Conflict between NIS 2014 and Webroot SecureAnywhere

Because NIS is not particularly effective in protecting against malware, I purchased and installed Webroot SecureAnywhere, which, at least on initial running, found and eliminated a number of malware products. Norton, however, said that it didn't like coexisting with Webroot. I've uninstalled Webroot temporarily and am running Malwarebytes instead.

 

I queried Webroot about the conflict with NIS and received the following response from them:

 

We have been getting reports of Norton messages stating to remove Webroot SecureAnywhere from computers using both products. We know of no conflicts between Norton and Webroot SecureAnywhere and we are working to get Norton to remove this message from their product. You may wish to contact them as well, as they may be more responsive to requests from their customers. Norton can be reached at 1-800-927-3991. We apologize for the inconvenience. You can ignore the message from Norton.

Although security software companies have, traditionally, advised against running multiple antivirus programs on the same computer, this rule does not hold true for Webroot SecureAnywhere. The reason for such recommendations involved the way traditional antivirus programs run. SecureAnywhere is different.

Most antivirus software is very aggressive. When an antivirus program scans a file, it accesses that file and locks it until the scan is complete, so other programs can’t access it. If multiple real-time antivirus scanners are installed on the same system, the secondary system will attempt to scan the file the moment it is accessed by the first scan. Now, both programs are competing to scan the file. Depending on the aggressiveness of each program, one may detect the conflict as an “attack” and attempt to block the offending process. Now, the two antivirus programs are not only competing for the same file, but are actively working against one another. This causes a strong struggle for resources on your computer that can drastically impact system performance, and can leave your system more vulnerable to malware attacks.

Antispyware software, on the other hand, is non-aggressive toward antivirus software. While it may try to lock files being actively scanned, it will not compete with an antivirus program when the latter attempts to block or take control of a file. This is why antispyware applications can run alongside most antivirus protection without issue.

As mentioned above, Webroot SecureAnywhere works differently from other virus protection. SecureAnywhere does not rely on the customary system of definition sets to make determinations. Instead, this new program examines file behavior and system interaction closely to determine if files are malicious or not. Only files that present risk are examined.

Using the same advanced behavioral detection that determines which files are malicious, SecureAnywhere is able to recognize other virus protection software on your computer as one of “the good guys.” This means SecureAnywhere won’t block with on-access scanning or try to break through legitimate lockouts. In this way, potential software conflicts, and the resulting system slowness and vulnerability, can be avoided. You can run SecureAnywhere alongside another antivirus program safely.

 

If you have any other questions, we encourage you join the Webroot Community to see what other security experts and customers are saying.

Thank you,

The Webroot Support Team

 

I see no reason to doubt Webroot's contention. The question is not whether Webroot is right or wrong but, rather, whether NIS behaves differently (and less effectively) when both it and Webroot are installed. Or to put it another way, does NIS behave differently in any significant way when it detects the presence of Webroot.

 

Does anyone have an answer?

 

Thanks.

It the message is legit and is from "The Webroot Support Team"

 

Stating "e have been getting reports of Norton messages stating to remove Webroot SecureAnywhere from computers using both products. We know of no conflicts between Norton and Webroot SecureAnywhere"

 

 

It would mean that Webroot, have no idea what they are talking about and see it as OK to have 

 

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus

 

 

Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus

 

Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete

 

 

Who the heck would think that 2 Antivirus or 2 Internet security suites running together would not conflict.  It woild be like Norton and BitDefender together etc.

 

Quads

msaltz,

I make no claim to know 'how' the programs work. I do know, from experience, that on any binary device when you try to place two bits in the same place at the same time there will be a problem.

So long as nothing threatening attempts to enter the system there will be no conflicts and all will seem well. That's the false sense of security that can be most dangerous. When the threat/infection arrives and neither program is able to work at its maximum effectiveness, the threat/infection may be able to pass through and do its damage.

I have not found a better way to keep my system clean than to keep one active scanner current and at least one on demand scanner available that I can update and run whenever I feel it necessary. Weekly seems like a good routine. I also do it immediately after I've visited any sites that are out of my normal neighborhood.

I also find it wise to quit everything when the chair / keyboard interface isn't up to full engagement.

Quads has the knowledge and the skills to speak with great authority on the subjects of security programs and threats to systems security. Be wise, listen and learn.

As always

Stay well and surf safe

"So long as nothing threatening attempts to enter the system there will be no conflicts and all will seem well."

 

 

 

What a false statement that is,   use to that here.   

 

 

Quads

 

 

 


Quads wrote:

"So long as nothing threatening attempts to enter the system there will be no conflicts and all will seem well."

 

 

 

What a false statement that is,   use to that here.   

 

 

Quads

 

 

 


My experience, nothing more

At one time webroot use to have spysweeper only where you can install this without any conflicts with Norton, but then they bundled their antivirus and I think firewall as well (not sure about firewall) I havnt used these guys in years. But you cant just get spysweeper alone anymore.

Webroot checks each program as it loads, as does Norton.  Webroot runs in real time as does Norton.  Webroot uses the Windows firewall, which uses the Windows firewall service, but has its own firewall.  It also secures the browser, as does Norton and they both have a password manager.  This has to tell you something.

 

If you turn everything off, you might as well save the money.  Ad-Aware was the same way.  All it ever found was tracking cookies when on a system with Norton.

I don't pretend to know or to think that two anti-virus programs can work simultaneously without conflict. I know, though, that is generally considered to be the case. Webroot's argument seems to be that it does not do things the same way that NIS or other security programs do and that there is no conflict in their case. So my question really is are their claims correct?

