Multiple Virus Protections

[DustSailor]

I have Avast Free and have heard a lot of good reports on Microsoft security essentials and malwarebytes. Would anyone suggest having all three, or keeping Avast over the others or vice-versa? I have noticed that Avast seems more friendly than AVG (recently removed) and acts a whole lot less like a Virus than AVG did (trust me, I don't appreciate AVG disabling my settings/programs), however it scans really slowly and seems to be a huge program, as its load times are longer than I am used to, and my system is used to hard work. I have yet to try the other two. anyone care to help me out on this? I'm open to anything thats quick (*edit* not likely to slow down the system a great deal, or slow down web surfing and the opening of programs */edit*), but reliable and thorough (as in it gets all the viruses and has active web protection).

Thanks,
Hart

 

[richc46]

It should not be done. In addition to slowing your computer it may slow it enough to even damage your hard drive. Get rid of Avast.

 

[DustSailor]

Might I ask why, other than being made for windows, you would suggest MS Security Essentials and Malwarebytes? Just out of curiosity

 

[richc46]

is 2 antivirus excessive - Windows 7 Forums

Never known to cause BSOD
Small footprint
Does not slow the computer
Great record of stopping virus
Works great with malwarebytes
Good firewall but you must learn to configure it.

 

[richc46]

Incidentally, I am not the only member here, just seems that way to you. Hope we get that BSOD licked.

 

[DustSailor]

lol I suppose not. But thanks for the link, thats exactly what I wanted. And I will take your advice (and other's). And now I'm off to bed. thanks once again

 

[richc46]

Night, Hart, take care

 

[niemiro]

Richard is quite right, and I agree with everything he has said. Just to hear it from one more person, for anyone browsing this topic:

I would strongly recommend MSE, as would many other people.

Having two anti-virus programs actually opens you up to more infections, as they compete, and damage each other, as does having two firewalls running.

No anti-malware, anti-virus, or (real-time) anti-spyware is perfect. In certain situations, they will only catch about 70% of malware, but this is enough, do not be worried. This will block all the normal Adware and Trojans etc, but just may not fend off some of the really nasty Rootkits etc. In these situations, an automated program like this has little safe chance, and expert help is required.