How Many Anti Virus Programs Do You Have Running On Your Comp?

[Vale Tudo]

If you consider computer security like layers of an Onion, use 1 Anti-virus, 1 Malware, 1 Spyware. Run anti-virus continuously, the malware and spyware can be run intermittently, especially if you have a weak computer. As long as they don't overlap too much, you're covered. Don't run more than 1 Anti-virus, just sucks up too much resources.

Those daily antivirus scans can suck up huge amounts of disk i/o, so schedule them when the computer is on, but you're not. Since prices are dropping rapidly, consider an SSD for your root drive.

use ...

1 Anti-virus ... AVG

1 Malware ... Malaware Bytes

1 Spyware ... suggestions, as I don't have one installed and happy with the two above.

... and what is a 'SSD for your root drive' ... ?

Thanks

SSD is Solid State Drive or Flash memory.There are no moving parts like a SATA drive so it's much faster at accessing information.

[watcharacters]

Lighten up, I just wanted to poke some fun at PC users while they get all confused about anti virus.

If any of them had half a brain they would be on Linux.

Sorry but it's not a matter of lightening up. I'm only saying your kind of post is what pisses off fellows like gary who then feels the need to always refer to Apple fan boys

this is not what I call a joke. "If any of them had half a brain they would be on Linux."

I'm finished now discussing it and realize you can't alter your feelings about what you think is humorous.

I just think not stirring up a sh.t fest is a better approach. And staying on topic is usually an OK or wise thing to do.

[bangkockney]

I have no anti virus software.

Why?

I use a Mac.

Have fun with your anti virus programs guys, they really enhance your computers performance.

Apple drops virus immunity claim for Macs

Security software vendors said they saw a spike in sales of Mac anti-virus products in the wake of the Flashback outbreak. Some experts had criticised Apple’s response to the threat; it did not patch the vulnerability exploited by the cyber criminals until three months after it was discovered.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/9355995/Apple-drops-virus-immunity-claim-for-Macs.html

Carry on living in denial.

[sante]

Up to last week I didn't have any AV software on my PC. In the twenty years I've been using computers I think I had one infection which was about 4 years ago but was able to fix it using Malwarebyte. I bought the Pro version but didn't update or use it since that one infection--AV software seems to annoyingly slow down my computer.

But a short time ago I had transferred documents onto a flash drive and brought the drive to a copy shop at CMU for printouts. And a week ago, when I went to transfer some more items onto the drive, the files on it were unrecognizable. At first I thought I had someone else's flash drive. And then I did a stupid thing--I opened an unknown executable file. I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I did it. And then I made mistake #2. Instead of immediately scanning with Malwarebyte (I hastily looked for it in my directory without success) or downloading another free AV program, I shut off my computer and rebooted it. And of course it became grossly infected.

I couldn't access the internet, my mouse wouldn't work and files refused to open. Fortunately I have several computers so was able to download an updated Malwarebyte and several free AV programs, then booted up the infected computer in safe mode and transferred the programs. Malwarebyte gave me a clean scan although I could tell the computer was still infected but Avast got rid of the virus. It's boot-up scan is extremely effective.

So now I'm running Malwarebyte Pro and Avast at boot but will probably disable both after start-up. They create too much of a lag for me. I still think it's possible to keep a computer virus free by using good judgment--and also having another computer available for download and transfer in case of an infection. Actually, another computer isn't necessary as long as Avast, updated frequently, or another competent AV program is stored on a flash drive.

Edited October 9, 2012 by sante

[transam]

Avast Free

Malwarebytes Pro

SuperAntiSpyware (daily to remove crap)

CCleaner (daily)

Auslogics Registry cleaner.

Donttrackme

[Vale Tudo]

Lighten up, I just wanted to poke some fun at PC users while they get all confused about anti virus.

If any of them had half a brain they would be on Linux.

Sorry but it's not a matter of lightening up. I'm only saying your kind of post is what pisses off fellows like gary who then feels the need to always refer to Apple fan boys

this is not what I call a joke. "If any of them had half a brain they would be on Linux."

I'm finished now discussing it and realize you can't alter your feelings about what you think is humorous.

I just think not stirring up a sh.t fest is a better approach. And staying on topic is usually an OK or wise thing to do.

Linux is the free one,isn't it?I always think of it as the homeless man selling The Big Issue type of OS!

