Can I run Smadav and Avast? Myths and Facts about using two antiviruses
Smartphone Android - Debunking the persistent myth that two antiviruses offer double the protection, this article reveals the critical facts behind the question, "can I run Smadav and Avast simultaneously?" We will dissect the most common misconceptions, explore the technical truths of how these programs interact, and deliver a clear verdict on whether this popular combination is a genuine security asset or a system-crippling liability.
In the digital landscape, our intuition often defaults to a simple principle: more is better. We add more memory to make our computers faster, more storage for our files, and more pixels for a sharper screen. It is a logic that serves us well until we apply it to cybersecurity. The belief that installing a second antivirus program on top of your primary one will build an impenetrable fortress is perhaps one of the most enduring and dangerous myths in personal computing.
This leads countless well-intentioned users down a path of system instability and frustration, all born from a single, logical-sounding question. It is a question whispered in tech forums and debated in comment sections across the internet. The desire for absolute security is powerful, and the idea of combining a global titan like Avast with a local specialist like Smadav feels like a masterstroke of defensive strategy. But like many things in the complex world of software, what seems intuitive on the surface is often a recipe for chaos underneath. Let us dismantle the myths and uncover the facts.
Myth 1: Double the Antivirus Means Double the Protection
This is the foundational myth, the one from which all others grow. The logic seems unassailable: if one program catches 99% of threats, a second program will surely catch the remaining 1%, giving you a perfect 100% security blanket. It is a compelling idea that is, unfortunately, completely divorced from technical reality.
The Fact: It Creates System Conflict and Redundancy
The truth is that running two antivirus programs with real-time scanning enabled does not create layered protection; it creates a state of perpetual conflict. Think of a computer's operating system as a highly sensitive series of checkpoints. For an antivirus to work, it must install a "file system filter driver," a deep-level hook that allows it to intercept and inspect every single file that is opened, downloaded, or executed. This is real-time protection.
When you install Avast, it sets up its guards at these checkpoints. When you then install Smadav and leave its real-time protection on, you are telling a second, independent set of guards to station themselves at the exact same checkpoints. The moment you click on a file, a "race condition" occurs. Both programs lunge forward simultaneously to be the first to scan it.
This digital tug-of-war has two immediate consequences. First, it places an enormous and unnecessary strain on your CPU and RAM, as your system is forced to perform the same security check twice for every single operation. Second, and more dangerously, it creates the potential for a deadlock, where each program is waiting for the other to finish, causing the application or the entire system to freeze. This is not double protection; it is a self-inflicted denial-of-service attack on your own computer.
Myth 2: A Second Scanner Will Catch What the First One Misses
This myth is a corollary to the first. Proponents argue that every antivirus has a slightly different library of virus definitions and heuristic algorithms. Therefore, a second scanner provides a valuable "second opinion," catching threats that the primary one might overlook. While there is a kernel of truth to the idea of a second opinion, implementing it with two always-on scanners is the wrong approach.
The Fact: You Will Drown in False Positives and Instability
Instead of catching more real viruses, you are far more likely to generate a storm of "false positives." An antivirus program is, by its very nature, a suspicious piece of software. It is designed to look for programs that hook deep into the operating system, modify system files, and monitor user activity. What other type of program fits this description perfectly? Another antivirus.
Avast's sophisticated behavioral shield is highly likely to detect Smadav's real-time processes as malware-like behavior and attempt to quarantine or disable them. Conversely, Smadav may flag Avast's critical definition files or update processes as a threat. This digital friendly fire leads to a state of chaos:
System Instability: Critical security components being disabled can lead to application crashes and even the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
Alert Fatigue: You will be bombarded with constant security warnings, making it impossible to distinguish between your antivirus programs fighting each other and a genuine malware attack. This is a real security risk, as users often become conditioned to ignore all alerts, including the ones that matter.
The "second opinion" is only valuable when it is sought intentionally, not when it is being shouted constantly in the background.
Myth 3: My High-End PC Can Handle Two Antiviruses
This is a common rebuttal from users with powerful, modern computers. The argument is that while a dual-antivirus setup might slow down an older machine, a gaming rig or a high-end workstation with a powerful processor and plenty of RAM can easily handle the extra load. This myth mistakes the nature of the problem.
The Fact: It’s an Architectural Problem, Not a Power Problem
The issue with running two real-time scanners is not primarily a lack of resources; it is a fundamental architectural conflict. You can have the fastest supercomputer in the world, but if you have two drivers trying to steer the same car in different directions, you are going to crash. The bottleneck is not in processing power but in the logic of file access and system-level permissions.
Performance benchmarks from independent labs like AV-Comparatives consistently show that even a single, highly optimized antivirus has a measurable impact on system performance. Their September 2025 reports will undoubtedly confirm this trend. Now imagine the impact of a second, conflicting process fighting for the same resources at every turn. The problem does not scale with hardware; it is a logical flaw that will bog down any system, regardless of its specifications.
Beyond the Myths: A Practical Guide to Using Smadav and Avast
After debunking the myths, we are left with the core question: can I run Smadav and Avast in any useful way? The answer is a qualified yes, but only if you abandon the flawed idea of simultaneous protection and adopt a strategic, hierarchical approach. The fact is, you can leverage their unique strengths if you configure them correctly.
This involves establishing one program as the undisputed primary guardian and demoting the other to a specialized, on-demand tool.
Designate Avast as Your Sole Real-Time Protector: Avast should be your one and only always-on security suite. Trust its comprehensive file, web, and behavior shields to be your first line of defense. Do not disable any of its core features.
Transform Smadav into a Manual Second-Opinion Tool: Install Smadav, but immediately navigate to its settings and disable all real-time protection features. This is the most critical step. By doing this, Smadav becomes a dormant application that only uses system resources when you explicitly launch it.
Deploy Smadav Strategically: Use the now-passive Smadav for specific tasks where its specialized engine might be beneficial. This includes right-clicking on a suspicious USB drive to perform a deep scan before opening it, or running a manual system scan if you suspect a local adware infection that your primary AV has not flagged.
This configuration gives you the best of both worlds. You get the robust, uninterrupted protection of a world-class primary antivirus and the targeted, specialist cleaning power of a second tool, all without the performance-killing conflicts.
The allure of a dual-antivirus setup is a powerful one, born from a genuine desire for complete security. However, the path to a truly secure system is paved with facts, not myths. The reality is that modern cybersecurity is not about brute force or redundant software; it is about intelligent, layered, and coordinated defense. By understanding the architectural truths of how these programs work, we can move beyond the folklore and implement a security strategy that is both powerful and efficient, ensuring our digital lives are protected by a disciplined guard, not a chaotic mob.
