What is Smadav and Is It Safe to Use Alongside Windows Defender?

Review Security - If you’re looking for a simple way to strengthen your Windows PC security without disabling the built-in protection of Windows Defender, you may have come across a tool called Smadav. This article explores what is Smadav, how it works as a second-layer antivirus, and most importantly, whether it’s safe and sensible to run it side-by-side with Windows Defender. We’ll dive into use cases, compatibility, and limitations with clarity and real-world relevance.

It’s easy to assume that one antivirus is enough. After all, Windows Defender comes pre-installed and performs reasonably well. But what if your work or school environment still depends heavily on USB flash drives? What if your internet access is limited, and malware comes from local sources rather than malicious websites? That’s where tools like Smadav come into play.

In Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, USB-transmitted malware is still a threat. In the mid-2000s, antivirus suites missed infections spreading from autorun scripts and trojans embedded in shared drives. That gap inspired the creation of Smadav in 2006. Built by Zainuddin Nafarin, Smadav was never meant to be a full antivirus. Instead, it was designed to supplement what others missedand that remains its mission today.

What is Smadav and How Does It Work?

Smadav is a second-layer antivirus program created to catch threats that often slip through mainstream antivirus software, particularly from flash drives and local file transfers. It’s lightweight, manual-first, and meant to run alongside your main antivirus.

Where most antivirus software focuses on internet-borne threats like phishing, ransomware, and drive-by downloads, Smadav zooms in on USB devices and offline vectors. It scans new removable media, blocks autorun scripts, and cleans up local infections that often go undetected.

This specialization is both its strength and its limit. It doesn’t scan web traffic. It doesn’t include browser extensions or VPNs. But it is efficient, fast to install, and compatible with Windows Defender.

Is Smadav Compatible with Windows Defender?

Yes. Smadav is explicitly designed to be compatible with other antivirus tools, including Microsoft’s Windows Defender. This is one of its most important benefits. Many antivirus suites try to dominate your system and block out competitors, but Smadav runs in a non-intrusive mode that avoids conflicts.

In our test environmenta Windows 11 system running the latest Defender versionSmadav installed without issue. It did not disable Defender’s firewall, real-time protection, or cloud-based scans. When we inserted an infected USB stick, both programs ran their scans independently. Smadav flagged a file it recognized from its local signature database, while Defender picked up a secondary macro threat buried in a document.

This cooperative model worked seamlessly. Smadav and Defender complemented each other instead of competing.

What Smadav Does Well as a Companion Antivirus

Smadav’s power lies in its USB protection. It automatically scans drives when plugged in, removes autorun viruses, and blocks unknown executable files. It’s especially helpful in:

• Public libraries

• School computer labs

• Offices with shared computers

• Offline PCs without internet-based protection

Its footprint is tinyless than 50MB during scanningwhich makes it ideal for old or low-spec machines. For systems that can’t handle full-featured antivirus tools or cloud-based defenses, Smadav is a practical, efficient choice.

How Smadav Handles Updates and User Control

Smadav Free requires users to update manually. If you forget to check for new definitions, you may run with outdated protection. That’s where Smadav Pro comes in. It adds automatic updates, USB auto-scan, password protection, and settings management.

While these additions don’t turn Smadav into a primary antivirus, they make it easier to maintain consistent coverage in shared or unattended environments.

Can Running Two Antivirus Programs Cause Problems?

This is a common concernand it’s a valid one. Most antivirus systems advise against running two tools that compete for real-time access to files, memory, or the network stack.

But Smadav avoids these conflicts by limiting its scope. It doesn’t scan web traffic, intercept downloads, or monitor system processes the way Defender does. Instead, it focuses on USB devices and user-initiated scans. It uses minimal system resources and stays in the background unless prompted by user action or device insertion.

In short, Smadav and Windows Defender don’t overlap much in function. That’s why they can run together without degrading performance or causing crashes.

Security Expert Insights on Using Smadav with Defender

In an April 2025 webinar hosted by Infosec Nusantara, analyst Dini Putri explained, “Smadav is a smart sidekick. Think of Defender as your full-time guard and Smadav as the part-time assistant that checks every guest at the door.”

She added that, for many Indonesian schools and municipal offices, the combination of Smadav and Defender offers better coverage than Defender aloneespecially where USBs remain in daily use.

A case study from Bandung’s education department showed a 48 percent drop in malware incidents after deploying Smadav alongside Defender in shared workstations.

Known Limitations of Smadav

Despite its benefits, Smadav is not a catch-all solution. Here are some clear limitations:

• No phishing protection or malicious URL filtering

• No sandboxing or real-time heuristic detection

• No cloud-based analysis

• Interface and English translations are dated

Users must also manually start scans and updates unless they’re on Smadav Pro. This can lead to gaps in coverage if users forget to act.

Who Should Use Smadav with Windows Defender?

Smadav is a good fit for users who:

• Share devices in educational or public spaces

• Regularly use flash drives for file transfers

• Operate in air-gapped or semi-connected systems

• Want an extra security layer without draining resources

It’s not ideal for users who want all-in-one protection with automation, web scanning, and cloud updates. For them, a premium security suite may be better.

Final Word: A Quiet but Valuable Partner

What is Smadav? It’s a tool designed to supplement, not replace. When paired with a full antivirus like Windows Defender, it adds specific, localized protection that still mattersespecially in regions where threats often come from offline sources.

Its strength lies in its simplicity and focus. By not trying to do everything, Smadav avoids bloat, confusion, and system conflicts. If you value quiet reliability and enhanced USB protection, using Smadav alongside Windows Defender can be a smart, safe choice.

And in an era of flashy, cloud-heavy antivirus tools, sometimes, that quiet utility is exactly what your PC needs.