Well, i had a norton anti virustrial with my laptop when i bought it and it expried like 2 months ago.
it still did some virus scan and stuff, but a thing came up like every 5 minutes to update the norton.
so i deleted the norton program, and it seems like my internet is running slower..
is it ok to have a computer without any anti virus software??
There are a sprinkling of Windows users who don’t; but they have other more potent methods in place; like using a "Limited" account; absolutely no ‘Active scripting’ allowed; no P-2-P downloading, and so on.
Rookies should probably follow the mainstream and have the standard issue stuff.
You see, securing Windows operating systems from Internet assault & increasing predation, is not a single application, or a suite: and it’s not a "one step- 10 second fix" that so many want.
It’s layers of protection, user habits, system configuration, real time protection; and most important, threat landscape awareness (because the internet is so fluid and dynamic, it changes almost hourly).
Stand alone suites (CareOne, McAfee, or Norton) give users ‘feel good’ security, and lull them into complacency, which often has very bad results.
Look through some of the suggested freeware here,
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/security/fwsecuritytools.html
study up, and pick some of the frontline, real-time defenses. Create a restore point after each install, then run the system to verify that application’s ‘friendliness’ with your system before adding other applications.
Make selections based on your skill level & system’s other configurations…an application you can’t work with is of little use.
Generally speaking: as a system’s convenience, interactiveness, flexibility & complexity increase: security decreases.
Core defense applications might include (but not limited to):
Avast! (anti-virus);
Zone Alarm (firewall);
SpywareBlaster (snoopware prevention)
>>>The #1 defense against malware: Firefox, with ‘NoScript’ add-on.<<<
The key element or common principal is to keep the bad guys (all of them) out of your system in the first place.
Most novice users do not like hearing this, but nonetheless, it’s true: using Windows requires you to become a security expert, it’s that simple. Something they omit telling you when you buy this system…
No, it is not safe to run windows without security. Download AVG or Avast for basic free protection.
Not unless you have a Mac.
Turn on your default firewall for starters, and then get Clamware AV. It’s a free anti virus program. Without something, people can use your computer as a "zombie" to spam people.
No, its not.
You need to keep a Virus Scanner with up-to-date definitions on viruses since you will never know where a virus is lurking. Even the most secure sites can have viruses.
If you are looking for a free one, try AVG Free.
By the way, you can tell the Norton to remind you about updating every 24 hours
NO! Download AVG’s free version here. Good luck! http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus/
No it is not as a virus can download its self with out you even knowing it you just have to visit certain pages on the internet. Thats just for starters.
No offence there dude, but someone who is so obviously computer illiterate as your fine self is….should not even be allowed on the public internet at all.
Would you drive a car on the public roads before you knew how to operate it?
The internet is the Information Superhighway.
no, especially for windows, you should get an anti virus straight away, if you only do internet surfing periodically, then go for Kaspersky Anti Virus or for a free alternate, go AVG Free, but, if you do things like internet banking or just want an internet security package, then go with Avira Security Suite, kaspersky’s internet security uses a lot of system resources, but it is very good at what it does, that’s why i have it on my computer. so basically to sum it up:
Surfing the net/downloading files:
Free: AVG free
Best: Kaspersky
Internet banking/spam detection/firewall:
Best, but slows down computer: Kaspersky
Second, but doesnt use many resources: Avira
If its a Mac running MacOs X, if not, then you need some.
Not only is it okay… it’s actually a really great idea, but you have to do a few things to protect your computer:
1. Set up and use almost exclusively a limited user account.
http://blogs.msdn.com/aaron_margosis/archive/2004/06/17/157962.aspx
2. Google the phrase "social engineering" and read the first five results.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22social+engineering%22&btnG=Google+Search
3. Install Windows updates automatically.
http://www.updatexp.com/windows-automatic-updates.html
4. Use Firefox with the NoScript extension.
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/722
5. Turn off autorun in Windows:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/967940.mspx
6. Do not install or run "antivirus" software. It doesn’t actually protect you, it uses up system resources, and it makes you unnecessarily paranoid.