"I don't need anti virus software", says user.

[k0NG0]

I don't really buy into the whole "I don't like processes running in the background" complaint. First of all, there are lots of OS services that run in the background and that can't be switched off. I would argue that system security should be such an integral OS service, and thus shouldn't be possible to disable (and that current OSes are flawed by design).

Furthermore, if an application doesn't need CPU time, it won't use it. Simple as that. For most users the System Idle Process will have a huge part of the total CPU time (usually the largest part of all applications). And that's time that's not used for anything useful. So, using it for a firewall and an AV program instead of for nothing seems like a reasonable trade-off.

Temporarily disabling the AV program during gaming can perhaps be a worthwhile thing performance-wise, although I'd like to see numbers and not "it feels like it's faster" kind-of quotes. If it doesn't provide you with a significant increase (more than say 5%) then I don't see the point (unless you're benchmarking or something else as useless).

Disabling a firewall should never be done. Unless it's to start a different firewall or to shut off the computer. Never. It makes no sense. It's a bit like driving with your eyes closed...

[PCBruiser]

I completely agree, kONGO, with your analysis. And, this also seems like a good place to put another link to the ABX paper "Securing Windows XP":

http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showth...ewpost&t=83569

[proFeign]

Originally Posted by grsamf

...........snow tires, ABS, and other safety features often taking the place of commone sense. Winter safety features in cars are not intended to replace common sense, but to supplement it. Likewise, security measures should not take the place of common sense ........

This thread distesses me.

Ha! Perfect analogy, if I do say so myself. I'm kind of an acronym junkie, and if you've ever noticed that your car (or any car) usually has something like "SRS Airbag" or "SRS System" which means, drum roll: "Supplemental Restraint System."

Here's another analogy for this thread:

There's no insurance for stupidity, but not taking basic precautions is like having bald tires and bad brakes on your car because "I'm a great driver and I never have to stop abruptly." It's simply foolish because you're assuming that you know everything about what will happen in the future. Plus when you're "driving" with other people( s' data) in your "car," you're being doubly careless, and you should rightfully be liable for any security problems because you refused to take basic precautions.

-:P

[Deer Slayer]

Originally Posted by proFeign

It's not worth half and hour of your time to install AVG Free so your system doesn't get hosed again? I have to believe that no matter how dumb this particular dumbarse was, he/she would not have persisted in executing if they got a "VIRUS!" warning...

I don't think most of that would have shown up as a virus anyway, it was mostly spyware. My problem with antivirus stuff is it's almost completely ineffective in preventing things like browser hijacks and spyware, which should be classified as viruses. Most of what was on my laptop was spyware and malware, things av software doesn't usually pick up. I might give AVG a try on the laptop, but I bet it gets hosed again. That's why I have it, so people don't bork my puter with instant messenger and other online stupidity. The only things that showed up in the virus scans were a couple trojans that were never executed. I've seen puters with antivirus software kept up vigilantly get hosed, and the people say "but I had XXXXX antivirus, shouldn't that have stopped it?". All I can do is roll my eyes and try not to laugh. I've been running for 2 years without a format or antivirus garbage, and had very few viruses. I got the blaster worm when it first came out, and various trojans from doing stuff I shouldn't have been doing. Most of the time when I download a trojan I know it's a virus before I run it. Don't get me wrong, I beleive completely in scanning you hard drive to make sure there's nothing nasty lurking on it waiting for a double click. If there was an AV software that ran like adaware, where you open it up, update it, and scan that would be what I'd want. None of that junk that throws a little icon in the system tray saying you're protected and does nothing. Panda's activescan is the closest thing I can find to that, so that's what I use. I'll install AVG on the laptop to check it out, but I'll probably ditch it after a couple days. Who knows, maybe this one will prove itself, you guys seem to like it.

[pointreyes]

Deer Slayer, what about housecall? Have you tried something like?
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[ChevyBlazerBoy]

I got the blaster worm when it first came out, and various trojans from doing stuff I shouldn't have been doing.

Thanks for being a contributor to the virus world. Just one more computer to spread viruses to other people is all we really need.

Most of the time when I download a trojan I know it's a virus before I run it.

What has this world come too?

[Lucas_Maximus]

yes not doing stupid things like downloading virus.vbs is and other sensible stuff is a good way to protect yourself.

but i was on the internet for 2 minutes without a firewall before i caught the blaster worm, with a firwall i didnt get it at all when i was installing windows XP for a friend.

Norton 2003 picked up that I had some virsu or other after a reboot after it was installed. Worth the subsciption. was removed easily.

The software firewall keeps funny stuff from getting in the hardware firwall doesn't catch.

And they all use up buggar all CPU and ram. Why not use it? Trust me when a virus moves through your system destroying all your data and you can't do jack about it because you didnt have AV you will invest in it in future.

[Deer Slayer]

Originally Posted by ChevyBlazerBoy

Thanks for being a contributor to the virus world. Just one more computer to spread viruses to other people is all we really need.



What has this world come too?

I hope my computer gave yours a couple little bugs, just to spread the misery.

Seriously, you need to lighten up. I had the blaster worm for all of about an hour, and my system got patched. The process associated with it never ran for more than a few seconds. This is when I had 56k and windows update was out of the question or it never would have happened. I haven't had any of the other worms that have come out since. As for trojans, they're not exactly hard to identify, and I've never actually run one, unless I knew what it did before hand. The paranoia level arround here is insane, I'm not exactly comfortable with viruses. but most of them have to be executed manually. As long as you have a good firewall so that they can't be planted and remotely executed, the only person you have to fear is yourself.

