What does antivirus mean for 2 PCs? Why you shouldn't install multiple antiviruses on one computer

Some users, caring about their computers and personal data, come to the decision that they should install two antiviruses on one computer or, more precisely, install more than one antivirus.

They believe that if one antivirus misses some threat, then the second will certainly protect against it. Is it really?

Of course, no antivirus program will provide one hundred percent guarantee of protection against viruses, leakage of personal information and other threats. But installing two antiviruses on one computer is a very bad idea.

As practice shows, this approach to computer protection does not work. And it’s not a matter of competition, as many may think, but of the incompatibility of antivirus programs.

Several antiviruses do not “coexist” on one computer, even if they are developed by the same company. They will interfere with each other’s work, conflict, and the computer will freeze or stop working altogether.

The reason lies in the fact that any antivirus tries to control all processes on the computer. Antiviruses analyze and control many operations: reading and writing files, analyzing system processes, working with RAM, network traffic, etc.

Therefore, if two or more antiviruses are installed on a computer, they will try to gain complete control over the system, interfering with each other. As a result, the computer begins to freeze, and system resources will be sorely insufficient for the normal operation of any application.

In addition, each antivirus may well try to block some files of the other, identifying them as potentially dangerous. And this is not at all a competition between program developers. From a system protection point of view, any antivirus performs many suspicious operations.

As you can see, you can install two antiviruses on one computer, but, alas, this will not increase the level of protection and may even harm the computer. If there is a suspicion that your antivirus overlooked a dangerous file and the system is already infected, then it is better to go a different route.

How to additionally scan your PC using a second antivirus

For a one-time system check, special solutions have been developed, for example, Dr.Web CureIt!.

Dr web CureIt official website is located at http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/?lng=ru

The program, which is called the healing utility, is downloaded for free from the official Dr.Web website indicated above.

Rice. 1 Description of the use of the anti-virus utility Dr.Web CureIt!

After downloading the program named Dr.Web CureIt! there is no need to install it, you just need to launch it by double-clicking the left mouse button (see Fig. 1), more details.

There is also a similar utility Kaspersky.

It is called Kaspersky Security Scan and is located at http://www.kaspersky.ru/security-scan. You can download it for free from the official Kaspersky website, double-click the left mouse button to launch it, and scan your computer (see Fig. 2)

Rice. 2. Window for launching the Kaspersky anti-virus utility

These free antivirus utilities check and disinfect your computer without interfering with the operation of the main antivirus installed on the PC, and do not conflict with it. After completing the treatment check, these programs can be safely removed from the PC by simply moving them to the Recycle Bin. It is very useful to check your computer with them from time to time, even if you are completely sure that the installed main antivirus performs its functions flawlessly. God saves man, who save himself.

About antivirus programs in new computers

When purchasing a new computer (laptop, tablet, etc.), an antivirus program may be pre-installed. The user of a new computer may not want to use this “imposed” antivirus in the future.

For example, McAfee antivirus is often installed on new computers. If you don’t want to use it, but instead install, for example, an antivirus, then you need to make sure that the previously installed antivirus is removed from the computer.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus (abbreviated KAV) is the most famous software product of Kaspersky Lab.

The license presented here is intended to provide full protection for one year for two computers running the Windows operating system. The product reliably protects in real time against the vast majority of modern information threats - viruses, Trojans, spyware, exploits, etc.

On this page you can find out the cost of Kaspersky anti-virus, download the distribution, read about its main capabilities, advantages, key functions, familiarize yourself with the system requirements, and also compare with other anti-virus products under the Kaspersky brand.

To place an order, click the button above buy. Placing an order will take no more than a couple of minutes. Payment can be made in many ways. The order is delivered within a few minutes after payment.

The main advantages of Kaspersky antivirus

Malware protection.

Kaspersky Anti-Virus uses the latest technologies to protect against major malware, including exploits that take advantage of operating system and application vulnerabilities.

Checking the reputation of programs.

The function allows you to instantly check the security of any executable file on your computer. Up-to-date information about the program's reputation is received in real time from the cloud.

Link checking module.

Now you can make sure that any site you are about to visit is safe. Links to suspicious dangerous resources are automatically marked with a special color indicator.

High speed.

