[RESOLVED] What do you think?

[pumpkinhead77]

I am begining to wonder if getting a virus protection program is a good idea for a home user. I mean, I have been using computers for 6 years and I have yet to get a virus on MY pc. It is my belief that if you are careful then you will not get a virus. What do you all think?

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If it's not broken....Fix it!

[jay015]

6 years....Lucky. Personally, I won't take that chance. Always have an up to date AV on my home pc & I can't really say that it bogs down performance any. Rather be safe than sorry!

[Joker1]

Yeah, an antivirus may loose you %5-10 performance (depending on the sys and software) but how much do you lose for a format/reinstall?

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Warning: Customer id10T rate exceeding safe thresholds!

[Renée]

I'm with them. I haven't had a virus probably for reasons like...I know not to click on something with a VBS extension...I know not to download suspicious looking stuff even if it's from someone I know...etc.

Most of the users I support don't even know those basic things. Not only that, but most of them don't do backups the way they should. I'd much rather put an AV program on their system than deal with the effects of a virus. All it takes is one wicked one to do major damage.

[SNAFU]

Your lucky. Then again, I go to websites that have lots of popups and warez and the like. I HAVE to have a firewall and AV, it's saved my butt many times. http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum/smilies/cwm11.gif So, I agree. Even if you don't go anywhere and are safe and cautious, I'd recommend it. Plus, you never know where someone else will go and do if you let them use it (kids, spouse, whatever). http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum/smilies/cwm24.gif

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Anything worth fighting for is worth fighting dirty for!!

[xPoseidonx]

You have to ask yourself is it worth the risk.
6 years is a long time, but you never can tell when you will run into a virus.

Just the other day I was going through some old boxes that had been packed away in the attic for over 6 years when I came across some old floppies, (btw I am notorious about not labeling my disks), so I popped a few of them in my computer to see what was on them when "BAM" - my antivirus software stopped an old boot sector virus dead in it's tracks.

I would be kicking myself in the butt right now if I did not have my antivirus program running at the time.



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. . .No matter how hard it rains, you can still break glass with a hammer. .

[Gabriel]

Ok, Excuse me for being rude...
Lets use an Alegorie:
A man aving Sex with no protection for Six whole years. Every day he Meet with another lady and Sleep with her.
Isn't he an Idiot? Ofcourse he checks about the womens background Etc.

But don't you think it's just a matter of time until he catches HIV, Herpes Etc.

Don't be Stupid, Protection are for using them!

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It Works Better if you Plug it in, It Works far better if you Turn it ON!

[harlyblnde]

I have had customers tell they have never had a virus and when they bring their computer in for a repair, I have found up to three different ones on the computer. Not all virus are immediately destructive and obvious to find and it's getting so bad that opening an email from an infected friend can get you one, that's just opening it and not downloading any attachments. They have virus out now that you can get just by visiting web sites. I wouldn't want to be without protection.

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Natural blondes aren't dumb, it's the peroxide that kills brain cells

[Shades]

Think I have only had one virus from someone and that was sent thru email, good thing I had a AV proggie on, it bombed the whole email msg, but at least my machine was still viruii free. That was the first, and hopefully the last in 9 years...

I would say to still stick with AV proggies - it's a hassle d/l all the updates etc, but I reckon its a good bit of security!

[GirlGeek]

I wouldn't be caught dead without an AV program and I'm to the point that I'm having clients sign waivers that refuse the idea of AV's and firewalls. For instance I've got a new client that is getting a cable modem (business client, highly sensitive client data on all his systems) and he refuses a firewall and AV, why? Becouse he's never had a problem before. Doubtless I'll be the one to clean up the mess but at least I'll have his signed waiver in my files to cover my heiny.

[CobraTekMax]

Yeah, right! I probably clean off an average of about 20 viruses a week at my shop. And most of which are home users. And some virues, like MTX, can really hose a system.

At home, I personally don't use anything, but for several reasons. #1, I don't use outlook, I use Poco, which is immnune to pretty much all of the java script viruses that prey on security holes. #2, I don't keep any entries in an e-mail client bases address book. I can remember most of the e-mail address I use off the top of my head, and all the others I have in a seperate address book program. #3, I like a clean loading system. The only icon in my systray is the volume control, and that's IT. Windows alone sucks up my resources, and I'm not going to let Norton Auto-Protect or McAfee V-Shield eat up even more.

Now, these 3 things do not apply to Joe Schmoe average user, so therefore, he has to use and AV scanner.

