Can I skimp on antivirus

[G. Ormless]

I am a home networking newbie and I haven't gone wireless yet.

I have a newish PC that I'll call 'A', running Windows XP home edition and
McAfee antivirus, with Windows firewall enabled (I've read a bit about the
limitations of Windows firewall).

My DSL broadband modem connects directly to PC 'A' via USB cable.

My older PC, 'B', runs on Windows ME and its network interface card / NIC is
connected to 'A's NIC via Ethernet switch using straight patch cables. No
virus checker on that PC (!)

My question is, when I access the internet from PC 'B' using Internet
Connection Sharing / ICS, does PC 'A' effectively filter incoming data for
viruses, as all data goes through its USB port?

Thanks for letting me know,

G.

 

[Sunny]

I am a home networking newbie and I haven't gone wireless yet.

I have a newish PC that I'll call 'A', running Windows XP home edition and
McAfee antivirus, with Windows firewall enabled (I've read a bit about the
limitations of Windows firewall).

My DSL broadband modem connects directly to PC 'A' via USB cable.

My older PC, 'B', runs on Windows ME and its network interface card / NIC
is
connected to 'A's NIC via Ethernet switch using straight patch cables. No
virus checker on that PC (!)

My question is, when I access the internet from PC 'B' using Internet
Connection Sharing / ICS, does PC 'A' effectively filter incoming data for
viruses, as all data goes through its USB port?

NO. you need an anti virus application on PC "B".

 

[Malke]

NO. you need an anti virus application on PC "B".

Just to add to the above excellent advice - you can leave off the
antivirus on the second machine if you *want* to get a virus on it!
Either buy a reasonably-priced av like F-Prot ($30 for a single-user
license and you can put it on 4 machines) or put something free on it
like Avast!.

Malke

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "G. Ormless" <[email protected]>

| I am a home networking newbie and I haven't gone wireless yet.
|
| I have a newish PC that I'll call 'A', running Windows XP home edition and
| McAfee antivirus, with Windows firewall enabled (I've read a bit about the
| limitations of Windows firewall).
|
| My DSL broadband modem connects directly to PC 'A' via USB cable.
|
| My older PC, 'B', runs on Windows ME and its network interface card / NIC is
| connected to 'A's NIC via Ethernet switch using straight patch cables. No
| virus checker on that PC (!)
|
| My question is, when I access the internet from PC 'B' using Internet
| Connection Sharing / ICS, does PC 'A' effectively filter incoming data for
| viruses, as all data goes through its USB port?
|
| Thanks for letting me know,
|
| G.
|

You need AV software on every Internet connected or networked PC.

You should get a Cable/DSL Router such as the Linksys BEFSR41 and drop ICS ! It'll save
resources and the Router will act as a simplistic FireWall.

As always, I suggest blocking both TCP and UDP ports 135 ~ 139 and 445 on *any* SOHO Router.

 

[Mich]

I am a home networking newbie and I haven't gone wireless yet.

I have a newish PC that I'll call 'A', running Windows XP home edition and
McAfee antivirus, with Windows firewall enabled (I've read a bit about the
limitations of Windows firewall).

My DSL broadband modem connects directly to PC 'A' via USB cable.

My older PC, 'B', runs on Windows ME and its network interface card / NIC is
connected to 'A's NIC via Ethernet switch using straight patch cables. No
virus checker on that PC (!)

My question is, when I access the internet from PC 'B' using Internet
Connection Sharing / ICS, does PC 'A' effectively filter incoming data for
viruses, as all data goes through its USB port?

Thanks for letting me know,

G.

I personally don't run antivirus, but yea I guess you should, but that
being said, I work on PC's for a living and EVERY PC that has an antivirus
on it that I get called to work on, has at least one virus one it and
usually 5 to 20.

AVG free and Zonealarm free versions is my recommended solution

Mich...

 

[Sir_George]

Mich,

So, is your position that those same individuals would have less viruses
without an AV program? I don't think so.

 

[Mich]

Mich,

So, is your position that those same individuals would have less viruses
without an AV program? I don't think so.

