Windows 7: Avast + MSE Threat Alerts

During the time I've been a forum member I've read many posts saying that Avast and MSE work well together. I've used MSE ever since it came out last year and I'm currently running the 2.0 beta. Yesterday I installed Avast 5.0 (free) and so far I haven't had any compatibility issues nor have I noticed any system slow downs. I decided to test both products and they're each using their respective default settings just to make it a fair evaluation.

I've deliberately visited sites with known viruses as well as running the Eicar test files. In every instance, MSE has alerted me to a potential threat while Avast has remained silent. The only time Avast alerts me is if I've turned off real time scanning in MSE.

Why don't I get any alerts from Avast when MSE is enabled? Shouldn't they both alert me? If not, why not? Thanks for any input.

The only thing I can think of is the potential threat you got was a false positive threat.
Run MBAM as see what you get! IMO

I'm thinking they can't intercept simultaneously.

Lemur,
That's another thought! If Marmimar was running both at the same time that could be the reason only one picked it up.
His next test, if he chooses, should be with only one AV at a time going into that sight.

Agreed!

Just for clarification, if I run Avast totally by itself it will alert me to the same identical threats as MSE. But when I run them together, only MSE alerts me. This would seem to indicate that both products are able to identify and acknowledge the same threats. But when they are both simultaneously running their real time scans only MSE alerts me. It's almost like MSE puts itself in a primary position and pushes Avast to a secondary slot. Or to put it another way, maybe Avast will only alert me if MSE misses something and it's picked up by Avast. But I haven't been able to test that theory because MSE seems to pick up on all potential threats.


That's what crossed my mind, too. I thought that maybe since MSE is a Microsoft product it automatically assumes a primary position on a Microsoft OS. I also considered that maybe MSE is just faster than Avast in detecting threats so it's the first to sound the alarm so to speak.

One last question for you and then I am off and running?

Which is your primary AV? I am not sure if you can set them both as your default AV!
Think you can only set one and have the other on demand.
Keep us posted as to your findings.

I'm not sure how to determine if one or the other is primary. They both have their real time protection enabled and they don't seem to be having any issues.

Attachment 106001 Attachment 106002

I work nights so I'm off to sleep. I'll check back in a few hours if anything else has been added. Appreciate your input, Dennis and Lemur.

Get some sleep my friend.
This will be debated long after you come home from work.

Hi, Marmimar.

Which A/V is listed in the Action Center under Security > Virus protection?