When it comes to the security of their computers, more and more users are becoming aware of the importance of having competent antivirus. It’s easy to see how someone might think, therefore, that using two antivirus programs at the same time would be beneficial… but this is just not at all true when it comes to antivirus software.
Why Is Running Two Antivirus Programs Not Recommended?
There’s an issue with having two antivirus programs active at once because of three main reasons:
- Accusing each other: the most frustrating effect born from having multiple antivirus programs working at the same time is that they will see each other as malicious software, and as such will attempt to eliminate the other one. Antivirus software is not designed to work in tandem, on the contrary, it assumes it is the only one set up on that device. As a result, if it identifies that another program is scanning the files of the PC, then it will make the assumption that it is a virus. Best case scenario, you’ll receive numerous false virus alerts, but in the worst case scenario they could start deleting one another’s files leading to system instability and the corruption of important files.
- Performance issues: antivirus software uses a great deal of your PC’s hardware resources. If you have only one set up, then that means your device should have access to the resources to allow it to do its purpose. But when another is added, more memory is required just so that both programs can scan each possible intrusion point. This could mean that there is not enough device memory left for other tasks, ultimately causing your computer to become slower.
- More time needed to quarantine a threat: in addition to the above, the process of quarantining and removing true viruses could take much longer than normal, which can be a big issue because when identifying and dealing with such threats, it is crucial to act rapidly. With two programs attempting to quarantine the same virus, it will take longer as they compete to handle the process. Every antivirus has its own quarantine and criteria procedures. While one could place a threat immediately into quarantine, the other might signal it as a false positive.
Free Antivirus vs Paid Upgrades
In today’s evolving world of online threats, free antivirus programs are the least recommended choice for the protection of your computer. The reason being is that they all have limitations when it comes to the extended security that they can provide. Paid upgrades, on the other hand, come with a whole range of features that will ensure the reliable protection of your device, as well as your sensitive data that some websites might try to get their hands on.
Most antivirus companies offer paid versions for their antivirus software that come at an affordable price that, especially if you sign up for a longer subscription, cost only a handful of dollars a month. This way you can rest assured that you’ve made a sound investment into the security of your device and important information.
Other Security Solutions
Users should verify their systems that already have an antivirus installed with an alternative scanner for a second opinion every now and then to ensure that the main antivirus has checked everything. For this means, cloud-based scanners are a great option since they do most of their processing on the internet and not on the hard drive of your PC. This means that can run in conjunction with your system’s installed, real-time antivirus suite.
Best Antivirus Software of 2024
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More Antivirus FAQs
- Can Antivirus Protect Against Hackers, Ransomware, Phishing…?
- Can Antivirus Software Slow Down Your Computer?
- How Does Antivirus Software Work?
- How Often Should I Run Antivirus Software?
- Is Antivirus Protection Enough?
- Is Antivirus Really Necessary?
- Is Antivirus Software Worth Paying for?
- Is Free Antivirus Software Good Enough?
- Should I Quarantine or Delete Viruses?
- Should I Use Antivirus or a VPN?
- Should I Use Two Antivirus Programs at the Same Time?
- What Features Should Antivirus Software Have?
- What Is a Virus and How Can It Be Stopped?
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