is better then me or I'll crash your ******* computer!".
I as well would recommend against doing it.
Jan 01, 2009 08:56 pm well what really could happen if i leave them both up? man, i dunno what to do. something about avg being free bothers me--i'm reluctant to get rid of mcaffee. of course mcafee is said to suck, tho, too, so i dunno.
and then also avg's the thing that so screwed up my system once that i had to reinstall windows.
i dunno, i dunno
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jan 01, 2009 09:45 pm Then keep McAfee for gods sake.
On the other hand I know a lot of us who have used AVG free for years and not had any issues at all.
I personally just have a thing against McAfee and Norton. Intrusive garbage if you ask me.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jan 01, 2009 10:10 pm or just go with linux and forget the whole problem all together. :)
...atleast linux problems are more fun... :)
Kaif90Member
Since: Mar 17, 2009
Mar 17, 2009 11:25 pm When two antivirus programs start prowling around, all sorts of problems happen, ranging from program crashes to system lockups. Because these programs typically remain on all the time, they generally load as soon as Windows boots, which means if you install more than one antivirus application on your PC, both programs load automatically and lock up the system before there's a chance to troubleshoot.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Mar 18, 2009 06:42 am its spunout that this thread started coz ive just been going thru **** with the same thing.
its was a real pain in the date having 2 going. lots of random stuff happening, so i got rid of one and kept avg free 8.
pretty sure i got a virus too now but avg hasnt found it, but i keep hearing the warning noise evrytime i turn on the comp but cant see anything when it does it.
not looking forward to re installing IE.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Mar 18, 2009 06:44 am oh yeah, that, and i still gotta log in each time i come to this site.
im hoping re installation will fix that.
Mar 18, 2009 06:50 am [quote]
or just go with linux and forget the whole problem all together. :)...atleast linux problems are more fun... :)[/quote]
You're a sick man. Get help before it's too late.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Mar 18, 2009 08:41 am It's not THAT bad... except Gentoo... and we have a saying:
"Gentoo is for Ricers."
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Apr 10, 2009 05:49 pm Here's the skinny on A/V software:
Some have active scanners. The active scanners are what will conflict. McAfee, Norton and AVG, Avast!, Kaspersky, PC-Doctor and Trend Micro PC-Cillan are the most popular examples of AV software with active scanners. And yes...if you have these running together you will have problems, without a doubt. Right now (believe it or not) Norton 2009 is the most efficient A/V scanner on the market. Norton 2k4-2k8 was crap, no one denies that. I use Norton 2k9, it's practically transparent.
Here's what will happen if your active scanners start meddling with the same files: Your computer will freeze, reboot and you will lose your work. This will happen frequently if you are constantly accessing files (like if you are recording). I haven't seen AV software try to identify other AV software as malware...they just ignore it and chug along until they start scanning the same files. You'll get freezing and blue screens and all the good stuff.
In addition to AV software, I would recommend antispyware. They do not have active scanners and will not conflict. The best out there right now are SuperAntiSpyware and Spy Sweeper IMO. Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and destroy aren't bad...but they are pretty over rated. Spy Sweeper in safe mode is a BEAST! It will knock out pretty much anything.
Oct 10, 2010 02:42 am Running two or more real-time anti-virus monitors at the same time is very likely to cause a conflict. That conflict could result in error messages, crashes of the anti-virus programs, or other types of failure.
You only need about one antivirus program, just make it a program that runs from the time you start your computer untill you shut it down. A program like this is one that you will have to purchase.
You can also download a third party tool.
PC health advisor can help you for this...Compatible with Windows 7 Windows Vista and Windows XP
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Oct 12, 2010 12:19 pm I use Avast for virus protection (loves free stuff) and just windows defender do its thing for spyware. 2 years on using that software combo with no problems.
