Can I use more than one antivirus?

Question

I have Norton antivirus, but not sure I like it, sbc yahoo has an antivirus that comes with my service, but I have not downloaded it. I do not care if it is free or I have to pay, I just want one that works.Can I use more than one antivirus at the same time ? I use Super Antispy for spywear and it appears to work well, but I am concerned about antivirus.

Answer 1

My computer came with Norton preinstalled. I used it for a couple of months until the free trial ended. I then download the SBC(now AT&T) Yahoo Online Protection Package. It required me to completely remove the Norton program before it would function. This is because you cannot run two AV programs at the same time. They conflict and provide no protection at all. The two of them can also do physical damage to your computer. (Rare, but possible).

I recommend the AT&T package. The AV program is excellent and is not an attention whore like the Norton was. The only time I get bothered by it is when it runs a scan. I have mine set to run scans every three days.

It automatically updates. You will see an update Icon in the SysTray when it is doing this. The Auto update feature allows for updates 24 hrs a day.

You will hear negative opinions from people about the Protection package provided by AT&T (SBC). Most of these opinions are from people who know nothing about the programs and have never used them. I have used it now for almost a year and am very happy with it.

While I used the Nortons I was being constantly infected. The Nortons was great at informing me I had an infection, but poor at removing it. Of course, much of this was based on my ignorance about using AV and AS programs. I have since educated myself and have been infection free for almost a year.

I recommend you use the package. You are paying for it in your DSL fees. I will recommend you add two programs to run with the package. You can use more than one Anti-Spy program.

Windows Defender Beta 2. Set it for daily full scans. This Microsoft site will tell you how to use it properly. When you know how to use it properly, it is a very good program.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/support/default.mspx

You can dowload it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en

SpywareBlaster. It does not scan and remove malware. It blocks programs it is updated to recognize as malware. You must update it manually. You can make a donation and get auto updates. You can get it here.

http://www.filehippo.com/

I recommend these because no single AS program can handle all the Spyware on the Net. It is recommended you use at least 3 AS programs that provide active protection. These two will provide that additional protection. They are free.

Everything I recommend is what I use. I would not recommend it if I did not believe and trust it to help keep your computer safe.

One last thing. This site is a good read and very educational.

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/computer_privacy_and_security.htm

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Although it is possible to use more than antivirus at one time I woulndn't suggest it because the amount of system resources they would hog and there could be much coflict if there trying to scan the same file. Most antivirus scans incoming and outgoing email I don't think it would be a good idea to have multiple programs fighting to the same job. Just a little example of problems that could occur

Answer 4

You can use more than 1 antivirus, but I recommend you not to. If you have installed 2 or more antivirus applications they might interfere and not do their work properly, as each antivirus has its own virus prints database.
For best security just use an antivirus, along with a spyware/adware removal tool and a firewall. For more alternatives on security application go here
http://freewww.uv.ro/security/security.html

Answer 5

Two antiviruses are ok, but never use more than one firewall.

I found Norton to blog some ports I was using for ftp because some ports are used by certain viruses. Even when I requested exceptions for my ftp client.

I now use the SBC DSL products and am very happy.

But, the best spyware remover is Adaware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com.

Answer 6

You really do not want to have more than 1 antivirus program.It will mess up your computer. Only have 1.

Answer 7

No, you will have serious conflict with the use of two antivirus programs. You can run more then one antispyware without conflict.

I hope that you are able to remove Nortons from your system. My past experience twice with Nortons, is it pure junk, find nothing and does not even know a trojan or virus of any type when you scan.

What is even worse is that when you remove Nortons you will have atleast 300 fragments of this program attached to all of your files and hidden in your system.

If you go to start, click on run, type: c://program files, click browser, and program files, look for "Symantec" and try and delete the file. I will be shocked if it allows you to delete. More likely it will say, unable to delete this file, being used by other program.

Then when you go to start, search, search for program files and type in Symantec, your system scans and the majority of the files will not allow you to remove them.

I had to use from www.rosecitysoftware.com --their Registry First Aid to remove all of these norton fragments. This is not a free program, but you can use it during the test period to try and get the majority of fragments out. Because they cause conflict.

If you want a really good program that you only pay a one time fee for life including signature updates, new versions, excellent support an is used by the Government of China try the program purchase the program I use below for $29.99. (One time fee for life).

Being a clinical psychiatrist I have a moral and legal obligation to keep my pc 100% clean from all virus/spyware/malware.

I tested every free and purchase antivirus system known. An I found only one that actually works 100%. Never had a virus or spyware in my system in nine years.

Go to, www.filseclab.com and download thier Twister AntiTrojan Virus program. (You will have to pay a small one time fee). You will never have to pay an annual fee for updates, support or new versions. The one time fee is for life.

The software company is located in Beijing, China. They have excellent support, frequent large signature updates an as always all new versions are free. No annual fee for anything.

Comes with a real time scanner that really works. Actually I am quite amazed over the nine years how well it works.

Scans memory on startup.
Real time scanning in the background.
Open any webpage with an embedded trojan/spyware or malware and scanner will clean on the spot. An It is really removed from your system.

Download any kind of program from zips, compressed files software files, music, etc,etc, an if there is a hidden embedded trojan,spyware,malware, this program will stop the download and clean. An will advise you to end the download.

Will even find a virus in the installer wizard, like "Wise Installer". And will stop the installation while it is being installed and clean. Plus this program always will trace back who installed the trojan.

I had a trojan in and wizard installer. Twister caught the trojan and stopped the installation. I wrote the origianl company and told them the wizard installer had an embedded trojan to steal your data. The company now uses thier own installer.

You can't beat this software for a one time purchase fee only. Actually I don't know of any antivirus progam that even comes close to this state of the art technology.

All I can say it is worth the one time fee. Your pc cost alot of money and you don't want it destroyed. Plus your privacy is protected at all times.

There is nothing in it for me to praise this program. I tell it like it is. If it is garbage then I will say so.

Three months ago I switched platforms from Windows 2000 Server to Windows XP Prof. An I had Twister antivirus. My engineer did not pay attention when I told him I will install my own antivirus system.. He installed Nortons antivirus suite. It took me 3 months to clean out the mess Nortons left behind.

Also you can use www.ccleaner.com (crap cleaner) which is free an excellent. But Registry First Aid is the way to go to rid yourself of all the fragments left behind.

Norton's know the are garbage, so when you remove them it is like punishment, they leave you with 300 plus fragments to deal with.

How I knew is my twister scans 139,000 files I have an I noticed that "Symantec", was still being scanned as a file even though I removed the program.

Also make sure that all of your Microsoft critical updates are upto date.

Please excuse my english. My primary language is Basque French.


Hope I have been of some help.

Answer 8

You don't need to. Just make sure you have and install the latest virus definition file on your computer. This file will detect any newer viruses that have been discovered lately and the virus program will try to remove them before harming your computer.

Answer 9

hi, yes, you can use more than 1 antivirus.

i recommand you to use firefox with Google toolbar. firefox can disable all virus to run, because the virus can only run on IE.

besides, firefox can block any any poppus and disable any virus and adware, spyware on webpage, so, firefox is much safer than IE. as you know, most of the virus is spread throught internet and webpage.

firefox is much smaller than IE, so i run faster than IE.

download firefox for free:

http://www.bernanke.cn/firefox/

Best Wishes && Good Luck!

Answer 10

I use four softwares to protect my computer. The more the better. The 4 I use are all free.

Go to:
www.download.com
and download:
- AVG ANTI VIRUS
- EWIDO
- SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY
- AD AWARE