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Antivirus and Malware Software

Is it reasonable to run both Symantec Client Security and a malware scan software like Malwarebytes? We seem to be getting clobbered with bad stuff all of a sudden, even though end users PCs are fully patched and running current AV/Firewall defs. I was thinking of implementing a malware scanner but didnt know what type of performance hit we would take or whether that was even feasible.

Thanks.

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augwest

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David-Howard

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xmachine

Hi,

You can, but you may face problems. The recommended way is to use one full antivirus software that is installed and monitoring (Kernel / File System / Memory / Boot / Critical areas). Running another antivirus may harm your system, because it will try to install some modules that would conflict with the first AV. So, use a command line version would not affect it. CL AV will scan memory & file system without installing any modules.

A Symantec Certified Specialist @ your service

chattiegirl

ASKER

XM..
Could you explain in more detail what you mean with the command line scanning. We are currently running Symantec Client Security and it is letting malware slip through (granted some of this is just plain user error) but nonetheless, I need to implement something in addition.

xmachine

command line or stand alone antivirus softwares don't need to be installed and integrate with the system. Most famous antivirus products have a command line version which can be used in situations where you can't run the gui version or you want to write a script/batch to automate the scanning or use it with a third-party product (ex. antispam / web filtering). Or from inside Windows safe mode.

The bottom line, it's not recommended to run two antivirus products that need to install some files and kernel modules. This will damage / slow / disturb your OS.

Check the following discussions on this point:

http://www.trap17.com/index.php/install-two-anti-virus-software-1-system_t30012.html

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6122_102-0.html?threadID=325366

http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread2087.html#

http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-2000/29871-running-two-anti-virus-programs.html

chattiegirl

ASKER

Okay, so I know I can't run two AV suites, but is malware software considered AV? I, personally, would not consider it as such. Most of those discussions are referring to AV suites (i.e., running McAfee and Symantec together). This is not the scenario. I am considering running Symantec Client Security and malwarebytes together with a paid version of malwarebytes so I can have active scanning on - just not sure if that will cause a problem.

XM - thanks for those references, but most of those were referring to individuals who wanted to run two separate AV scanners.

Thanks.

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xmachine

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