Hi all,

Do we really need an anti-virus for our computer?

I bought this computer and as usual it comes with Norton but I find it very invasive so I uninstalled it.

If anti-virus prog is a must then suggest which is good? Err... I cheapskate prefer to have free one. So any suggestions please?

Thanks all!

1. yes.
2. throw in Microsoft Security Essential and you're done.

all those fancy antivirus are for idiots.

-Hmm, I'm not using any real-time antivirus for a while already now; so far everything is still okay (I hope, Insya-Allah).

-However, if I stumbled upon suspicious file(s), I'll scan them using free collaborative online scanners such at http://virusscan.jotti.org/ or http://www.virustotal.com/.

-I also keep on-demand virus scanner(s) around in case I need to scan relatives'/friends' portable USB drives.


Regards.

Anti virus are not necessary if you're careful enough. However how cautious you may be, the virus may come from USB drives as well. With nothing to scan it through, you can easily get infected.

I myself use Avast. Is it good? I have no idea. I just keep it just in case. It doesn't really disturb nor take much resource.

+1 also for this..

one of the best 100% free AV..

fancy antivirus are for idiots?really ? lol
i've been using kapersky internet security for years

Sometimes even with paid AV/IS if the user is not careful or well aware enough of what they are surfing, no amount of security software will be able to help you to completely prevent you from getting infected. I'm not saying that you don't have to have protections, to me using security programs that are freely available is more than enough and I don't get myself infected because I know what I'm doing.

Depend on yours.
You think it's important, you need it.
For me, I never used because if my computer affected.
Just reformat again.
Also if only you using the computer.
I think you know everything about your computer.

that's one really stupid way to manage your PC.

Agreed with that.
AV/IS is just a guard.
You tell the guard, you want to the let thieves inside, they also can't do anything with the thieves.
Important is, good surfing practice.
No P2P programs, clean-surfing, use genuine programs are good ways to reduce the chance from infected.
Been using AVG Free for ages only, no virus or so.
Switched to ESET Smart Security, due to tiring with AVG's false positive rate.

This post has been edited by kingkingyyk: Apr 1 2011, 12:11 PM

If you're living in the middle of the secluded forest with no internet connection at all and no contact from outside, then you need no antivirus.
Otherwise, you need one.

use Avast free edition antivirus ... it works well too.... dun ever use norton ... unless is business based... it will make ur computer slow like a snail.. XD

use avast free antivirus or microsoft security essential

This post has been edited by XeactorZ: Apr 1 2011, 02:38 PM

That's history.
Norton is no longer resource hogging.
It is more efficient than overrated Kaspersky as well, as I tried in VirtualBox.

In real life, I have compared Norton Internet Security 2011 with Kaspersky Internet Security 2011, installed on a old Pentium 4 1.6GHz with 512MB of RAM.
When the PC is with Norton, the startup is still rapid.
When the PC is with Kaspersky, the startup is like snail already.

This post has been edited by kingkingyyk: Apr 1 2011, 02:48 PM

same with me also..

I used to think anti-viruses are craps and never install one. Moreover I do not
have an internet line so I presume everything will be fine as long I'm careful.
That is until my friend lent me his USB drive and the next thing I know, my comp
is infected. Well, that was eons ago and I've learned that unexpected things do happen.

Install Malwarebytes's Anti Malware only and you done. No need for those fancy one.

Also, be careful when you are going to explicit site.

MBAM itself is not a anti virus, even for the paid edition.
It serves as a complement for your anti virus only.

Why?..
If you buy a car?.
Do you know your car condition or you just drive it everyday without take care of it?.
It's same to your PC, AntiVirus like additional software.
Not so important but if you think you need it.
You need to used it.
Because you cannot do anything with AntiVirus.
Just to protect your OS from attack by someone.

The first thing when u get a new comp with fancy av, uninstall it.
Well imo, av is important in order to keep your computer healthy. im using lite av only, avira. if u dun wan use av then install deepfreeze.