• Free Virus Scan
• 7 Safe and useful scanners you can try free!
• Recommended Anti-virus

Can multiple anti virus software run at the same time?

You can have multiple antivirus applications on your computer; however, you may run into conflicts if more than one antivirus program is set up for active monitoring. In addition to conflicts such as computer errors, I recommend against having multiple antivirus programs in your computer’s start up folder because system performance can suffer.

For example, by default, all antivirus programs are set up to start automatically whenever your computer boots up. This is by design. After all, you want protection all the time without having to remember to launch your virus solution, right? When two or more antivirus programs are loaded at start up each one takes up its fair share of your computer’s resources. With multiple running programs, fewer resources are available for other processes. This results in a sluggish PC.

Virus scans and real time monitoring are two different things. Running a virus scan involves looking at the contents of the disk and the computer’s memory for viruses while real time monitoring is a process where the antivirus application is constantly scanning new downloads.

Having multiple real time monitors constantly scanning downloaded files gobbles up resources and can cause numerous computer errors including out of memory errors and system slowdowns.

While it’s true that each antivirus software developer has its own unique database of virus definitions and it may make sense to use several in an attempt to catch as many threats as possible, it’s not necessary to run them all at once.

Here’s a way that you can have it both ways.

First, decide which antivirus solution will be your primary application and which one will be used from time to time as added protection against computer viruses that your main application may have missed. For the main application, choose an antivirus program that features an extensive database of virus definitions and receives automatic updates frequently. If you’ve already installed your main antivirus program, you won’t need to do anything further with it.

For your backup applications, you can use either a commercial antispyware program or download one of the leading freebies. When installing the secondary applications, they will likely set themselves up to start automatically when you reboot. To get around this, you’ll need to go into the System Configuration utility and remove the secondary antivirus programs from the Startup folder. Go to Start, Run, and type in: msconfig. Click the Startup tab and find the application in the list. Remove the checkmark in the box.

This prevents multiple antivirus programs from running at once. Your computer is still protected because your default application automatically launches and actively protects your PC against viruses. Every week or so, you can manually launch secondary antivirus program, update its database of definitions, and run a virus scan.

While it’s possible that you may catch a virus that your main antivirus program missed using a secondary scanner, I doubt you’ll find that having multiple antivirus applications is necessary if you have one of the better antivirus applications set up as your main one. So long as you have a quality product with an extensive, continuously updated database, you should have more than adequate protection. In particular, products such as McAfee AntiVirus Plus, ParetoLogic AntiVirus Plus, and TrendMicro PC-cillin all provide exceptional protection.

• Free Virus Scan
• 7 Safe and useful scanners you can try free!
• Recommended Anti-virus

What is the best antivirus to use?

I’ve evaluated dozens of antivirus products over the years and have found that many effective antivirus products exist. Each of the leading antivirus application developers such as McAfee, Norton, ParetoLogic, and Trend Micro offer excellent antivirus products including standalone antivirus protection, online antivirus scans, and “all in one” Internet security suites.

However, no matter which antivirus software you install, the protection is only as good as the latest virus definition update. With that in mind, I believe that the so-called “best” antivirus programs are those that meet the following criteria:

• An extensive database of virus definitions - This database should be continuously growing with new definitions added frequently as new threats are discovered.

• Automatic updates - While the developer may frequently add new antivirus definitions to their database, it doesn’t do any good to your system if you local copy isn’t updated! Manual updates don’t cut it; are you really going to religiously update your antivirus protection on your own?

• Real time protection - The sooner your antivirus program detects a virus, the better.

• POP3 e-mail and Web mail protection - Because most viruses arrive in e-mail messages, the ability to scan both POP3 and Web e-mail messages is critical. In addition, antivirus protection while in chat rooms and Instant Messaging is desirable.

• Ease of use - What happens when the antivirus application detects a virus? Does the software handle quarantining the virus on your behalf or does it give you a list of confusing (and alarming) choices?

• Scheduled scans - Can you schedule regular virus scans, including deep scans, to take place when you’re not working?

Two of my favorites are ParetoLogic Anti-Virus Plus, which recently earned five out of five cows on Tucows.com, and Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security. These products happen to be “all in one” suites that also protect against other Internet threats such as spyware, malware, spam, phishing, and viruses. Both provide excellent antivirus protection with frequent definition updates - yes, they’re automatic! Best of all, I don’t have to do a thing.

Granted, when you first install either application, you must go in and set up your preferences but once that’s done, the antivirus protection continues without any user intervention required. Detailed logs show me exactly what actions have taken place.

While numerous excellent antivirus products are on the market, the best protection is only as good as the latest virus definition and local update to your software. When selecting an antivirus program for your computer, look for a continuously updated database of virus definitions, automatic updates, real-time protection, e-mail and Web mail scans, ease of use, and scheduled virus scans.

I recommend “all in one” suites that also protect your computer from Internet threats such as spyware, adware, malware, downloading Trojans, spam, and phishing. If you already have anti-spyware protection and simply want an antivirus program, many of these same software developers offer standalone antivirus programs that focus only on protecting your computer from viruses. No matter which antivirus product you choose, if it’s providing you with protection from existing and emerging viruses, then it’s one of the best. 

Here’s how to Completey Remove Malware

Malwarewipe is the latest in a particularly long list of rogue anti-spyware. Typically, this kind of software is covertly installed on your computer using a Trojan or other malicious application. Once it has been installed it will display fake warnings advising you that you have contracted spyware and should act immediately to remove that spyware from your computer. The irony, of course, is that the only spyware it can truly detect is itself. Malwarewipe does not detect and cannot remove any spyware or other malware from your system so do not click on any links.

More »

We have a series of professional reviews under dev right now. Will send you a shout when posted.

There are a number of free trial virus scanners. The Paretologic Virus Scanner is easy to use and reasonably suited for quick and free scanning of your entire computer system.

For a free full-system virus scan try Paretologic Antivirus PLUS, this sophisticated program will scan every recess of your computer for free.

You will need to register if your system does in fact have viruses- and if wish to remove the detected threats.