Windows XP SP1 without AV for gaming

[kkplus]

I'm thinking of getting the most out of gaming from my laptop with a new installation of Windows XP. I won't be browsing the Internet, reading emails or downloading and running files; just playing online mmo games. Is it okay if I don't install any security software (antivirus or firewall) and also do not update my windows (keep it at sp1) so to waste as less resources as possible? (I will be running hijackthis occasionally to make sure nothing fishy is going on)

 

[DCIScouts]

No, if you are on the internet AT ALL with that computer, you will need to have AV and preferably a firewall with it. There are tons of bots that go around searching for people connected to the internet, and if you're on-line playing an MMO, that puts you out there a lot...

 

[S.T.A.R.S.]

I agree with DCIScouts.If you are on the internet,there is ALWAYS something that can come in and do a lot of damage.

 

[gamblingman]

I agree with DCIScouts.If you are on the internet,there is ALWAYS something that can come in and do a lot of damage.

+1 with STARS. Why chance getting an infection?

 

[Ryan_Fpv]

What interrupts your gaming more, an anti virus running discretely in the background, or 50 pop ups per minute telling you about the wonders of penis enlargement?

I had a friend who recently purchased his new $2300 computer and decided that to keep it fast & responsive he would ignore common sense and run without an anti virus program. Few days after receiving it he received a virus, [he says] from an ad displayed in firefox.

Antivirus is a must.

 

[deanj20]

I disagree. If you are behind a router, you really don't need a firewall. And as for antivirus, well, see my antivirus rant:

Personally, I don't use any anti-virus software. I have no need for it, since I
never download and run any file that I do not trust, I keep my OS and
my browsers up to date and I stay away from questionable websites that
may try to exploit my browser.

I haven't used an AV in nearly ten years, and I'm yet to be infected with any
virus. But I do recommend and install AVG Free on client, family members' and
friends' computers that are not as tech savvy as I would like them to be.

I run a lot of older hardware, so I don't need some antivirus program idling in the background eating up my valuable memory resources - and they become more bloated with every update. Sometimes I'll keep an up-to-date version of AVG installed but inactive, just so that I can right-click and scan files that I don't trust... but I haven't even done that in I don't know how long.

Antivirus software is OVERRATED and UNECESSARY if you use great discretion and caution on the Internet. I don't know how many times I've gone on a call-out to remove malware and/or viruses from a computer running a fully-updated AV - especially Norton and Mcaffee. Antivirus software oftentimes gives a false sense of security to users, so they feel free to download and run crap that they know better than to run otherwise.

I'm not saying that no one should run an AV - on the contrary, it's an essential part of a secure system for the common user, combined with proper security rights, regular software updates, and great caution and discretion when downloading and running programs from the Web.

But for people like me, who check their process lists and router logs daily, and refuse to run any program unless I know it to be safe, it's simply not necessary to run an AV.

I'm not saying it's impossible for me to get a virus, but extremely unlikely following my principles - it's worked for the last 10 years anyway...

[edit]
to the OP - you do need to get all the updates for your OS - especially if you are not going to be behind a router. If you are not going to be behind a router, I would suggest that you install a software firewall.
[/edit]

 

[johnb35]

I disagree. If you are behind a router, you really don't need a firewall. And as for antivirus, well, see my antivirus rant:


I run a lot of older hardware, so I don't need some antivirus program idling in the background eating up my valuable memory resources - and they become more bloated with every update. Sometimes I'll keep an up-to-date version of AVG installed but inactive, just so that I can right-click and scan files that I don't trust... but I haven't even done that in I don't know how long.

Antivirus software is OVERRATED and UNECESSARY if you use great discretion and caution on the Internet. I don't know how many times I've gone on a call-out to remove malware and/or viruses from a computer running a fully-updated AV - especially Norton and Mcaffee. Antivirus software oftentimes gives a false sense of security to users, so they feel free to download and run crap that they know better than to run otherwise.

I'm not saying that no one should run an AV - on the contrary, it's an essential part of a secure system for the common user, combined with proper security rights, regular software updates, and great caution and discretion when downloading and running programs from the Web.

But for people like me, who check their process lists and router logs daily, and refuse to run any program unless I know it to be safe, it's simply not necessary to run an AV.

I'm not saying it's impossible for me to get a virus, but extremely unlikely following my principles - it's worked for the last 10 years anyway...

[edit]
to the OP - you do need to get all the updates for your OS - especially if you are not going to be behind a router. If you are not going to be behind a router, I would suggest that you install a software firewall.
[/edit]

The one thing you have to remember though is that not everyone is like you or me or others like us. Most users don't even know the first thing about keeping your computer safe from malware/viruses. And maybe its best for them to have a "sense" of security to have an antivirus installed. Even though we both know that an anitivirus alone won't save you from getting infected. It's so easily these days to get a drive-by infection just by visiting a shotty website.

 

[Drenlin]

There's no point in not getting the service packs. They don't take up that much space, and they improve the OS quite a bit.

Also, I'm pretty sure support for SP1 ends soon.

 

[deanj20]

I agree johnb35, except with this:

And maybe its best for them to have a "sense" of security to have an antivirus installed.

I want users (or at least the ones whose computers I'll end up repairing for free - like friends and family) to be terrified to download and run anything. Hell, I am, if it's not from a site I know I can trust - and I'm a "computer guy"!

Most people think that an AV just gives them a 'Go' Pass to click and run anything that comes up - in their email, on their Facebook, on their messenger client, whatever - "Hell - I'm protected - I just updated my A-V-and G earlier! - besides, Sally says she got a score of 100,000! I gotta check it out!!!" - and then who gets the "oops, I did it again" call!? Me and you!

'Bah', 'meh' and 'pfft' to a false sense of security from running resource-hogging and largely ineffective AV software. Yea! to common sense, caution and discretion...