Is there any problem with running two virus protection programs ?I have Norton's that I bought and Malware bytes free version. Today we found some unsolicited e-mail. It was an R rated nature. We have never visited these sites.Before we bought Norton's we only had windows defender. That seemed to work until 12-14-17. That's the day I clicked on a news link on my Verizon home page and got an alarm and a flashing screen saying that my computer was infected. So I called Verizon and they did a screen sharing session and it seemed to correct the problem until today. When we got these e mail's I checked Norton's and it showed no reports. Then I checked Malware Bytes and it showed 36 infected files (I don't know if that is the correct term.) So is Malware Bytes that much better then Norton's or did I cause the problem by running two antivirus programs?:? We have win 10 on a dell computer. Mozilla fire fox browser.

Not sure any anti-virus program will "block" unsolicited emails. The problem with emails is not getting them, but opening attachments in them or responding to them.A real good combination for me has been Avast anti-virus ( running full time) as our primary and Malwarebytes occasionally as needed.

Back in the days when I lead a very dangerous life.. HEX wise. (Moderator of some forums and IRC Chat Rooms) THe advice we had was to have at least THREE Different AV programs.ONE TSR (Terminate and stay resident) This is a type of program (NORTON is an example) that runs in the backround, the user interface can be closed (Terminated) But the program continues to run (stay Resident) in the background.Others that do this consist of just about every A/V program made so the list is too long to post.The other two were "ON DEMAND"As Moderator I would download a new upload. then scan it with at least 3 different programs (The TSR and the two on demand. and it's been long enough that the programs I used are no more, I use different ones now) then if it passed I'd run the program and if it passed MY tests (Not copyrighted, not already in the library) I'd make it live or download by others.So yes it is ok to have multiple AV programs but I would suggest only one live (NOTE This does not count "Windows Defender" or whatever Microsoft is calling it now days. Since I have the next version of Win-10 (Yes the next update is already on this machine, I a subscribed to the beta list). I have two programs (Windows native A/V and my optional program)_ both running.. ( also use a 3rd Party Firewall (it is none of the above).. I tend to avoid All in one solutions preferring to maximize my protection by using multiple protectors. And I do not post the names of the 3rd party software for security reasons.One last comment: When the first Anti Virus programs came out (Norton and McAffee) I ask a question: Are they "Seeding the market" by releasing Virus programs to the net?Well I have since run into an expert who assures me Peter Norton would not do such a thing... He also told me where the author of the "Do nothing but annoy" virus programs McAffee hired lived and worked.So I would avoid McAffee.

There's no problem running zero av programs.

Here's a take on the difference between an anti-virus(Norton), and an anti-malware(Malwarebytes): Anti-malware or anti-virus?.

Used to be run two was a sure fire way to kill your computer. The two scanners would bog the disk down with so much activity the computer would become non responsive.Virus is often incorrectly used as a synonym for malware, adware, etc. I would stick to ZERO programs running all the time and maybe one or two you run as needed.

Virus protection programs | Good Sam Community

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
GordonThree wrote:
Nuclear option? Combofix ... It'll either fix what ails the computer or destroy Windows doing so.

Very much in the "better know what you want it to do" category.

Quite good for *some* rootkits, though ;)

I wouldn't recommend it for consumers.

You can add Clamwin when nothing else will load, is corrupted, or can't find it. A lot of false hits, it's very aggressive and takes FOREVER!

But sometimes you gotta start by carving out a small foothold ;)
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
theoldwizard1 wrote:
I gave up on all of the aftermarket anti-virus and just use Windows Defender. Delet the others and turn it on.

Want my business card? LOL.

Defender is quite poor as a primary defense. I don't recommend using only MS Defender.
GordonThree
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
Nuclear option? Combofix ... It'll either fix what ails the computer or destroy Windows doing so.
T18skyguy
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
Running two antivirus at the same time will generally slow your computer. Falcon Northwest, a maker of high end boutique pc's, also advises against running cleaners. DiskDoctr sounds right on here. Ccleaner looks like it's doing a lot of work, but sometimes I think we fall for a good interface. I have read in particular there is no need to clean the registry, and that's where you can get in a lot of trouble.
DiskDoctr
Explorer
Jan 09, 2018
kerrlakeRoo wrote:
The only thing I will add is the use of something like CCcleaner.
It works in a different manner than malwarebytes and Norton and often will clean up problems caused by BS lurking in the background, and only needs to be used intermittently.

I don't recommend consumers use CCleaner. It can be a helpful tool, but those who don't know enough can often damage their installations.

McAfee and Norton haven't been worth a darn for a few years now. Huge overheads and often crippling effects with lots and lots of misses.

Sometimes I wish I could put my business card in the boxes, LOL.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
DKean wrote:
Is there any problem with running two virus protection programs ?

YES !!

I gave up on all of the aftermarket anti-virus and just use Windows Defender. Delet the others and turn it on.
T18skyguy
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018
2oldman wrote:
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
I have to turn off the Mike Lindell commercial for "My Pillow" ...my doggie starts howling even before the jingle! LoL :-)
Lol. The absolute worst is drug ads, with their endless list of side effects, followed by 'Ask your doctor about..'.

Sheesh!!

So true. Big Pharma had their lobbyist's pay off the legislators so they could run ads. It use to be they couldn't do that. Those many millions of dollars of ad time show up in the cost of our pills. It's terrible. For antivirus I run Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Ccleaner and Process Explorer; which is nice but a bit much for beginning users. The rules I use are don't click on anything you don't have to, and even then think before you click. Delete every email you don't want and be suspicious of all the rest. Don't open attachments. I pay for the Bitdefender and Malwarebytes because it runs real time and intercepts the garbage. If you make a mistake and something gets through, hold the power button down for 5 seconds and turn the unit off.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
I have to turn off the Mike Lindell commercial for "My Pillow" ...my doggie starts howling even before the jingle! LoL :-)
Lol. The absolute worst is drug ads, with their endless list of side effects, followed by 'Ask your doctor about..'.

Sheesh!!
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
2oldman wrote:
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
.what's the take on "PC Matic" the one you see advertised on TV all the time.
Another ad I will switch channels for when I see.

I have to turn off the Mike Lindell commercial for "My Pillow" ...my doggie starts howling even before the jingle! LoL :-)
2oldman
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
.what's the take on "PC Matic" the one you see advertised on TV all the time.
Another ad I will switch channels for when I see.

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