MUST-Read AntiVirus pgm-comparison

[The PIT]

Originally posted by TransformX
If they're infected, you bet your antivirus won't stand a chance.

Sorry don't understand that bit.


I don't run executable attachments and my mailer is blocked by the firewall to ports 25 and 110 respectivly (110 in, 25 out) so it can't do much. [/QUOTE]

Doesn't have to be an excutable as such although I presume you're also including scripts, com files etc. Does blocking ports prevent attachments. ;confused:


What's the problem with that ? I don't have a FDD installed on my computer anyway so . . . [/QUOTE]

Whats a floppy got to do with. Your Pal checks his email while he/she is online or downloads a program he/she thinks you like. Whammo.

[TransformX]

Like I said, I don't run executable attachments. This means .exe .com .pif etc. etc. etc.

If the sites I download from (tucows or whatever) got infected with their mighty security, do you really think your puny antivirus would help much ? Antiviruses are good for stealing cpu cycles and irritating your HDD.

Blocking your email software to port 25 and 100 won't allow it to automaticly run stuff off the web because some smartass sent you html coded email that sends you "previewing" his shit.

Most of my friends don't check their webmail from my computer and those that do don't download any attachment except for gif/png/jpg without asking me first.

[Technoid]

Originally posted by TransformX

If the sites I download from (tucows or whatever) got infected with their mighty security, do you really think your puny antivirus would help much ? Antiviruses are good for stealing cpu cycles and irritating your HDD.

oh, come down on earth again

They are also using a plain ordinary antivirus program, albeit the server version but for all purposes the same ones as we

btw:
Do you use your seatbelt when your in a car?

[The PIT]

Originally posted by Technoid

Do you use your seatbelt when your in a car?

Of course he doesn't he knows how to avoid dangerous drivers.



Transform will install a virus checker after one has gone chomp chomp on his machine but by then it will too late.

The only secure way of not getting a virus is having no internet connection no networking and no way to open documents or any other programme on it.

[TransformX]

Yes, I use the seat belt in my car.
Unlike antivirus software, my seatbelt doesn't eat up hp from my engine. And unlike my software, I can't 'ghost' or reinstall myself.


Simple fact: my computer wasn't infected by any virus in the last 7 years.

edit: Silly me, I forgot to tell you that I'm also responsible for 2 other PCs on my lan and they're also without an antivirus nor a firewall. Guess what ? They weren't infected during their whole life either.

[TransformX]

Originally posted by The PIT
Transform will install a virus checker after one has gone chomp chomp on his machine but by then it will too late.

I went "chomp-chomp" when my HDD died on me. So I simply reinstalled everything from scratch. It took 2-3 hours and I was back online and in a better condition than before.
You wouldn't believe what a fresh system install does to your computer once in a while (after all the software un/installation and patches that fragment your OS).

[Drizzt]

I'm with TransformX on this. I've never had a Anti Virus since 5 years ago (when I bought my first PC9, and in total I got a single virus last year. Only because I wanted to take it.

Virus are for dumb people who doesn't know how to use a PC, or that have misleaded a PC for a toy.
I never open excutable attachment (I don't need them), I have scripting disabled (so no problem from OE), and I did set high security level on IE.
Guess what? Have no firewall installed, too. Why? Because I keep the unnecessary services shut-down, and the unnecessary ports closed.


On "the better antivirus" argument: the best one is the one in the ISP mail server. I pay the FOOLISH sum of 2€ a month for a totally spam and virus free mailbox...and I have no virus or anti spam on my PC. That's a good thing

[The PIT]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. Never mind you'll learn. Virus for dumb people, no virus's are for people who don't take percautions. Thinking closing one or two ports down will protect you fully is folly.

[TransformX]

ThePit,

Do you have an alarm in your house ? Do you own a guard dog ?
Are all the windows barred ?

I wonder...

[Technoid]

Originally posted by TransformX
Luck doesn't hold my hand since I run Win2k (read: Micro$oft OS) so I need a full reinstall every year to keep things running smoothly (or in other words - avoiding those damn BSODs that come after one too many driver/software updates).

and how do you know that you haven't atracted one or another nasty?

there are a bunch of them that do not chomp files or other "noticeable" things, they just cause a bunch of program errors BSODS etc ect

Originally posted by Drizzt
I'm with TransformX on this. I've never had a Anti Virus since 5 years ago (when I bought my first PC9, and in total I got a single virus last year. Only because I wanted to take it.

Virus are for dumb people who doesn't know how to use a PC, or that have misleaded a PC for a toy.
I never open excutable attachment (I don't need them), I have scripting disabled (so no problem from OE), and I did set high security level on IE.
Guess what? Have no firewall installed, too. Why? Because I keep the unnecessary services shut-down, and the unnecessary ports closed.


On "the better antivirus" argument: the best one is the one in the ISP mail server. I pay the FOOLISH sum of 2€ a month for a totally spam and virus free mailbox...and I have no virus or anti spam on my PC. That's a good thing

sigh....

[The PIT]

Originally posted by TransformX
ThePit,

Do you have an alarm in your house ? Do you own a guard dog ?
Are all the windows barred ?

I wonder...

Answer to question one. Yes we've had to otherwise we couldn't insure the house. Two we would have one fitted anyway as we were planning to get one fitted just before we got Burgled due to the increase in crime in the area. Bit like installing a virus checker after the event. But we always locked the door.

Answer to question two. Nope the rest of the family don't like dogs.

Answer to no. 3. Nope but don't suggest it to the insurance companies. We do have security bolts fitted as per insistance of the insurance company even though a simple brick would bypass them.

[TransformX]

Well, I don't have bars on my windows (a nice excuse is that in case of fire, bars are your worst enemies) nor I have an alarm.
An alarm wouldn't help anyway because we have cats.
I do have a dog in the yard but except for barking he won't do anything to anyone.
The situation has been the same for the last 26 years and so far so good - except for a pair of bicycles stolen from the yard and a potential burglar my father caught in the back yard and beaten pretty well. That's only because our last dog was retarted (seriously) and wouldn't even bark...

Oh, and we're not insured.

[drslump]

I didn't used them in the past because they made my computer slower, but now with my low 1.6ghz cpu I can't notice any difference if it's active or not.
A good and well setup firewall, an antivirus and an adware removal utility are must have software on these days. And of course you need to keep the system updated with the latest patches.
It's not an easy task but if everyone did it the viruses wouldn't spread so much neither so fast.
Futhermore, every day there are more PCs and everyday there are more broadband inet connections. If people don't start to take meassures to protect their computers properly it's gonna be a disaster for the correct working of internet.

[TransformX]

adware - Buit into mozilla: Check !
Firewall - I have one, quite tightly closed: Check !
Latest OS patches/updates: Check !
Responsible net surfing (Not automaticly pressing [YES] when offered Gator or other "free" shits): Check !

Antivirus ? I'll pass...

Think about it this way: if you eat well, sleep well and are moderately active, there is no reason why you should need food supplements or vitamin pills.

[The PIT]

Having a firewall is nessescary if you have fixed IP and a always on connection. Dynamic not so bad depending how they issue leases.
Going back to moggies and alarms.
Cats and alarms? Thats easy put them outside and let them do what they like best eating birdies and crapping in your neighbours garden.
Dunno about your laws but ten to one if I beat a burglar up I'd get sued and go down while the Burglar gets a slap on his wrist and told not to do it again.