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I bet you're a real threat in the mucktuck-eating contest!

[Larommi]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by pumpkinhead77:
I am begining to wonder if getting a virus protection program is a good idea for a home user. I mean, I have been using computers for 6 years and I have yet to get a virus on MY pc. It is my belief that if you are careful then you will not get a virus. What do you all think?

</font>


Don't have an Anti-virus...hang on a sec I want to send you an email!
http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum/smilies/cwm11.gif

Everyone should have one. Whether it is on all the time or not, if you have one there you should occasionally do a system scan. How do you know that you don't have one now? There are viruses that don't do anything till a specific date. Heck, Aopen had the Chernobyl virus in one of there drivers!! http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum/smilies/cwm5.gif

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Microsoft is to software what McDonalds is to gourmet cooking!

Dale Earnhardt #3 (1951-2001)
You will be missed!

[BauerSM]

I agree with you all. With the viruses becoming more sophisticated etc. I would rather spend the $30.00 on a AV program then have to spend the time and energy to get rid of a problem that could have been avoided in the first place. That is if you can repair the damage that was done.

How can you be sure that you don’t have a virus?? Look what happened when xPoseidonx looked through some old floppies. Its amazing on what could be hidden...




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If you are not going to take what I say into consideration please do not waste my time by asking me for my thoughts, ideas or opinions!!!

[Rkring1]

With the price being $0.00 ( InoculateIT PE from C.A.I. and AVP from Kaspersky)and new virus showing up constantly , how can you afford to not protect your computer ??

[QSECOFR]

I couldn't say it better myself. I recommend to anyone who asks to get InoculateIT. It runs realtime protection, and it doesn't tax my system like others. It also has an auto-download feature whis is nice. Especially if you have a cable/DSL connection.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Rkring1:
With the price being $0.00 ( InoculateIT PE from C.A.I. and AVP from Kaspersky)and new virus showing up constantly , how can you afford to not protect your computer ??</font>



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OS/400...At least it's not Microsoft.

[AlienDyne]

Originally posted by Rkring1:
With the price being $0.00 ( InoculateIT PE from C.A.I. and AVP from Kaspersky)and new virus showing up constantly , how can you afford to not protect your computer ??

Agreed!

[mahdi]

It dosen't matter how safe you keep your self against viruses, you'll still get one. Heck, I discovered I got one from school piggybacking in a Word document I edited there! It was something like clowns or something stupid like that, but it happens. The only way to be virus safe is to totaly lockdown your system (no internet, no external files...)

[ilovetheusers]

I have avoided getting about 5 different viri from users at work (mostly macroviri). NAV caught 2 from my mom (kakworm and something else). Got one from a script kiddie on MIRC (lifestages). One from tucows.com (?).

Got 2 stealth virus versions in University that killed 12 page reports.

If you don't use an antivirus scanner you are a moron. I thought about softening that last statement, but it's true.

[MacGyver]

Originally posted by mahdi:
It dosen't matter how safe you keep your self against viruses, you'll still get one. Heck, I discovered I got one from school piggybacking in a Word document I edited there! It was something like clowns or something stupid like that, but it happens. The only way to be virus safe is to totaly lockdown your system (no internet, no external files...)

Running a real-time virus scanner and regular backups. This is the only defence against viruses. Every virus scanner is not guaranteed to catch every virus, so don't anybody get a false sense of security just because your running an AV program.

[xt477]

I dont run active protection and have not had a real problem with any virus since the monkey-b That one cost me a week 3 what i thought were bad hd controllers and a couple of good hard drives!

BUT once a month I run a virus scan and back everything up on cd-r's.

Most "virus's" today are just punks who have just learned how to write script.

Worst case senario, I fdisk/format and reinstall. Back up and running in 30 mins.

[dopeyismyhero]

Okay, so you are careful opening email and never open an attachment. Good for you. I also assume you never browse the web either? In the last week I have found 98 web sites with Trojan.Seeker.b in them, and 4 of them were corporate websites, not personal pages. I also assume you NEVER put a floppy disk in your drive, not on a network, and never use commercial software (yes Virginia, viruses CAN be distributed by commercial software...do you remember where the first Word.Macro virus was distributed from??? Yup, Microsoft's Windows 95 Resource CD, V. 1.0) Do what you want, but I won't drive without a seatbelt, clean the bathroom without gloves, or start my 'puter without AVP. Period.

[Jallentino]

I use Norton AV and I have never had a condom break.

