Avira Antivir

[BigTimeNovice]

After a praising article on the new version of Antivir from CNET http://www.download.com/8301-2007_4-...?tag=cnetfd.mt (yes I know many don't value CNET opinion), I know that Antivir does not scan email. But does that matter if my email is all web based like gmail or hotmail? Also, I know that multiple AV programs running simultaneously are not good, but the company laptop requires etrust running. I am wanting to add Antivir since it is low on resources and footprint. Good idea or bad idea as I've had viruses/trojans still with an updated etrust.

Thank you

[Broni]

You can't run TWO antivirus programs at the same time.

[BigTimeNovice]

Then what about web-based email? Does this not work for things like Outlook but okay with gmail/hotmail/yahoo emails? Also, I know some people that use two AV simultaneously and I hope that this may be the best combo with etrust since I don't think etrust is all that great.

[Broni]

You can't run TWO antivirus programs at the same time. Period.

[HAN]

Broni's right. eTrust + AntiVir = Trouble. If you have no choice but to run eTrust, then you are stuck. The users you mention that run 2 AVs together are either modifying (at a fundamental level) the way those AVs run (not advisable for most of us) or they have less protection than they think they do because the AVs are butting heads behind the scenes.

As for email scanning, the services you mention all have their own integrated scanners for mail that flows through them.

Is the protection you now have (eTrust) worse than the web mail services? The truth is it depends. If eTrust adds a new definition for a new virus before the web mail service does (which is certainly possible) then the answer is pretty clear. There just aren't any absolutes in the antivirus biz...