Regarding Anti-Virus Softwares

I am curious about having 2 Anti-Virus software on a computer. I currently have Norton Anti-Virus, which I got over a year ago when I bought Norton Systemworks 2001. I love it and never any problems with it.

I was thinking of getting PC-Cillin 2002 as well and install that on my computer along with Norton already being there.

What I do know is Norton is not known for finding Trojans or Backdoors, but PC-Cillin does. I was talking to my Instructor to find out if I could put 2 anti-virus software on my computer. He told me that they might cancel out each other and not work. Anyone has any suggestion?? I would like to have Norton to scan for Viruses and hopefully PC-Cillin to scan for Trojans and Backdoors.

My reason for this is, I once opened a downloaded program that had a virus in it and my Norton caught the Virus. My GF told me about PC-Cillin, so I went to the PC-Cillin website and read up on it. I was impress. So I did a free scan on my computer. It found a Backdoor on my computer, something Norton did NOT find.

Dragonetti

 

Hi and Welcome to the forum.

Newer versions of NAV do find some Trojans. If you want to run an AT (anti-Trojan scanner) I can suggest two that you can evaluate and then purchase.

Note, I said two, because I do think that these are the best, but one will work for you. Those two are Trojan Hunter and TDS-3.

http://tds.diamondcs.com.au
http://www.misec.net/trojanhunter.jsp

Questions about anti-trojan programs should be posted in the "other anti-trojan software" forum here.

Back to your question. Some people are able to run two AV programs at the same time. However, you have to pick one as primary to scan files in (and maybe out) and use the other as backup.

I think the best AV program is your delete finger I don't open emails with attachments unless I'm 100% sure of what and why it was sent. I don't open emails that seem "strange." I'm a member of the "delete the email and then ask why it was sent club."

 

Thanks for the Welcome Marti!

I wasn't sure where to put it since I am looking for something that has a combination of both anti-virus and anti-trojan. So I went ENIE MINIE MINEY MO and picked this place to ask. Sorry for the wrong forum. Can someone move this thread over to the "Anti-Trojan" Forum, please? Thanx

I'll check out the 2 links.

There's a problem with that. Everyone that knows me sends me programs to check out and test for them. Most of them don't even tell me where they got it from. Since they all know I am a person who stays at a computer until I figure how something works and then tell them how to run it. I get them in the forms of emails, which the McFee does nothing to scan for it on Hotmail, as well as Floppies, Zips, and CDs. I do scan the Floppies, Zips and CDs I get but the emails are the ones I had problems with. I started putting any downloaded programs from emails into it's own folder and scan the folder before opening it. Sometimes it catches a virus and other times it comes out clean and there might end up being something there after I run the program, like a backdoor or trojan.

Dragonetti

 

Hi Dragonetti,

Let's leave this thread alone. You can start a new thread in the AT software area later.

If you want to be in the "test business," then you need a machine totally dedicated to testing. If you have one computer then you are asking for trouble. If you only have one computer, then you need to think about something: is testing and possibly losing my files on the hard drive more important than my primary use of my computer?

If your primary use of the computer is to test for your friends, then I'm not sure how any AV, AT, or other security program is going to help you. The folks in the AV and AT business have programs to analyze files. They can take a file apart and read every line of code. Unless you have written programs to analyze files in that way, then you shouldn't be doing so.

 

Dragon

certainly you can have two virus scanners....an a few more if you want......but only one can be active at any given time...the others need to be on-demand........otherwise they may conflict with each other...in fact, I will go as far as to say that its not a bad idea having two scanners...one scanner may catch what the other scanner missed.

do make certain that whatever second scanner you use..if you decide to do so....does not start-up when windows starts-up.......otherwise your computer may hang...it should be an "on-demand scanner only" an the other scanner shut-down when you decided to use the back-up scanner..........yes, I am sort of repeating myself but only to insure your understanding an prevent any problems for you.

snowman

 

* was about to post again when computer shut-down*


Dragon

after posting I noticed that Marti gave you like advice (sorry Marti..its been a super long day)
one other note..personally I prefer to use a virus scanner for viruses and a trojan scanner for trojans..some will do alittle of both.....still I prefer seperate programs

snowman

 

Snowman, you need a big cybrer hug. A hug that friend's give each other, not the other kind.

I also like my programs to "do one thing, and do it well." AT is for trojans. AV is for viruses.

I could get on a rant about programs that claim to be multipurpose, but it's late and I too am tired. Let's just say that I believe in one program, for one purpose, unless I can prove that it "slices, dices, chops, minces, and programs the VCR."

 

Marti
Thank you ever so much...I needed a friendly hug...it was one of those days.....an what with still trying to recover from my recent illness....its really wacked me.

oh..I hear that the plug and play feature in M$ will slice..dice..run the stove..etc...the catch is....there are no products that have been made that can use it......gee M$ is so ahead of the times LOL
good night Marti.....wishing you a great tomorrow

snowman

 

Hi

Why not run Norton fulltime and run Trends, PC-Cillon's Free online scanner House call besides? TDS-3 works very good for finding them servers too.

[glow=red,2,300]controler[/glow]

 

Thanks Guys and Gals!

All of your opinions are greatly apprieciated. When it comes to hardware and software I know what to do. But Security, I know very little, I do have firewall and AV and that's all. Over time I will be able to enhance my knowledge on how to make a computer more secure from outside interference.

I will be researching more of the AV and AT programs. The TDS and TH looks good. Research is always a good tool to use. It's always good to know how the AVs or ATs should be set up, to cause the lease amount of problems, so it's good to ask for extra opinions on it from fellow posters.


Snow,

I don't know much about what's going on regarding your illness but I will give you a Newbie "Get well" Hug. I hope you a speedy recovery. (I know this is probably off topic)

 

Dragon
you are most welcome.....always glad to share with others....whatever suggestions I offer use what you can and throw the rest away......
an right now I suggest that if all you have is a firewall and AV you need much more security to properly maintain your online privacy. If you feel up to it..go over to the free services page at wilders an go to PCFlank an do a broswer test(scan).....don't take broswer security lightly...an have a bug download on you
obviously you know hardware an I look forward to learning a few tips from you in the future...however, you need to protect that hardware too.....consider a script detector...with the correct scripts blocked certain viruses never have a chance...great AV add-on,, actually they are standalones.....remember a script detector blocks yet unknown viruses if the script is blocked....I consider script detectors to be anti-virus programs so mention it here.
Dragon don't dare be shy..ask!!! Don't wait until its to late..or until you read about it somewhere.....know one knows all there is....you know hardware..Techno knows AV programs among other things.....others here know other things......together we become one lean mean machine,

snowman

 

snowman's got a point

Don't hesitate to ask!


Technodrome

 

As for AT's: have a look here:

http://www.wilders.org/anti_trojans.htm

 

Dragonetti,

If you would like a very large gorilla guarding your mail box,
Take a look at Maildefense Advanced.
http://www.indefense.com/index.html

I haven’t seen anything get by it yet.
Not compatible with some firewalls but worth a try.
Check the website. Lot of info.