Can I work, surf or play when I am doing an antivirus or antimalware scan?

[Battousai001]

I would just like to confirm, although I believe that it is ok to use the computer when your scanning. Can I work, surf or play when I am doing an antivirus or antimalware scan in the background? or if I do is that advisable or should I just leave the scanning and use the computer after all scanning is done?

 

[RichNY]

It's fine to work/play while the scan is running. The only issue is performance. On my C2D E6600 system using Norton Internet Security 2008 there's no noticeable performance impact using the machine while scanning.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Usually during a ROUTINE scan, I'd go ahead and browse the web, read documents / email, etc.

Many fast action / high performance games may be sufficiently slowed that it could be a bit of a problem depending on your system.

On the other hand if you KNOW or BELIEVE you have malware I would do as LITTLE AS POSSIBLE on that PC EXCEPT scan / repair it.

 

[Oakenfold]

As others have said the only impact using a computer while performing any kind of A/V, Malware, Crapware scan is a performance hit. Unless of course the software you are running mandates that you not touch the computer while the program runs.