Do you really need anti-virus software?

leopardforest

leopardforest

New Member
I have had a mac for a long time and I have never had to worry about any viruses. I have have always been able to download whatever I want with no worries.

I am planning on building and a windows machine this summer and I am wondering if you really need anti-virus software? I think that I am a pretty safe web browser, I don't open the mysterious emails, and I try to only download from sites/people I trust.

What do the majority of you do for this?
 
i agree with your comment. bad people generally don't want to waste there time hacking something that many don't use. mac is good. no argument there.

for windows, goto grisoft.com and query free virus. it works well also.
as long as your not hanging out downstairs.
 
if you are smart about your web browsing, and don't venture into corners of the internet where you are likely to get a virus, it is possible that you could go a long time without ever getting one. but it only takes that one infection to make you wish you'd had it installed all along. with free alternatives to the big names out there like avast antivirus, there's no point in not being protected, ya know? avast is so lightweight that it's practically not even there, but it is an iron fortress when it comes to keeping malware out.
 
DirtyD86 said:
if you are smart about your web browsing, and don't venture into corners of the internet where you are likely to get a virus, it is possible that you could go a long time without ever getting one. but it only takes that one infection to make you wish you'd had it installed all along. with free alternatives to the big names out there like avast antivirus, there's no point in not being protected, ya know? avast is so lightweight that it's practically not even there, but it is an iron fortress when it comes to keeping malware out.
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You are right.....

I think my only aversion to it is having to deal with the software. I dont want one that I to have to pay for (i checked the avast site and i am trying it on my mac just for kicks) as I dont need another monthly or yearly bill. Also when I was younger (10 years ago) my first computer was an windows laptop and I had norton anti-virus on it and it slowed it down soo much. But that was 10 years ago. I am sure things are more efficient now.
 
leopardforest said:
You are right.....

I think my only aversion to it is having to deal with the software. I dont want one that I to have to pay for (i checked the avast site and i am trying it on my mac just for kicks) as I dont need another monthly or yearly bill. Also when I was younger (10 years ago) my first computer was an windows laptop and I had norton anti-virus on it and it slowed it down soo much. But that was 10 years ago. I am sure things are more efficient now.
Click to expand...

Avast is great for a free program. It won't slow your computer down at all, you won't notice it there at all. My advice would be to use that, since it auto updates, has real-time protection and is just a fantastic piece of software that will assure you piece of mind.
 
But aren't macs like very rare to get a virus? Windows is more open to get a virus? So I think that if you are installing windows you would have to put on a anti virus my friend has a mac, but never has a anti virus but all my other friends have windows and have anti viruses lol.
 
Schonza said:
Avast is great for a free program. It won't slow your computer down at all, you won't notice it there at all. My advice would be to use that, since it auto updates, has real-time protection and is just a fantastic piece of software that will assure you piece of mind.
Click to expand...

yes it seems like a great program, except it does bog down my mac (i dont think i need it on here, i just wanted to see how it worked), but once i get a better machine i doubt it will.

Thanks
 
I'd have to advise against Avast and suggest Avira. I used Avast for years and then switched and it is noticeable. Avast is a resource hog compared to Avira.
 
Whew, it's been a while since I've been to cf.com. Well you don't really need a AV if your not a risky internet user, but it is good to have one just in case.

I prefer Avast! I tried both, AVG maybe like 2 years ago. That time AVG didn't have the features Avast!: fast update, boot up scan, p2p protection. AVG at that time was just a AV with a weak firewall.

A lot of people think AVG is better, just because it has the most downloads. Well have you ever thought that many of those people who chose AVG was because it had the most downloads? If Avast! took AVG's download count, AVG would never catch up. Many people are misguided by more number of downloads mean more better. Wrong, it just means they launched their AV a lot earlier.

Right now AVG is a bloat, I prefer Avast or AVIRA. The choice is up to you stronger prevention and weaker scan (Avast!) vs stronger scan and weaker real time protection (AVIRA). I chose Avast! for the prevention.
 
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