[thaicruze]

0

[thaicruze]

I have no anti virus software.

Why?

I use a Mac.

Have fun with your anti virus programs guys, they really enhance your computers performance.

Apple drops virus immunity claim for Macs

Security software vendors said they saw a spike in sales of Mac anti-virus products in the wake of the Flashback outbreak. Some experts had criticised Apple's response to the threat; it did not patch the vulnerability exploited by the cyber criminals until three months after it was discovered.

http://www.telegraph...m-for-Macs.html

Carry on living in denial.

Doesn't matter. Those people got infected for actually installing something. You have to put your password in and allow it to install. You wouldn't get any virus in a Mac if you aren't stupid.

The likelihood of a Mac user getting infected is slim to none, and even then, you have to actually put the password and install the virus yourself.

Edited October 9, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

For Windows all you need is Security Essentials and not be an idiot on the net. Stop downloading and installing illegal software and you'll be fine.

[thaicruze]

Up to last week I didn't have any AV software on my PC. In the twenty years I've been using computers I think I had one infection which was about 4 years ago but was able to fix it using Malwarebyte. I bought the Pro version but didn't update or use it since that one infection--AV software seems to annoyingly slow down my computer.

But a short time ago I had transferred documents onto a flash drive and brought the drive to a copy shop at CMU for printouts. And a week ago, when I went to transfer some more items onto the drive, the files on it were unrecognizable. At first I thought I had someone else's flash drive. And then I did a stupid thing--I opened an unknown executable file. I knew I had made a mistake as soon as I did it. And then I made mistake #2. Instead of immediately scanning with Malwarebyte (I hastily looked for it in my directory without success) or downloading another free AV program, I shut off my computer and rebooted it. And of course it became grossly infected.

I couldn't access the internet, my mouse wouldn't work and files refused to open. Fortunately I have several computers so was able to download an updated Malwarebyte and several free AV programs, then booted up the infected computer in safe mode and transferred the programs. Malwarebyte gave me a clean scan although I could tell the computer was still infected but Avast got rid of the virus. It's boot-up scan is extremely effective.

So now I'm running Malwarebyte Pro and Avast at boot but will probably disable both after start-up. They create too much of a lag for me. I still think it's possible to keep a computer virus free by using good judgment--and also having another computer available for download and transfer in case of an infection. Actually, another computer isn't necessary as long as Avast, updated frequently, or another competent AV program is stored on a flash drive.

Thumb drives are evil. One of the reasons why I love Mac. I use the thumb drive here and other computers and no problem.

When I had my ASUS, Security Essentials detected a few. I also put an autorun killer/thumb drive scanner. Never had a virus.

Edited October 9, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

I have no anti virus software.

Why?

I use a Mac.

Have fun with your anti virus programs guys, they really enhance your computers performance.

MACs are now being targeted as they have risen in market share, and people still believe they can't be infected. Yes, MACs can be infected, as is any computer attached to the web.

About the best machine to avoid being hacked is an IBM iSeries (AS400). A machine built for the financial industry with security built in.

Of course you can infect a Mac, but it takes the user to actually put the virus in there. It's not like in Windows where you can get infected through no action of your own.

[55Jay]

I have no anti virus software.

Why?

I use a Mac.

Have fun with your anti virus programs guys, they really enhance your computers performance.

iOS is a paid Trojan horse itself

Once you get it, the virus alters the owners brain and money starts flowing to toward Cupertino.

LOL. I'm the only PC guy left in my office, other 2 have i-fruit coming out their ears, always buying the next model that comes out, and changing Apple OS like underwear with sexy names like Snow Leopard. Used to crow about no viruses two or so years ago, then the invevitable happened. Same group clucks about their Ipads not getting the laptop check in airports. One just returned from holiday and that policy has apparently changed - had to pull out the Ipad and run it separately through the x-ray, and for anti-arrogance, security (must of been a PC guy) did a second, manual check of the Ipad after xray.

[thaicruze]

I have no anti virus software.

Why?

I use a Mac.

Have fun with your anti virus programs guys, they really enhance your computers performance.

iOS is a paid Trojan horse itself

Once you get it, the virus alters the owners brain and money starts flowing to toward Cupertino.

