anti-viris hype?

[Armagettin]

The problem with the "I love you" virus is that it attached itself to legit emails of infected computers so the attachment was coming from trusted sources.

I received the "I love you" virus from a trusted source. I choose not to trust any source so didn't get sucked in.

Security firm Red Condor said the malware, currently undetected by most virus scanners

So AV software is useless in this case.

is embedded in an email that appears to be a response to an ad on the popular classifieds site Craigslist with the subject line "Re: Car For Sale on craigslist."

I use Craigslist, Ebay etc. and I still wouldn't get sucked into this. I think if you mistrust EVERY email then you will have a lower risk of getting taken.

I'll keep you posted if I %$#@ up.

 

[enyaw]

Better safe than sorry, so far so good. Keep us posted and by the way would you recommend this approach to other people. If they follow your guidelines?

just curious,

 

[Armagettin]

-It is in my nature to be diligent with how I use the computer. I also build them so am comfortable fixing them. (hobby only)

-The risk has been mitigated by doing backups.

-The upside is a MUCH faster computer. Interestingly, the OS also runs better and doesn't get the same buggy issues. I use the computer for 6 to 12 hours/day so this is a big deal.

-I am convinced that because the AV software has to work deep into the system, it messes things up. There are conflicts with video cards, etc. that are hard to trace but disappear when the AV software is removed.

-As for recommending it? Only if you accept the risk. If your system gets messed up and it really screws you then I wouldn't do it. I am willing to have my HD crash for example. The only real worry for me is having my online banking or credit card compromised.

 

[enyaw]

sounds like a plan stan, unless you read this thread carefully I would not reccomend it

 

[WoodPeckr]

----------------------------------------

agreed
I have been happily using avast for about 1 year now

Been using Avast since 2006 with no issues at all for Windows.
However the last 2 years I have mainly been using Linux and have been using Windows less and less. Hardly used Windows at all this year.

 

[WoodPeckr]

sounds like a plan stan, unless you read this thread carefully I would not reccomend it

May give this a try when I get a new desktop. I'll keep the old one running with no AV to see what happens, since it won't matter what happens to it.

 

[Armagettin]

May give this a try when I get a new desktop. I'll keep the old one running with no AV to see what happens, since it won't matter what happens to it.

You are savvy enough that you will not get into trouble. I might set up a linux machine soon for fun. Much of my work is business related and xls, doc files are sent to clients. Does open office convert to MS?

 

[WoodPeckr]

You are savvy enough that you will not get into trouble. I might set up a linux machine soon for fun. Much of my work is business related and xls, doc files are sent to clients. Does open office convert to MS?

Not sure. I only use open office now in place of the M$ version.

Ubuntu 64 bit runs so well, I hardly ever bother with Windows anymore.

Set up a dual boot system, you only need a 20GB Linux partition. Then you still have Windows and can learn Linux at your own pace.

 

[Armagettin]

Set up a dual boot system, you only need a 20GB Linux partition. Then you still have Windows and can learn Linux at your own pace.

Good idea. I'll give it a go.

 

[enyaw]

Woody you forgot to add, and it's all free. Certainly you can't lose.

 

[Keebler Elf]

I've never had a computer infection that couldn't be remedied by formatting my computer.

How does that help you if the virus corrupts the data on your hard drive? You may be able to reformat and start over but your data is still corrupted/gone.

I really don't understand the big hubbub. I've used McAfee for years and only rarely does it interfere with my web surfing or the performance of my computer. Sounds more like you have a personal beef with AV in general and are looking for justification for your beef...

 

[Armagettin]

Sounds more like you have a personal beef with AV in general and are looking for justification for your beef...

What are you smoking? This was a nice, civilized thread. Piss off, fucking retard.

 

[WoodPeckr]

How does that help you if the virus corrupts the data on your hard drive? You may be able to reformat and start over but your data is still corrupted/gone....

Depends how you set up your HDD and back it up.
Anything worth saving goes on another partition or an external HDD. Then when you reformat you don't lose anything and start off all fresh and fast again. A reformat wipes the drive clean of all the nasties and like new again.

For years I've partitioned my HDD with a 20GB partition dedicated to XP, the C-drive, then a 20GB partition for Linux and the rest for storage for both OS. If anything farks up XP, which it hasn't yet, I will just have to redo the 20GB XP partition, leaving the rest untouched. Did the same for my laptop, only had to have a bigger C-drive for bloated Vista that is seldom used.

 

[enyaw]

I think wd-western digital has a piece of software that will clone your drive. Install windows, service pack it. Throw on all your progs etc. Start the wd software with your backup drive. It will clone the drive, then pop it out and put your original back in. You now have a clean drive with your shit on it in safe storage. I'm not certain if it does samsung, hitachi etc drives though

 

[Keebler Elf]

What are you smoking? This was a nice, civilized thread. Piss off, fucking retard.