Thanks to cloud protection technologies, intelligent scanning, and compact installation of updates, the operation of the antivirus on your computer is almost invisible.

Compatible with Microsoft Windows 8.

The new Kaspersky Anti-Virus is 100% compatible with Microsoft's popular operating system - Windows 8. The Kaspersky Now application, specially designed for the innovative Windows 8 interface, will help monitor the status of your computer's protection and instantly launch the necessary protection functions.

Key Features

• Lightning-fast response of hybrid proactive defense to new threats.
• With the new exploit protection, unpatched program vulnerabilities are no longer so scary.
• The program activity monitoring module promptly identifies programs performing suspicious operations and allows you to undo malicious changes to the operating system.
• Checking the reputation of programs and websites on the fly.
• The web filter will block infected websites in a timely manner.
• The Anti-Phishing module will ensure the safety of the user's personal data.
• An emergency recovery disk will help restore the operating system in the event of infection.
• Win 8 support.
• Kaspersky Now, a module designed for the innovative Windows 8 interface, displays the computer's protection status and allows you to quickly launch the necessary protective functions.
• Integration with Early-Launch Anti-Malware (ELAM) technology provides protection until your computer boots up.
• Integration with updated Windows Security Center features.

System requirements

OS

• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Service Pack 2)
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (x32, x64) (Service Pack 2)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate (x32, x64) (Service Pack 1)
• Microsoft Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate (x32, x64)
• Microsoft Windows 8 (x32, x64)
• Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (x32, x64)

General requirements for all operating systems

• About 480 MB of free hard disk space (depending on the size of the anti-virus databases)
• CD-ROM
• Computer mouse
• Internet connection to activate the product and receive regular updates
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 or higher
• Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0 or higher

Hardware requirements Win XP

• 800 MHz processor or higher
• 512 MB of free RAM

Hardware requirements Win Vista/7

• Processor 1 GHz or higher
• 1 GB of free RAM (x32) or
• 2 GB of free RAM (x64)

Hardware requirements for netbooks

• Processor: Intel Atom 1.6 GHz
• Video card: Intel GMA950
• Screen: 10.1’’
• Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Comparison of Kaspersky Anti-Virus with other anti-virus products

Below you can see in comparison how Kaspersky Anti-Virus differs from Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky PURE.

Key Features	Antivirus Kaspersky	Kaspersky Internet Security	Kaspersky CRYSTAL
Protection functions
Real-time protection against modern threats – both known and new
Intelligent update system using cloud technologies
Smart scanning to reduce computer resource consumption
Anti-Phishing to protect personal data
Special protection against threats that exploit vulnerabilities in the system and applications
Application control regulates application access to operating system resources and user data
Firewall counteracts hacker attacks
Anti-Spam blocks malicious and unwanted emails
Parental controls will help limit your child’s activity on the Internet
Security Management
Control Center for managing the protection of home network computers
Managing Parental Controls from any computer on your home network
Additional features
Secure payments to protect personal data when making financial transactions on the Internet
Password manager for creating and securely storing hack-resistant passwords
Backup and restore data to prevent loss of valuable information
Data encryption for secure storage and transmission of valuable information
File shredder for permanently deleting files
Free 24/7 technical support (telephone, Knowledge Base, forum)

Becoming leaders in threat detection tests, you can always find effective protection without spending a single ruble. As a result, users may consider installing several antiviruses on the system. Their logic is simple: the more protection solutions installed, the better the computer security. Let's figure out if this is really so.

Unfortunately, the saying “one head is good, two are better” does not apply to antivirus products. The more antivirus software you install on your system, the less effective protection you will receive. There are good reasons not to install multiple antiviruses on the same computer. First things first.

Performance Issues

When antivirus programs protect your computer, they must use system resources to complete their tasks. Antivirus programs should monitor all potential system areas that malware could be using on your computer. The product must conduct a thorough analysis both when connecting a USB drive and when downloading a file from the Internet. The so-called “Real-Time Protection” continuously monitors file operations and checks them for malicious activity.

If there is only one antivirus installed on the system, then it has enough resources and freedom of action to do its job. The more antiviruses are added to the system, the less memory is available for the antivirus to scan all potential attack points. As a result, the computer will not have enough memory to perform other tasks, which will lead to serious performance hitches.

