Two anti - virus program can't be compatible

United States
July 23, 2011 1:17pm CST
My friend of mine got her computer infected with virus, instead of pay $100 to Best Buy Geek Squad, I format the hard drive and reinstall the Windows operating system for her. Then she wants to install 2 anti - virus program in her system for double protection. I knew that she had enough of those virus invasion, but with double anti - virus, I doubt will it work? As she completed the installation of MCafee, she also installed the Norton Anti - virus. There was a message popped - up during the installation. This program might not compatible with MCafee already existed in the system. She ignored it, and continue the installing procedure. So, do you think there will be a conflict on both programs in the future?
2 people like this
15 responses
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
26 Jul 11
It's never a good idea to have two or more antiviruses at once installed. It's not arbitrary that one refuses to install having another, but there is a reason beyond plain marketing. The first is performance, having every file and network access scanned twice makes it slower, and if you have a slow computer it for sure will have a drastic effect. Most important is that, when you download updates for one, the other might catch the other's databases as a virus itself, and both begin to conflict while trying to delete each other databases wrongly categorized as a virus. Last, when a real virus is detected, who will have priority? Most likely again will compete for locking the file to move to its own vault or delete or repair it. Therefore, I'm against it. I suggest you to choose one and only one antivirus and stick to it. Use whatever you want or like and keep it updated to stay protected.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (56238)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Jul 11
The conflict comes from the fact that Norton really isn't very good in general and has had it's share of problems. Computers really only require one anti-virus program... having two doesn't offer doubble protection as some might think. Though, I'll admit when I had Norton, it not only conflicted with my connection, but kept finding good programs and trying to delete or quorenteen thing. I belive that AVG is the best, and is all the software you need. Windows comes with it's own firewall, and if you want to install your own that's fine, but ensure that it doesn't conflict with Windows, otherwise Windows will try to block it. Which in my personal opinion is super annoying.
1 person likes this
@gjabaigar (2200)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
It is good to have two antivirus softwares on a MS Windows computers as long as you have a faster processor or with those multi processors computers. Actually it is not advisable to have two antivirus on one single computer because sometimes the computer might run slower because antivirus runs on the background continuously. Beside that, you have Firewall enabled also running on the background, guarding the ins and outs of your internet traffic. I guess (correct me if I'm wrong) your not running genuine Norton and McAfee or else you are paying two subscriptions and updates annually.
1 person likes this
23 Jul 11
Two AVs won't do any damage but they may conflict. That doesn't mean it'll damage her computer but it does mean they might get confused by each other's presence which, in turn, could cause any number of minor problems. Stupid things like both trying to quarantine the same file, that kind of thing. It WON'T do any damage. It's also unnecessary, since all AVs these days are pretty much the same. There are only very minor differences between them, usually in the types of threat they handle better or their virus defs update speed. You also don't need to format a drive to remove a virus, but that's another discussion. And a big thumbs-up to you both for not paying the Geek Squad. From what I read, they're unethical, dishonest and crap at their job.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Aug 11
No you don't need two antivirus programs. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Pick one antivirus program and you can use a tune up utility program with it to keep your computer running smoothly. If you put two antivirus programs on there they will conflict with each other and you will get all kinds of false readings and mixed up problems. A good site for advice that is free to join and use is: http://www.techspot.com/vb/ I am in no way affiliated with this site I just mentioned it for advice.
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
There won't be a conflict between the two but just make sure that the computer have enough resources to run them because one they scan, it will eat up your resources causing the computer to run really slow. This is the reason why you shouldn't have 2 anti-virus on your computer.
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
26 Jul 11
I think if you have only one good antivirus installed on your computer then it is sufficient for giving protection to your computer against viruses. And if you have more than one antivirus installed on your system then it can be make your computer performance very slow. And then you need higher capacity of RAM. So I think only one antivirus is sufficient for your computer.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
24 Jul 11
I think that it is done by design, but it is not necessarily a good idea to have two different anti-virus programs on your computer. An anti-virus program, while essential, can be very resource demanding. Not to mention with two of them, there are a lot of resources that are being demanded. As I found out when I had installed Norton on my old computer before properly removing McAfee, two programs will conflict with each other and actually weaken the protection. One of the biggest misconceptions is the fact that you need to install a lot of different programs for protection on the computer. Granted, a good virus scan is needed and maybe a good anti-malware tool as well, as most virus scanners are not as good with dealing with malware. So two virus scanners, that will cause a conflict and that is most certainly not a good thing any way you slice it.
• Bulgaria
24 Jul 11
It's a well known fact you need only one antivirus program on your PC,otherwise it gets really bad.I think NOD32 is the best antivirus program,haven't had any problems with her.
@surekharathi (14146)
• India
26 Jul 11
Friend I have seen your lots of discussion but some is understand some is not two anti virus on the same computer will not work properly. You can install it but you will faced the problem so better way is install only one anit virus. Yes will be conflict in future.
@QeeGood (1213)
• Sweden
24 Jul 11
What's the purpose to have two anti-virus program on a computer. If one anti-virus program can do all the required security work to keep the computer clean from not wanted things. Two programes of the same kind can cause conflicts in a computer.
@rayhaan (100)
• India
24 Jul 11
Those "Norton", "McAfee", "Kaspersky" are all just big names. Their anti virus are just scrap. They are waste. Better install AVG antivirus. It is really good and I have not experienced a single problem through it. And don't install two anti viruses. They will delete each other. Install AVG anti virus only, it's awesome.
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
yes it will destroy your software. Use one anti virus for one computer so that it will have a better performance. Both anti-virus have its own database and some of their database conflict.
• India
24 Jul 11
I had also faced the similar issue two different antivirus,but what i can suggest from my experience install any of big name antivirus and try to user malware bytes,it is one of best free ware better than those bigname virus killer
@marguicha (214294)
• Chile
23 Jul 11
I had the same problem last year when for mistake I placed two antivirus in my computer. You have to choose on and stick to that one. But I imagine that you can also ask at the web if that is possible although I had a bad experience.