Running multiple antispyware programs

[capnq]

I know that it's a bad idea to run two anti-virus screens simultaneously, because they can interfere with each other.

Is there a similar prohibition for anti-spyware screens?

[Atrocities]

I would bet the odds and say yes.

[Baron Munchausen]

If you run several at a time as 'real time' protection, yes. If you simply have several on your system, not necessarily. Many people use both Ad-Aware and Spybot for example. Just don't try to run their 'watch' modes while the Microsoft Antispyware beta is also running. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[capnq]

I also asked this on another board I frequent; the response was basically what the Baron said.

Running two "real-time" scanners does give me a noticeable performance hit.

WHat I really need to do is Format C: and reinstall, but I can't do that until I replace my CD drive.

[Thermodyne]

Take a look at Windows Defender from MS. I use that and Firefox, and it's been more than a year since I had a problem with malware.