Do we need Anit-VIrus?

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Tech

Padawan
I know on the face of it this is a no brainer, especially for the masses but I find that for a while now I've been asking myself this question. Does a Winodws box really need anitvirus software? Right now I'm pretty sure you're all shouting "YES YOU IDIOT!!!" but the reason I ask is because of my own personal experience.

I've not used Windows for some time now but when I did I ran XP, like the masses eralier mentioned. Unfortunatley my free copy of AVG packed up, well it wouldn't allow updates anymore and I was using a dial up connection. Being the utter cheapskate that I am purchasing virus software or downloading on my "paint drying" connection was not desirable so seeing as I had a decent firewall in place and was using FIrefox I figured lets see what happens. The PC didn't handle any senstitive info and I didn't visit dubious sites so I figured I might be alright.

This experiment went on for longer than I expected though, time flies and all that, and before I knew it two years had passed and I was absoulutly sure that my PC would be virused up (no difference in performance though). So I eventually spent some cach and used one of the telephone companies tariffs for an unlimited connection. My downloading began, AVG being top of the list. I installed it, ran it and too my utter surprise (which I'm sure you've already guessed) not a single virus was found. Not one!! To make matters even more incredible the system wasn't fully patched either.

So are we all being conned. Does a little education go a VERY long way. Any opinionns?
 
Yes. Despite all you've said, you still need antivirus. You see, all it takes is a worm like blaster to exploit a vulnerability. Worms do not need user intervention to spread, they can do it on their own. No matter how careful you are when you download.

Of course, you can use Linux and have a much easier life.
 
I have the anti-virus,anti-spyware but no firewall.

No firewall for about 6 months now. All it ever seemed to do was cause conflict and cut my download speeds.
 
yes, all Windoze systems need anti-virus software, and if you use *nix & connect to the net with a router with a built in hardware firewall you'll be fine
 
You need an AV in Windows without question. Even then, you are not protected for sure, and AV's eat up lots of resources, but you really don't have much choice. In *nix OSes like Linux and FreeBSD, no AV is necessary as long as you don't run as root (Ubuntu users, take note!).
 
If you like playing Russian roulette with your data, no AV is needed. If you're smart, yeah, you can get by without one, but if you're running Windows, which disregarding the OS structure, it's the most widely used OS, and likely to be the biggest target. Point blank: you're an idiot not to run an AV.
 
Big B said:
If you like playing Russian roulette with your data, no AV is needed. If you're smart, yeah, you can get by without one, but if you're running Windows, which disregarding the OS structure, it's the most widely used OS, and likely to be the biggest target. Point blank: you're an idiot not to run an AV.
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Very true. However, I think because we keep seeing this question crop up, maybe it deserves to have the logic behind this conclusion explained. In regards to OS design, Windows has no clear separation between user data and system data. It's pretty much impossible to lock down in a way that will immunize it against viruses without breaking standard functionality at the same time.

Clear user data and user privilege separation is why viruses have never been a problem on Unix-like systems. If Windows will ever have a resistant-by-design architecture that doesn't need an AV, it'll be because they've redesigned the entire OS from scratch. I don't see that happening anytime soon, so until MS-UNIX comes out, I'd suggest either using a reliable AV or a different OS altogether.
 
I know that's pretty blunt, but it's true. Windows does have some security flaws due to it's structure, which AT pointed out. The other thing is that some people with nothing better to do like to write viruses and other such malware. Windows would still be a big target just due to the number of systems running some version of the OS family. The first is definitely on Microsoft's end, but the second is more of good marketing and making deals. (If you go back in PC history, the likes of Compaq, HP, Dell, etc. reverse-engineered the Mac and brought Intel and Microsoft into the equation. Apple was very proprietary back then, much like today, and that stance has hurt them in the long run, IMO.)

If you run a firewall, you do reduce your chances (and you should be doing so if your on broadband, regardless of what OS your system runs) of security issues, but it's still a very bad move not to run an AV.
 
One of the best things you can do to protect a windoze box is not to put it directly on the internet, even with a software firewall. NAT is a great way to stop unwanted incomming connections so it will prevent most automated attacks :)

However, if the worm spreads through something like msn, skype or file sharing networks then NAT is not going to stop it if you are connected to these 'networks' as you have started the connection to the remote host (or you have set port forwarding) so all traffic (from hosts you have connected to) will pass through it.

As NAT will alow any outbound connections to continue unhinderd (as it was designed to do) it is also a good idea to use a software firewall if your running windoze to try and prevent any unwanted outbound connections such as malware which calls home.

And yes, If your running windoze you should definetly be running AV.
 
Well i have used my 64bit Vista home premium for about 6 months now with no anti virus program installed but i have firewall ON and i had no problems well nothing that i noticed. My friend thought i was crazy for not having an anti virus installed on my computer, but i hate them because they slow down the computer anyways my friend gave me NOD32 which is supposed to keep the usage to a minimum. after updating it I ran a full deep scan and the anti virus found absolutely nothing, no virus or spy ware or anything. For those 6 months i had nothing infecting my system how do you explain that guys???
 
Whats your IP address?

[OT]
just kidding, please don't post it
[/OT]

I'm also assuming that your behind some sort of Router? (BTHomeHub, Linksys boxes etc)
 
Pimp739 said:
...after updating it I ran a full deep scan and the anti virus found absolutely nothing, no virus or spy ware or anything. For those 6 months i had nothing infecting my system how do you explain that guys???
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That's like saying, "I had sex with 50 hookers without a condom and afterwards I got checked out. No STDs! How do you explain that guys???"

Well, you could just be really fortunate. Or, you may actually have a virus/trojan/other and not know it. Especially since Vista's excessive DRM mechanisms tend to lend themselves to rootkits quite readily. Most AV scanners cannot find rootkits easily (if at all), so you never really know. Fundamentally, we're saying the security on Windows is awful, so if you don't want to be pwned an anti-virus is a necessity on that OS.

...not that a 3rd-party program like an AV can completely protect you either. One of our mods here is unfortunate enough to work at Geek Squad. From what he's told me, Virus and other malware infections are more common on Vista than the XP boxes they see, even though the systems they sell all come with AVs preinstalled. "Tear in the condom?" :P
 
Anti-Trend said:
That's like saying, "I had sex with 50 hookers without a condom and afterwards I got checked out. No STDs! How do you explain that guys???"

Well, you could just be really fortunate. Or, you may actually have a virus/trojan/other and not know it. Especially since Vista's excessive DRM mechanisms tend to lend themselves to rootkits quite readily. Most AV scanners cannot find rootkits easily (if at all), so you never really know. Fundamentally, we're saying the security on Windows is awful, so if you don't want to be pwned an anti-virus is a necessity on that OS.

...not that a 3rd-party program like an AV can completely protect you either. One of our mods here is unfortunate enough to work at Geek Squad. From what he's told me, Virus and other malware infections are more common on Vista than the XP boxes they see, even though the systems they sell all come with AVs preinstalled. "Tear in the condom?" :P
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Lol ok Anti Trend nice way of explaining it didnt mean to make you angry. But i think the reson why i don't have any melicious software on my computer is becuase i don't go on illegal websites such as torrents, porn, and gambling sites these contain viruses and other stuff. i always go on secure sites that i know. I also read in the newspaper today that hackers are now board with mircosoft and now are attacking apple computers (i guess its a challenge for them) Apple has seen an increase of virus and malware in 2007 there is like 500, 000 known programs today that specifically attack mac users. ( i don't know if these figuers are correct but it was in the FT newspaper)
 
Nah your alright. me and you just start a convo that has hardly any relivance to the thread lol


sorry
 
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