 Various Anti Virus Software Questions |
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 May 3 2008, 12:28 PM
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Member  Group: Members Posts: 23 Joined: 26-March 08 Member No.: 199,090  |
I have a number of antivirus software questions. I included all the questions I have in one post because it’s easier that way. Answer whichever ones you feel like. What’s the difference between anti virus scanners like AVG, Avast, Norton, etc. and firewalls like ZoneAlarm, Comodo, etc.? Don’t the scanners operate constantly just like the firewalls? How many scanners are adequate? I’m using AVG and Avast. I also have Symantec. Doesn’t Symantec interfere with Avast? Symantec keeps turning back on after I disenable it. Symantec regularly quarantines Trojan Horse viruses, so is Symantec worth keeping? I also have AT&T Online Protection. Do I need this? Should I just delete it? I am currently using these anti virus programs and utilities: Free Internet Window Washer, Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware, CCleaner, Spybot Search and Destroy, IE Spyad, MVPS Hosts File, Winpatrol. Are these sufficient or overkill? Do you recommend others? Thanks for any replies. |
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May 3 2008, 04:39 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: Global Moderator Posts: 19,146 Joined: 11-April 04 From: Chicago, Il. Member No.: 113 |
You need to sort through all that software (especially bundled applications) and get down to:
1. One Anti-virus (resident and turn on for real-time protection. 2. One Firewall that will scan both incoming and outgoing packets. Firewalls operate entirely different than AVs; the latter will only look for defined malware, while a Firewall scans all packets for legitimacy and will also "mask" your computer to the outside world. 3. Two or three (depending on your browsing habits and whether you are cautious about where you go) anti-spyware applications, any of which may have some sort of real-time protection. Multiple AVs will slow down your computer, and often report the other's definition file as an infection. Multiple Firewalls can also slow down your computer, and produce serious conflicts when trying to handle packets. Regards, John -------------------- Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.
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 May 7 2008, 03:16 PM
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a forum member Group: Members Posts: 1,620 Joined: 27-August 07 Member No.: 153,171 |
this thread of yours
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic145743.html suggests that you have gotten infected FROM having multiple antivirus programs installed simultaneously ; OR maybe you do not understand what each of the programs you HAVE got 'does'? 
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May 8 2008, 12:13 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 54 Joined: 6-March 08 Member No.: 194,708 |
QUOTE(jgweed @ May 3 2008, 10:39 PM)  You need to sort through all that software (especially bundled applications) and get down to: 1. One Anti-virus (resident and turn on for real-time protection. I maybe going off the topic but i just wanted to get this out of my chest, what is really meant by real time protection??? thank you This post has been edited by -Cloud: May 8 2008, 12:13 PM --------------------  Going on holiday, will be back on the 24/25th August 08............ |
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May 8 2008, 12:51 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 31 Joined: 24-September 07 Member No.: 158,835 |
A quick read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_protection
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 May 8 2008, 03:46 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 54 Joined: 6-March 08 Member No.: 194,708 |
QUOTE(JPeterman @ May 8 2008, 06:51 PM) A quick read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_protection thank you 
-------------------- Going on holiday, will be back on the 24/25th August 08............ |
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