General Discussions

**Learning Newbie** · 06-20-2007, 07:31 PM

A friend told me he doesn't use any virus scanners, and that he removes them from all of his friends computers when they ask for help. I was horrified, so he gave me this speech about how they're reactive and always playing catch up, how they use up resources, and all of that, and that everyone is just better off without them.

Now I have a mental image of a dude in a wig flying a kite in a thunder storm, maybe with a metal key tied to the end of the string, and standing in a puddle of water. I'm really not as smart as most of the people here, but I know enough to be dangerous. And I know if I can break a computer without even trying, people who spend their time making better viruses (virii?) can outsmart me for sure.

Am I being too overprotective, or does my friend have a digital deathwish?

**Cheshire_cat** · 06-20-2007, 07:37 PM

Unless you have a mac or you do not have the internet, I would hate to think of having a computer without an anti virus. - but thats just me.

**Learning Newbie** · 06-20-2007, 07:56 PM

See? Great minds think alike!

**ForrestCroce** · 06-20-2007, 08:55 PM

I think there's probably something in between "I'll take my chances" and "I don't mind reinstalling Windows every month." I'm using a slow, older computer until I get my laptop fixed, and it really doesn't have the horsepower for an AV. And having worked as a developer for too many years, I have a pretty good idea what I should or shouldn't be doing online. That's not always right, but I've only ever had to deal with one virus, since the pre-DOS days.

Also, with the experience I've had, I'm just not going to pay for a subscription to the anti-viral software. So if I was relying on the McCafee that came preinstalled, it would be far out of date by now, and not protect me from the latest and greatest digital nasties ... if I let my guard down and started surfing porn sites, that's probably worse than not using one at all, and knowing you need some caution.

Plus, I could be wrong here, but it seems computer viruses are old hat. Everyone is moving to spamdexing, phishing, and other ways to make a profit. I keep reading that the only viruses people are actively writing these days are to try to take corporate data hostage.

**hairatheesh** · 06-21-2007, 12:55 AM

-=- I Use AVG free edition -=-

-=-

**francesca_luise** · 06-21-2007, 04:50 AM

For me its still advisable to use anti virus specially when you have internet connections.. Right now im using a license avast anti virus

**HowLong** · 06-21-2007, 05:03 AM

Yes I use it. It is very impotant thing.

**Sczzy** · 06-21-2007, 10:31 AM

Like ForrestCroce said if you do not mind reinstalling windows every time you get hit than take your chances.

I also use spyware and adware protector.

**kensei** · 06-21-2007, 08:20 PM

Antivirus and AntiSpyware are very important softwares today because new viruses/trojans come out veryday.
Just imagine in a nice day, you discover your personal information/pictures and/or your bank accounts are posted somewhere in the Internet and anyone can use it for whatever they want; or your computer suddently freezes and you lost all of your data; how can you deal with it?

For me, I use Norton Internet Security + Ad-Aware at their full power. Pay more money for a good Processor but I get more security.

**EGS** · 06-22-2007, 01:06 AM

Antivirus, Antispyware, and Antiadware are absolutely necessary for PCs, computers powered by Windows operating systems because the OS is so vulnerable to attacks.

So yes, do make sure you have antivirus if you have Windows, or you WILL be ****ed. I personally use AntiVir, a free antivirus software ever since AVG went all-out paid.