Anti-Virus, Or No?

[JaiDee]

Just curious what you guys think about having an anti-virus program installed on your PC.

 

  I have used Norton for years and it's always done me well as I haven't had any trouble,  but my yearly renewal was due recently and I switched to Kaspirsky because I could get three installs for 40 bucks, my 2 laptops and my all-in-one.

 

   Well, you get what you pay for; I installed that junk and my favorite laptop slowed down to a crawl......I uninstalled it yesterday and things are back to normal and actually faster than ever,  but I feel awfully vulnerable not being protected at the moment. And fuck Kaspirsky by the way, never again.

 

  So, what do you guys do?

 

Bear in mind I surf a lot of porno sites, surely the only one here who does that, yes?

 

Maybe we can get a few techie guys to weigh in on this one, cheers.

[seven]

Three years now since i switched from PC to Mac and all these headaches are gone. Countless of hours trying to fix f**king Windows blue screen of death. I couldn't recommend any AV as the next guy would say "Kapersky, it worked fine for me". I do remember Norton took all CPU and made the PC overheating.

 

Go Mac, JD.

 

This video is still funny.

 

[JaiDee]

Not really a big fan of Apple products [but LOVE the stock!].

 

  Honestly, I have seen more of them break down and have problems over the years than I have ever seen with Windows, mostly within my own family.  I am a Microsoft guy and happy with them, just not a fan of anti-virus programs as they tend to slow things down.

[JaiDee]

That's a pretty good video and reminds me of the letters I was sending off to Kaspirsky about 30 hours ago  LOL

 

  Macefee was installed from the factory  on my Mom's new all-in-one and I uninstalled that on the first day, fuck them also.

 

Oddly enough I never had any trouble with Norton in 3 or 4 years, and have never gotten a virus or malware or spyware, etc.....they nip it in the bud. But I know it slows my shit down a little, while these other 2 make it completely unusable.

[Torurot]

I Use the free part of AVG anti virus. You just have to be careful when you install it to ONLY install the antivirus sections and allow it to only see your emails and web surfing. Don't install any of the other junk they offer.

Then there is the magnificent FireFox extension "noscript". http://noscript.net/getit Worth it's weight in gold. It's mostly scripts on the web that have the payloads

[Bumblebeee]

I use Avast, the free version which works great and was recommended to my by Route67 a couple of years ago.  Always catches Trojans for me.

 

http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/

[rxpharm]

Despite all the talk of the "evil empire" Microsoft makes a good free antivirus program called "Microsoft Security Essentials". It has free updates, and runs in the background without taking a ton of resources. Also there's no advertising like Avira has (which I used to use, but stopped as the advertising got more obtrusive).

 

It's kept me save from viruses - has detected threats from spam e-mail attachments, will scan downloads before you save them onto your hard drive, all the usual AV stuff. I would highly recommend it.

[JaiDee]

Problem is, RX.....and don't chuckle TOO hard.....I am still on Win XP on my favorite computer!

 

   I know Win 8 comes with some decent security tools but I have no interest in upgrading; I love XP pro and have used this laptop for 4.5 years with never an issue and I am soooooo used to it.  My other two run Win 7.

[seven]

Problem is, RX.....and don't chuckle TOO hard.....I am still on Win XP on my favorite computer!

 

   

i used zone alarm on xp, i don't know if its still around. It was the least evil AV, and xp was imo the best OS for PC.

[rxpharm]

Having used Win XP and WIn 7, I would prefer Win 7 if the hardware supports it. If you don't do any downloading and browse only safe sites with that laptop, you might get away with not using any AV for a while, but eventually it will become compromised.

 

Very few AV products will support Windows XP now since MS stopped support in April. There may still be a few since a number of companies/banks still haven't upgraded yet, but it is only a matter of time when that those products will end support as well.

[Torurot]

AVG still actively supports XP Pro which is what I'm using

[rxpharm]

It won't continue much longer Torurot. If your hardware supports Windows 7, you should consider upgrading before the support ends.

[JaiDee]

I agree with Seven,  XP Pro is still my favorite OS of all time.  I was pissed when they stopped support in the spring, the 2 I have on Win 7 I don't like as much [which is why I still use this one!].

