is anti virus software a virus?
- Thread starter ken1mod
- Start date
Gentlemen,
a/v software works by blocking known viruses by name. For example, if MS Word were to be put on the update list for McAffee, MS Word would be stopped and quarrantined, right?
Since this list must be looked for, let's say that takes two weeks and another two weeks for this list to be included in the update, the virus would be spreading for 1 month unstopped. Virus programs (that is what they are, programs) are often written to change their names periodically, they are almost completely unstoppable.
This would partially explain why I have the same virus problems as those who run a/v software.
Now, why do I have almost zero problems? Because the virus threat is greatly overestimated and over publicised, by the a/v publishers themselves.
We are made to feel that it is suicidal to run naked and that is just not true.
If I go to Limewire (I am there every day) and download Windows 7 and notice that it is a 500k program (way too small) as a zip, I will definitely fill my computer with all sorts of evil. One must be mindful.
A/V software will warn me not to but will allow if overidden. My browser already does this and so does limewire.
This is my point, a/v software has been superceeded by modern browsers and other net based a/v software. Even Yahoo search warns against dangerous sites.
a/v software also is designed to pat itself on its own back, often calling innocuous cookies malware to impress us. Malware bytes found 28 issues on my hard drive which it removed with no difference in performance. Malware bytes also found 32 on my wife's McAffee protected machine that runs like garbage.
The whole issue of traditional a/v software needs to be looked at suspiciously. That does not mean it is valueless, but it needs to be looked at.
Consider the useless weekly virus scans that hijack your computer and beat up your hard drive. Consider the annoying pop ups that prompt you to resubscribe. Consider the difficulty in removing or even suspending temporarily a/v "protection". Consider the horrible system slowing that some a/v software imposes on us, McAffee is unbelievable here.
As I said, I am all over the internet, limewire and other dangerous sites, not as a habit but I do surf avidly and my experience has taught me that a/v software is virtually useless. Everyone gets the occasional virus, system restore works well, I use is less than once a year and my wife has the same situation.
Maybe we should be demanding better a/v software that works on a different premise. I am not a software writer but there must be something better out there.
Ken
a/v software works by blocking known viruses by name. For example, if MS Word were to be put on the update list for McAffee, MS Word would be stopped and quarrantined, right?
Since this list must be looked for, let's say that takes two weeks and another two weeks for this list to be included in the update, the virus would be spreading for 1 month unstopped. Virus programs (that is what they are, programs) are often written to change their names periodically, they are almost completely unstoppable.
This would partially explain why I have the same virus problems as those who run a/v software.
Now, why do I have almost zero problems? Because the virus threat is greatly overestimated and over publicised, by the a/v publishers themselves.
We are made to feel that it is suicidal to run naked and that is just not true.
If I go to Limewire (I am there every day) and download Windows 7 and notice that it is a 500k program (way too small) as a zip, I will definitely fill my computer with all sorts of evil. One must be mindful.
A/V software will warn me not to but will allow if overidden. My browser already does this and so does limewire.
This is my point, a/v software has been superceeded by modern browsers and other net based a/v software. Even Yahoo search warns against dangerous sites.
a/v software also is designed to pat itself on its own back, often calling innocuous cookies malware to impress us. Malware bytes found 28 issues on my hard drive which it removed with no difference in performance. Malware bytes also found 32 on my wife's McAffee protected machine that runs like garbage.
The whole issue of traditional a/v software needs to be looked at suspiciously. That does not mean it is valueless, but it needs to be looked at.
Consider the useless weekly virus scans that hijack your computer and beat up your hard drive. Consider the annoying pop ups that prompt you to resubscribe. Consider the difficulty in removing or even suspending temporarily a/v "protection". Consider the horrible system slowing that some a/v software imposes on us, McAffee is unbelievable here.
As I said, I am all over the internet, limewire and other dangerous sites, not as a habit but I do surf avidly and my experience has taught me that a/v software is virtually useless. Everyone gets the occasional virus, system restore works well, I use is less than once a year and my wife has the same situation.
Maybe we should be demanding better a/v software that works on a different premise. I am not a software writer but there must be something better out there.
