Solve : Why Antivirus Software??

1.	Solve : Why Antivirus Software??
Answer» If one takes, in theory, reasonable precautions to protect one's computer, is antivirus software necessary? If one uses a browser like Firefox, from which one can control (through extensions) scripting and other elements, and uses programs like HijackThis to monitor (and prohibit new) processes running on the computer, and perhaps uses a firewall, aren't those kinds of things enough?One very simple ANSWER - you need antivirus, which monitors your computer constantly in real time. Second thing, you have to have is firewall.Quote from: Broni on March 11, 2008, 10:47:30 PM One very simple answer - you need antivirus, which monitors your computer constantly in real time. Second thing, you have to have is firewall. This is true, as spyware cannot get every thing. Just how there programed. One may be programmed to do things that others WONT look for. A side from most virus scanner running the moment the pc boots into the desktop.Another way to look at it is this. If you think you are the safest internet user in the world so decide you can do without running an antivirus but still somehow do pick up a nasty virus/trojan. You won't know about it until it is too late. In the time it takes you to figure it out (which could be a matter of minutes) the virus/trojan could be stealing your personal info and sending all of your contacts in your address book spam or worse links infected with a virus or trojan. They could then forward it on, and on, and on.... So you could be infecting thousands of people simply by thinking you're safe enough to not get infected. Pretty much like a condom no? So do everyone a favor (me included) use an AV and Firewall.To add to the excellent comments above the malware writers have become so sophisticated that there are now tons of ways to get infected... Years back you had to actually DLoad something and open it to get nabbed... These days you can get infected just by visiting a dubious site, reading an Instant Message, clicking on a pop-up etc. In the words of QMan: The Bad Guys don't need a Search Warrant to get into your machine...Protect Yourself !All right. I thank you all for your replies. I'm not going to mention any brand names, but some of my experience with anti-virus and firewall software is that they can really slow down your computer, or in some cases, even repeatedly crash the operating system. I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to MAKE. (And yes, I know that "Take A Hike" is NOT a brand of software.) You may mention price and, if you care to, reasons why you like a particular software. Thanks! A completely FREE protection package: Anti-Virus Avast AVG Free (Choose only one) Other Protection Select them all. AdAware Spybot AVG Anti-Spyware ( Different than AVG AV) CCleaner Comodo Free Firewall. WinPatrol (Donations accepted) This will give you a well rounded defense as long as you maintain and scan regularly and practice reasonably safe browsing ...Quote I'm not going to mention any brand names, but some of my experience with anti-virus and firewall software is that they can really slow down your computer, or in some cases, even repeatedly crash the operating system. That's very true, and since we live in a free country, why not to mention names? Two of them for sure: NORTON McAFEEThanks for the advice. When I first put up the post, I thought people might not want to take it seriously, but I meant it for everyone -- especially novices. Yes, as far as antivirus, Norton SystemWorks was PROBLEMATIC -- well INTENTIONED, I'm sure, but taking over your system just as critically in its own way. I ran PCTools free firewall for a while, but then every so often, it just made the computer unbearable -- crashes, not allowing certain non-internet related software to run. I will certainly check out your recommendations list. I am impressed that you consistently recommend these to other users, too. Thanks, again. BrianI ran PC Tools firewall for a couple of weeks, too, but as well, being disappointed, got rid of it.Every software is differnt, so there mite be one that has differnt setting that you like better. Never run more then one anti virus on your sytem as it will cause problems. Also, use a pop up blocker as this will help. I heard that zone Alarm is a good firewall.Yes, I do know that you shouldn't run more than one anti-virus program. I recently advised a coworker of the same. It's a good reminder, though, and things are worth mentiioning periodically, since there are new users on the forum all the time. My first computer I had no anti-virus and I quickly got the Klez virus. Now, when installing a new O.S., the first thing I do before I even connect up to the internet, is to install a good anti-virus and then firewall. I know that there are many viruses out there just waiting to infect my computer. Yes, AVG is great and it is free. Why pay for something you can get for free? I've had it for years and can't remember the last time I got a virus since using it. I do not like Zone Alarm where it keeps popping up messages asking if you want something to pass through. I prefer firewalls that just works silently in the background with little or no input from you.Security suites "can" and usually do slow down and crash PCs. Thats why it is normally suggested to use a mix of different products (free or paid) that are known for their low resource usage. Mention any brand you like, the more knowledge we have from users only helps us have good recommendations for posts like these.

