U
Unknown
What none of you ever mention is HOW a user gets a virus or malware.
I have NEVER had either. -----------Why?
I have NEVER had either. -----------Why?
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D
Daave
What none of you ever mention is HOW a user gets a virus or malware.
I have NEVER had either. -----------Why?
Do you know how a user would get the Conficker worm? Using your method
of running no security increases the risk. Just because you never got
infected up until now does not mean that others won't get infected using
you same "safe-hex" methods (which are not as safe as you insist)to. For
instance, the other day a colleague got infected just by visiting a
"safe" site (a local township's home page) that was temporarily
compromised. These things don't happen all the time, but they do happen.
And if you don't have the correct protection, a worm like Conficker
*will* get in your system -- even if you don't click on anything!
I don't deny you've never gotten infected. Neither have I. But that
doesn't mean your advice is sound.
For more info on Conficker:
http://arstechnica.com/security/new...pikes-infects-1-1-million-pcs-in-24-hours.ars
http://blogs.technet.com/mmpc/archi...d-today-addressing-conficker-and-banload.aspx
And even if you *do* install the most current Windows security updates,
what happens if a variant of the worm comes out *before* the update that
will catch it?
U
Unknown
Have you given thought on WHY YOU have never gotten a virus?
D
Daave
Have you given thought on WHY YOU have never gotten a virus?
I'm sure I haven't gotten viruses *to date* for the same reason you
haven't gotten any viruses *to date*. I would imagine we don't open
attachments unless we are expecting them and can see by the extension
what kind of files they are. Furthermore, we both probably have very
conservative surfing habits and we know not to click on Web links that
we know might take us to unsavory Web sites or perhaps might be direct
links to installers. And I'm sure that *up until now*, not using
anti-malware programs would not have affected the outcome. But there are
new threats that don't play by the same rules.
Have you thought about addressing my points, or do you think they are
not worthy of discussion? Just because your method has worked until now
doesn't mean it will always work. It is possible that your method will
fail you with regard to Conficker or other varaiants. This is not
fearmongering; it is a relevant point. If you would rather not discuss
this seriously, that's fine. I just want to give you one more chance.
U
Unknown
Even if a variant of a worm comes out before a security patch to prevent it,
if I got infested with it
I could always restore my computer, via my external backup drive. But I
still never had to do that.
Why infest my computer with all those virus and malware programs??
if I got infested with it
I could always restore my computer, via my external backup drive. But I
still never had to do that.
Why infest my computer with all those virus and malware programs??
D
Daave
Even if a variant of a worm comes out before a security patch to
prevent it, if I got infested with it
I could always restore my computer, via my external backup drive. But
I still never had to do that.
Why infest my computer with all those virus and malware programs??
Because it would eliminate the need to restore your computer in the
first place. Because if you didn't, it would still be possible to be
infected by malware *and not be aware of it* and be more at risk for
your PC to become part of the botnet (then again, if you had a firewall
that allowed you to control outgoing traffic -- do you? -- I guess you
would be able to determine that) or to have a keylogger installed to get
your passwords, financial and other personal info, etc. I don't know
about you, but I like to use my PC for transactions that require my
credit card number. The more security the better -- especailly if
personal and/or financial information is involved. You make it sound
like the more security the worse. That is simply not true. As long as
you stay away from resource-hungry apps like McAfee and Norton, there is
no noticeable hit on performance, no "infestation" as you describe it.
U
Unknown
I have all the security I need. I also use my computer for credit card
purchases etc.
Restoring from a backup is insignificant. I use MS firewall. It is silly to
check outgoing
messages. (If it doesn't get in, why check what's going out)?
Are you one that believes in registry cleaners also?
purchases etc.
Restoring from a backup is insignificant. I use MS firewall. It is silly to
check outgoing
messages. (If it doesn't get in, why check what's going out)?
Are you one that believes in registry cleaners also?
D
Daave
I have all the security I need. I also use my computer for credit card
purchases etc.
How do you know you have sufficient security? Since you are not running
an antivirus program with up-to-date definitions, how do you know you
will never get hit with a worm like Conficker?
Restoring from a backup is insignificant.
Maybe to you, but it does take some time. It's much faster *not* to
restore! The truth of the matter is that running an antivirus program
that has a small footprint with regard to resources has no significant
impact on performance.
I use MS firewall. It is silly to check outgoing
messages. (If it doesn't get in, why check what's going out)?
You just made the argument for me! If it doesn't get in. The key word is
IF. Worms like Conficker *can* get in. However, the likelihood of this
happening greatly diminishes if you run an antivirus program.