Wow. You really are a little brat. A brat with a beef against AV no less.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Depends how you set up your HDD and back it up.
Anything worth saving goes on another partition or an external HDD. Then when you reformat you don't lose anything and start off all fresh and fast again. A reformat wipes the drive clean of all the nasties and like new again.

For years I've partitioned my HDD with a 20GB partition dedicated to XP, the C-drive, then a 20GB partition for Linux and the rest for storage for both OS. If anything farks up XP, which it hasn't yet, I will just have to redo the 20GB XP partition, leaving the rest untouched. Did the same for my laptop, only had to have a bigger C-drive for bloated Vista that is seldom used.

Yeah, I do the same thing (although I'm finding 20 GB isn't always enough these days).

But how does that help you if the virus corrupts your data? I'm not talking about corrupting your OS, I'm talking about corrupting your storage files/data. If that gets fucked, you can reformat and reinstall your OS all you want but your data is still fucked.

In this day and age if you're not using AV you're a moron who gets what you deserve. Unless you're an old person who doesn't get technology, if you come to me for help because you've got a virus and you were too stupid to not use AV, I'd just laugh and tell you that you're on your own. That's just plain stupidity/foolishness at work. The same foolish mindset of someone who says, "Well, my dad smoked and he didn't get cancer so I'll be fine too." Dumbass.

 

[Armagettin]

Wow. You really are a little brat. A brat with a beef against AV no less.

ummm... no. We are having a discussion. Beef against AV? Do you just dream shit up to troll? Jesus, can you not just fucking participate like an adult?

 

[Armagettin]

But how does that help you if the virus corrupts your data?

Presumably your data is backed up on a regular basis.

In this day and age if you're not using AV you're a moron who gets what you deserve.

Nice insult.

Unless you're an old person who doesn't get technology

Nice insult.

, if you come to me for help because you've got a virus and you were too stupid to not use AV, I'd just laugh and tell you that you're on your own.

Nice insult and lack of sympathy.

That's just plain stupidity/foolishness at work. The same foolish mindset of someone who says, "Well, my dad smoked and he didn't get cancer so I'll be fine too."

Nice Insult.

Dumbass.

Nice Insult.

Now I know that sometimes I use insult as an ineffective retaliation but why do you choose to write things with such little value? I don't understand why you would choose insult as your main form of communication. Is this some form of pathetic entertainment? Is this the extent of your intellect?

There have been several writings on the form and strategy of intellectual debate. The two strategies used commonly by the least intelligent. 1) Insult or ridicule and 2) Negative criticism without cogent presentation of a supporting argument.

You have used both admirably. Now, are you able to respond with something intelligent that doesn't involve an insult? If not, then kindly leave the thread and troll somewhere else. (or post that you have every right to post where ever you want)

To restate.... three posters in this thread (or friends) have been running sans AV for over a year. In my case, three separate software scans showed zero hits of malware. When AV was installed, a scan after a week of use would show at least a half dozen dataminers etc. Some of us currently have at least some reason to believe that AV might not be worth the impact on the speed and reliability of a computer. A few people on here are interested in the topic.

Care to add something relevant other than, "You're a moron if you blah blah blah."?

Thanks sweetie.

 

[WoodPeckr]

I think wd-western digital has a piece of software that will clone your drive. Install windows, service pack it. Throw on all your progs etc. Start the wd software with your backup drive. It will clone the drive, then pop it out and put your original back in. You now have a clean drive with your shit on it in safe storage. I'm not certain if it does samsung, hitachi etc drives though

Seagate has Disc Wizard, that does the same thing. It used to be freely available on their website or with any Seagate HDD you bought and in the past worked on drives other than Seagate. Now I believe they limit its use to only Seagate drives. It was a phenomenal piece of software and very easy to use to format, set up partitions and clone any drive you wish.

 

[WoodPeckr]

But how does that help you if the virus corrupts your data? I'm not talking about corrupting your OS, I'm talking about corrupting your storage files/data. If that gets fucked, you can reformat and reinstall your OS all you want but your data is still fucked.

I never had that happen.
I only put the important files that are 'clean' on the Ext HDD and extra storage partitions for backup, never store them on C-drive. In almost 13 yrs I only got a virus or two but Norton caught it before any serious damage was done. Same with Avast which was used since 2006. In all that time I was only forced to format twice. Once Gateway tech farked up my PC over the phone and had to fix it, since it was still under full warranty. The other time I farked it up trying something out, just for the heck of it to see what would happen and winded up having to format..... The prior Gateway farkup taught me how to save what is of value, so nothing was lost again.