Calling all geeks (you too Skuzzy)

[Melvin]

single data point

True.

However, I was giving my impression of a certain anti-virus software which is what the O.P. asked for.

Did you have anything worthwhile to add?

[Widewing]

Didn't Norton buy out PC Tools, Widewing?

They did, about 3 years ago. Norton gained access to PC Tools patents for real time threat detection, and PC Tools has deeper pockets and sales base to sell their software.

[moot]

True.

However, I was giving my impression of a certain anti-virus software which is what the O.P. asked for.

Did you have anything worthwhile to add?

That it's a single data point

[Melvin]

That it's a single data point

Fair enough.

[moot]

Yep.  No snarkasm

And I use ESET myself, for maybe 5+ years now.  No infections (YMMV), it's cheap, and most important for me it has negligible performance footprint.

[eagl]

I use a layered sort of defense that skuzzy probably thinks is laughable, but it's worked for me so far.

1.  "hardware" firewall in the form of a broadband router.
2.  Microsoft security essentials, combined with the usual microsoft software firewall built in to windows.
3.  Routine additional scans using third party tools.  spybot search and destroy or any number of other tools are easy to download and run for a scan.  I don't let any of those run all the time though, and if it looks like they install resident or services then I uninstall it after scanning.
4.  Safe browsing practices - no porn, no pirate sites, nothing "free" that obviously shouldn't be "free", etc.
5.  Keep windows patched and updated

I also use the latest internet explorer.  I have had serious security problems with chrome, mostly with it remembering/saving form data including credit card numbers, addresses, logins, etc., even after being told to not do so.  Everyone I know who uses firefox seems to have turned "running firefox" into a little hobby, since they are always bragging about how it crashed and they found some plug-in that saved everything and made it so much better until the next time it crashed after the latest update... bah.  Sounds like a lot of time consuming nonsense to me, so I use MSIE and it works for pretty much everything with no fuss.

[Skuzzy]

eagl, I never laugh about what people do to protect thier computer or make themselves feel a bit more secure with thier computer.

I get away, with what I do, by running a configuration most people find laughable.

[Gaidin]

eagl, I never laugh about what people do to protect thier computer or make themselves feel a bit more secure with thier computer.

I get away, with what I do, by running a configuration most people find laughable.

What is it that you do Skuzzy?

Just curious.


I don't run any kind of anti virus either.  I have locked down Windows 7, I don't run under and admin account, and the only time I got one of those programs that pop up and say you have this many virus's let us clean them up, I logged off and back on and its fine.  If it isnt called to run, then it cant run on startup.

Just do some hardening in Windows 7, setup a god mode for installing applications only, and all is well.

[VonMessa]

I use a big, effing stick for protection...

Oh, I also practice safe surfing.

Always remember to get your porn from a reliable source...

[Skuzzy]

What is it that you do Skuzzy?

Just curious.


I don't run any kind of anti virus either.  I have locked down Windows 7, I don't run under and admin account, and the only time I got one of those programs that pop up and say you have this many virus's let us clean them up, I logged off and back on and its fine.  If it isnt called to run, then it cant run on startup.

Just do some hardening in Windows 7, setup a god mode for installing applications only, and all is well.

Remove everything related to Flash and Java to start with.  Kill everything MS installs to run automatically.  My computer is behind a hardware firewall, I built.  I kill XAML, XPS, anything related to .NET.

Somethings will not work unless they are allowed to dial home, so I add features to my router, which answer the bell for them and make them happy.  Those are tricky.  Especially the MS ones.

That is just a light list to start with.

[grizz441]

Always remember to get your porn from a reliable source...

 

[moot]

Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?

[VonMessa]

Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that they AREN"T out to get me...

 

[Skuzzy]

Skuzzy so you don't even have a quarantined barebones box to use junk like youtube etc?

No.  I really have no desire to see anything on Youtube.  It is just not worth it to me.

[eagl]

From past threads, we already know that skuzzy uses a blackboard and a teletype printer over 300bps modem to "use" the internet.  It's a bit more useable than his previous system, which was a pile of rocks he would either stare at, or throw at neighborhood kids to get them to go find out stuff and report back to him.

The most modern part of skuzzy's system is the firewall he mentioned.  It's a 1024 node supercomputer currently rated number 69 on the top 100 supercomputer list.  It's sole purpose is to keep the internets out, throttling everything down to the aforementioned 300bps so he doesn't run out of tty printer paper or chalk.

His statement about disabling "flash" isn't 100% true however, since his printer uses specially treated "flash paper" so he can instantly burn anything bad that prints out.  It's less manpower intensive than shredding 50,000 sheets of paper every week.  And cups of steaming hot java are essential to many sysadmins, so I'm not sure he isn't holding out on us regarding java use either.

Since I learn useful stuff from skuzzy, none of this makes me laugh either.