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    Is it okay to scan w/ multiple antivirus programs simultaneously?

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by AzN, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. AzN

    AzN Notebook Consultant

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    I am about to run a few online antivirus scans (bitdefender, eset, windows live, and f-secure) but I don't know if I should allow each scan to finish before moving onto the next one or do all four at the same time. Any help? By the way, is there any other antivirus scanner I should use besides these four, kaspersky maybe? Thanks guys, appreciate any help.
     
    AzN, Sep 6, 2009
    #1
  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Only use one at a time. You should install an anti-virus application on your computer, if you don't already have one (and just one - never install more than one anti-virus/security suite).
     
    kegobeer, Sep 6, 2009
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  3. AzN

    AzN Notebook Consultant

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    Oh okay, thanks for the quick reply man. Yeah, I got Norton Internet Security 2009 (?), it came preinstalled with my HP. I am just doing a few online scans because my internet speed has been a little slower recently. For example, occasionally, my firefox browser becomes nonresponsive and freezes up. It is a little strange because when my firefox locks up, I can open internet explorer and use it no problem. This also occurs with internet explorer though but not as often after I installed some updates for Vista. I don't know if it is because I have vista 64 bit or something else.
     
    AzN, Sep 6, 2009
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  4. Vinyard

    Vinyard Notebook Evangelist

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    As kegobeer said. You should never have more than one anti-virus program on your computer. I don't really know why but I've heard it's not good for your computer and it could cause problems. You should purchase NOD32 because it's the only anti-virus program you will ever need.
     
    Vinyard, Sep 8, 2009
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  5. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    you should only ever use one. using more than one is not only wasting resources, it will give you problems and headache.
     
    wobble987, Oct 18, 2009
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  6. melthd

    melthd Notebook Evangelist

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    he's talking about online scanners, not installed AVs. if you have a multicore processor (core 2 duo, core 2 quad, core i7, athlon x2, phenom x2, phenom x4) then it should be fine to run all simultaneously. BUT when fixing problems, go with one only.
     
    melthd, Oct 18, 2009
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  7. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    It's fine to use multiple online scanners, but... I would just run one at a time. If there are too many things trying to access different parts of the disk at the same time, everything could just get slow.

    The "only one antivirus program rule" really applies to real-time programs, not on-demand scanners.
     
    swarmer, Oct 18, 2009
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  8. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

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    my bad. :eek:

    agreed.
     
    wobble987, Oct 19, 2009
    #8