The ultimate antivirus/spyware/adware/etc. program?

(disclaimer: dunno if this idea has been haunting this forum since the dark ages; couldn't find anything similar during a quick glance through the latest 100 threads or so)


P2P users are familiar with multi-network clients; web browsers can handle www, email, newsgroups and ftp from within a single app; office suites integrate a jungle of apps and file formats.

What about something similar for antivirus/spyware/adware/malware software?

Like this: program connects to a set of (user configurable) sites like Kaspersky, McAfee, Ad-aware, SpyBot S&D, etc., downloads virus/spyware definition lists, merges them into an all-inclusive superlist, then scans your files and keeps the bad bytes out.

No need to worry about your scanner missing the latest scumware. The combined strength from all of them ensures that the malware detection rate will always exceed that of any single app.

I'm sure there will be legal implications, since AV companies want to limit their virus definition lists to their own software used by their own paying customers, but lets set those objections aside for a while.

Would it be technically doable?

 

dear 666, technologically it is possible but not feasible. you can license the individual AV technologies and merge it into one big AV software. there are such softwares in the market but there is no merged virus database or scanning engine. every module is used individually on a priority basis. this is similar to multitasking systems. we think that the CPU is running multiple programs in one go but actually its switching between tasks so fast that they appear to be running simultaneously.

BTW please remember that if you keep your knowledge updated and practice safe computing then viruses are not a big threat. only one AV software is sufficient.