Does the Windows need more than one AM (Anti-Malware)?

khoshtipi · 13 Jun 2013

Hello all,

Malware is a malicious software which is consists of three separate kinds of virus, worm and Trojan. An AV like Kaspersky does the defense against all the three. While Windows (say, 7) has built-in firewall, UAC, Windows defender and if we ourselves input one great AV like the above one into the OS, does the Windows need another running AM still? If yes, should all those defense tools be running along with the Windows always?

Thanks.

Dwarf · 13 Jun 2013

Whenever you are on-line, you should ensure that your AV/AM programs are running as they intercept any malware that they have the signature(s) for (which is why it is important to keep them up to date) silently and behind the scenes. They might even issue a popup to say that they have detected something.

Not all AV/AM programs are fool proof, but the combination I use is Avast! free, together with the paid for version of Malwarebytes (a one-off payment for a lifetime subscription), together with Windows Firewall and UAC at their default settings. As the functionality of Windows defender is replaced by the AV/AM programs I use, it is automatically disabled.

There is no problem with running Malwarebytes simultaneously with your preferred AV program.

robinb9 · 13 Jun 2013

I agree with Dwarf, and I would like to add, just make sure when you run malwarebytes pro you do not set it up at the same time and date to do a scheduled scan as your antivirus program. You should set it up one or two days later to do the scan so there is no conflict. If they are both scanning at the same time You will find something will crash and lock up

khoshtipi · 13 Jun 2013

Thank you mates. But I think those two can cause to tension between themselves. There are smart, start up, hidden (and so on) scans which those two can do and it may be a reason for them to crash/tension. Not?

robinb9 · 13 Jun 2013

no they play nice together :) as long as you allow them to play nice

Layback Bear · 13 Jun 2013

Malwarebytes Anti Malware Pro and Microsoft Security Essentials play quite well together on my two Windows 7 computers. Of course both active.
I have read many post on this forum that Malwarebytes Anti Malware and Avast also play well together.
I have also read on this forum that Bitdefender and Malwarebytes Anti Malware don't play well together.

DavidE · 13 Jun 2013

I have 3 systems with MS Security Essentials and MBAM Pro.
I have 2 systems with Avast! (free) and MBAM Pro.
Some of these also have WinPatrol real-time.

No conflicts here.

khoshtipi · 14 Jun 2013

My choice for AMs is Kaspersky. I don't want to use any other one. Now, do have the Kaspersky and Malwarebytes Anti Malware any conflict or tension between themselves when both are running on a PC? If not, how you determine it? For example, how you find out those both have (or haven't any) conflict with together?

robinb9 · 14 Jun 2013

I would go to Malwarebytes forum and ask them there. They have employees that answer questions and whom but the company would know if Kaspersky has a conflict with their software

Layback Bear · 14 Jun 2013

Good idea Robin.
Malwarebytes Forum
I don't remember reading about Kasperske and Malwarebytes Anti Malware having problems.

To answer your question how to tell if these programs get along with each other.
Their is no one things and it can be many things. You will notice many strange things happening. Such things are; not being able to get updates, pop ups you haven't seen before, browsers won't work normal, you won't be able to access things you normally could and many more. Their are just to many possibilities that could happen.