I know you can't have more than one anti-viral software program on a computer (I suppose they try & duke it out on your hard drive) but does anyone know if you can run more than one anti-spyware programs? For instance running MS Defender as well as Norton?

Norton should be avoided at all costs!

I've got at least three anti-spyware/malware on my PC. No harm so far
Got AVG anti virus (8.0), malwarebytes, spybot S&D, ad-aware, xsoft etc.

Norton tends to be a resource hog and over protective typically causing the user to become so frustrated with it that they would rather go without anti-virus then deal with Norton so its typically best to avoid it if at all cost. I also use AVG. I recommend it because its free for private use. I also use spy-bot S&D for my spyware/malware needs but i have been known to drift occasionally to other products that are free just to test them and make sure what i typically use is still covering all bases

I have had about 5 spyware programs installed at the same time . I Disable the autodetect function so they won't conflict - I do keep one program on autodetect and scan my pc with the others periodically .

Before scanning I disable the autoprotect and enable it afterwards . This has worked for me .

Yeah, cheers. I have Norton as part of the Broadband package so I have already paid for it. I think it has got a bit more user friendly than it was. It is a bit like the Gestapo at times though LOL!

I suppose as long as you aren't running (scanning) them all at the same time they are ok then?

That sounds like a good idea, to disable the autodetect for a bit. So you think that MS Defender & Norton won't duke it out on my hard drive then?

I would just like to thank everyone for their replies. I assume it is comparatively safe for me to use at least 2 anti spyware programs (even if one of them is Norton)!

It's perfectly safe provided you have enough resources to run them both at once without any deficiency in PC performance.
I use AVG on one of my home PCs and Symantec Coorporate edition on all my other PCs. The SAV Corp edition works very well and doesn't chew up resources like the consumer version of Norton does.

OK, I have the Norton because it is with the BT Yahoo broadband deal that I have. It doesn't seem that bad to be honest & is no slower than Bullguard that I had on the machine for a 3 month trial. I had to 86 the Bullguard totally before installing the Norton. I think I will stay with the Norton stuff on its own. I tried running Defender a bit & I noticed no real performance drop, nothing discernible anyhow. Cheers for the info.

Agreed. Same thing here. Then if that's isn't enough I run Ewido online scanner on top of those, just to be cautious. So, far I've never had a problem.

avoid NORTON.. PERIOD!

The only av program I use is Trend. (which also has an anti spyware included)

Is there anything else I should know about Norton? (It can't be that bad surely)

I've been running Norton for years, never had any problems with it at all. Unless you bought your computer in the nineties you don't have to worry about it being a resource hog, it doesn't take up much memory at all.

Cheers. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it to be honest. I think it just has a bad reputation. It is efficient, I will give it that. My laptop is 3 months old & I am running Vista Home Premium. Everyone said that was rubbish as well. IE7 is a little slow & jittery. But that's why they invented Firefox & Safari! LOL