Is it okay to have AV along with Malwarebytes ?

[Lovus]

Hi, I'm using avast free av along with Malwarebytes

Is it okay to use both at the same time without harming my PC ?

 

[AddRAM]

It`s fine, but we recommend Microsoft Security Essentials along with Malwarbytes. ( the paid version )

 

[gregrocker]

If you're not prone to infection you can get by with MSE with the free on-demand MSE scanner run monthly, less often if you don't get infected at all.

Other best practices to look over here: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7
Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums
Clean Up Factory Bloatware
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[Lovus]

I'm not using MSE because it uses much more resources , same as Windows Defender .

 

[AddRAM]

How can you say that as MSE only runs when I tell it to.

CPU 0% Mem 4492 K


Post your #s

 

[bulletng]

As long as you don't have multiple AV you should be fine. Malwarebytes is a secondary precaution.

 

[alikhan]

Its perfectly normal , I am running the same combo of MBAM and Avast with no problem .

 

[gregrocker]

I don't think MSE uses more resources than Avast. Avast was always on equal footing with MSE here for years in the recommendations I saw given. But over a year ago Avast bloated up with a gadget and web app that was made hard to avoid for most users. That and the regisration nags trying to trick users into upgrading to paid version with dire messages turned many off to it, I believe. Meanwhile MSE became even more seamless and nearly disappears by comparison.

If you had problems with MSE or any app running up your CPU then I'd reinstall it. I see occasional repeat errors in Admin log for MSE which I simply google and then resolve nearly effortlessly. Other than that I see no problems with it on countless thousands of installs.

That said, use what you're comfortable with since you must be inured to Avast scare messages now.

 

[DBone]

The OP is fine with avast! Free and MBAM (Paid or Free) as they both work together fine. MBAM works with almost every AV with no issues, although some AVs won't install if MBAM is present. MSE struggled again recently, and I for one (at least here ) wouldn't recommend it.

Security Essentials fails latest AV-Test | The Download Blog - CNET Download.com

 

[gregrocker]

It's nice CNET didn't have a Norton ad on the same page with the article as they once did for AV ratings! :huh:

I think the most authoritative ratings are the real-world experience we see here at the top tech help site on the web, something with which CNET can't compete. And there's something wrong when ratings never correspond to that at all.

I have seen infections with MSE which caused me to lose some faith, but overall it seems adequate protection and as the BSOD analysts will tell you causes the least problems.

 

[AlterUrEgo]

I think MSE is crap

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/258880-disapointed-microsoft-security-essentials.html

 

[DBone]

Here are the latest test results for those interested:

AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Sep/Oct 2012

 

[gregrocker]

No one with experience who I've read here takes the ratings seriously as they are all compromised by financial interests if not outright advertising. MucAfee? Get serious - it's one of the the worst infections we deal with here.

By experience I mean working in the trenches here for hours per day nonstop since beta helping countless thousands of users and coming to know exactly how the various A/V's protect and interact with Win7. You get to know who those experts are and they are nearly unanimous in their opinion, part of the cumululative knowledge that has made us the undisputed top tech forum on the web in three years time.

I would probably continue to recommend Avast in addition to MSE if I didn't in good faith need to explain how to get rid of the gadget and web app that bloat it up. Bloat is the enemy of lean, mean Win7.

 

[DBone]

We'll have to agree to disagree about the validity of the test. As for installing avast!, it's always best to use the custom, or advanced install method when installing any software, but I will agree that most novice users don't know this, and some advanced users just install via auto-pilot and click next, next, next until it installs............. Then they blame their AV for "letting" a toolbar install.

 

[gregrocker]

The average user ends up with multiple toolbars and add-ons which soon affect browser performance. You've really got to be a detective scoping out how they're trying to trick you into installing anything except the program you want. CNET nearly ruined its reputation bundling downloads into these trickster crapware installers that even jimmy the License Agreement to agree to their sponsors' crap.