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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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 Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject: Are you guys serious about anti-virus? |
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First thing I do with any computer I have owned--shut off Windows firewall/auto updates. Next--well, this isn't really a step, but I simply don't install any anti-virus/firewall protection. Never bothered with anything like that, don't need to worry about annoying scans and blocklists.
I also download like a mad man. I've probably downloaded more than my fair share of TERABYTES in my life. Never had a virus. If you're not visiting shady sites, don't bother with these totally unnecessary programs! |
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AsiaESLbound
Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Location: Truck Stop Missouri
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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I agree. I don't buy into anti-virus software. I think anti-virus software is a marketing scam that slows you down and can actually cause problems should you let the trial or subscription run out. I used to use Adaware in the states as there are many rogue malware installations back home. I have much fewer computer problems in Korea than back home yet it's fast and my 3 year old machine still runs like new without one single re-installation of Windows.
At work, we have this anti-virus program that shows as a green and white medicine capsule which does slow the machine down at times. It's got a whopping 1GB internet connection with 2 X 500GB hard disks if you can believe that one for heck of a virus free down loader. |
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ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:10 pm Post subject: |
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| it is a marketing scam, based on the fear of the consumer that their computer will fry when they goto Yahoo and open an email. y first 2 computers had it, then when Norton got the brilliant idea to stop the anti-virus updates a year after purchase, I just stopped. Had a computer fry-out when I downloaded some NES roms, but apart from that lived virus free |
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ulsanchris
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: take a wild guess
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Do you guys ever use online scanners to check your computers? How do you check to make sure you don't have any viruses or any other nasty programs? |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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| ulsanchris wrote: |
| Do you guys ever use online scanners to check your computers? How do you check to make sure you don't have any viruses or any other nasty programs? |
I just think this fear of viruses/malware is grossly overblown (like this whole mosque thing going on in the States right now, but that's a whole 'nother story).
If I have ever had a virus, then I guess I'd be fine with it cause it never has affected performance. My gmail accounts don't even receive more than 1 or 2 pieces of spam PER WEEK so I know my data isn't being sent anywhere via malicious software. I maintain that I've never had a virus/malware and while I have used scanners in the past, all have come back with identical results: clean.
The bulk of my browsing encompasses the same dozen or so news, social networking, forums, and torrent sites. However, I am not at all conservative or fearful of visiting random sites people link to me either. That being said, you have to be SOMEWHAT vigilant. If you or your friends use of computers includes Googling stuff like, "Ashl33 samPson MPthree" and clicking on a random warez sites, then PLEASE install some security prevention measures.
For most regular AND irregular internet use, though, I think anti-virus software is only a waste of space, time, in some cases money (I never pay for digital stuff), and computer resources. I will admit that I'm probably in the top 5% of tech savvy folks out there so perhaps my experience reflects that.
You could always say, "Better safe than sorry" but I LOVE my chances in this case. |
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ulsanchris
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: take a wild guess
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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| this is one thing I don't get. You claim to have no viruses on your computer, yet you do nothing to verify your assumption. Wouldn't it be prudent to run an online scanner, say , once a month to confirm your assumption. I generally don't download from random sites, and rarely visit questionable sites yet I get viruses and other nasties from time to time. Furthermore without scanning I never would have known they were there. |
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Gaber
Joined: 23 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I usually use AVG free and Zonealarm. Both free and effective, though AVG makes it hard to actually find their free version on their site. |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| ulsanchris wrote: |
| this is one thing I don't get. You claim to have no viruses on your computer, yet you do nothing to verify your assumption. Wouldn't it be prudent to run an online scanner, say , once a month to confirm your assumption. I generally don't download from random sites, and rarely visit questionable sites yet I get viruses and other nasties from time to time. Furthermore without scanning I never would have known they were there. |
Like I mentioned, I have used online scanners in the past. I probably should have elaborated on this point. Up until last year, I wasted my time with scanners--scanning about once a month. NEVER have I ever had a virus pop up in my results.
Why continue wasting my time?
I also mentioned I am incredibly tech savvy; and that is ONE of the few things I am super confident in. I know computers through and through. Thus, I might be more aware of what could be potentially harmful.
I always find it incredibly hard to believe when people say, "Oh, I pick up viruses every so often" because I CANNOT see how that could be possible. From my own personal use of computers, it almost seems like I'd have to TRY to get a virus to contract one.
If I do get a virus one day, I'll be sure to post here hahaha. Then you guys can rain in with the, "I told you so's." I highly, highly, HIGHLY doubt that will ever happen, though. |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Gaber wrote: |
| I usually use AVG free and Zonealarm. Both free and effective, though AVG makes it hard to actually find their free version on their site. |
"+1"
If you ABSOLUTELY feel compelled to use anti-virus software, Gaber chose 2 great products.
I put the +1 in quotes because I maintain that these programs are ultimately useless for sensible net users.
If you ABSOLUTELY feel compelled to use the best software and pay for it (or get it through other means *cough*), check out Nod32 or Kaspersky.
I know my shizzle about antivirus software.
Final words: don't bother.
Also, disable automatic updates and Windows Firewall. |
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samd
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Op I totally agree. I don't use any anti-virus software etc, and my computer runs fine. Any time I do a scan it comes up clean. I also do a ton of browsing/downloading.
In my experience, if you know what to click on/not to click on, and what to download/not to download, there's no need for any of it. |
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LDJS
Joined: 22 Aug 2010
Location: Earth
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| Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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Also, disable automatic updates and Windows Firewall.
Am tempted to do this.
Since I bout my laptop a week or so ago, Windows 7 has downloaded a whopping 7 - 10 gigs of uploads onto my hardrive.
If that continues, in 6 months or so I'll need a new hardive lol!
What's all that about?! |
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languistic
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
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There is a choice; Tell me and download updates, tell me but don't download, or turn off windows update. If your copy is trusted, then don't turn off the feature.
However...I suspect that isn't the culprit; maybe just the hibernate file and the page file sizes...? |
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Leonidas
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:07 am Post subject: |
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| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
| Gaber wrote: |
| I usually use AVG free and Zonealarm. Both free and effective, though AVG makes it hard to actually find their free version on their site. |
"+1"
If you ABSOLUTELY feel compelled to use anti-virus software, Gaber chose 2 great products.
I put the +1 in quotes because I maintain that these programs are ultimately useless for sensible net users. |
yeah but I've got a wife and kids and they're not sensible net users, doesn't matter how many times I educate them. Anti-virus makes sense. |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 2:40 am Post subject: |
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| Leonidas wrote: |
| Bloopity Bloop wrote: |
| Gaber wrote: |
| I usually use AVG free and Zonealarm. Both free and effective, though AVG makes it hard to actually find their free version on their site. |
"+1"
If you ABSOLUTELY feel compelled to use anti-virus software, Gaber chose 2 great products.
I put the +1 in quotes because I maintain that these programs are ultimately useless for sensible net users. |
yeah but I've got a wife and kids and they're not sensible net users, doesn't matter how many times I educate them. Anti-virus makes sense. |
Congratulations on the family...
but..
what's your point?
They aren't sensible net users, so yeah, anti-virus it away. |
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SeoulNate
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
Location: Hyehwa
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| Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:36 am Post subject: |
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Automatic updates and windows firewall I agree with, they are mildly annoying at best and more than useless at their worst if you know what you are doing.
However, having a good antivirus in place for me is essential when I use my laptop on the go since I always dont have the time to be as vigilant as i should be with wireless networks. |
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