Comments for Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

Comment from Glenn Ordell on 2009-11-11

2009-11-12T00:31:33Z

Mortal enemies??? Example: If you install Kaspersky and Spybot Search & Destroy, Kaspersky gets "mad" about Spybot. When you go to uninstall Spybot, their uninstall program asks you "why?" One of the listed options is: "Kaspersky."

Next, Spybot comes back with a paragraph explaining that they have thoroughly tested their product in conjunction with Kaspersky, and can NOT find any conflicts.

On the flip side of that coin, if you have Lavasoft's Adaware installed, and try to install Spybot, Spybot warns you that the two products are incompatible!!!

So who is speaking with a forked tongue?

Also, the rules of the game change on a daily basis. So two programs that were completely compatible yesterday may not be today because one of them was updated.

Hence, Leo's concept of not running more than one of each type of program is generally the safest bet. Exception: My computer was acted very strangely for quite a few days. Kaspersky didn't find anything wrong. So I "cheated" and installed Spybot, ran it, if found one problem, disposed of it, and now my computer's performance has greatly increased. Of course, I immediately uninstalled Spybot after running it to avoid any potential conflicts with Kaspersky.

Those are my thoughts...

Aloha from Hawaii,
Glenn

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Comment from Frank Williams on 2009-11-11

2009-11-11T14:10:40Z

I run 2 different anti-virus programs at the same time. I have run avg and Threatfire, and am now running Avira and threatfire. I left avg because it has become a resource hog. I have not had any problems doing this. Threatfire was designed to run with other anti-virus programs and works different than other programs and can catch viruses that have not been fixed yet. As I have only used it with these 2 programs I can not vouch for it running with any other virus programs. Check it out at threatfire.com. you may change your mind about running 2 virus programs at the same time. I used this type of anti-virus program for many years as my only virus program. since the Dos days and have only had 1 virus in the whole time.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from Ralph on 2009-11-10

2009-11-10T23:26:38Z

Remember the key is you should not install nore than one real-time background scanning security program. Most people will do fine with just a simple hardware firewall (router), Windows Firewall, Windows Defender (Vista/7, Keeping Windows updated,having a real time basic virus scanner like Norton or McAfee and then using an on demand product like Malwarebytes for when you think there may be a problem.
Ralph
Read about Windows 7 upgrades on my blog

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from John Doe on 2009-08-28

2009-08-28T20:58:58Z

If this author thinks that "as a general rule, you only need one of each", then he obviously doesn't have any experience with cleaning malware off of computers.

Armchair technicians for the lose.

Realtime protection is one thing -- obviously you only want one RT AV running at a time. But no single AV, AS, AA, or other AM program is 'all you need'. Any tech who has any amount of experience cleaning malware can tell you that no single program will get everything.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from Raam on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T12:21:42Z

Hi Leo,

When choosing a firewall what are main criteria it should match ??

How about NODE 32 SMART security, what's your opinion about it ??

Thank you.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from Ahmed on 2009-06-28

2009-06-28T23:41:27Z

It just means better protection

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from Leo on 2009-03-31

2009-03-31T20:03:39Z

I have an avast anti-virus (Avast) and windows defender/firewall in my laptop. I was planning to add either Symantec's Conficker (aka Downadup) tool, Trend Micro's Cleanup Engine, or Malwarebytes due to this conficker virus. should i go for it or would any of these conflict with my current protection or are my current system enough?

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from bill g mosley on 2008-08-08

2008-08-08T20:33:56Z

i have both windows defender on, and symantic anti virus both running, does this conflict with each other

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Comment from zzuebe2 on 2008-06-16

2008-06-16T19:12:01Z

Well, I use F-Secure Internet Security full time now (anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall) all in one package, but when I installed it, I forgot to uninstall Avast A/V and ran into all kinds of problems, (freezes, crashes), but that all stopped when I got rid of (uninstalled) the Avast. F-Secure disabled my Windows Defender & Windows Firewall by default upon installation and so far, so good.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from dana Jones on 2008-02-14

2008-02-14T23:59:45Z

I agree on the Firewall you can only run one firewall at at time. I use ZoneAlarm and it automatically turns off the XP firewall. As for AntiSpyware I have Windows Defender and SpywareDoctor running, and the PC does run a little slower, but the protection works. And for AntiVirus, on my new dual-core pc I have both AVG & Avast running with no problems. I chose AVG for the scheduler, and Avast for the boot-scan.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from omar on 2007-12-06

2007-12-06T20:59:24Z

you have new messages

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from J.G, Allinson on 2007-01-23

2007-01-23T10:44:37Z

That was a very good answer and straight to the point.Thankyou for no bullshit,I will tell my friends. Cheers Leo

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

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Comment from Vincent Mc Kenna on 2006-11-13

2006-11-13T23:42:45Z

This set me thinking ! I have been unable to install NAV for the last week, it keeps failing and asks me to start again, and keeps failing to install.
I notice now that Windows Firewall is " ON ", thats got me thinking -- thats good !! I will now have to learn how to uninstall Windows Firewall, etc. Thanks for the education.

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A comment on: Can I run more than one anti-virus program? Anti-spyware program? Firewall? Should I?

Tech Questions? Get Answers! - Ask Leo! ... by Leo Notenboom
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