More Than One AV?

At present I'm running 'Avast' AV, and am considering 'AVG' also. Is it possible to run 2 AV programs at the same time without conflict? Or, are 2 AV programs even needed? Here's a list of what I'm using:
Zone Alarm Firewall
Avast AV
CCLeaner
Spy Bot-Search & Destroy
Spywareblaster
AdWareSE
I'm connected to the internet via a DSL modem (USB). I guess maybe 2 AV programs could be considered 'overkill' THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It is not typically a good idea to run two or more antivirus programs. Usually, they will conflict with each other, make your machine slower, since most now will scan every file you open, which means performance will now be even less than what it was before.

I'd recommend just keeping keeping avast.

 

Thanks Threefool. I guess I was so interested in protecting my machine, I never considered the performance issue. Thank-you for your time and your advise.

 

total agreement with theefool. Never more than one AV running at once. However, I prefer AVG to the other free AV's. Also prefer Kerio to other free firewalls. However, I must admit that currently I am using Micro-Trends PC-cilllin Internet Security pkg and love it. Can renew for $25.00 and may do that or go to the above preferences. AV's just don't play well together. Especially NAV and McAfee. They will play havoc with your comp. BTW if you have XP OS don't fail to disable XP's firewall when using another firewall. I hope I am right on all accounts.

Jack

 

Everyone has their own opinions on certain AVs. I use to LOVE mcafee AV back in the 80's. It was free.

Norton was great for other purposes. Defrag, chkdsk, and the lovable hex editing (where you could, if you knew what you were doing, edit the boot record.... )

Once again, this was the 80's.

 

Stubby, folks are right about running two AV's. However, you could have two, as long as only one is running as the resident. The other can be used as an on-demand scanner only ( similar to anti-spyware apps, one may catch something the other missed.)
For example, I use AVG as the everyday resident, and also use BitDefender Free as an on-demand scanner. There have been no problems or conflicts.

 

A good point, though, making sure that one of them has the "active scan" turned off is a good thing to do. Note: Active scan is a generic term for actively scanning the computer.

 

Thanks for all the replies! First of all though, I need to apologize to Theefool. In my second post on this thread I refered to him as 'Threefool.' Sorry about that!! Just a slight slip of the fingers. Anyhow, I think it would be better for me to stick with just one AV. As Strange1 put it, 'AV's don't play well together!' So far I haven't gotten any 'bugs' that I know of and hope to keep it that way!! Again, thank-you all for the replies and, what I consider, sound advice. I have been to a number of 'tech forums' but never one that gives such prompt and ACCURATE information as this one. I guess even more importantly is the fact that when you do ask a question here, you're not treated like a 'second class citizen.' Simply put, you're not flamed or ridiculed because you don't know the answer to a question, regardless of how simple that question may be. In plain words; "I'll be Back!!!"

 

glad you like the site Stubby.... this one is well moderated so people who tend to get out of hand find themselves on there way elsewhere... let us know if you have any more questions about software to run on your PC...

do you have a good software Firewall?

 

Yeah, you could say that I like this site VERY much! Mainly because I feel 'comfortable' here. I know that may sound lame to some people, but that's the best way I can describe it. As for the firewall, at present I'm using 'Zonealarm' and, as far as I can tell, it's doing a pretty good job. Then again, please take into consideration that I am alittle 'technically disavantaged' LOL!!!! I do have one more question about software, but I'm going to start another thread that may help someone else also, just in case they don't read this one!! Thanks again, and keep up the great job!!!

 

yeah i think we all feel comfortable here... Zonealarm is a good choice...

prepare to learn vast amounts of information in a relatively short time =]

 

Also, try not to be stifled from the vast amounts of information that gets literally tossed in your direction!