Does Windows need an anti-virus?

[Cobalt006]

I am in agreement with Blkfx1, Why would you want to collect av programs? What are you really trying to learn from this? Enlighten some of us. If its just AV programs you can scan the web . Try each and everyone out. If its info you want.I think a lot has already been given. From some of the best hear at Techspot. Their is no real secret hear. Just what people have learned over the years. What works best for them.

 

[Nobina]

I don't use an antivirus becaues it annoys the hell out of me with updates, some messages I don't care about, it slows my PC down, warns me for everything I do, well, that's an antivirus. I used to have one all the time but I know how to keep my PC from getting infected, so I removed it and I just install it occasionally to make sure It's clean, and it always is. Been like that for years now... However, this is not recommended for anyone.

 

[Cobalt006]

Their are antivirus out their that do not slow down the PC. Or warn you of everything you do. But this is your choice. So keep safe

 

[MrBlkfx1]

Their are antivirus out their that do not slow down the PC. Or warn you of everything you do. But this is your choice. So keep safe

Indeed. MSE uses very little resources. You can install MSE and forget it's even there.

 

[abbasi]

The word "ones" in my past comment refers to info. I don't want to continue this discussion because in those last comments I didn't see any useful talk. I try just answer the opinions.
When one night the door of you home is open and nothing is stolen in the morning, it's not good reason to open it again and again.

 

[learninmypc]

I don't want to continue this discussion because in those last comments I didn't see any useful talk.

Don't like the truth so you back out.

 

[abbasi]

LOL. I'd like the truth but the truth from a professional/master person.

 

[learninmypc]

LOL. I'd like the truth but the truth from a professional/master person.

You'll find the best Professionals/masters right here at TechSpot.

 

[cliffordcooley]

And just exactly what are those qualifications? Using and administrating your own PC for more than 20 years, doesn't count for anything. Somehow I get the feeling you wouldn't care about the answers, unless they were one sided.

While your expression above is viewing a home as being unlocked one night, as if there is possible invasion attempts ever day. I'm viewing my home as never being invaded so why lock. I look at wearing an uncomfortable seat belt everyday, because someday there may be an accident the same way. I don't know about you, but I'm not accident prone. I refuse to wear the damn things because they are uncomfortable and rarely needed. Seat belts have also been known to cause death as well as save them. Being a law it also invades my personal freedom, which sparks a massive rebellion. At least there is a choice with this topic, I'm not trying to force you not to use an AV. I even mentioned using an AV was a good Idea, so is locking your front door. But locking your front door is not a must, neither is using an AV, and wearing a damn seat belt is certainly not a must even though they made it law.

 

[abbasi]

I think you are apart from the whole of the society and have created an isolated group, with those opinions! And also all of you have created a legion against my thoughts while this legion doesn't have any weapon to prove its power (in this case, accuracy). Seat belt is a very good analogy for the issue. IMO fasten seat belt is a must just like using an anti-virus on a vulnerable OS like Windows.
PS: I have asked Prof. Andrew S.Tanenbaum this topic and soon quote his idea.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I think you are apart from the whole of the society and have created an isolated group, with those opinions!

No the problem with your statement is the verb "must", which suggest there are no alternative scenarios. Writing off even the smallest of groups, is failure to understand a simple verb. While you are talking to "Prof. Andrew S.Tanenbaum", ask about the definition of "must".

 

[abbasi]

The problem is not about the definitions. It's about that you have a unique (and wrong) opinion about protecting the PC (Windows OS on it). Anyway, I go on my way and you yours.

 

[bobcat]

I believe this thread has served its useful purpose and has now become a source of conflict and bad advice.

I say this because there have been posts effectively advising against the use of an antivirus. Bearing in mind that many visitors rely on this site to get essential guidance, letting them understand that an antivirus is not necessary is simply bad advice. For the vast majority of PC users, both antivirus and firewall are essential utilities. And boasting about your ability as experts to do away with them does not help such users one bit.

The simple, correct advice to most PC users is: you definitely need an antivirus and a firewall, a fully patched system and browser, plus sensible surfing habits.

 

[abbasi]

Yes, this is a good comment. I would like to say that, all of the PC users (of especially Windows OS) must definitely use an anti-virus. I knew what I say and this is why I stood against all of those not-completely correct opinions.
Good sources for more info:
1- Counter hack reloaded 2nd ed by Ed Skoukis[FONT=arial] [/FONT]
2- Computer networking a-top-down approach 5th ed, by kurose
3- Computer networks 5th ed, by andy tanenbaum
.....