LOL. I'm the only PC guy left in my office, other 2 have i-fruit coming out their ears, always buying the next model that comes out, and changing Apple OS like underwear with sexy names like Snow Leopard. Used to crow about no viruses two or so years ago, then the invevitable happened. Same group clucks about their Ipads not getting the laptop check in airports. One just returned from holiday and that policy has apparently changed - had to pull out the Ipad and run it separately through the x-ray, and for anti-arrogance, security (must of been a PC guy) did a second, manual check of the Ipad after xray.

How's the non-topic trolling going?

I never had a virus in my Windows laptop, chances of me getting a virus in a Mac are 0. It all depends what you're doing. If you spend your day visiting porn sites and downloading torrents and cracking software, then you will most definitely get a virus regardless of the OS.

Again, in a MAC you have to install the virus yourself. In windows, I was browsing Google in one of the desktops here a few years back, it had 2 anti viruses installed and all I did was click on a hit right in Google and about 100 pop ups from Anti VIrus 2007 started popping up all over the computer. That would never happen in a Mac. A Mac would ask you to download and/or install something. YOu would have to agree to that, then you would have to enter the admin password and let it install.

This is what you have to install to get that flashback trojan. And it exploited Java, not OSX. It doesn't "just happen", it requires you to install it.

The other boloney about the iPads in airports has absolutely 0 to do with the thread. and who cares?

Edited October 10, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaipod]

I've had no anti virus software on my laptop windows program for about 3 years and never had a problem .

[thaicruze]

You should pic on a new virus for Mac instead of the old Flashback. See Crisis. But again, it's just a JAVA exploit. First thing it does it throw up a warning that the certificate is bad. If you don't need Java, you can just uninstall it.

[Vale Tudo]

I've had no anti virus software on my laptop windows program for about 3 years and never had a problem .

Are they coming to install the internet next week then?

[transam]

I've had no anti virus software on my laptop windows program for about 3 years and never had a problem .

l know your on-line bank details, BUT, l am a nice guy.

[thaicruze]

You can make a MAC 100% immune to viruses by doing one of 2 things

or

or both if you feel like it. I never go to any websites that require Java. Although vulnerabilities have been patched, if you don't use it, disable it. That's it. All these Mac viruses are just using Java. If you need it for a specific website, you can just put the check back into Safari.

The new Java update disables Java automatically if the Mac user hasn't used it in a while, making the Mac 100% virus proof.

[balo]

You only need one program that will take care of everything , firewall , viruses and spyware . And it will aslo clean register / temp files for you.

This program is Norton 360 . It also comes with an Online Backup for you files.

Yes its not free but it is the best you can get for money today.

Edited October 10, 2012 by balo

[Bung]

When I was using a PC, my IT guy said I had to get rid of Norton if I wanted my GPRS thumb drive thing to work properly. He said it would just cause too many problems and to be honest, I was glad to see the back of it, royal PIA that it was. The free ones are fine, no need to pay for it.

To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if companies like Norton aren't behind half the viruses around

[thaicruze]

Norton is a pile of crap. Always has been.

Of course they're the ones behind it. We make viruses and then take your money to clean them up. It's all bullshit.

Get a Mac.

[Kiggs]

Only installed 360 once, After it ran away with 600meg of ram i removed it and never used it again. Imo having nothing is better than 360:)

[keith101]

ive just spent 6 days using 8 different anti virus programs to remove all the worms,trojans,viruses and malware . my comp became so slow and my a/v showed no infections . i used an uninstaller to remove it completely and then proceeded to download software one at a time , updaing and then scanning to remove what infections it found uninstalling and starting a new one and eventually removed 27 infections but not one program could find them all ( <deleted> ) my comp is now running much faster and no problems but will continue to change my anti virus software on a regular basis.all very time consuming but i have plenty to spare ,

[thaicruze]

making the Mac 100% virus proof.

Seriously...

Well, yes. Seriously.

Please tell us how, with Java disabled, these Mac viruses will infect a Mac?

Edited October 11, 2012 by Lite Beer

[thaicruze]

ive just spent 6 days using 8 different anti virus programs to remove all the worms,trojans,viruses and malware . my comp became so slow and my a/v showed no infections . i used an uninstaller to remove it completely and then proceeded to download software one at a time , updaing and then scanning to remove what infections it found uninstalling and starting a new one and eventually removed 27 infections but not one program could find them all ( <deleted> ) my comp is now running much faster and no problems but will continue to change my anti virus software on a regular basis.all very time consuming but i have plenty to spare ,

Consider a Mac. Seriously. Or, consider your behavior while on the internet. With Windows, on my personal laptop, I never had a virus. Ever. All I had running was Security Essentials.