[proFeign]

Originally Posted by Deer Slayer

... I'll install AVG on the laptop to check it out, but I'll probably ditch it after a couple days. Who knows, maybe this one will prove itself, you guys seem to like it.

I highly recommend AVG Free. Check out the memory footprint and how it works for a week or two and if it doesn't work for you then by all means go back to your way. Give it an honest shot though, and see if it doesn't make your life a little easier

-k

[Wai_Wai]

I don't think it is wise to do so.

You can get a virus and you don't know you have got into trouble already. As long as the virus doesn't damage you seriously, you may feel your computer is fine without anti-virus programs.

Some viruses (eg trojans) do things secretly. You never know you are in trouble, you are apparently fine and your computer has no apparent problems at all.

Even if you are alert and use safely (Eg browser safe websites, don't download suspicous files), you can still get viruses.

Once you are connected to the Internet, that's it! You grant your chance to get in touch with a virus.

Read this:

>>> Connect to the Internet. That's it! [You will get viruses.]
Q: Why? I am a very alert user. I will only browse the most reputable websites. I don't install any suspicious things (even *.txt). I think I am safe enough.

A: Unfortunately it is not. No operating system is perfect. They all have "security holes" which can be exploited by a new type of viruses in order to infect the computer, without asking you any permission at ANY time at ANY situation.
They are free from devastating your computer. By the way, most villains will attack Microsoft Windows since it occupies a majority of the market.

Alertness cannot help you any in the above situation. Strong viruses don't need to ask your permission at ANY time at ANY situation, not to say there are some more situations which alertness alone doesn't help.

So installing a good anti-virus program (Yes! it has to be good!) is adding a thick layer of protection against viruses. Even some anti-virus programs can detect unknown or newborn viruses by their heuristic systems. But note, while it is helpful to pinpoint unknown viruses at one time, they will generate more false positives (ie wrong ly claims of infected files). But if we use wisely, it is not a big issue.

Installing a program just costs you a few clicks and can cost you no money (if you use freeware!). But if you refuse to install a program which can protect you, you risk having very big troubles and pains.

The only safe way we can really live without anti-virus programs:
- don't connect to the Internet anymore
- don't insert any suspicous FD/CD/files
- don't transfer any file to that computer
- keep your computer completely isolated from the rest of the world

[surfandcross]

Since this thread was posted, I have been reading what everybody had to say about "having or not having" a AV installed on the pc. Yesterday I had to fix someone else pc (work) cuzz he decide to turn off the antivirus cuzz he did not like the weekly scans trigger by the server….. That seem ok (to him) since our network is protected (more than 25,000 clients world wide) and still that pc got infected by a virus (plus some spyware too) and as a result I had to spend 4 hours of my precious time to fix it. (got sooo ****** that almost told the guy that the data was lost)

I do think AV are necessary as well as hardware and Software Firewalls, it may sound a bit to over protected to some but I rather have them ( @ least 2 of the possible combination) than me trying to fix something that could have been prevented. That some AV works better than others is "true", that some takes more resources than others "true" but knowing the standard hardware of PC'S they are capable of running them without any problem.

Having antivirus software still is a wise decision (in my opinion)

[Wai_Wai]

In fact I would like to install more than 1 anti-virus program, but this may cause some problems, even less install 2 firewalls.

Now what I do to protect my computer:
- 1 anti-virus program (using AVG currently. Still figuring out the best AV program)
- 1 firewall (Zone Alarm) [NB: Norton scored poorly in the leak tests!]
- 1 anti-spyware (I wonder if I need to turn on real-time protection as well.)

[proFeign]

Originally Posted by Wai_Wai

In fact I would like to install more than 1 anti-virus program, but this may cause some problems, even less install 2 firewalls.

Now what I do to protect my computer:
- 1 anti-virus program (using AVG currently. Still figuring out the best AV program)
- 1 firewall (Zone Alarm) [NB: Norton scored poorly in the leak tests!]
- 1 anti-spyware (I wonder if I need to turn on real-time protection as well.)

I have found that AVG Free works just fine simultaneously with NAV or McAfee VS. I only use AVG Free now, but if you already have NAV or MVS you might as well install it and see if it catches anything that NAV or MVS doesn't...

For machines that don't have virus protection or don't have current virus definitions I won't even log into my e-mail to check it. I'd rather wait... Not worth the potential risks.

[Wai_Wai]

In fact, if you don't have anti-virus programs, the safe bet is plug off your cable. Internet is too dangerous for you without any AV program.

[wallijonn]

Originally Posted by surfandcross

I had to spend 4 hours of my precious time to fix it. (got sooo ****** that almost told the guy that the data was lost).

May I suggest Bart's PE? You can create a bootable CD which has a McAfee plug-in which you update with their latest .sdat. It also has an AdawareSE plugin which you update with the latest updates. It also has a Stinger update.

You could burn it to CDRW and update as needed.

It'll still take you 4 hours, but the process is automated, for the most part.

I'll be putting an ad in the paper to do just that - anti virus, anti-spyware scanning for flat rates. Securing and tuning the OS will be another flat rate.

I just wish someone would create a TDS-3 plug-in for Bart's PE.