FortiClient
FortiClient proactively defends against advanced attacks. Its tight integration with the Security Fabric enables policy-based automation to contain threats and control outbreaks. FortiClient is compatible with Fabric-Ready partners to further strengthen enterprises’ security posture.
Jonathan_Body_FTNT
Article Id 192863
Description
This article explains that it is best practice not to run FortiClient and another AntiVirus program concurrently prior to FortiClient 3.0 MR6.

Scope
All FortiClient users

Solution
Running the FortiClient with other AntiVirus software may result in them conflicting with each other. When FortiClient is running pre FortiClient 3.0 MR6, the Client always tries to detect whether there is any conflict with other AntiVirus software therefore if the Client detects such a conflict , FortiClient will turnoff its RealTime protection to avoid any system lockup.

Solution for FortiClient users running FortiOS 3.0 pre MR6

FortiClient must run alone for optimized performance and avoid system conflicts which will lockup the and stop the FortiClient from working.

Since the release of FortiClient 3.0 MR6 the FortiClient possesses an enhanced AntiVirus system driver. This means that the FortiClient is fully compliant with the new Windows mini-filter monitor model. The Windows filter manager uses the FortiClient minifilter driver concurrently with other AntiVirus software installed on a PC, thus avoiding conflicts between AntiVirus programs.

This can be resumed in the below diagram:

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When more than one antivirus program is installed on a PC, the filter manager calls each driver’s pre-operation callback routine in order from highest to lowest (A,B,C), and then forwards the I/O request to the next-lower driver for further processing. When the filter manager receives the I/O request for completion, it calls each minifilter driver’s post-operation callback routine in reverse order, from lowest to highest (C, B, A). FortiClient can safely coexist with other antivirus software.

Solution for FortiClient users running FortiClient 3.0 MR6 and above

FortiClient should run concurrently with other AntiVirus software installed on a PC, should you encounter any problems with this functionality please contact support.


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