 

My mom got a new windows 8 all-in-one and I set it up for her, didn't really care for it and don't wanna get that but some day will probably have to.

 

   RX,  waddya think about Norton with my XP, will that work for another year?

[rxpharm]

JD, you need to ask Norton if they will. My thoughts are they might be if they have enough corporate subscribers, but it would be only temporary. The major part of the problem is that MS won't supply any more "patches" to plug security holes the OS, browser or other MS programs that run on Win XP (MS office for example). The AV can only do so much, and with newer viruses coming out, especially since hackers know that some companies/banks are still using Win XP, means the risk is getting higher. 

 

I know this sounds like a plug for upgrading - but it is also requires thinking about the risks. If you don't use this laptop for secure transactions (banking, online trading, etc), don't download, or browse risky sites, you may stay safe for a while. It's kind of like having insurance. You hope you don't have to use it, but are happy to have it if something happens.

 

By the way seven, with the increasing popularity of Mac hackers have stared to write viruses for that OS as well, so it is not as safe as it used to be.

[seven]

 

 

By the way seven, with the increasing popularity of Mac hackers have stared to write viruses for that OS as well, so it is not as safe as it used to be.

I'm sure that will come too, but in the meantime  i'm enjoying this without all the problems Windows caused.

[Kahuna]

I have 5 laptops and notebooks using either WIN XP, WIN 7 or WIN 8..........They are all loaded with both AVG 2014  and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - both are free versions and run with no problems......................

 

BTW:  WIN 8 sucks...I had to buy a program called Start8 - only $5 -  to make it resemble and run kinda sorta like earlier versions of Windows...WIN 8 is really made for touch screen computers I think...I ain't ready for that yet........

[xyzzy]

I'm using AVG 2014 Free and SuperAntiSpyware Free on 2x Windows 7 PC, a Windows 7 laptop and a XP PC. You can not surf porn sites without some protection. I've recently been considering upgrading my XP box to Windows 7. But it needs some hardware upgrades. Which means I will upgrade my already good PCs and put the old stuff in the XP box. )

 

I loved XP but I like 7 just as much. But Windows 8 not so much. Windows 8 is kind of like Vista for me. I probably won't bother to upgrade my laptop until something better than Windows 8 comes along. I kept my old XP laptop a long time until 7 replaced Vista.

[Hoot]

Jaidee -

 

Should you have an Anti-Virus product on your PC?  Absolutely

Should you have an Anti-Virus product on your PC if you frequent porn sites?  Ab-so-Fucking-loutley

 

Which Anti-Virus is the best?

I'm not going to give you my opinion on all the products out there, plenty of review sites for that.  My short answer would be, if Norton worked for you and you were happy with it, pay the money and renew. It's a solid product and these guys are in the business of securing corporate networks.   My only concern would be is that if you have to download a newer version of norton, your older machine might not be able to handle it and slow down just like when you installed the new software you purchased.  If you are just renewing a license key, should be back to business as usual.

 

 

Personally, I recently went through something similar. I let my Norton subscription expire not too long ago because I wanted to go the free route thinking I'd save a few bucks..  Two weeks later I uninstalled the freeware because I was unhappy and I paid up Norton. I am happy once again.  It's a solid product and the $70 for 3pc price gives me peace of mind and no hassles. 

 

Other things that PC users need to do to improve their protection other than an Anti-Virus software.

 