Answer»

If one takes, in theory, reasonable precautions to protect one's computer, is antivirus software necessary?

If one uses a browser like Firefox, from which one can control (through extensions) scripting and other elements, and uses programs like HijackThis to monitor (and prohibit new) processes running on the computer, and perhaps uses a firewall, aren't those kinds of things enough?One very simple ANSWER - you need antivirus, which monitors your computer constantly in real time.
Second thing, you have to have is firewall.Quote from: Broni on March 11, 2008, 10:47:30 PM

One very simple answer - you need antivirus, which monitors your computer constantly in real time.
Second thing, you have to have is firewall.

This is true, as spyware cannot get every thing. Just how there programed. One may be programmed to do things that others WONT look for. A side from most virus scanner running the moment the pc boots into the desktop.Another way to look at it is this. If you think you are the safest internet user in the world so decide you can do without running an antivirus but still somehow do pick up a nasty virus/trojan. You won't know about it until it is too late. In the time it takes you to figure it out (which could be a matter of minutes) the virus/trojan could be stealing your personal info and sending all of your contacts in your address book spam or worse links infected with a virus or trojan. They could then forward it on, and on, and on.... So you could be infecting thousands of people simply by thinking you're safe enough to not get infected. Pretty much like a condom no?

So do everyone a favor (me included) use an AV and Firewall.To add to the excellent comments above the malware writers have become so sophisticated that there are now tons of ways to get infected...
Years back you had to actually DLoad something and open it to get nabbed...
These days you can get infected just by visiting a dubious site, reading an Instant Message, clicking on a pop-up etc.

In the words of QMan:
The Bad Guys don't need a Search Warrant to get into your machine...Protect Yourself !All right. I thank you all for your replies.

I'm not going to mention any brand names, but some of my experience with anti-virus and firewall software is that they can really slow down your computer, or in some cases, even repeatedly crash the operating system.

I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone would care to MAKE. (And yes, I know that "Take A Hike" is NOT a brand of software.) You may mention price and, if you care to, reasons why you like a particular software.

Thanks!
A completely FREE protection package:

Anti-Virus

Avast
AVG Free

(Choose only one)

Other Protection
Select them all.

AdAware

Spybot

AVG Anti-Spyware ( Different than AVG AV)

CCleaner

Comodo Free Firewall.

WinPatrol
(Donations accepted)

This will give you a well rounded defense as long as you maintain and scan regularly and practice reasonably safe browsing ...Quote

I'm not going to mention any brand names, but some of my experience with anti-virus and firewall software is that they can really slow down your computer, or in some cases, even repeatedly crash the operating system.

That's very true, and since we live in a free country, why not to mention names?
Two of them for sure:
NORTON
McAFEEThanks for the advice. When I first put up the post, I thought people might not want to take it seriously, but I meant it for everyone -- especially novices.

Yes, as far as antivirus, Norton SystemWorks was PROBLEMATIC -- well INTENTIONED, I'm sure, but taking over your system just as critically in its own way.

I ran PCTools free firewall for a while, but then every so often, it just made the computer unbearable -- crashes, not allowing certain non-internet related software to run.

I will certainly check out your recommendations list. I am impressed that you consistently recommend these to other users, too.

Thanks, again.
BrianI ran PC Tools firewall for a couple of weeks, too, but as well, being disappointed, got rid of it.Every software is differnt, so there mite be one that has differnt setting that you like better. Never run more then one anti virus on your sytem as it will cause problems. Also, use a pop up blocker as this will help.

I heard that zone Alarm is a good firewall.Yes, I do know that you shouldn't run more than one anti-virus program. I recently advised a coworker of the same. It's a good reminder, though, and things are worth mentiioning periodically, since there are new users on the forum all the time. My first computer I had no anti-virus and I quickly got the Klez virus. Now, when installing a new O.S., the first thing I do before I even connect up to the internet, is to install a good anti-virus and then firewall. I know that there are many viruses out there just waiting to infect my computer. Yes, AVG is great and it is free. Why pay for something you can get for free? I've had it for years and can't remember the last time I got a virus since using it.
I do not like Zone Alarm where it keeps popping up messages asking if you want something to pass through. I prefer firewalls that just works silently in the background with little or no input from you.Security suites "can" and usually do slow down and crash PCs. Thats why it is normally suggested to use a mix of different products (free or paid) that are known for their low resource usage.

Mention any brand you like, the more knowledge we have from users only helps us have good recommendations for posts like these.

Solve : Why Antivirus Software??

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