stevet4645 asks good questions, to which I have no definitive answers.

 

I can state that, while running on-demand scanners, playing games of FreeCell has had no adverse effects, for many years. :smileywink: 

I think most AV's resident/realtime guard is a separate process to it's on demand scan, therefore you are getting realtime protection whilst the scan is taking place.

 

I'm guessing, but I think the fluctuation in CPU usage might be down to the various file formats the AV reads as it is scanning. It probably takes more to look inside a .zip archive than it does to read a .txt file etc.

Any other monitoring processes such as your AS protection might also react to how an AV is working, increasing the CPU usage.

    Thank you for your replies. I just didn't want to let any nasties sneak onto my system while my A/V is busy scanning for them. I can understand how an on demand scanner would not pose a threat since it doesn't provide real time protection anyway. I was just wondering whether or not one's primary A/V program can perform both at the same time. I certainly would hope that is the case. Thanks again.

Of more concern is what is your exposure while your AV/Firewall is booting.  I, at one time, used McAfee which took 2 minutes to boot.  I never got an infection.  I now use OneCare.  It boots in about 30 seconds.  This is also about how long it takes Trend Micro to boot at startup as well.

"...exposure while your AV/Firewall is booting"

 

BugBatter has often pointed to this specific matter, in her advocacy of using Windows Firewall... unlike other ["third party"] firewalls, it boots immediately with windows, so there's no delay in firewall protection.

 

keep in mind that it's okay... in fact, recommended... to use a router/hardware firewall IN ADDITION TO any software firewall.   nowadays, most routers offer at least a NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall.   If your router is powered on (continually, or at least, before booting your PC), its firewall is actively protecting you at bootup time.

KY, that is very interesting information.  The bootup gap has always worried me.  I'm glad to know that Windows firewall is working in addition to my router.

Lawrence,

 

Since you now use OneCare, which (according to my understanding) has a firewall, I don't know how soon it "kicks in"... that should be a separate matter from Windows firewall... and I'm assuming you're running only one [unless Microsoft has somehow "integrated" the two to work "as one"].

 

as for your router, while it probably has a (NAT or other) firewall, you might want to confirm this by checking its documentation.

 

KY, I assume, but could be wrong, OneCare adds to and integrates with Windows firewall.  Every now and then, while booting the desktop, I will get a warning that the firewall is not functioning lasting for 2-3 seconds.  The warning then disappears.  I will ask the OneCare forum how the firewall works.

Lawrence,

 

i don't use, and am not familiar with the specifics of oneCare... so you have to go by whatever they tell/advise you.

ky, Microsoft says that the Widows firewall and the OneCare firewall are not integrated.  The Windows firewall should be turned off.  OneCare starts faster than any program I have used.  It has a feature that prevents unused programs from starting.

Hi Lawrence:

 

Since experience with OneCare is limited hereabouts, any feedback you have on it is appreciated. Apart from its fast load time, do you perceive it offers any other advantages?

 

In particular, I'm interested if you use the Clean Up tool without problems. As you may know, this is a registry cleaner, and its inclusion in OneCare was somewhat controversial:
http://www.technologyquestions.com/technology/windows-xp/224205-windows-live-onecare-clean-up-scanner.html

Joe, the cleanup tool works perfectly.  It also removes unneed files from the temp folder.  An additional feature is an easy to use startup program controller.  The technical aid is very good.

ky, it seems easier to use than any other security program I've used.  It avoids "bloatware."