Is this a good idea?

[duker]

I would like to know if having two anti-virus software is a good idea or bad. I really don't know much about computers (70 years old) and am hesitant about what I can do and can't do on the computers. I have Norton Internet Security and AVG Free plus superantispyware, spybot and Webroot spy sweeper. I had the Norton and Webroot in the beginning and have read that Norton is not all that great and have been downloading these anti-spy software as I was going to get rid of Norton and Webroot but I don't know what to really do. I'm getting more confused as I look into all the different ones that are out there and do I go for free downloads or am I wiser to keep what I had or how should I go. Really need help and appreciate all the help I can get.

[Miz]

There's nothing wrong with having two anti-virus programs installed. Problems arise when two are actively running and providing full-time protection. If you want a second one, keep it updated and keep it idle until you want to use it to scan.

My experience with Norton is that you can't shut it down completely. You can disable AVG so it can sit quietly on the hard drive, doing nothing until you use it for a second-opinion scan.

If you want to use AVG exclusively and uninstall Norton, there's a removal tool you can download from
Norton's website.

[duker]

Thanks.

[duker]

How do you disable AVG? I've looked and haven't figured it out. I'm sorry but I'm not too computer literate so hope you'll be patient with me. Thanks.

[Miz]

Upon installation, AVG should put an icon in the System Tray (area where the time is display at the right-hand end of the Taskbar). It's a multicolored square.

Right click that icon, left click "Launch AVG control center." Click each item, one at a time, and then click the appropriate button at the bottom right of the Control Center window.

For example, clicking Shell Extension makes a Deactivate button appear. Click the Email Scanner, then the Properties button then the Configure button where you can then turn off the email scanning portion of AVG. Click each entry and then whatever buttons will either deactivate that feature or give you access to where you can deactivate it.

You will need to remember to check for AVG updates manually after you turn everything off, though.