[SkipT]

I have only had 1 virus in almost 12 years and I have NEVER installed a anti virus program. The one virus I did get I got thru e-mail, so I just never open e-mail from someone I do not know that has attachments. I guess if you get a lot of programs sent to you in e-mail or if you pirate alot of software its a good idea. But for the avg joe out there its almost a waist of money.

[shadow1]

Have never got one at home using norton. Cleaned up a few at work though. Never can tell where they will come from.

[Slipstream]

Originally posted by GirlGeek:
I wouldn't be caught dead without an AV program and I'm to the point that I'm having clients sign waivers that refuse the idea of AV's and firewalls. For instance I've got a new client that is getting a cable modem (business client, highly sensitive client data on all his systems) and he refuses a firewall and AV, why? Becouse he's never had a problem before. Doubtless I'll be the one to clean up the mess but at least I'll have his signed waiver in my files to cover my heiny.

Just set up customer with new cable service and recomended norton av and zonealarm but she did think it was needed and didn't want to spend the money. Someone swiped her entire customer database(over 200)and a rival company phoned every single one of her customers. Result she lost 10% of her customers. From my point of view it borders on irresponsible to not at least have an antivirus installed. When I ran a small shop about 10% of our services were virus infected.

[NTTECH1]

We build systems with Norton Antivirus 2000 which comes eith the motherboard, but we aslo download the latest virus pattern before we ship the PC to the customer.Have seen some wired viruses which make the mouse huge and resort the file names on the HDD.
http://a1828.g.akamai.net/7/1828/76/d02278049fe097/www.symantec.com/images/product/home.comp.boxshot.gif

[SkipT]

Originally posted by dopey, the stupid:
Okay, so you are careful opening email and never open an attachment. Good for you. I also assume you never browse the web either? In the last week I have found 98 web sites with Trojan.Seeker.b in them, and 4 of them were corporate websites, not personal pages. I also assume you NEVER put a floppy disk in your drive, not on a network, and never use commercial software (yes Virginia, viruses CAN be distributed by commercial software...do you remember where the first Word.Macro virus was distributed from??? Yup, Microsoft's Windows 95 Resource CD, V. 1.0) Do what you want, but I won't drive without a seatbelt, clean the bathroom without gloves, or start my 'puter without AVP. Period.

My machine is on the net 24/7 :) Nope never got one from the web never got one from a new cd. I am just really lucky or maybe just careful. Anyhow I still think the same people write both anti virus and virus's or the work real close with each other. After all its real good money maker! *L*I do run a real good fire wall tho. After all there are alot more snoopy people then there are virus to get.

[DANIMAL]

I went 4 years without an AV then put one on to be safe I think I was just lucky. since putting on an AV I have stop about 4 viruses. Good timing I'd say.

[Wayward Clam]

skipt, your advice is foolish in the extreme. Free isn't worth the money?

I make HUNDREDS of dollars a month off of people like you who don't bother to get an antivirus program, or don't bother to update it. Quite a few of them would do just about ANYTHING to get their system back the same day with no data lost (good thing for them I have some ethics, or I'd be a lot richer and more... experienced... than I am now).
Hey, if you disagree with me, then go on--stay your course. Never install AV software. $ome tech will thank you for it $omeday.

[King Grover]

Originally posted by pumpkinhead77:
I am begining to wonder if getting a virus protection program is a good idea for a home user. I mean, I have been using computers for 6 years and I have yet to get a virus on MY pc. It is my belief that if you are careful then you will not get a virus. What do you all think?



I agree. I have never used an AV prog at home and I don't hink I ever will. It's just mu opinion, but computers are not that important. I mean, waht do i used it for? Nothing. I never use my home pc. My 2 year old kid uses it more than i do. he was on playhouse disney for 2 hours last night. that's more than I have used the thing in the past month. besdies, between him and my wife using the thing, i usually reload it several times a year anyways. I keep no important info on it, so why bother spending the money? Again, this is my opinion, but I feel that AV progs are a waist of my money.


ta daa.

:cool:

[Darren Wilson]

Never been without an Antivirus program and haver never been infected (AV picks it out first). It saves me time, it saves me hassles, NAV2000 does not tax or affect the way my system runs, regardless of what others say, updates regularly available as and when are needed. If you don't use a AV program, don't complain when you do get infected as there are now viruses that hide in ActiveX features in web pages & email attached viruses that DON'T require the email or attachment opened or run to infect you.

