Is a secondary AV program (behind NOD32) feasible to install?

Hi,

I'm wondering if the logic behind having several anti-spyware scanners applies to AV programs. The nice thing about some anti-spyware programs that I'm aware of (with the exception of CounterSpy) is that you can configure them to load, or not load, on startup. Having a few anti-spyware programs installed (but not running, much less scanning, at the same time) gives one that much extra protection. Now I have a question about the feasibility of a secondary AV program, for scanning purposes only.

Getting to the point, a long time ago, I had NOD32 installed (or maybe it was Norton AV) and tried to install Kaspersky's AV program, but during the install routine encountered a window which forced me to uninstall my existing AV program, or else I could not proceed with the Kaspersky install routine. I declined to uninstall my existing AV program.

I note that NOD32 does not have a "start on Windows loading" box that can be checked or unchecked, and I've been advised that this is because if it was so easy, then a bad actor could simply uncheck the box, and attack the user's system at will. But isn't the logical answer to that NOD32's password protection option? Spysweeper has this functionality as does Spyware Doctor (though it does not have a password option like Spysweeper).

I am 100% happy with NOD32 and have full confidence in its ability; it will stay my primary AV program in any event. But just for a super comfort level, I'd like to be able, now and then, to scan my PC (while "off-line and not otherwise using the PC) with a secondary AV program.

I would not use such a secondary program for "real time" protection but obviously that program cannot, in its install routine, force me to uninstall NOD32; that I won't do! I have a few secondary AV programs in mind but before I explore whether they have all of the following: (1) can be be installed on my PC without forcing me to uninstall to NOD32 (as Kaspersky did), and (2) have a "don't load on Windows start" functionality, and (3) can be password protected, I thought I'd bounce the idea off the forum. Nella

 

NOD32 provides great protection for you PC, but if you want to look at a nice on-deman scanner, BitDefender 8 FREE Edition might be exactly what you are looking at. BitDefender 8 is simply an on-demand application, so you don't have to worry about realtime scanning conflicts.

-Cov

 

The situation here is different , most people run several antispyware applications but without real-time protections .
Antivirus softwares does include real time protections . Although you didn't see it , there is a way to tell NOD32 not to load during the installation .

I strongly recommend yoy NOT to install a second antivirus software !
Most of the times the compatiability problem between AV softwares is not because of their real-time protectors(RTM) but because of their drivers . You can stop the RTM but you cannot prevent installing its driver
Here is a good example you can read about a person who had just installed NOD32 and McAfee and the combination killed his computer .

NOD32's detection rate is perfect however if you need a second opinion , you can have it with some other scanners .

Ewido Micro http://download.ewido.net/ewido_micro.exe
Ad-Aware se Personal http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware

are just a few examples , you can also use free online scanner
http://www.nod32sse.com/scanners.php


Hope I can help !

 

I'd recommend DrWeb's cureIt utility, it's their up to date virus scanner that will not only detect, but also clean any infections found. It's a free service. Highly recommend.

You can find it here: www.freedrweb.com

Marc

 

antivir can be installed as on-demand only, tho ive never tried it myself.

 

If I was looking to back up Nod32, I would probably choose ewido (free on-demand) rather than a second antivirus (you would be pretty well covered against all types of malware with Nod32 and ewido).

As HighTech_boy mentioned above, there are several very good online scanners as well for second oppinions.

Suggers

 

I am using AntiVir as an on-demand a/v backup.
It works fine.You need to enable the AntiVir Scheduler service to update the program.
I start or stop the service via Control Panel>Adminstrative Tools in Windows XP.

 

Thanks Covaro, HiTech_boy, marcromero, Suggers, the Tester and WsFuser, for your thoughts.

Also I appreciate my post being transferred to the correct section ("other anti-virus software").

I didn't realize there were as many on-line scanners as are shown at http://www.nod32sse.com/scanners.php (appreciate all the links HiTech_boy).

Anybody know if Eset has indicated whether the NOD32 on-line scanner is comparable to a NOD32 conventional off-line scan? Or is there a consensus on that question? Maybe the answer depends on how NOD32 is configured before it does an offline scan; I haven't gone online yet to see if one has any config. options for an online NOD32 scan, or whether it's "one size scan fits all"<g>. Will learn tonight. Could be answered in a NOD32 FAQ. I would be pleasantly surprised to learn that the on line NOD32 scan could be as thorough as a NOD32 off-line scan could be when using Blackspear's extra settings which I just configured today.

Anyway, I'm going to check out the programs you all suggested including the many on-line scanners available. Looks like I could be scanning with other programs (i.e., other than NOD32) until the cows come home (not that I intend to, as I'm pretty confident about NOD32).

Lots of options have been mentioned; thanks everybody for your thoughts and experiences. Jaygo (a/k/a Nella)

2nd Edit:

In retrospect, I don't think NOD32 offers an on-line scanner, contrary to my post above, not that it matters to me since I already have super NOD32 offline scanning capability with Blackspear settings.

 

I have Kaspersky 6 for my active protection and BitDefender 10 as an on-demand. No problems here as long as bitdefender and Kaspersky protection aren't on at the same time. I just turn off all bitdefender modules and next time i open bitdefender they are still off.

 

@ jaygo

Thanks for letting us know !