Fight for files

To make matters worse, you will notice that antiviruses will clash with each other while protecting the system. The main goal of an antivirus is to isolate the threat as quickly as possible and prevent attempts to infect the computer. If you install two or more antiviruses that simultaneously monitor all risk areas, this will lead to conflicts.

Let's say you download a file from the Internet. A reliable antivirus will intercept this action and instantly start scanning the specified folder to make sure the object is safe. If several reliable antiviruses are installed on your PC, they will all simultaneously try to scan the downloaded file. As a result, the file may be blocked when one of the antiviruses tries to scan it, which will lead to a noticeable decrease in performance.

If the file being analyzed turns out to be malware, this could lead to more serious problems. Both antiviruses will try to delete the object themselves, and both will ask the user to add the file to quarantine. If you allow one antivirus to be added to quarantine and deny another, then the second antivirus may perceive isolated files in the quarantine zone of another product as a threat and will constantly display warnings about the danger.

Recrimination

The worst effect of using multiple antiviruses is that they don't trust each other. When an antivirus performs its task, it assumes that it is the only protection on the system. Therefore, it can regard the files of the second antivirus as malware. At best, you will encounter constant false positives; at worst, they will try to delete each other, which can lead to unstable system operation and damage to critical files.

What about antivirus scanners?

This article mainly concerns antivirus programs that run in the background and penetrate deeply into system areas. However, users often use specialized cleaning tools to enhance computer protection. They work differently because they don't constantly scan files, but are designed to clean your computer when necessary. Can such scanners lead to conflicts with an active antivirus?

The answer to this question depends on what you are using the scanner for. Some scanners have their own real-time protection modules, which may conflict with similar antivirus components. If you disable these modules and simply perform periodic system scans, problems can be avoided. Ideally, you can configure exclusions in your antivirus by removing the scanner from the scanning task. However, even in this case, performance degradation may sometimes occur if both programs are running scans at the same time.

If you want to use antivirus and antivirus scanner together and want to know the possible consequences, then visit the official website of the cleaning tool. In the comments on the website, users offer recommendations for joint use with an antivirus.

One for all

What line of computer defense have you built? Are you using an antivirus and an antivirus scanner at the same time? Are you using Windows Defender? Or are you using an OS that doesn't need additional protection? Share in the discussions below.

To help computer "dummies": a conflict between two antiviruses and a complete freeze of the OS after loading (how to solve the problem if the OS does not respond to anything after loading).

Conflict between two antiviruses on one computer

Almost all “dummies” are confident that if they install many, many anti-virus programs, then they will not be afraid of any viruses! Well, gentlemen and comrades, if everything were so simple, the topic of fighting virtual pests would have been closed 20 years ago. But that's not true.

I mean, you’re wrong: you can’t even install two antiviruses on one computer. Why? Yes, because absolutely all antiviruses conflict with each other! And, take my word for it: the problem from such a conflict is no better than the problem from the virus.

And, by the way, I already wrote about what cannot be installed. Well, now directly to the topic.

So, you showed off your intelligence and caution and installed two antiviruses on one computer. Or, you uninstalled one antivirus and installed another, but after the first antivirus you forgot to delete some remains: a folder or files.

As a result, immediately after rebooting the OS, you were surprised to notice that although the cursor runs across the screen, not a single icon on the “Desktop” responds to commands. In addition, a strange loading process is constantly happening next to the cursor: the system is loading something, but what exactly is not clear.

And it also happens that even the cursor does not move: this is called “dead hang”. The most surprising thing is that repeatedly rebooting the system by pressing the "Reset" button does not solve the problem.

The system reboots, but the problem remains. What to do? Reinstall the system? Question: can you? You are a "teapot"! And there is no need to reinstall the system, because everything is solved very simply. So!

What to do if you installed two antiviruses on one computer and the operating system froze

Take any disk and insert it into the drive. Oops: the system has moved from a dead point! Now, without wasting time, go to “Control Panel” - “Add or Remove Programs” and remove any of the two antiviruses.

Please note: after uninstalling some antiviruses, the system may report that not everything has been removed and you will have to remove some things manually. Delete! How to find? It’s very simple: “My Computer” - “Search” tab - enter the name of the antivirus you just removed and wait for the search to finish.

