Bitdefender Internet Security 2012 And Zonealarm 2012 Extreme Security

Pwush

Hello. It seems that BitDefender 2012 Internet Security will not be installed unless I remove ZoneAlarm Extreme Security 2012. First, I don't remember seeing that incompatibility issue on the Internet Security page, but I may have missed it and didn't realize it. But now that I have BD 2012, how can I install it and still keep ZoneAlarm? I am running BD 2012 64 bit, on a Windows 7 platform. Thank you.

Unknown

Hello and welcome on our Forums!

Usually when you use more than one security solutions on the same computer, the system may become unstable. This happens because all security solutions try to scan a file whenever one is accessed but they cannot do it at the same time, so this causes either slowdowns or crashes.

All the security solutions perform their job based on a similar architecture; thus having two or more security solutions installed may lead to slowdowns or even serious system crashes (each security solution will scan each other before scanning the actual files that need protection). We strongly recommend keeping only one security solution installed on your computer. If you have more than one antivirus (antispyware, anti-adware, firewall) on your machine then the software will conflict causing system slowness or Windows/BitDefender crashes.

That is the reason why you were asked to uninstall Zone Alarm Extreme security upon installing BitDefender Internet Security 2012. Zone Alarm is compatible with BitDefender, however this only apply for BitDefender Antivirus and Zone Alarm Firewall.

If you have any further queries don't hesitate to contact us anytime!

Best regards,

Pwush

Thank you for the prompt response. I do appreciate it.

I understand your point, and how more than one antivirus can cause an unstable system. But, I wasn't planning on using Zone Alarm's Antivirus component, just some of its other elements. If possible, I would like to have both systems, with me deciding which components I want to use. I'll risk the instability, if any.

I wouldn't have purchased BD 2012 Internet Security had I known I would be forced to make such a choice, especially after I've purchased both components. So now I have paid for a system that I cannot use because the other won't allow it. So would you be kind enough to either assist me in installing BD, and I'll risk the instability if any, or to return BD. No sense in having two internet suites, and I had purchased ZoneAlarm beforehand.

I also suggest you clearly put on the webpage that talks about BD Internet Security 2012 its incompatibility with ZoneAlarm or other internet suites/security systems. Might as well help someone else avoid this situation, if possible.

Thank you for your assistance. It is apprciated.

nikki605

Both the ZA & BD websites have similar warnings about running multiple AV products:

Regards,

Pwush

Dear Nikki605,

Thank for showing me these. I appreciate it, and it shows I hadn't seen them. A mistake on my part which I recognize.

If I may respectfully point out, though, both warnings talk about "if". I have ZoneAlarm loaded previously with another type of antivirus, and there was no conflict. Both worked quite well together. The warning for BD mentions that it "recommends" not having two antiviruses, that there are negative effects with having two antivirus programs. I understand that.

But with BD 2012 Internet Security, there is no "if". At the moment of installation of BD 2012, I was given the option of either removing ZoneAlarm or not installing BD, at all. Not a warning that there may be a conflict, or that their could be a negative impact. It was just a message saying I had the choice of one or the other, no choice for the user to implement both. This differs from the fact that I just recently had BD 2011 Internet Security with Zone Alarm, and they both worked fine together. Only with the upgrade to BD 2012 was I required to make the choice of keeping one or the other. It seems to me that forcing the user to pick exclusively between one product or other at the moment of installation goes beyond the warning of "there *may* be a conflict." BD 2012 won't even allow me to attempt a re-install of ZoneAlarm. It blocks all attempts.

I like both products, and I use them for different reasons. I would like to find a way to install both. Yes, I understand there may be a conflict. I accept that responsibility. It will be my choice to do this. All I am asking for is some assistance to find a way to install both, or if that is not possible, then I shall just return BD 2012 and try going back to what I have left on the BD 2011, which did work with Zone Alarm. Thank you.

Pwush

Here is the message I get when I try installing BD2012 when I have ZoneAlarm in place.

As I said, I like both products, and I've been happy with BD in the past. I'd like to continue using both, and that is why I am here, asking for help to see if it's a possibility, or not.

Thank you.

nikki605

No. Those web pages are typically not written by technical people. If they were, I'm sure the wording would be much stronger.

I recommend that you do a web search for multiple antivirus programs and read some of the results, such as:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus_software (read the System and interoperability related issues section)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic186533.html

Regards,

Pwush

Thank you, nikki605. I'm currently reading one of those links.

I do hope your tech department can help me with finding a way of loading both systems. As I mentioned, I am happy with BD, and would like to continue with it but not if I have to give up the other.

Unknown

Hello Pwush,

Please provide me with a download link of the Zone Alarm Security version you are using. I will conduct some tests and find a way for you to use both. Allow me to remind you that it's strongly recommended not to use multiple security solutions on the same PC and if you are doing it, you are doing it on your own risk.

Regards,

Pwush

Hello DanyDan,

Thank you for trying to find a solution. I understand the risk, and I take responsibility for putting multiple security solutions on my computer. It is under my own risk, and I understand that.

I've sent a message to you with the link. Once again, thank you!

rootkit

Hi

Thank you for your feedback.

Have a nice day.