Question of the week: do you use antivirus software?

[pollaxe]

Kaspersky Internet Security 7 here.

[Salazaar]

I use AntiVir now, I'd rather get the occasional false positive but know I'm protected.

[Aez]

I don't use any internet security, i find most of the software annoying.
If you are careful of what you download and run some kind of script blocker its very hard to get a virus i've found.

[lost eden]

My desktop is Linux, my laptop is Mac OS, I very rarely interact directly with any Windows machines so I don't have to worry about infecting them either. So no, I don't use antivirus software.

[WoLFe]

If you are on Windows and don't wish to spend any money, Avast! Is great; as long as you set it up properly and disable unwanted active shields (I'm using one out of seven at the moment but the machine I am on right now is mega old school).

AVG free has gone a bit down hill since 8 came out, a real shame.

[Biscuit]

I sometimes do and sometimes dont. Used to use ESET when i did but i recently found that a lot of the network sharing issues i have had are probably down to it :/

[Tidus]

I use AVG, it's free & light in resources, the first antivirus software I used was Norton but you couldn't pay me to use it now, a perfect example of bloatware. I think that safe surfing and a good firewall are more important than antivirus software but with AVG and Avast both free and light on the PC why not use them?

[Mblaster]

Haven't used any anti-virus software in a couple of years now and I've not been infected at all during that time. Most of the viruses (trojans really) come from porn and software piracy, and are pretty obvious to tech savvy people, so I have no trouble avoid them.

I do have a virus scanner on my mail server though, and my spam filter is working great now, had my first peice of spam in 3 months get through it today, on an address I've been using for at least 6 years

[digit]

I use AVG free and don't currently at the moment see the point of paying for protection on my computer, however if I had the money spare it would most likely be nod32 I'd be paying for!

[shadowmaster]

For all of you that don't have an anti virus or internet security

YouTube - Lancashire Hotpots - Firewall

[Andaho]

NOD32 here.

Good AV software is very important... you don't have to get duped by an infected email, or click on a dodgy looking popup... virus writers are always finding holes in any software... But the only virus I've come across in the last year was when a m8 put his usb drive in my pc... if I didn't have AV software, I'd be infected with it now and scratching my head wondering why my system was running slightly slower than usual.

Even the most tech-savy genius doesn't know how ALL viruses work and how to remove them manually lol... seems a stupid question to me... it's more like a just a seatbelt in a car, it's something more vital like the break pedal.

Fair enough, if you only install retail bought products and are not connected to or only use the internet for very basic browsing, then you don't really need AV software, but you don't really need a PC either... go buy a 10 year old mac. lol

For all those without AV software thinking that they're too tech-savy that they won't get a virus... I hope none of you have friends... I've popped out of the room to go toilet and get another beer, and then come back to find my m8 saying "what does this mean" when the virus warning screens are popping up over the screen lol.

[DeSean]

I think that the question may not address the answer that's needed.

In my view, people absolutely do need anti-virus software but an additional BIG threat today comes from those nasties which attempt to take advantage of you, not just bugger up your computer or your head.

And, trouble is, too often, folk lump everything together with viruses (as, has happened here, me thinks), forgetting (or not realising) that they'll also need protection against Trojans, spyware, malware, keyloggers, etc.

Now, some anti-virus apps claim to address all these threats but some don't and can't - and some don't and can't and make no mention of the fact!

Typically, if you run freebies, you'll need multiple apps to cover all sides.

If you are willing/able to stump up the cash, you'll need an app that addresses all threats.

Here, I no longer use freebies - except to sometimes check that, in fact, my paid-for stuff is doing its job ie when I get paranoid.

All my PCs (six-plus) are now protected by Kaspersky Internet Security Suite 7, which is as good as all the unbiased reviews say it is (actually, in my view, a bit better), and a whole lot better than the two big-name apps (especially the older versions which do not protect against anything except viruses).

Oh and some of my email addresses (non-HEXUS) are so widely known (and so have got on to so many spam databases) that I use Spam Sleuth Pro to trap the many hundreds of spams that arrive here every day - many of them loaded with nasties that Kaspersky spots and kills.

Bob

I don't use any such security software that doesnt come with Windows Vista Ultimate.

I use NoScript on Firefox which really cripples the ability of suspect websites if I accidentally click on a dodgy link for example. (Once you find a trustworthy porn site these kind of mistakes are less likely (I'm told)).

I never save credit card numbers etc in Firefox, and I have difficult passwords on sites like Amazon and Ebay.

Very few people and sites send me emails to outlook, and my hotmail account only accepts mail from known addresses.

It isnt impossible for me to get infected/hacked etc, but I do take some simple precautions without succumbing to the potential quagmire of choosing and using antivirus etc.

[Tekiwa]

I use the free version of AVG on all my Windows machines for one simple reason: at work people tend to bring USB key chains.

USB flash drives are great: convenient, cheap, fast, have plenty of space and come in different shapes and sizes. But with them one gigantic problem arrived... the spread of viruses when they are used in computers at public places like coffee shops, hospitals, schools, friend house, etc. They spread viruses everywhere and nobody notices until an antivirus catches the 8th passenger.

AV goes bananas with every single flash drive when an employee wants to show a "cool" joke jpeg or video during lunch time.

For me an AV is essential for survival, as flash drives are just as important to share files. Virus or trojans from e-mails are very rare, as nobody opens unknown senders emails or with dodgy subjects.

So it depends, if you are the sole user for the computer and take measure to avoid virus/trojan intrusions, then an AV isn't vital, I think a firewall is critical in that case.

But if the computer will be used by several people and external HDD or flash drives inserted in a daily basis, by all means, a highly rated suite is the best choice to cover as much of the front as you can. Or at least an AV, firewall and malware protection to cover the basics.

My two cents.

[Vroomparrot]

I use Avast and I only use that as my Wife uses my pc too.

[Oobie-]

I don't actively use an Anti-virus. I turn it on to scan certain downloaded files and then turn it off. It seems unnecessary if you're behind a router. And yes I know that routers still have open ports but its all about what you browse and download, and who you anger

[lexus2]

Hi,
I use Kaspersky Internet Security, and have done for a couple of yrs. i have found it along with Bit-defender to be among the best I have used. I like the 2hr response time to new threats.

lexus2