We delete everything found. We remove the disk and reboot the computer. Yes, and one more thing. At the moment of reboot (at the very beginning, when the screen has just gone dark and remains dark), we begin to frantically press the “F8” button: this will open the “secret” menu of OS boot options.

And in this “secret” menu you need to select the boot option with the latest working parameters. Selection is made using the arrow keys. Highlight the desired line and press the Enter key. That's it: now your computer is working normally, without any brakes.

And remember: not one, not even three antiviruses will protect your computer 100%! Just download less crap from shady sites, and there’s no need to rummage through adult sites. And the point here is not in pornography as such, but in the fact that it is on these sites that you can pick up a whole “bouquet of virtual “venereal” diseases”, such as “backdoors”, “rootkits” and “MBR lockers”.

At this point in time, there are an incredible number of viruses and new ones are constantly appearing. Some users no longer trust the protection of one antivirus and begin to wonder: is it possible to install two antiviruses and how to do this?

Sometimes I also hear such questions. Therefore, I would like to express my opinion on this topic.

In short, why not just install two antiviruses.
Taking and installing two antiviruses on one computer most likely will not work (because most popular antiviruses, during installation, analyze whether your PC has another antivirus tool and notify you about this, in some cases with a simple error).

If you still managed to install 2 anti-virus programs on your computer, then there is a chance that the computer may start:

• slow down (since it will be scanned by two antiviruses);
• errors and conflicts (one program will control another, there is a high probability that one program will recommend you remove the second antivirus);
• your PC may freeze and will not respond to your actions (mouse and keyboard movements);
• it is possible that the well-known blue screen will appear

In this case, you will have to start the computer in safe mode and simply remove one of the antiviruses.

1 Option 1

Install a comprehensive antivirus and also a healing utility that does not require installation (example: Cureit). I believe that the best option would be to install a full-fledged antivirus (for example, Kasperskiy, Avast, Panda, AVG) and keep it updated.

In addition to the main antivirus, you can have healing utilities and programs on a flash drive or hard drive that do not require installation. In this case, periodically or when suspicious files arise, it is possible to quickly scan your computer with a second antivirus. Before using healing utilities, you need to turn off the main antivirus.

3 Option 2

For each antivirus, install a separate Windows operating system.

To have 2 antiviruses and have them work without conflicts and failures, you can install another operating system. Typically, the hard drive is divided into 2 drives: drive “C:\” (system) and drive “D:\” (local). For example, on the disk drive “C:\” is installed
Windows 7 with Kaspersky. To install the AVG antivirus, you can install another Windows operating system on the “D:\” drive and install another antivirus in it.

You will only be using one Windows OS at a time. But if suspicions arise and you need to quickly scan your computer for viruses, then reboot the computer, select a second Windows OS with a different antivirus, and when the system boots, check the computer!

4 Disadvantages of installing two antivirus programs

• There is a possibility of your computer freezing
• May lead to system conflict

5 Pros:

1. Increase data security.
2. Protect your computer from Trojans.

6 Questions and answers from a specialist

Is it possible to install two free antiviruses at once and which ones?
— There is such a possibility (if there are no conflicts between them), but as practice shows, often one antivirus program will block another, and the second will interfere with the work of the first, as a result you will not get anything good. The best option would be to install one of the antiviruses and also a firewall (in most cases, free antiviruses do not have one), and to have complete confidence, use antivirus scanners. An important note: an antivirus that you don’t have to pay for is usually not fully ready or is still in the testing stage, so there is no point in expecting complete protection from it. You have to pay for a really good product.

“If I choose among the free antiviruses I know, I choose Avast. For an antivirus that can be used for free, it shows only the good side; it is quite possible that it is the leader in free antiviruses. It perfectly scans your computer for viruses and malware and blocks infected pages on the network. I think Avast is an excellent antivirus,” writes the specialist.

Dispelling myths...
There is no antivirus that would be able to protect you from viruses 100%! Even if you install 2 antiviruses, the result will remain almost the same. A minimal risk of information loss is possible if: regularly copy important files, delete suspicious files and letters, update your antivirus and download games and programs from official sources