Avast Conflict?

[system]

Hello everyone.

I’m currently using Avast, and have recently been getting what I hope are false-positive results with a couple of Trojans (see “Counterspy Trojans” post in this forum).

I’ve used Ewido, which found nothing, but I’d quite like another virus scanner on my PC, which I could run occasionally, especially if Avast comes up with something iffy. I don’t want one with realtime on-access protection, since I’d prefer to stick with Avast for that, just an on-demand scanner.

Is ClamWin any good, does anyone know, or is there something better? Also, will ClamWin or whatever is suggested conflict with Avast?

Many thanks for any help.

[Lisandro]

@GrahamE post:1

I’d prefer to stick with Avast for that, just an on-demand scanner.

ClamWin is good (without installing the resident)
BitDefender (free) will be better (it does not have a resident, only the Pro version has one) 8)
AVG (without ANY resident or email installed) will scan too, but rarely detects anything missed by avast :
F-Prot for DOS is one option too…

Oh, Antivir (last version) is NOT ANYMORE an option and will conflict with avast.

[system]

That’s great, thanks very much for the virtually instant reply!

[Lisandro]

@GrahamE post:3

That’s great, thanks very much for the virtually instant reply!

Be used to avast forum speed answers 8)

[system]

Have downloaded/updated/scanned with Bitdefender and ClamWin, and both are clear

Came across a-squared. Is this any good/compatible??

Thanks,

Graham.

[system]

Hi Graham,

I think in one of your other threads you mention you’re running Windows 2000. Ewido should be fine under this os.

The general wisdom is that A-Squared is the better anti-trojan solution for older operating systems, though I use both on my XP machines.

Also be aware of potential problems with A-Squared version 1.6.5. See this thread:

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=19240.0

[system]

Yeah, I see what you mean. The last thing I want is a whole host of false positives to deal with, particularly as I fit very snugly into the novice-user description!

I did an Ewido online scan, so perhaps I should go for that, although their compatability list doesn’t include Spywareblaster or ClamWin, both of which are on my system.

Thanks for the advice.

[Lisandro]

@GrahamE post:7

I did an Ewido online scan, so perhaps I should go for that, although their compatability list doesn’t include Spywareblaster or ClamWin, both of which are on my system.

GrahamE, which is your operational system? I think the problem is this and not incompatibility with ewido.
Are you using the free version of ewido or the trial one, with resident activated?
And ClamWin, how did you install? Without residents (even the email pluggins)?
If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, installing more than one antivirus will mess your computer…

[system]

I’m using 2000 professional. PIII 800, 512MB RAM. Kerio, Avast Home, Counterspy, Adaware (with realtime), Spywareblaster, Microsoft Antispyware beta.

Haven’t downloaded Ewido yet, just did the online scan.

Downloaded Clamwin free version from their site, no resident. I now have Avast, Clamwin and BitDefender 8 (free), again no resident.

I did this after your earlier reply, assuming they were both okay, since they were both just on-demand scanners. Is this wrong?

I was looking at Ewido as well since I’ve gathered that it is better for Trojans. Am I going over the top? More important, AM I messing up my PC?

[DavidR]

Well I have both Ewido (free trial, resident and now on-demand only) and SpywareBlaster, I had/have no problems with them when ewido was resident or now with it as on-demand only.

SpywareBlaster is an inert tool which blocks/immunizes against known spyware/diallers, etc. so I can’t see how it would conflict with ewido. I think it is more because it is not a major player/well known program that spywareblaster isn’t on the list than any compatibility issue.

[Lisandro]

@GrahamE post:9

I now have Avast, Clamwin and BitDefender 8 (free), again no resident.
I did this after your earlier reply, assuming they were both okay, since they were both just on-demand scanners. Is this wrong?

BidDefender free is only on-demmand.
ClamWin I’m not sure if you should not install the resident or it’s just on-demmand. Anyway, I wouldn’t install the email scanner or it will conflict with avast.
To use as a second on-demmand scanner, I see no advantage in ClamWin: the scanning is very slow and won’t discover what avast could miss. You can use it to learn, it’s free, maybe in the future BidDefender become a shareware… who knows. Right now, if I were you I won’t install ClamWin in your computer.

@GrahamE post:9

AM I messing up my PC?

Ad-watch? Did you buy ad-aware… I don’t think it’s necessary. Microsoft Antispyware is not good in my opinion… but as it’s free…
SpyBot + SpywareBlaster + Ewido is enough, necessary and good. Remember, avast is not an antispyware… so you need one.

[system]

Thanks DavidR, that’s reassuring.

I’ve already installed ClamWin Tech. You’re certainly right about it being slow!

Didn’t buy Ad-aware, I was given SE Plus by a mate, which includes the Ad-watch bit.

No, I don’t rate M’soft much either, I keep considering removing it, but as you say, it’s free.

Since you seem to rate Ewido, I imagine I would be wise to have it, if it doesn’t conflict.

Thanks.

[system]

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this yet - Spyware Blaster should be installed after you know your computer is clean (sorry if this is redundant information).

The free Clam Win is on-demand only so no conflicts but, as mentioned, is very slow.

Edit:

@GrahamE post:9

Am I going over the top?

No, not at all. A layered approach to computer security makes good sense.

If I have this right, between this thread and your others you mentioned you have

Avast!
Kerio
Adaware
SpywareBlaster
Counterspy
MS Antispyware
Spybot
ClamWin
BitDefender

Well, ok, maybe a little over. But if you’re testing the various products and not killing your system performance why not? For sure keep avast!, Kerio, AdAware, Spybot, SpywareBlaster, and Bitdefender. I share your’s and Tech’s opinion of MS Antispyware - seems like it used to do good things but not anymore. And I haven’t used Counterspy. If ClamWin is already installed it wouldn’t hurt to leave it.

[Lisandro]

Didn’t buy Ad-aware, I was given SE Plus by a mate, which includes the Ad-watch bit.

So, keep it. Anyway, I’m not that seft confident if it worths…

@GrahamE post:12

No, I don’t rate M’soft much either, I keep considering removing it, but as you say, it’s free.

At least, don’t allow it to take computer resources, disable the resident.

@GrahamE post:12

Since you seem to rate Ewido, I imagine I would be wise to have it, if it doesn’t conflict.

Yes, I have it (on-demmand). No conflict at all.

[Lisandro]

@mauserme post:13

The free Calm Win is on-demand only so no conflicts

The email plugin will conflic (or bring troubles)…
At least, in my tests it did

[system]

Thanks Tech. I wasn’t aware of that plug in.

[system]

I don’t have Spybot, Mauserme, otherwise correct.

I can’t find anything in the configuration windows of ClamWin that mentions this email plugin, Tech. Does this mean it’s not included in the version I have?

Thanks.

[system]

Spybot is definitely worth having

http://www.safer-networking.org/

[system]

I had it when I first started, but didn’t feel in control of what it might remove :-[

Can’t fully remember what my problem with it was (a general lack of knowledge I hear you cry!).

[system]

The default installation makes Spybot create back up and restore points before deleting anything so its really pretty safe. If you do decide to install it just look at the settings (advanced mode) to make sure all the “create back up …” and
create restore point …" boxes are checked.

My installation always displays the items to be deleted for review prior to removal. I’m not sure this can even be turned off.