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    Is it ok to run anything while virus scanning?

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by The Fire Snake, Sep 19, 2009.

  1. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    I was just wondering about this. I am running NIS 2009 and have a pretty fast Core 2 Duo CPU. When I am running a Virus scan on the laptop is it ok to surf the web, type a doc or do something else? Would this just slow down the virus scan or would it screw up the scanning? Typically I don't do anything while a virus scan is taking place. Maybe my thinking is out dated.
     
    The Fire Snake, Sep 19, 2009
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  2. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Well it shouldn't affect the scanning - and if it can't open folders/files it should tell you.

    In my experience though a virusscan tries to use as many resoruces as possible to get it done as quick as possible on a full Scan in Kaspersky.
     
    DetlevCM, Sep 20, 2009
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  3. Vinyard

    Vinyard Notebook Evangelist

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    There' shouldn't be any problems at all to browse the web while scanning.
    But just to be sure I always shut down all programs and I leave my Anti-virus program running until it's completed. I don't know why I do it but it feels right :D
     
    Vinyard, Sep 20, 2009
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  4. ghtry

    ghtry Newbie

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    Short Answer: Yes

    Longer Answer:
    It depends on the scanner being used, how many programs are running in memory, and the hardware on which the scanner is running. Both Windows and Linux are multithreaded operating systems. Depending on the priority of applications, the OS will force programs to take turns based on priority factors.

    If your computer is running slow while virus scanning, you could drop the scanners priority which would not stop the scanner but allow the programs you are using to run faster. If you want the scanner to finish quickly however, for whatever reason, you could bump up the scanner priority and wait for it to finish.

    PLEASE NOTE: Be careful when messing with priorities. Using the highest priority can cause the OS to stop responding. Priority can be adjusted via Task Manager (taskmgr.exe) or a 3rd party program such as Process Explorer.
     
    ghtry, Sep 27, 2009
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  5. HPDV6700

    HPDV6700 Notebook Consultant

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    If it were me, i like it open the scan, then get off the computer and fine something else to do.
     
    HPDV6700, Sep 29, 2009
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  6. The Fire Snake

    The Fire Snake Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thats what I have always done. I guess my main concern would be if I screwed up the Virus scan in some way while using my computer, meaning it not detect a virus or spyware when it should have. Is this a concern? Also if I have a file open while it is scanning the drive is this a problem(i.e file locking issues)?
     
    The Fire Snake, Sep 29, 2009
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