[Pormax]

I use 'Panda GP' security and have done for about 5 years. Not had a poblem

[urandom]

making the Mac 100% virus proof.

Seriously...

Well, yes. Seriously.

Please tell us how, with Java disabled, these Mac viruses will infect a Mac?

http://www.cvedetails.com/product/2935/Apple-Safari.html?vendor_id=49

http://www.cvedetails.com/product/156/Apple-Mac-Os-X.html?vendor_id=49

oh but you're lucky, sometimes you just have to wait two months only for apple to fix vulnerabilities...

i build my own kernels (with grsec patches for my firewall/router box), i also use a hardened toolchain. even with this i would never say my machines are 100% safe because that's just not possible.

[thaicruze]

making the Mac 100% virus proof.

Seriously...

Well, yes. Seriously.

Please tell us how, with Java disabled, these Mac viruses will infect a Mac?

http://www.cvedetail...ml?vendor_id=49

http://www.cvedetail...ml?vendor_id=49

oh but you're lucky, sometimes you just have to wait two months only for apple to fix vulnerabilities...

i build my own kernels (with grsec patches for my firewall/router box), i also use a hardened toolchain. even with this i would never say my machines are 100% safe because that's just not possible.

What are those links proving exactly? That someone can hack a system? All those links are either Safari before version 6 or iPhone vulnerabilities.

What I am asking you is, with Java disabled, how will you get a virus into a Mac? HOW? What you're showing me are vulnerabilities in SAFARI that a hacker can take advantage of. You're not talking about viruses in the wild that people get browsing the internet.

Basically, with Java disabled, the chances of getting a virus in a Mac are 0, unless you can tell me how exactly I am going to get one of the viruses in the wild for Mac? They're all Java exploits.

If Safari has issues, then use another browser. Nothing to do with OSX. These are all Safari issues you're linking, not OSX issues.

and yes, it IS possible for a machine to be 100% safe. In theory, if you never connect to the internet or a network, install cracked programs or insert external drives, then you will be 100% secure.

You're just deluded and living in your own world. I am talking about the REAL world. I am not talking about, let's see, let's take all the OS's and ALL the browser and see how many vulnerabilities each has and what is possible.

Didn't they have some sort of Hacker Olympics and the Mac was the one they could hack into in seconds? I'm sure it's on the internet somewhere.

I am talking about people browsing, checking their facebook, working on their documents, listening to music. Not pirating stuff or looking at porno. Just regular people using the computer everyday. If you disable Java for any browser in OSX, or disable it from the Java preferences, none of the Viruses out there for Mac would be able to infect your computer.

and that's the end of that. The links to every single possible found vulnerability on the way Safari deals with cascading style sheets that may allow a hacker to remotely this that and the other doesn't impress me.

Edited October 11, 2012 by thaicruze

[thaicruze]

This is an example of the latest SUPER MAC VIRUS.

http://mashable.com/...her-mac-trojan/

According to anti-virus software provider Kaspersky Lab, a Trojan called SabPub — or more formally, Backdoor.OSX.SabPub.a — has recently been spreading via Java and could be infecting computers when people open email messages with suspicious links that direct users to malware.

The previous flashback virus:

The latest version is much more insidious in that the user does not have to click on anything, not even a link, and can be infected. This is achieved by exploiting a weakness in the Java software framework.

Am I worried? NOPE.

Edited October 11, 2012 by thaicruze

[bangkockney]

This is an example of the latest SUPER MAC VIRUS.

http://mashable.com/...her-mac-trojan/

According to anti-virus software provider Kaspersky Lab, a Trojan called SabPub — or more formally, Backdoor.OSX.SabPub.a — has recently been spreading via Java and could be infecting computers when people open email messages with suspicious links that direct users to malware.

The previous flashback virus:

The latest version is much more insidious in that the user does not have to click on anything, not even a link, and can be infected. This is achieved by exploiting a weakness in the Java software framework.

Am I worried? NOPE.

The first has already reappeared to attack Word, not Java.

Holding onto the false myth that uninstalling Java keeps you safe and you don't need any AV, you will never know if any document is malformed. Ergo, your false sense of security makes you more vulnerable.

I'm in no doubt that Mac attacks will increase exponentially now there has been some success.