anti-virus

[mr.fixitt59]

I run AVG and Avast both in my computer. I have AVG fully on while I have most things in Avast turned off. I know you can't have both real-time apps running at the same time. My question is can I turn on everything else in Avast with out having a problem. Also I had ran Avast for years and had no problems with it someone talked me into running AVG instead. I guess my question is it OK to run everything active on both except real time. This goes true for spyware apps I have Adware and spyware terminator also running side by side. Its not I'm trying to be over protective but I have alot of grand kids that are on this machine and go to places that are virus prone I end up full of spyware, cookies, adware ans so on. Fortunately they will not be using this machine much longer but in the mean time I need some advice. I don't think there is any one product that will catch it all and that is why I run a variety of anti-virus apps and anti spyware protection. Personally I like Avast it has never let me down, so if someone could let me know if I ca run all these things together I would appreciate it. Another factor is cost as you can see all of these are free apps. A question about registry cleaning what should I do? I have never cleaned the registry out I don't know enough about it. Should it be done? Please help me on these decisions.

Thank You,
mr.fixitt59

[J_L]

No, you cannot have 2 AV's running together.
If you've disabled Avast features that are enabled on AVG, then it's possible. Therefore I cannot recommend turning on every feature on Avast.

You have Ad-aware and Spyware Terminator there as well?! Please remove at least Ad-aware, because it uses an AV engine for protection.

[MidnightCowboy]

Unfortunately, with the usage pattern you describe, IMO there is no real combination of programs or settings which will keep your computer infection or ad free. If users choose to go to sites which are virus prone it is only a matter of time before they get infected.

Antivirus programs are only capable of so much and even then, some kind of interaction is often required by the user to avoid infection.

As a first step I would employ a DNS filter like ClearCloud which provides a permanent block against infected sites. Next, I would change my default search engine to DuckDuckGo, leave the safe search left on (default) and enable the WOT rating icons. If you can only get your grand kids to stay out of the orange and red rated sites, then 99% of your battle is already won without needing a multitude of real-time apps.

If you decide to adopt any of this and have trouble setting it up, please post back

[deya]

Everything that's been said in the previous posts is solid advice, and I don't want to complicate things for you too much. But I've come across this so many times where youngsters using computers is a problem and I agree with what's been said about DNS filters. This is just a suggestion, and I'm not saying one DNS service is better than another, but Norton DNS also offers a free Web content filter that works alongside the blocking service, once you've changed your DNS settings.

All you need do is register, then sign into the site and you can block content by categories by checking the boxes from the category list. It's very easy to do, and it works very well. You can also block individual sites by adding the site address in the advanced settings - sounds complicated but it's not, and once it's set kids can't overide it. Access is denied.

I've done this on several PC's where people have suffered the same issues as you, kids going where they shouldn't, resulting in big problems. And while to some it may sound a bit draconian, it's not - schools etc use content blocking filters for that very reason. You can't be looking over their shoulders all the time.

The Norton page is here. As I mentioned, I'm not saying A is better than B. The secure DNS services mentioned around here are all good, but where kids are concerned the content filter just gives you a bit more control over what they can access. There may be the odd tantrum at first - but they soon get over it

[oblivion]

Originally Posted by J_L

No, you cannot have 2 AV's running together.
If you've disabled Avast features that are enabled on AVG, then it's possible. Therefore I cannot recommend turning on every feature on Avast.

I think I'd suggest removing one or the other entirely -- it's very hard to be sure what will and won't conflict, and the low-level stuff may very well be causing problems, at least to performance.

My approach is to use my AV of choice normally and, if something causes me to be particularly wary of something, to use ClamWin to scan the system, as it doesn't have a resident portion.

You have Ad-aware and Spyware Terminator there as well?! Please remove at least Ad-aware, because it uses an AV engine for protection.

I'd hesitate to make blanket statements, but I tried the relaunched Ad-Aware a while back and the performance hit my PC took as a result led me to remove it again before the end of the day.

In common with others here, I'd also suggest a replacement DNS service -- I like OpenDNS, and their free service is excellent.

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by oblivion

I'd hesitate to make blanket statements, but I tried the relaunched Ad-Aware a while back and the performance hit my PC took as a result led me to remove it again before the end of the day.

.

Good point, and this may vary between systems and software combinations but on mine this tendency stopped after a couple of days. No doubt AdAware was going through some learning process or journey of self awareness

That said, there were still some cpu spikes every time I launched a folder full of exe's or a video. Not an issue on most modern PC's and the simplicity of the program makes me inclined to recommend it still

[Emilia]

I shall suggest you removing one entirely,the two anti-virus not work together properly,so you remove avast,because Avg is powerful anti-virus now.so keep Avg latest version and get to get updated....