[BobLewiston]

I have some questions about antispyware apps:

1. I know you're not supposed to run 2 antivirus apps at once, but that you CAN run 2 scanner-only antispyware apps at once. But should you not run 2 real-time-protection antispyware apps at once?

2. Other than the fact that spyware "spies", just what is the difference between a virus and a spyware app? In other words, why can you run one antivirus app at the same time as a real-time-protection antispyware app?

3. Do all antispyware that offer real-time protection constantly run in the background to prevent the installation of malware, whenever an attempt is made to open a file or launch an application? Do they all also offer manual and/or scheduled system scans?

4. Does Comodo AntiVirus + Firewall include antispyware functionality?

5. Does Spyware Terminator include antivirus functionality?

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1) The effect is the same. They fight with each other.

2) The boundaries are closer together today than they ever have been. Far as most people are concerned they are one and the same thing. The ideal solution is an all-in-one program that looks after everything then you don't need to worry about conflicts.

3) Depends on the programs.

4) Pretty much all anti-virus software now bundles anti-spyware as part of the bundle.

5) No but you can choose it as an add-in when you install it.

[Neil Jones]

1) The effect is the same. They fight with each other.

2) The boundaries are closer together today than they ever have been. Far as most people are concerned they are one and the same thing. The ideal solution is an all-in-one program that looks after everything then you don't need to worry about conflicts.

3) Depends on the programs.

4) Pretty much all anti-virus software now bundles anti-spyware as part of the bundle.

5) No but you can choose it as an add-in when you install it.

[Buttons1]

1. I've heard different things. Yes from some and no from others. I haven't seen any issues. Could be based on the program itself.

2. Anti-Viruses catch both. Now however anti-spyware are more classified as anti-malware. As they catch more then just spyware.

3. Most of the time yes. However programs such as spywareblaster, don't run in the background. It focuses adding white lists to Interent Explorer.

4. Yes. However comodo anti-virus is pretty much limited in the spyware area. They state it's a work in progress, but still it's not overly great. Avast!/Microsoft Security Essentials/Aivra do much better.

5. No it does not. However during setup you can download clamav. Although it's for linux, Spyware Terminator is able to intercept it's database. You can also install it through the settings. Just make sure if you do uninstall it, you have it uninstall clamav to.