Can I Have Multiple Antivirus Programs? - Comments Page 1

How about System Mechanic 11.5 and AVG Free running together? Will that be sufficient???

Hi Bob,
While you make no mention of it, I think Microsoft's MSE (Security Essentials) deserves a mention. It, too, is free.
Also, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware(MBAM) has a Pro Version (paid-- about $15 or $20 for personal use) which does bring real time protection as well as scheduled scans. Does this make the pro version of MBAM a hybrid that can co-exist with your oter resident real-time Anti-Virus (meaning there were be two programs running and checking file access simultaneously, or do you think this is a bad idea?
I don't think MBAM Pro is considered to be a suitable solution as a single anti-virus product. MBAM's website has FAQs relating to making it coexist with major anti-virus products, so their position must be that you need both their product as well as an anti-virus.
Your thoughts?

You recommend running only one real-time program. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO (paid) -- which does real-time checking -- seems to co-exist quite well with the Avast (free) on my Windows 7 64-bit system.

Good luck removing Norton. Not only is it a total waste of money but it leaves a lot of residual junk on your computer unless you go to it's site for the removal tool.

I've used Microsoft's Security Essentials and malwarebytes for 3 years now and have never had a virus issue. I recommend Ccleaner for cleaning the registry and cookies and walla...a good running computer at all times.

I have 3 anti virus programs running on one of my computer. I keep an old version of Norton, which allows me to block banner ads and pop-up. I can specify what URLs I don't want to view their stuff. The other 2 anti viruses are over lapping, because I paid for them several months apart and I liked the features of both. When one runs out, I will just deleted it and keep the other one that is paid and just keep the other one.

Hey Bob,
I have used Zone Alarm's Extreme Security in the past. I still have an active paid subscription to it, but it is not presently installed. Rather, I bought Webroot's Secure Anywhere full security package, which is in the cloud. Combined with either ZA Extreme or Webroot I run Malwarebytes (MBAM) Pro version, and both suites get along perfectly with MBAM. Webroot's cloud-based suite I found seems to be as effective as ZA. The main benefit is Webroot's cloud-based ability frees up a lot more resources on my PC, in which there is a very noticeable performance gain with speed of other applications to use. And too, Webroot's Secure Anywhere is always automatically updated at their server, so you do not need to check yourself. On a final note Bob, have you seen any reviews of these 2 security suites I've mentioned lately, as they are never included with all the others you have listed among the many other suites available. Thanks, Bill VS

I run a full scan with Avast every week. On the rare occasions it finds something, is it better to move it to the chest or delete it? Thanks

EDITOR'S NOTE: Probably safer to quarantine. If it finds a false positive, you won't lose your file.

To the (persons) wanting to fully uninstal various anti-virus programs or any other software.
Try using the free version of Revo Uninstaller. It digs in deep into your computer and removes all sorts of "junk" that the regular uninstaller leaves behind.
I use it when I need to fully remove anti spyware that (to me) is not needed.

@Fred.

I agree with you. The three applications you mentioned above is what I use and they work beautifully together in tandem.
This is in addition to Spybot: Search & destroy and the Comodo (stand-alone) Fire wall.

I have not had a conflict problem among them and I have used these for years!

TR

To the person(s) that have trouble uninstalling Norton (My opinion = Norton isn't worth it if it were free) Symantec, Norton's vendor, offers a free complete uninstaller. Find it at www.norton.com/nrt. (NRT = Norton Removal Tool)
Most of the other big AV vendors have removal tools if their product gets munged by a virus. Google is your friend.
Revo is good, but a Vendor-supplied product-specific complete uninstaller is even better.

I have two installed ... Avast Free and Malwarebytes Anti-malware. Avast free is running "real time". I also have MS Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSMRT). In most cases, it is ok to have more than one installed. It is, however, necessary to ensure ony one is set for real time scanning. I had AVG Free for awhile but got dissatisfied; especially when a new version update was released. And worse yet when a new upgrade was released; for example .. v8.4 to v9.0, pretty much (almost invariably) requiring a complete uninstall of the older version before installing to new version.

Many (most?) anti-malware companies have their own official uninstallers and instructions on how to use them. Sometimes uninstalling through Control Panel leaves behind remnants that can interfere with a clean install of a new product. Singular Labs has compiled a list of popular uninstallers.

http://singularlabs.com/uninstallers/security-software/

Another important item is to make sure your antivirus program is actually turned on to perform periodic scans. I am running Avast. It was updating several times a day, but I forgot to actually schedule the quick and full scans. I schedule a quick scan daily and a full scan weekly. BH.

I've been happily using Avast and Malwarebytes for many years. Even the free version of Avast provides a very decent security suite, esp. for the home user. Malwarebytes seems to concentrate on other types of malware such as trojans for a well rounded approach. The combination of the two has never produced a conflict. Highly recommend them.

To assure our full 146% I have to point out that 'walla' is actually a word with many meanings; none of them are what most people think thay are saying. On the other hand 'voilà' is the word most people mean, roughly, "there it is" or "here it is". Feel smarter?

Hi Bob,
Always, you provide great articles.
I am connected via Wifi Cable, so I know it provides its own firewall, but here are the ones I have installed on my computer and work great without any conflicts at all.
I have Windows Defender, MSE, and an all-in-one utility Advanced System Care Ultimate that has an AV/firewall working in real time.
I also use the Windows defender-offline.
I have never had anything compromise my computer in the last 2 years since going to those I use.

Thanks Mike. I'm old and admit my bad on the walla booboo. I still have a clean computer.

What's wrong with you guys? Why all this hassle? Ever heard of Linux?
I hate MS.

One thing I don't see mentioned is that there are are a number of AV suites out there which incorporate multiple scanning engines in their design such as Coranti, Emsisoft, Qihoo 360, and many others.

In addition to the non real-time tools mentioned by the authors and by others, another Two free examples are:

Metascan Client - Run a quick scan of active processes and their associated libraries against 5 cloud based AVs as a quick check to see if any currently running processes may be malicious http://www.opswat.com/products/metascan/client

Metascan-Online.com - A website allowing you to upload individual files and scan against 40+ engines, good for checking potential false positives, or suspicious files your local AV doesn't flag.

Hi Bob,
Firstly I would like to thank you for sharing such a wealth of expertise and knowledge as you are graced with, allowing those of us less blessed with tech savvy-ness a means to catch up. I have been subscribed to you for a while now, & always find your articles to be of immense help, with answers to pretty much every question I've thought to ask.
Recently I've begun having my youngest son (11) read your (almost) daily articles, along with an older article daily; to generally increase his tech skills, and as part of our homeschool.
Thank you for taking our collective hands, and walking us through the simplest and most basic aspects so plainly, that even the dummiest of dummies can understand. Then with your dashing & heroic abilities to make the more obscure knowledge accessible to all, you bridge us to tech wisdom.
Thank you Bob :)