Deleted my AV

[Hap]

quit using av back in 2002.  no probs.

[DREDIOCK]

From what I've heard, you can leave NOD on during game play, it's no where near as invasive as the other programs out there.  Test it and see if it's true. 

I leave NOD32 running when I play.
But I never it anything anyway so..

 

[CRYPTIC]

I have nod 32 set to Gamming and not a problem. There is a write up on how to do it. I guess most people like Skuzzy said just don't bother and leave things as is.

[Vulcan]

quit using av back in 2002.  no probs.

ahahaha and I wonder how much spam your pc has been sending out since then?

[Skuzzy]

Oh come on now Vulcan.  Don't assume the worst.

I have never used an AV program and yet my computer(s) never seem to have any troubles at all.

Besides, an AV program is only as good as its last update.  Between updates it is actually easier for most people to end up with a virus because they have been lulled into a false sense of security.

I am not advocating people do not use them.  Most people need them on their computer, but no one should assume their computer is safe from viral infections.

My approach is to assume everything is a virus and treat it that way until I am comfortable it is not.  Getting to that comfort level requires some tests to be performed.

[gyrene81]

With the number of background self install trojans embedded in "legitimate websites" these days, there is no way I would run a system without some sort of protection. When I was doing a lot of anti-virus/anti-spyware testing for work, I saw stuff coming from what should have been nearly bullet proof sites...places people visit daily...all it takes is one infected link and you're hosed.

Nothing is 100% but if you don't do a lot of random web surfing, use only web based email and never use torrent or p2p systems...you can get away with not using an anti-virus/anti-spyware program...then again, not many people are like that.

[Skuzzy]

I did not say I did not have any protection.  The easiest way to avoid getting anything from any WEB site is to properly configure Windows "Internet Options".  Specifically the "Security" and "Advanced" settings.

When you shut down the delivery mechanisms it is difficult to get a virus transfered to your computer.  Most people would go nuts if they had to use my computer to do anything Internet related.  

As I spend very little time on the Internet at all it does not bother me.  I see the Internet as a cess pool.  I really do not want to wade into it unless I absolutely have no choice.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

With the number of background self install trojans embedded in "legitimate websites" these days, there is no way I would run a system without some sort of protection.

Yes there is, it's called linux.

[gyrene81]

Yes there is, it's called linux.

  Ok you got me on that one...hehehe

But there are over 800 known viruses for Linux...you just have to help them infect your system, unlike Windows.

I see the Internet as a cess pool.  I really do not want to wade into it unless I absolutely have no choice.

I agree...but sometimes it's fun to wade in the poop just to see what's under the surface.

[Masherbrum]

I've NEVER had a virus on ANY PC I've owned.   But, ESET is worth the money, for the gains and performance alone.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I've NEVER had a virus on ANY PC I've owned.   But, ESET is worth the money, for the gains and performance alone.

The scary thing about Windows viruses is that the best ones go hidden. You can use your computer forever and never know you're infected unless you scan your network activity or computer (or both). I'm starting to think Microsoft is slowly losing its stand due to the security problems. I know I've limited my windows use to a minimum (gaming).

[Vulcan]

Besides, an AV program is only as good as its last update.  Between updates it is actually easier for most people to end up with a virus because they have been lulled into a false sense of security.

Your knowledge of AV is a bit rusty skuzzy, most good AV now relies on behavioral analysis to address day zero stuff.

[Skuzzy]

Your knowledge of AV is a bit rusty skuzzy, most good AV now relies on behavioral analysis to address day zero stuff.

"Good" being the operative word.  They also false trigger more.  No telling how many customers we lose a day because of this.  If programs were any good at all (not saying all of them are bad) at handling "day zero" viruses, there would not be a million, or so, sleeper computers being used on the net for various delivery systems.  The bulk of those computers are OEM units running either Norton or Mcafee.

Mcafee still relies heavily on a database.  Norton may, but I am not going to bother testing it.

As far as being rusty about AV programs.  You are correct.  I do not stay on top of them as I have no need for them.  Never had a virus on my computer and I never will.  I still consider Mcafee and Norton both to be worse than the viruses they are supposed to stop.  I do take a peek at them once in a while to see how it impacts the game.  They are getting worse, by the way.

[Ghastly]

{snip} I still consider Mcafee and Norton both to be worse than the viruses they are supposed to stop.  {snip}

I have a 17 year old that proves on a regular basis that no amount of AV will stop a determined effort to do stoopid.  But I have to disagree that the AV programs are worse than the viruses - Vundo for example is just about impossible to clear without a format.

And I only wish it were a choice between the AV or viruses - but the truth is that it's often both - the worst infections I've ever seen have been on fully updated Norton installations.

<S>

[Skuzzy]

Ghastly, my Wife is the same way.  I gave up trying to do anything to protect her computer.  She even managed to get viruses passed Eset's stuff.  She just figured the AV software would protect her computer and never gave a thought about doing anything more to protect her computer.  She often asked why were paying for something that did not work.  To some degree, she had a point.

I just isolated her computer on the LAN and when it gets a virus, I reformat and re-install the OS.  I find the more often it has to be done, the more time goes by before it has to be done again.  Re-installing the OS is quite a bit faster than trying to clean up the mess.

Recently she started asking about configuring her computer like mine, a little at a time.  I might win this war yet.