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Software => Internet Discussion & Issues => Topic started by: 126 on January 16, 2009, 09:38:53 PM

Title: 2 malware products = conflict?
Post by: 126 on January 16, 2009, 09:38:53 PM

i use HP DC5530 Phenomx3-vista business 32
I installed pcsecurityshield 09 antivirus, after reading good reports online.
I have switched off windows firewall but not the windows malware protection.
Had a fault come up ---spy detected by shield, blocked  and logged, but a small window came up and asked me to 'save to file'/stage 1, which happened ok but I was unable to move to stage 2, everything locked up and had to switch off computer to release everything.
I wondered if microsoft system was trying to send an error report and clashed with pcshield proactive defence facility.
I'm pushing 70 and that's age, not M.P.H. and not as nimble-minded as i used to be, so appreciate any advice.

Title: Re: 2 malware products = conflict?
Post by: i-CONICA on January 16, 2009, 10:24:35 PM

First of, no, Windows won't send an error report of any kind without asking you, if it did ask you and you clicked yes, that won't interfere with anything else. It's a completely separate service.

You have to be careful what prompts on your computer are actually from your computer or trusted anti virus software you've installed, some can be adware, posing as a Microsoft service. Similar to the flashing "Spyware Detected" ads on some websites, which are known as "scare ware".

I've never even heard of PC Security Shield 09 and with an un-catchy name like that, and the fact that googling it shows nothing but discounts, discounts from relatively unknown sites, more interested in getting a return on the discount affiliation than the actual safety of the product, I wouldn't trust it. Not suggesting it's malicious. I'm sure if you've paid for it, it's probably safe. Yet I'm doubting it's effectiveness as anti-malware software.

To put things into perspective, this google search (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=1&ct=result&cd=1&q=pcsecurityshield+09&spell=1) for PcSecurityShield 09 yeilds only 25,000 results.
This google search (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=avg&btnG=Search&meta=) for AVG (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/avg-av/avg-av.htm) yields over 131,000,000 results, you'll achieve similar numbers with Avast (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/avast/avast.htm) and Anti-Vir (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/antivir/antivir.htm).

AVG (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/avg-av/avg-av.htm), Avast (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/avast/avast.htm) and Anti-Vir (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/antivir/antivir.htm) all have free editions of their software and all are very much trusted by everyone in the business.

As for the direct question, running two anti-malware software at the same time can cause big problems. But generally, things like windows defender won't cause problems with other software, it sits in the background doing very little.

Personally I'd say you've got quite a lot of infections of different kinds, adware (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/adaware/adaware.htm), spyware and other malware. I'd disconnect from the internet, uninstall anything anti-virus related and install just one or two trusted applications.
I use AVG (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/avg-av/avg-av.htm) for anti-virus, Spybot Search & destroy (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/spybotsearchanddestroy/spybotsearchanddestroy.htm) for removing spyware and Ad-aware personal (http://filequake.com/download/antivirus/adaware/adaware.htm) for adware...
Those coupled with the decent built in firewall of Vista has kept me safe so far...

If the problem gets worse, report back with how you get on and we'll try taking things step by step to getting everything clean and running smoothly again.

Hope that helps.  :)

Title: Re: 2 malware products = conflict?
Post by: 126 on January 16, 2009, 10:57:38 PM

thanks i-conica, i will take your advice ----at least microsoft recognise avg now---- so it would avoid any conflicts, money down the drain once again---but live and learn is the motto ------cheers---jonty

Title: Re: 2 malware products = conflict?
Post by: i-CONICA on January 16, 2009, 11:03:49 PM

Not sure what "microsoft recognise avg now" means.. Windows doesn't have anti-virus software built in. Windows defender is anti-spyware...
Installing AVG gives you anti-virus protection. There'll be no conflict and AVG is a good choice.

Last bit of advice, the only software worth paying for, costs hundreds of pounds. Windows, Photoshop, Dreamweaver etc...

Anything cheap,