Can you run one Antivirus program and have another do only a scheduled scan?

Question

I have read you should not run more than one antivirus program at the same time. Does that only apply to real time scanning / shield? After trying EVERY internet security suite after problems with Trend Micro’s early 2007 version. I am now back with Trend Micro Security Suite 2007 (past bugs fixed apparently). However, to be extra safe I would like to run scheduled daily scans by AVG, single scans only no resident shields or real time protection? Will this cause conflicts too?

I am currently running Ad Aware, Spyware Sweeper, and the Trend Micro Spyware Sweep with no apparent problems there.

Thanks for any tips.

DV

Answer 1

Only have one antivirus program and one firewall installed on your computer.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/2000031316555206
"Microsoft recommends that you have only one anti-virus program installed on your computer."
Anti-adware/malware/spyware are ok to have more of.

Answer 2

Installing two anti-virus solutions at the same time will most likely result in a serious error or problems of some other flavor.

Some users have experimented with having two anti-virus solutions on their machines see what they have to say here:
http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/D3058626F5FE9995CA256EA0000344C0
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1709613.php

If I were you I would choose two anti virus solutions that have these qualities:
The first anti virus solution should have real time scanning enabled with the ability to disable the guard at any time. This one qualifies for that: http://www.free-av.com/

The second anti virus solution should not contain any sort of real time scanning, but should contain a user request system scan function. The program should also have the ability to disable any scheduled scans so no confilicts are encountered.

This program has qualities of the second anti virus, but it lacks the ability to disinfect your computer. It only identifies them: http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html

I have not performed tests to see if these two are compatible with each other so I cannot tell you if errors will be encountered.

Answer 3

if that is the case, then goto trend micro and run the house call online virus scanner daily, then schedule the one on ur puter for the other scan. their should be no reason to run that many scans unless ur getting hit from wares pages.

Answer 4

try not to have too many virus scanners on your computer. too many virus scanner may interfere with each other and create a virus or conflict. second of all, you can schedule your scan anytime you want or run it whenever you want. you can set one as a schedule and the other to run when you want. it doesn't hurt.

Answer 5

DV, Pete is correct. Running more than one Firewall or Anti-Virus program can cause a lot of headaches including interferring with your other solution, system instability, and even crash your system.

Please note that all of the above can occur even if you have another currently installed on your system but not activated. Just the fact it is installed can cause huge issues of compatibility and crash your system. Even if you think you fully removed a past solution often the Add/Remove applet fails to fully remove all traces of the program. This is due to how deeply these types of programs must embed into your system in order to carry out the security they are programmed for.

Also, some manufacturers intentionally program their security solutions for the most difficult removal. Often they take a highly skilled computer technician to fully remove them.

Please note that you can have no signs of trouble until an event triggers a conflict. These are called "trigger events" and can sit on your system for a year or more before the trigger event occurs and your system blue screens out.

The two largest security manufacturers which come preinstalled on systems are most difficult to remove. I know that McAfee tries to charge for full removal, and this is only after much trouble. My current solution is only usable in an abbreviated configuration because McAfee whcih was preinstalled is still communicating with Windows Security Center that its firewall is installed and activated, even though there is actually no visable signs on my system. McAfee has admitted that there are at least two folders of theirs in my hidden files and folders section under a name not easily associated with McAfee. Registry keys to match reside in the registry. There is no sign of any McAfee program in the Add/Remove applet, my CCleaner programs software removal manager, or in any Search carried out on my file system, nor in the Registry. Yet, my Security Center is reporting that the McAfee firewall is installed and activated. Because of this I am unable to use my solutions firewall.

McAfee says for a fee they will help me remove these last peices of their product. How sweet of them! lol They get their money regardless of whether or not consumers wish to use their product. You either pay for the subscription after the tiral period of over, or you pay for them to fully remove it from a system.

Currently, I am waiting to have the time to post a Hijackthis report to a Hijackthis forum on Dell Community Fourms. There are many other Hijackthis forums across the web which volunteers spend countless hours helping users like us get rid of malware and viable programs which refuse to fully be removed and cause such instability and crashes.

Oh, by the way, my trigger event was a program update to my security suite. I was greated with a notice my security suite had received a program update and to reboot in order to begin enjoying the new features. As soon as I rebooted my system crashed, or blue screened out, BSOD--Blue Screen of Death. It took hours to recover my system and I still am unable to use all of the security suite of my choices features.

Well, I wanted to explain the trouble you could face if you installed more than one Firewall or Anit-Virus program at a time on your system. I didn't mean to tell you my horror story, but there you have it, it is the truth and nothing but the truth.

Think twice before you install a second Anti-Virus program on your system.

You can utilize the web Anti-Virus programs which are run from your browser as they are not installed onto your system. Microsoft has one, Panda has one, and I think AVG has one.

However, usually your installed solution should be enough protection. All Anti-Virus programs continually scan the system while it is turned on. Most also offer manual scans you can run at any time you wish, or schedule them in your scheduled jobs, or from the program itself. Just read the instructions for your program, either the ones which came with the disk, or the Online instructions at the website.

Good luck and much success keeping your system secure and bug free. Have a very nice day and a great weekend.