[Tech] Anti-Virus recommendation

thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
Taffy said:
Much like my theory of 'if I tell the dentist I don't want anaesthetic, he will probably be much more careful'. Seems to work well :)
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Indeed. Despite the best intentions, all it takes is one mis-click and you can suddenly be taken to an infected website and BAM you're infected. New exploits are being found all the time...

While no anti-virus product will ever be 100% effective, it IS an extra layer of security that can be useful.
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
As virus scanner generally will add another process (or more) here and there and chugs around on your system (as it appears from peoples comments in this thread). Or be sensible, and get around this fact.

Same with car breakdown cover? Take care of your car, and its less likely to breakdown, so breakdown cover isnt really helpful.

Or do you still use a condom if the girl you're with is on the pill :p. Theres times where extra levels of protection just are annoying! hehe.
 
thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
To take the car analogy: the fact that you take care of your car does indeed mean it is less likely to break down, but there is always a chance that it will (like what happened to my dads car on the way to brighton to watch the darts Premier League Finals in 07).
 
PsiSoldier

PsiSoldier

Well-Known Member
Wol said:
As virus scanner generally will add another process (or more) here and there and chugs around on your system (as it appears from peoples comments in this thread). Or be sensible, and get around this fact.
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Better to have extra protection at the expense of a negligable amount of resources, than have 2fps more and increase your risk.

Wol said:
Same with car breakdown cover? Take care of your car, and its less likely to breakdown, so breakdown cover isnt really helpful.
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Taking care with something can't stop things going wrong (User error).

Wol said:
Or do you still use a condom if the girl you're with is on the pill :p. Theres times where extra levels of protection just are annoying! hehe.
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That's a bit like having a firewall and thinking it works as an anti-virus.
 
Nanor

Nanor

Well-Known Member
If you are careful on the net it's still possible you'll get a virus. I don't care how many FF extensions you use or what you don't click on you will probably get a virus at some stage.

Now if you don't have Virus Protection you're screwed, but if you are careful and have virus protection well then you have nothing to worry about.

Why take the risk?
 
waterproofbob

waterproofbob

Junior Administrator
Anti-Virus programs don't just add a minimal resource whore, they root into registries and bury themselves in and use unnecessary resources and are largely pointless in my opinion. If like Wol and Haven have stated you have your firewall set up correctly and you take adequate precautions you won't have any issues with Viruses.

The people I seem to find who have issues with Viruses tend to be those who have Norton (or the like) as their only protection and it hasn't been effective. I had a conversation with Vibs Wol and my housemate Alex. None of us have any form of antivirus installed all of us have correctly set up firewalls and None of us have had any issues with Bugs or anything that has caused any slowdowns at all.

I don't need to be concerned about running out of resources but I'd still rather not have something I don't need.
 
Nanor

Nanor

Well-Known Member
What happens if you hop on a LAN and get raped?

It's like not wearing a seatbelt but it being OK 'cause you're driving perfectly.
 
PsiSoldier

PsiSoldier

Well-Known Member
waterproofbob said:
Anti-Virus programs don't just add a minimal resource whore, they root into registries and bury themselves in and use unnecessary resources and are largely pointless in my opinion.
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I don't know what you used, but it obviously wasn't very good.
With AVG and Nod32, I have had no problems when trying to uninstall them, no problems with the "registry burying", and they both protected me from seemingly legitimate files, from legitimate sources.

Fun fact; Xfire, Steam, Ventrilo, Teamspeak, all things you may have running while gaming, right? They use more resources than Nod32.
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
PsiSoldier28 said:
I don't know what you used, but it obviously wasn't very good.
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And this is an 'anti virus reccommendation' thread, so is answering the main point directly :)

Nanor, you mention getting raped on a LAN, how would this happen, if you have setup firewalls and services correctly?
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
So thats more of a 'physical access to computer' attack, rather than a network attack.

Whichever way: don't have autorun enabled for usb drives?
 
Nanor

Nanor

Well-Known Member
Right, well you've convinced me in the sense that if you are careful enough you won't get a virus. You guys are very tech savvy and know what you're doing. I'm tech savvy to an extent but god dammnit when someone's selling viagra for $4 a pack I'm just gonna click that damn link.

I'll stick with my Anti-Virus, especially as it gives me no trouble at all.
 
BiG D

BiG D

Administrator
Staff member
Wol said:
So thats more of a 'physical access to computer' attack, rather than a network attack.

Whichever way: don't have autorun enabled for usb drives?
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That's great and all. Maybe you won't ever get a virus. But, hypothetically, if you do somehow, beyond all reason, end up with a keylogger running in the background, would you not want something that would detect and remove it?
 
decky101

decky101

In Cryo Sleep
This is a fairly stupid argument to be perfectly honest, sure, it's entirely possible to be very very careful, and never ever get a virus, but surely then if you do cock up and get one, what do you plan on doing about it? As many have already highlighted in this thread, there are many many anti-virus programs out there at cause no trouble whatsoever, that remain inconspicuously on your computer until the day you do accidently click on that oh so tempting "You're our 1000000000th visitor and win 1 gazillion pounds" Anti-virus applications were designed to give peace of mind, so that you don't have to be vigilant at all times (Do you all suffer from paranoia so that's why you're always vigilant? :p) Sure, I can see that some of you must have had issues with anti-virus programs, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have one installed.

Say, you're a member of a SWAT team, you are faced with the choice: to wear a bulletproof vest, or to not wear a bulletproof vest? Bulletproof vest, not impregnable, but does provide an extra layer of protection in case you do go round a corner and get shot in the chest. Or you could decide to forget about the bulletproof vest, save some weight, but now you have to cautiously peer around every corner, tread very carefully, and make damn sure that the next corner you go around doesn't have any shooters. What would you choose? Is it not very obvious what the smarter decision is?
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
Well running through a minefield with big chunky mineproof shoes on....

Just cos you have magic shoes doesnt mean you should really go running through a minefield wherever the hell you please!

Whichever way: I've had more issues with antivirus programs than I have with viruses themselves, so my reccommendation is...

If you're sensible and can use the internet sensibly - don't bother with one
If you like clicking on lots of links and adverts and don't mind another process or so sitting running in the background - get an antivirus... one of them.
 
Nanor

Nanor

Well-Known Member
So don't get flu vaccines because you walk around with a surgical mask on most of the time?
 
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