• Create a Non-Admin user account that you use for day to day use.  Only use the admin account when you need to install software or perform other admin functions. (Linux/Unix/Mac have this built in, Windows you have to do it yourself)
• Put your windows updates on auto-update. Don't select "I'll do it later", you won't or it will be too late.
• Update Flash and Java on your systems immediately when prompted, don't wait till later.  Zero day exploits in these two applications lead to a large number of virus 'outbreaks' that AV programs can't stop.  The outbreak on Apple computers that a lot of the anti-apple brigade like to point to, in order to say "see Apples get viruses too" came through a java exploit on users machines. Which leads me to the next point...
• If you have Java installed on your computer, but don't need it, uninstall it.  It is a Hackers dream.  (Java is not the same as JavaScript, which is used by your browser -- even though they share the same name.  Just to make things confusing)
• Don't disable User Account Controlls - you may get annoyed by the alert every time you want to install or run a program that needs admin access, but it's alerting you for a reason.  Most applications you run after install won't need that access.
• If you are on OS that is out of date WinXP or earlier - you need to update.  You'll get a safer PC and a much improved computing experience because PC's have come a long way in 5 years.   (But consider waiting to 2015 if you can't stomach Win8- rumor has it a Windows 9 is on it's way.  Windows 8 seems destined to take its place among Vista and WinMe)
• Backup everything that is important to you -- frequently.  No Anti-Virus are perfect and zero day exploits will never be caught.  Whether you get hit with a virus that hijacks your system beyond repair or maybe it is just that your HDD just dies, it doesn't have to be the end of the world.  You can rebuild your system and restore your backups.  Losing your treasured photos and memories is heartbreaking, and doesn't need to happen.

 

 

[Guest sustra2]

on my personal computers ( i have 3 at home )  microsoft essentials is enough...but on the job i use kaspersky...

[JaiDee]

Thanks for the tips guys, and for that thorough rundown, Hoot........most of those things I already do, and as I say I *was* always up to date with my virus definitions until this week when it was time to renew - on all 3 of my PC's.  Every August is my anniversary month and I usually just bought one disc and somehow managed 3 installs from that but their new discs only offer ONE and if you download from the Norton site, same deal.

 

   So right now I am vulnerable on all 3, but only using this Dell laptop, which I love.  I could just do a fresh install with Win 7 [but not 8] but fact is this thing has a small HD [only 120 gigs, I don't even think you can buy 'em this small anymore!] and I have already had to replace the keyboard once, from too much usage.  So I think I will just run it into the ground and get a Windows 9 when they offer it, I know most people are unhappy with 8.

 

''It's a solid product and the $70 for 3pc'' -  The disc I was holding in my hand last week before I bought those Kaspersky asswipes said 1 install only; and I didn't wanna buy three of them!

 

Looks like I may try the free AVG 2014 or go back to Norton if I can find the proper disc.

[seven]

 

 

•  came through a java exploit on users machines. Which leads me to the next point...

 

 I uninstalled Java last year. The new Mac OS doesn't even have Java anymore , because off the risks.

[Tomcat]

I was  a Norton fan but it fucked me badly when i installed AOL a few years back . Never again.

 

I now use Mc Affee and swear by it.. its cought quite a few of those pesky Virus and Trojans and i would never budge now. I have to have 110% protection , like wearing three condoms and i thought Mcfee was supposed to be the best.. well maybe not , but as they say... " if its not broke , dont fix it"

[pdogg]

 110% protection , like wearing three condoms

I was told wearing 2 condoms is counterproductive.

 

Wonder if it's same same with anti virus?

[Tomcat]

I only have one Virus program , not two or three PD, 

 

My health check is as follows

 

1

Mc Affee Anti Virus  complete scan every day with auto switch off when its finished so i run it before before bed

2

Spybot search and Destroy once a week which is important IMO..many porn sites hit here

3

Registry clean once a week.. this really helps it seems.. do other guys here do this ??

4

Will soon start running Adware once a month to clean out them fuckers as well

5

De Frag once a month

6

Disc clean once a month

 

 

Windows8 is a bummer and im, never going to use that again. It was a learning curve on XP and then W7 and so on and on

 

who needs Windows 8 anyway... why  oh why 

[JaiDee]

That's strange, TC....as someone said earlier, some people would probably come on here who love Kaspersky while I hated them, and I was just in a Staples store and the kid there told me "McAfee is the worst by far."

 

So I stuck with the Norton......80 bucks for a disc which covers all three of my devices....and I get a 30 dollar mail-in refund [they hope you won't take the time to mail it in, but I will!]. So 50 bucks covers all three for another year.

 

   I assume it's just a matter of time before this Dell with Win XP craps the bed due to MS not patching the holes, etc......but everything I need is backed up so as I say I will just let it die a natural death.