PS: The answer of Prof tanenbaum is YES. The anti-virus is a must.

 

[Cobalt006]

Thank you Abbasi. You have a very unique way of getting a answer. Which I think has been answered Quite a few times. But anyway glad to here you got your answer. Yes a antivirus is a must in my book.

 

[Nobina]

The point of this tread is to argue with people who think that they don't need an anti virus because they can take care without it.

 

[Cobalt006]

The point of this thread was not argue with people who think they need a don't need a antivirus. The point was for the OP to get his answer. Dose windows need a Antivirus? It was for his understanding. The thread just went off track with different opinions. As BobCat has stated it has served its useful purpose.

 

[abbasi]

No. You are in a fiction I think. No one till now said having an anti-virus is a must. Anyway, I expected see some comments like this:
Yes it needs because ..... (discussing about Windows firewall, defender and a good AV).

 

[Nobina]

No. You are in a fiction I think. No one till now said having an anti-virus is a must. Anyway, I expected see some comments like this:
Yes it needs because ..... (discussing about Windows firewall, defender and a good AV).

No one said Antivirus is a must, cause it isn't. What fiction are you talking about?

 

[cliffordcooley]

You guys take care, I've officially been labeled for giving bad advice. I don't see how, but there it is.

So long and please have a good day.

 

[Cobalt006]

Yes, this is a good comment. I would like to say that, all of the PC users (of especially Windows OS) must definitely use an anti-virus. I knew what I say and this is why I stood against all of those not-completely correct opinions.
Good sources for more info:
1- Counter hack reloaded 2nd ed by Ed Skoukis
2- Computer networking a-top-down approach 5th ed, by kurose
3- Computer networks 5th ed, by andy tanenbaum
.....

PS: The answer of Prof tanenbaum is YES. The anti-virus is a must.

Really, no one said a antivirus is a must. I am done either you understand what you write or you don't . It has been explain why its needed as well as why some think they don't need it. I am sorry but this is just not worth the time, Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[learninmypc]

I agree with Cobalt006 & others. I WILL NEVER take any windows pc online without an AV & I'm a VERY safe web surfer. If you wish to continue debating the facts, I doubt you'll get much more of a response.

 

[SNGX1275]

This got to 4 pages, I read the last 2. How this got this far is perplexing to me.

My views are:
People that are new to the online world need AV, they haven't yet seen how things progress, they aren't in tune for what should raise red flags.
People that have been around for a while, probably don't need AV. Use an alternative web browser - bad stuff is designed to hit a big audience...
Think about what you are doing. Do you really think you are going to get something really awesome for free? if so, then yes you need an AV.


Just run MSE, maybe it isn't the greatest, but it will protect you from yourself. Chances are if you get hit with something MSE didn't catch, then you KNEW you were living on the fringe of the internet and that should have been factored into your decisons.


I run MSE, because it takes up so little resources. Before MSE, I didn't run AV, the last time I had a non MSE AV on my main machine was likely around 2000. Be smart, if you can't be smart, run an AV.

 

[captaincranky]

This got to 4 pages, I read the last 2. How this got this far is perplexing to me.

I had everybody mad enough to quit this quite a while ago, but Bobcat was 'kind' enough to reinterpret the title for us.

Just run MSE, maybe it isn't the greatest, but it will protect you from yourself. Chances are if you get hit with something MSE didn't catch, then you KNEW you were living on the fringe of the internet and that should have been factored into your decisions.

I made exactly this point at post #9

It basically depends on how many people you'd care to share your personal information with, and how long you're willing to wait for any command to execute. And then too, whether or not you're willing to pay 50 bucks from time to time, to get control of your computer back. You make the call.

Just install "Microsoft Security Essentials". It's free, it works OK, and if it doesn't, at least you can say you tried.

And here we go again at post #73.

Mr.Abassi made his rather auspicious debut here at Techspot, by starting a thread asking if we could help him get around Iran's internet filters: https://www.techspot.com/community/topics/how-to-bypass-irans-gov-filters-on-internet.192190/

So, beings as this thread keeps rising from the dead more times than a zombie in a "B" movie, and beings as the question has been examined and answered from all angles, I think it's time to demonstrate Techspots filters, and padlock it.

 

[learninmypc]

I agree. Padlock it & toss the key.