# can I run two anti-virus programs at the same time?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 11, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269 "2007-08-11T17:52:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269/1 "2007-08-11T17:52:09Z")

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I just got invaded by a virus that is causing me real problems. So in addition to running the AVAST antivirus (free version) which I’ve been using for 6 months, I downloaded AVG antivirus. (from [http://free.grisoft.com](http://free.grisoft.com))

Then somebody told me “what, don’t you know? You’ve committed a mortal sin that offends the viral gods! Never, never, never have two antivirus programs installed and running on your computer” ( a standard PC, Windows XP sp2, with 1000k of Ram)

So, geek dopers, please fight my ignorance: what’s the straightdope on this one?  
Are 2 heads worse than one? I just assumed that if one antivirus program missed something, maybe the other one would catch it. But do they interfere with each other? Am I now doomed, or is there yet a chance to confess and redeem my sin?

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**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269/2 "2007-08-11T19:47:44Z")

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The problem is that antivirus programs need to be able to access your machine at a pretty low level, and most of them aren’t prepared to share that access nicely.

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**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269/3 "2007-08-11T20:01:00Z")

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You can and I have (Norton and AVG) for months. I no longer do though.

I had no problems. However, you run the risks of having problems.

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**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269/4 "2007-08-11T20:22:17Z")

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[QUOTE=PatriotX]  
You can and I have (Norton and AVG) for months. I no longer do though.

I had no problems. However, you run the risks of having problems.  
[/QUOTE]

If dumped one, which one stayed?

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**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-run-two-anti-virus-programs-at-the-same-time/415269/5 "2007-08-11T21:34:09Z")

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No i would only use one. I personal use AVG, and Zone alarm firewall.