So I read a lot on here threads in regards to help with a "virus". I have never had a virus or a worm or any junk on my PC. I have used various AV programs and even no AV at different times. I feel that a little common sense is all you need. I can run for months even years without a virus even running without AV. My question is do you guys agree or disagree?
A matter of opinion i suppose....
- Thread starter Thomas
- Start date
- Status
Roark
Lord of Bacon
- Messages
- 1,357
- Location
- North Carolina
Define "common sense".
My dad is almost 70, he only uses his computer for e-mail, freecell, and word processing. He is probably the most intelligent person I know, and has been on the internet since pages could take 5+ minutes to load. He runs AVG, as well as regular checks with Malwarebytes/Spybot/etc.., yet he still manages to get the occasional virus/worm.
I, on the other hand, surf the net recklessly poking my nose into the shadier parts of the information superhighway. I have Avast! running in the background, but have never gotten a warning from it, I think the last virus I got was maybe 2yrs ago.
I think that caution only gets you so far, knowledge can get you a bit further, and a sprinkle of luck can keep you happy.
My dad is almost 70, he only uses his computer for e-mail, freecell, and word processing. He is probably the most intelligent person I know, and has been on the internet since pages could take 5+ minutes to load. He runs AVG, as well as regular checks with Malwarebytes/Spybot/etc.., yet he still manages to get the occasional virus/worm.
I, on the other hand, surf the net recklessly poking my nose into the shadier parts of the information superhighway. I have Avast! running in the background, but have never gotten a warning from it, I think the last virus I got was maybe 2yrs ago.
I think that caution only gets you so far, knowledge can get you a bit further, and a sprinkle of luck can keep you happy.
+1, though I'd say knowledge gets you a lot further, rather than a bit.
I'm just implying that most "issues" come from downloading torrents, using cracked game exe's, browsing porn and so on.... I don't use games or media I didn't buy and I am careful about what I do online. Like I said I have never had an issue but my friends who download games and movies and stuff from torrents and usenet get viruses all the time. If you don't click links that say "claim your free ipad" or steal software you shouldn't have any problems.
You can get a virus from any site. I've went to a forum, not TF, and had a malicious script try to run when I went to view a post. Any site that can be hacked is a potential problem. How many sites do you know of that can't be hacked? Not running a virus program is reckless at best.
I'm not saying I run without AV as a rule and I surely wouldn't recommend it! I don't fit the mold I guess. I play a lot of games and watch a lot of movies on my pc, but when it comes to the internet I guard my activities. I only use a handful of sites I trust. I use TF, Guru3d, FB, Ojooo, and google with caution. I guess I feel MOST not ALL viruses are contracted by either novice users or through amerciable practices.
Roark
Lord of Bacon
- Messages
- 1,357
- Location
- North Carolina
These are 3 of my top 5 favorite computer activities, if I stopped there might be no reason for me to even own a computer.
I guess dumb luck beats caution and common sense, at least for me. Thank god for that.
Roark, Your knowledge keeps you safe. 99% of the computers I have to fix and clean either belong to people that say "I have no idea what I'm clicking on" or they are "packed" with pirated music movies and games. That lead me to this conclusion.
TF was hacked once. As Slay said, any site can be vulnerable.
I use an AV on all he computers in my home. I have MBAM (full version) on my computer running in protection mode. I could run without them but I tend to venture around on the web when the mood strikes. I prefer to lose a few CPU cycles to maintaining my AV and MBAM than chance getting my installation screwed as I am not one who formats and reinstalls on a whim or even semi-regularly.
PP Mguire
Build Guru
- Messages
- 32,592
- Location
- Fort Worth, Texas
False. Most issues come from being retarded on the internet. Not knowing exactly what, how, or where you're going or downloading is what causes infections. In all the time I've been on the internet I have only gotten one virus and that was from a LAN party. Never have I gotten anything on my own. It just takes being smart and keeping your nose clean. I don't run an AV because I'm confident in my ability to keep myself clean and it has been that way for years. The only time I install an AV is when a client brings me a computer that has problems. My immediate response is to put the drive on my PC and scan then troubleshoot from there virus free. If it is a close friends PC then I go through all the stops to make sure it is permanently gone (registry searching, ect).
- Status