Are you one that believes in registry cleaners also?
No. They have very little if any benefit and they can cause a situation
where one might not even be able to boot up.
U
Unknown
I, my friends and relatives all prefer to run our computers in this fashion.
As far as I know none of us
has ever gotten a virus or malware. One relative tried a virus scanner and
it did nothing but cause problems.
He has since deleted it. None of us has the problems often posted in these
newsgroups. I speak of the multitude of problems caused by virus scanners,
malware detectors, non Microsoft firewalls etc etc etc.
How can you possibly argue with this success?
If I had to make a guess, 80 % of the problems posted here are caused by
virus and malware programs
10% by registry cleaners, 5% hardware and 5% actual viruses or malware.
Keep a log for a year or so to prove it to yourself. Delete all the trash on
your computer and see
how reliable it really is..
As far as I know none of us
has ever gotten a virus or malware. One relative tried a virus scanner and
it did nothing but cause problems.
He has since deleted it. None of us has the problems often posted in these
newsgroups. I speak of the multitude of problems caused by virus scanners,
malware detectors, non Microsoft firewalls etc etc etc.
How can you possibly argue with this success?
If I had to make a guess, 80 % of the problems posted here are caused by
virus and malware programs
10% by registry cleaners, 5% hardware and 5% actual viruses or malware.
Keep a log for a year or so to prove it to yourself. Delete all the trash on
your computer and see
how reliable it really is..
D
Daave
I see you avoided answering my question here. The answer is you *don't*
know this. Newer worms like Conficker can get into a system just by a
user visitng a compromised site and not having proper protection. If you
want to take your chances, and then eventually get hit with it (and it
is more of a possibility than you acknowledge), and then restore an
older image of your hard drive (at least you do that much!), then that's
your business. But running high-quality antivirus software *that has a
small footprint* is a much better way to go since there is no
performance hit. Advising others to do things your way is just plain
silly.
I am not arguing with the fact that you (and your friends and relatives)
have yet to be infected with malware. My argument has more to do with
the newer threats that are currently out in the wild. Although you have
had success up until now, that has no bearing on the present and future.
Look, Unknown, you continue to ignore my questions in order to make your
points. Making points is fine, but since you also choose to not have an
actual discussion, I will now leave the thread as it is a waste of my
time. Feel free to have the last word.
know this. Newer worms like Conficker can get into a system just by a
user visitng a compromised site and not having proper protection. If you
want to take your chances, and then eventually get hit with it (and it
is more of a possibility than you acknowledge), and then restore an
older image of your hard drive (at least you do that much!), then that's
your business. But running high-quality antivirus software *that has a
small footprint* is a much better way to go since there is no
performance hit. Advising others to do things your way is just plain
silly.
I, my friends and relatives all prefer to run our computers in this
fashion. As far as I know none of us
has ever gotten a virus or malware. One relative tried a virus scanner
and it did nothing but cause problems.
He has since deleted it. None of us has the problems often posted in
these newsgroups. I speak of the multitude of problems caused by virus
scanners, malware detectors, non Microsoft firewalls etc etc etc.
How can you possibly argue with this success?
I am not arguing with the fact that you (and your friends and relatives)
have yet to be infected with malware. My argument has more to do with
the newer threats that are currently out in the wild. Although you have
had success up until now, that has no bearing on the present and future.
Look, Unknown, you continue to ignore my questions in order to make your
points. Making points is fine, but since you also choose to not have an
actual discussion, I will now leave the thread as it is a waste of my
time. Feel free to have the last word.
M
Mike Torello
Daave said:I see you avoided answering my question here. The answer is you *don't*
know this. Newer worms like Conficker can get into a system just by a
user visitng a compromised site and not having proper protection. If you
want to take your chances, and then eventually get hit with it (and it
is more of a possibility than you acknowledge), and then restore an
older image of your hard drive (at least you do that much!), then that's
your business. But running high-quality antivirus software *that has a
small footprint* is a much better way to go since there is no
performance hit. Advising others to do things your way is just plain
silly.
You aren't going to change the idiot's mind here. Save wear and tear
on your keyboard for those times when he advises someone to follow his
own practices.
D
Daave
Mike Torello said:You aren't going to change the idiot's mind here. Save wear and tear
on your keyboard for those times when he advises someone to follow his
own practices.
Good advice, Mike.
U
Unknown
Well I haven't reverted to name calling as Mike has. Shows his personality.
Out of curiosity, have you ever gotten a virus?
Out of curiosity, have you ever gotten a virus?