To put it in perspective, running a PC without AntiVirus software is like sleeping with a person who is infected with HIV or another disease and thinking that there is the small chance that you won't catch anything. Even Linux isn't safe now......

[Pogi]

6 years? The law of averages will catch up to you, no matter how careful you try to be. Get an AV prog and KEEP IT UPDATED.

[geeksRus]

There used to be a saying:
'Practice safe computing, wear a write protect tab!'
(the other cavemen will know what that is)

Now, I would say it is just foolish to use your computer without AV protection.

I clean virii off customers machines several times a week. Most of them are still using the MacAfee AV that came with Win98 Plus and have never upgraded it. Sad.

[Pyroate]

Originally posted by pumpkinhead77:
I am begining to wonder if getting a virus protection program is a good idea for a home user. I mean, I have been using computers for 6 years and I have yet to get a virus on MY pc. It is my belief that if you are careful then you will not get a virus. What do you all think?



Go to either Macaffee's or Norton's and lookup bubble boy. a virii can be in almost anything not just what looks suspicious.

:eek: ;) :eek:

[Mayet]

I thought I was going real well too. i just upgraded to win2k and loaded programs for two days. I was so happy, My system for once was loaded just the way I wanted it...Until Coral came along. Coral is one of my elderly customers who receives a lot of junk mail from friends in the Salvation Army nursing home...Well someone told coral she had a nasty virus so she thought she better send me an email to my personal email addresss so I could check it right out for her. Needless to say the one thing I hadn't reloaded was my virus protection program.....And as for Coral I cleaned out her system totally and then explained very slowly to her the difference between good emails and bad emails.....Well the next day no joke she reinfected herself and sent me another email telling me she thought she was infected again.... She was infected again big time.... and guess what So was I. She told me when I questioned her that it was from her friend and she had told her not to send her junk But HA HA funny pass this on... was a goood email wasn't it.......No it was bad email it cost her another format :mad:

[Polychronopolis]

Ok, this is something I really feel strong about. I can not stand people that tell others that AntiVirus software is a waste of time. Some people do not need it, some people despise it, but keep it to yourself!

Never once have I been in any store and found "Common Sense" in the store. It is something that you are born with. Some people will never develop "Common Sense".

Just because you have never had a virus doesn't mean that little Mrs. Moronovitz down the street will never get one. Don't go telling her that it isn't necessary because obviously, you're not the one she calls when she gets Happy.99.Dumb.Monkey.Format-C written by 1.lame-{sKryPt kiDDiE #257209487602}. :mad: :mad:

--So Rants Polychronopolis..

[CampbellD]

Hi All,

I am a systems Administrator for a mid sized organisation, which used to run McAfee for Anti-Virus protection, but decided to drop due to the fact that McAfee was using 20-30 percent of the PCs grunt. Now we use InoculateIT from CA. This product is Excellent, automatic updates and bugger all processor. For the persons who don't have anti-virus software on there how home PC, i guess it's your choice, but don't moan when you PC gets infected, you have no backups and you have no choice to use the Format C: command and start from scratch.....

[http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum1/noncgi]

When i first bought my pc at the end of dec 2000 i was surfing the net for 3 weeks without and AVP and i then decided to buy NAV.
I installed it as soon as i got home and it detected 9 virus` in my systen straight away.And i had no idea that i had them.

My advise would be-Get an anti-virus prog and i`d recomend NAV 2001

[MacGyver]

I think the stories in this thread point to one important fact that most people overlook: regularly scheduled backups are critical to prevent against data loss, since no one AV software can protect against every virus floating around out there. Trust me, knowing that you have a reliable backup to fall on is very comforting in times of crisis.

[http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum1/noncgi]

Originally posted by MacGyver:
I think the stories in this thread point to one important fact that most people overlook: regularly scheduled backups are critical to prevent against data loss, since no one AV software can protect against every virus floating around out there. Trust me, knowing that you have a reliable backup to fall on is very comforting in times of crisis.

I actually use 2 AV scanners one is the NAV 2001 and the other is the sophos AV scanner available from Sophos (http://www.sophos.com) both are good as i have tried both out with virus` that was on one of my Floppy disks(which is now formatted).

[Roamer_1]

I just got done peeling a crashed partition for a guy who bought NAV three years ago and never upped the defs. He also never backed up anything. The four virii on that drive pretty well wrecked it, but I was able to get back about a third of his valuable data, the rest is lost for all time. A little investment in software and maintenance would have served him well. Too bad.