Do I need to disable my virus protection to run other scanners?

Just wondering if it is a bad idea to leave my (AVG, Spybot S&D, W7 firewall) running in the background while doing alternative scans like Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyWare etc.... I have run the scanner for Malwarebytes while all my main security programs are running, and it has picked up stuff the others didn't, but......

My main concern is that my programs in an effort to boost security would hide files from being scanned, making it the only program with access, then a virus would hide in the hidden file making it impossible for it to be scanned.


Do any of my anti virus/everything block files from being scanned? Do I need to disable or delete them every time I want to run alternate scans. Seems like a huge hassle to delete and reinstall every time. But I am curious as to how some of these programs operate.

 

Hi brahman.

You certainly do not have to Uninstall any of the security items you mentioned before running a scan.

If running a scan with Spybot, Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, you probably don't need to
disable the AntiVirus, and certainly not the Firewall.

If the Firewall throws up a message about allowing a process to execute from one of those scanners,
then OK or allow the process and if you see a checkbox to "remember my choice", or something like that,
then you can Check that so you won't get that warning again.

If you are using the Spybot TeaTimer, then you should probably disable that while running a scan.

Some one else might have a different opinion.

 

I have never had to uninstall Avira's AntiVir when doing a Malwarebytes scan! Likewise, I've never removed malwarebytes when doing an AntiVir scan! Both programs operate in real time (I have the paid version of MBAM).
My firewall is also always on and I have SpywareBlaster installed too.

 

Hi Mjnc,

Why the tea timer? I do use it. I know others have had I problem with it, but I have never had any issues.

 

That was just a guess on my part. rolleyes
As I understand it, that's a real time scanner so I thought it might interfere.

I'm not saying Uninstall, just temporarily Disable, if that's possible.