Do you really *need* anti-virus software?

B

badgerer

New Member
I for one have never had anti virus software on any of my computers, and have never (knowingly) had a virus. What prompts me to ask the question is one of Windows' (many) invasive features - every time I turn my computer on I get a message popping up telling me I have no anti-virus software. I'm aware of this thanks...but I figure that as long as you don't download unreputable files and keep your firewalls up you should be ok. I dont like the idea of constantly investing in anti virus software.

I have a pet hate for all those icons in the bottom right, so that Windows security one pisses me off a bit. Any way to get rid of it? Without getting rid of the security feature itself obviously.
 
Yep. Go to you control panale/ windows security center. In there you should have some options about the windows firewall and such, one of the options should be, have windows monitor your antivirus, and you can select, no, I will manualy monitor this.

However, its can't hurt to have an anti virus of course, and you can get free ones like AVG.
 
you could download AVG anti virus at here. its probably the best and most well known free anti virus available. i use, alot of people on here use it.

how would you knowingly have a virus if you dont have any software telling you so?
 
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I dont like the idea of constantly investing in anti virus software.
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We you dont have to pay for them, there are free virus scanners available.
read http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=17717

but I figure that as long as you don't download unreputable files and keep your firewalls up you should be ok
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Firewalls help, but how do you know you files are not reputable. Everyone opens stuff they probably shouldn't :)
When you say a firewall, do you mean the windows firewall, which er...how do you say politely....... is rubbish

I for one have never had anti virus software on any of my computers, and have never (knowingly) had a virus.
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How would you know if you dont scan for them
I have a pet hate for all those icons in the bottom right, so that Windows security one pisses me off a bit. Any way to get rid of it? Without getting rid of the security feature itself obviously.
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I'll assume your talking about sp2, which pisses me off altogether :)
To specify that you're using an antivirus program that Windows does not find

1.Click Start and then click Control Panel.

2.Double-click Security Center.

3.In the Security Center, under Virus Protection, click Recommendations. (The Recommendations button is not available when your Virus Protection setting is marked ON.)

4.In the Recommendations dialog box, select the I have antivirus software that I'll monitor myself check box, and then click OK.
 
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In response to everyone...I did not know there was free anti-virus software available, so I'll look into that.

What I meant by not ever having a virus on my system was that my computer has never acted in such a way that would lead me to believe it has a virus. Maybe it has...but it hasnt affected the way my computer runs to my knowledge.

Thanks for the advice.
 
i had norton 2005, but after re-installing windows and norton so mayn times, i was no longer allowed to install it, and it did get annoying with its pop-ups, memory and cpu usage, and blocking programs and files that i wanted. I think the big problem is spyware and adware, which i do have programs for.
 
how would you knowingly have a virus if you dont have any software telling you so?
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I agree whole heartedly! I suggest at LEAST run the online virus scans in the sticky to make sure you not already infected. Using AVG is a good suggestion, it's free. :)
 
by not using an antivirus any computer that you send files too prolly gets infected. Your friends must not like you :P
 
by not using an antivirus any computer that you send files too prolly gets infected. Your friends must not like you
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contrary to the the popular misconception virus's are much more compartmentalised than that. Just because you have a virus does not mean that all your files, be them exe's or otherwise, are infected. Quite the opposite, only a small number of files will hold the virus, which will prefer to spread to other hosts through networks and the internet rather than internally through your hdd. It is of no benifit to the virus if it holds complete control over one system at the expence of neglecting its propogation, kind of like human virus, of which i like i feel one coming. Time for a trip to the pharmacist me thinks (wish they were freeware :))
 
Don't forget, some virus' dont necesarily harm your machine by making it run slowly, some track online activity, recording passwords, credit card numbers, etc. Other's make your machine run slower over time, some virus/trojans don't even cause malicious damage right away, some happen over time. IMO, anyone not running some sort of anti-virus program is a fool. Like mentioned above, there are many free ones so there is no excuse for not having one.
 
apj101 said:
We you dont have to pay for them, there are free virus scanners available.
read http://www.computerforum.com/showthread.php?t=17717


Firewalls help, but how do you know you files are not reputable. Everyone opens stuff they probably shouldn't :)
When you say a firewall, do you mean the windows firewall, which er...how do you say politely....... is shit




I'll assume your talking about sp2, which pisses me off altogether :)



i have windows firewall on with sp2 and it works better than norton firewall it never seemed to work right i had 20 viruses get through on that firewall and on my windows firewall i have had only 5
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i have windows firewall on with sp2 and it works better than norton firewall it never seemed to work right i had 20 viruses get through on that firewall and on my windows firewall i have had only 5
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theres no accounting for user error. :)

Don't forget, some virus' dont necesarily harm your machine by making it run slowly, some track online activity, recording passwords, credit card numbers, etc. Other's make your machine run slower over time, some virus/trojans don't even cause malicious damage right away, some happen over time. IMO, anyone not running some sort of anti-virus program is a fool. Like mentioned above, there are many free ones so there is no excuse for not having one.
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All to true.
You should have one or at least scan with the online ones every so often
 
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