Ken
jevery
Active Member
If all the people that write virus code got together and hired a public relations firm consider what their message might be.
AV software is essentially an expensive placebo product that protects us from a nonexistent threat. Forget it all, Throw it in the trash, Let your subscription expire, better yet - Tell them you want your money back, Run naked, Expose yourself to every bad thing the internet can throw at you.
Then, when it happens - Take it like a man. Have your OS and program disks ready and plan on a full day of fun reloading everything. Done it -Too many times. No Thanks.
AV software is essentially an expensive placebo product that protects us from a nonexistent threat. Forget it all, Throw it in the trash, Let your subscription expire, better yet - Tell them you want your money back, Run naked, Expose yourself to every bad thing the internet can throw at you.
Then, when it happens - Take it like a man. Have your OS and program disks ready and plan on a full day of fun reloading everything. Done it -Too many times. No Thanks.
Gentlemen,
Have you not had virus infections demanding a complete reinstall? I sure have while running Norton Internet Security.
It could happen tomorrow but I have not had to take this drastic action in over three years. Never since running naked. Not that running naked is safer but this stuff does not seem to work.
Again, I am telling the truth. No serious issues in over two years. Darn it. How can this be explained?
I want a/v software that genuinely works.
I think someone other than me should take a new installation, maybe on an old computer, and test my theory for a month or so. I think the data so acquired would be very useful.
My only desire is to help the community and maybe get some publisher to write some a/v software that works without patting itself on its own back.
I installed some a/v software that put up a splash screen intentionally designed to infer that one whole page of viruses were found. Looking closely, it only showed what the software was looking for. No actual viruses were found.
ken
Have you not had virus infections demanding a complete reinstall? I sure have while running Norton Internet Security.
It could happen tomorrow but I have not had to take this drastic action in over three years. Never since running naked. Not that running naked is safer but this stuff does not seem to work.
Again, I am telling the truth. No serious issues in over two years. Darn it. How can this be explained?
I want a/v software that genuinely works.
I think someone other than me should take a new installation, maybe on an old computer, and test my theory for a month or so. I think the data so acquired would be very useful.
My only desire is to help the community and maybe get some publisher to write some a/v software that works without patting itself on its own back.
I installed some a/v software that put up a splash screen intentionally designed to infer that one whole page of viruses were found. Looking closely, it only showed what the software was looking for. No actual viruses were found.
ken
Respital
Active Member
As said in another thread the only infection that requires a complete install is Virut, and contracting it is EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. Otherwise an A/V program like Avira can clean it up.
Respital
Active Member
You have to try it to experience it, simply awesome. Although there seems to be some issues with newer versions but i'm using version 8.X and it works great. Then again the problem is probably with some software that i use, try it out for yourself. Download link.
paulcheung
Active Member
I guess you can go naked as long as you don't have important documents and files in the computer. you can also clone the drive with external hard drive then restore it when you got a virus attack. just remember there are virus which can damaged the harddrive o sector make it unusable and some of them may damage the cpu too! well computers are cheap enough now so if it got damage just but a new one!
Best wishes.
Paul
Best wishes.
Paul
I have to agree with John's view. I'm a very careful user on the internet and there are just too many ways to get infected. Couple months ago I click on a story at the New York Times and---Avast pops up with a Block on a virus I almost got. To be safe I didn't open the NYT again that day. Next day the news is that thousands picked up a virus at the NYT.
I've had the same thing happen a couple weeks ago when I clicked on a story at CNN.
Some wicked stuff out there--even if you are careful.
I've had the same thing happen a couple weeks ago when I clicked on a story at CNN.
Some wicked stuff out there--even if you are careful.
karthikbingo
New Member
yes maybe norton and mcafee pull down ur system...i think it's mainly becz of its enormous size package...it amounts to a greater installation size too...kaspersky 2010 is another grt example...but among the best av i hav used avast versions have been great..now avast 5 is doing gud..it does it job wen most needed..no interupts at all...but i still wonder if u dont get viruses during file transfer lik thru an usb if u are not havng an av...