 

A further question might be, why does NIS seem not to be able to find the malware that some other programs (like Webroot) are able to find?

For the most part I only ever use NIS. Any threat that was detected was quarintined or deleted immediately by NIS.

 

Once in awhile purely out of curiosity I run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware just to double check and it finds nothing.

 

But yeah it's logic. Two programs designed to do similar tasks running at the same time. Would create conflicts and add to resource use. For example NIS uses 10MB of RAM and Webroot uses 10MB of RAM. Now you're using 20MB instead of 10. That doesn't make much sense.


msaltz wrote:
 

A further question might be, why does NIS seem not to be able to find the malware that some other programs (like Webroot) are able to find?


Basic answer without getting into details - Niorton does not consider certain items (PUPS as an example) in the same category as other programs may consider them, and thus does not detect/remove them.

At least it might ask if I wanted them removed. It is certainly possible that some people want them on their computer. The ones that Malawarebyte and Webroot found are those that I don't want and so, when those programs asked if I wanted to get rid of them, I could. NIS said nothing and thus the need, in my case at least, for other or additional software. Others may feel differently. Or, perhaps, they don't have a granddaughter who is less discriminating than I am when it comes to downloading things.


msaltz wrote:

 

I queried Webroot about the conflict with NIS and received the following response from them:

 

We have been getting reports of Norton messages stating to remove Webroot SecureAnywhere from computers using both products. We know of no conflicts between Norton and Webroot SecureAnywhere and we are working to get Norton to remove this message from their product....

Thank you,  The Webroot Support Team


Hi msaltz:

 

Thanks for posting your questions about Webroot SecureAnywhere.  When NIS v. 20.3.0.36 was released we had a similar issue with Norton products blocking Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (see FattiesGoneWild's thread with 485 replies on this issue here) and Symantec released a patch four months later with v. 20.4.0.40 that removed the block.  I'd be interested to hear if Norton eventually does the same thing with Webroot SecureAnywhere.

 

I'm afraid I don't have enough evidence to definitively answer your question about the dangers of running what Webroot refers to as "antispyware software" along side NIS in real time protection mode, but Symantec posted a support article here about issues that can occur when more than one security product is loaded at boot-up.  I would always advise against running full anti-virus products like McAfee or Kaspersky simultaneously with Norton (see rozermartin27's recent thread here where McAfee caused a conflict with NIS) but I agree with you that Symantec is operating in a grey area if they're going to block software that could quarantine low-risk PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) like ad-ware and browser re-directors that their own product is not designed to detect.

------------
MS Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP2 * Firefox 26.0 * IE 9.0 * NIS 2013 v. 20.4.0.40
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo CPU T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3.0 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS

but I agree with you that Symantec is operating in a grey area if they're going to block software that could quarantine low-risk PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) like ad-ware and browser re-directors that their own product is not designed to detect.

 

Thank you, at least, for that.

 

I wish someone could authoritatively tell me if, in fact, there is a real conflict between Norton and Webroot. So far I have heard nothing in the responses that actually responds to that claim by Norton. It is of little use to say that different security programs have had problems co-existing on the same computer (which, I grant, is true) when Webroot specifically claims that it doesn't because it operates differently than Norton and (I think) other security systems. I have no idea what they would say about other security systems because I didn't ask about them.

There is no way to guarantee anything for you.  Many conflicts are subtle and hidden.  So if you don't know they are there, is there a problem.  Some would say no.  Other times, the system may get a little slower while each one is doing their thing.  If it doesn't bother you, there is no problem.  If you get an infection, which you can do, no matter what is on the system, there are people to help.  So give it a try and see if you can live with it.

I suggestion Always use only One Security Software on your Device .

 

you must first Remove both AVs then reset system and then Decide you want use Norton or Webroot and will install it .

 

Regards ,

 

The bottom line to all this is that if you have two programs operating heuristically, then at some stage they will conflct.

 

That's pure physics. Norton looks for malicious malware such as viruses and other such malware that can cripple your computer and blocks them, before they can do damage.

 

That approach to me, is far more sensible that locking the stable door after the event.

 

Pups and puas are usually not critical, and can be detected by programs such as MalwareBytes and SuperantiSpyware.

 

Use them as back ups, and you'll be covered from most of the bad stuff out there.

 

No one program, does it all.

 

 

I can see where the user is coming from on this.  Norton does not deal with most PUPs, and they are becoming increasingly difficult to deal with.  MBAM is not particularly safe at the moment, and SAS last heard is just really good at collecting tracking cookies. 

 

Some of these PUPs are more than the average computer user can deal with, and supervising the kids on the computer may not do a lot to help.  PUPs are meant to be sneaky.  So while it is preferable to use only one antimalware product on any machine, it would be nice to come up with an alternative.  It is unfortunate that our best advice, no matter how accurate, leaves the user unprotected.

I have beeen using NIS and WSA Complete together for some time and no issues plus the system runs very light. If there is a conflict, I haven't seen one but will post if I do. Thanks  RR


RompinRaider wrote:

I have beeen using NIS and WSA Complete together for some time and no issues plus the system runs very light. If there is a conflict, I haven't seen one but will post if I do. Thanks  RR



Thank you for that. I'm glad to hear that someone on this forum has actually been running both programs and can actually speak from some direct personal experiance.

 

If anyone else has tried running both programs together I'd love to know about their experiance too.

Since every system is completely unique, it still is cause for caution.