# Antivirus Download

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antivirus-download/50195>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 15, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antivirus-download/50195 "2001-01-15T19:59:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antivirus-download/50195/1 "2001-01-15T19:59:08Z")

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My computer(Win ME) came equipped with the Symantec Norton antivirus. Thanks to a post on a recent thread, a link to a free antivirus was given, Inoculate IT Antivirus, which (since it was free) I downloaded. Now, I have two questions, along with two antivirus programs.

Since I now have the IT, do I still need the Norton? Norton gives free updates but charges for a “definition” update, apparently. (I’m not sure about that. I haven’t seen any charges yet.) Also apparently, IT doesn’t charge at all.

How can IT furnish free downloads and updates? I haven’t seen any ads yet. Will they start sending me plugs for other stuff they make? (That’s 3 questions.)

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**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antivirus-download/50195/2 "2001-01-15T20:24:44Z")

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I have been using InnoculateIt for over a year now.

1. I don’t think it is a good idea to use two AV programs at the same time, you could have a conflict.

2. Innoculate it is free for **personal use**. If you have a business you can buy multiple licenses for multiple computers.

3. I have never been bugged by the Computer Associates people to buy anything else.

I think they think that if so many people are happy with the personal edition of InnoculateIt word will get out that it is a good program, and that way they can sell larger packages of the AV to businesses.

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**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2001, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antivirus-download/50195/3 "2001-01-15T20:29:06Z")

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I was probably the one who recommended InnoculateIT. 🙂

It’s not a good idea to run to antivirus software programs at once. As Boscibo said, there is a potential for conflicts. However, a technician I work with has said he had no problem running two different antiviruses, so it may have something to do with your setup.