My position is people have a false sense of security when install an
antivirus program.
reasons are as follows:

1. they don't update or renew the software.
B. they go ahead and open everything (because I'm safe) !
3. over 200 virus' come out every month (nobody can protect you from all of
them).
D. antivirus programs a reactive and, for the most part not proactive

So I do not run antivirus and I do not have a false sense of security
I've been on this box virus free for four years now
and I even use Outlook !!
So what I'm saying is if your not a dumbass you can do just fine without an
AVP.

Mich...

 

[Postman Delivers]

My position is people have a false sense of security when install an
antivirus program.
reasons are as follows:

1. they don't update or renew the software.
B. they go ahead and open everything (because I'm safe) !
3. over 200 virus' come out every month (nobody can protect you from all of
them).
D. antivirus programs a reactive and, for the most part not proactive

So I do not run antivirus and I do not have a false sense of security
I've been on this box virus free for four years now
and I even use Outlook !!
So what I'm saying is if your not a dumbass you can do just fine without an
AVP.

Mich...

Mich,

I see about 30 computers a week, and the ones with the expired 60 or 90
day trial software have the most problems, second worst would be the
computers where their friend has disabled or removed the anti-virus
software.

I do occasionally get a machine when the users knowledge is far above
the norm, and they can keep their systems clean and freely operating.
I do not see many of these clean open computer systems, because the
knowledge to operate one is far above the norm, or these computer users
do not need a competent shop's services.

If I see ad-aware, and spybot search & destroy installed the computer
is seldom in for virus, spy-ware overload or in need of a hard drive
reformat. It is in the shop for an upgrade or hardware problem.
Because the users has enough knowledge to protect themselves with a
current auto-updating anti-viral package.

Computers are like cars, check the oil, water, and tire pressure before
driving. Their is more to owning one than putting petrol in, turning
the key and stomping the go pedal. In other words you can judge the
computer users by how many Burger King, or MacDonald wrappers are
floating around behind the drivers seat.

It is also common for the wife or girlfriend to ask the auto mechanic
which car to use, because like the computer tech often the three or
four that are complete and at the home only one is not pulled apart for
a potential upgrade.

JR

 

[Mich]

Mich,

I see about 30 computers a week, and the ones with the expired 60 or 90
day trial software have the most problems, second worst would be the
computers where their friend has disabled or removed the anti-virus
software.

I do occasionally get a machine when the users knowledge is far above
the norm, and they can keep their systems clean and freely operating.
I do not see many of these clean open computer systems, because the
knowledge to operate one is far above the norm, or these computer users
do not need a competent shop's services.

If I see ad-aware, and spybot search & destroy installed the computer
is seldom in for virus, spy-ware overload or in need of a hard drive
reformat. It is in the shop for an upgrade or hardware problem.
Because the users has enough knowledge to protect themselves with a
current auto-updating anti-viral package.

Computers are like cars, check the oil, water, and tire pressure before
driving. Their is more to owning one than putting petrol in, turning
the key and stomping the go pedal. In other words you can judge the
computer users by how many Burger King, or MacDonald wrappers are
floating around behind the drivers seat.

It is also common for the wife or girlfriend to ask the auto mechanic
which car to use, because like the computer tech often the three or
four that are complete and at the home only one is not pulled apart for
a potential upgrade.

JR

JR,
hey bud.

First off , most of my customers are really computer stupid,
and I mean dumb! when it comes to their computer and the Internet.
for instance, I don't think I have more than 7 that know what a Newsgroup
is.

That being said YUP duh I have an antivirus and I'm safe ya duh...
I stand my ground on my original thought. (they are dumbass's)

Oh and spybot and adaware, my customers have those on their systems too !
(right next to their AOL icon).

help me understand this, you "see" about 30 computers a week ?
who are you? , Superman maybe ?
it takes me 2 to 3 hours to do a good cleanup of somebody's computer
so your working 60 to 90 hours a week ?
Maybe you do "see" them but are you working on them ?
You must have a staff. You did mention a shop. (My "shop" is my home
office).

If you are personally working on 30 computers a week and have time to eat
and sleep PLEASE PLEASE ! tell me what I'm doing wrong and what your doing
right PLEASE !

I really could use the help 'cause I take a workload of 10 or so a week (I
go to my customers homes for the most part). and for me that's some good
money.
but I'd love to work on 30 a week !


Mich...