Running two anti-virus programs

I am buying a new PC for my daughter and I want to install an antivirus program and firewall before handing it over. The PC will be supplied with a 90-day trial version of McvAfee AV and Firewall but I would like to install Kerio and AVG. I have heard that two similar programs like this would interfere with each other. Will I need to uninstall McAfee first?

Any advice would be appreciated

David

 

Correct. Anti-virus programs are a little like cats, they are fine when they are on thier own, put them together and they fight!

You must uninstall Mcafee first!

 

But make sure you have something to protect the system when it first hits the internet. Blaster has been known to eat up a system after about 30 unprotected seconds on the net so you can't afford to turn off one AV and go out to download another.

 

I can highly recommend AVG free edition (see the link below). Have used Mcafee v5.x, 6.x and NAV v5.x, 7.xx (corporate), 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, and have to say AVG 6.0 free edition works a treat and doesn't seem to slow down the system, and is a small download/install. On top of this, the **** thing is FREE and works fine on W2K3! Also has regular (every couple of days, no less!) updates.

 

A second vote for AVG. I've never had a problem with it. I've used it ever since I got rid of McAfee.

You may want to check out McAfee's website for uninstall instructions. As I recall, it's a bear to completely get rid of.

 

AVG inconsistencies

Thanks Rdzien and Newt. But isn't your advice inconsistent? If I remove McAfee first, how will the PC be protected whilst I'm downloading AVG? Or will I only be downloading an installation file? If so, at what stage should I uninstall McAfee?
David

 

Best suggestion I can make is to

Download (but save to a file rather than install) AVG. Next, download (again, save rather than install) the ref file updates. Burn both items to CD.

Do the same with all the security updates to the OS.

Disconnect from the internet.

Remove McAfee, apply the security patches, and install AVG with updates before connecting back to the internet.

Little bit of a pain to do all this but IMO you are better off without McAfee on the system. They are at the top of my "software that should work but often doesn't and should be avoided" list. I have no idea about their current version but I've had enough issues with their apps over the years that I just avoid using or recommending their stuff.