Real world experience needed on antivirus software
 

Is an antivirus software a must on a PC?

I have none on a Win7 Ultimate PC, with zero problems.

We have another PC running Avast atm, and it creates a few problems, such as slow performance and Chrome crashes.
I will upgrade that PC soon, but work keeps getting in the way. We have a zillion files on that PC.

I tried AVG, Symantec, etc, and all feel like I am driving a car loaded with cinder blocks.

Do you guys have any real world experience on running an XP system with no Antivirus software? Can I do it and not lose the PC to some stupid scam?

I've run SAV Corp edition on my machines since it came out. The advantages of that particular application were large when it came out; No need to reboot computer after updates, unlimited updates, very non-intrusive on the OS and overall PC Functionality. With Windows 7, SAV-Corp was replaced with SEP which is deployed in my company. Again, my personal experience is similar with SAV-Corp.

Without specifics on my PC usage, things I do, etc... I've never had a virus or malware problem, which is likely partially because I don't use the gaping anus to the internet (Internet Explorer) and any questionable applications I download are tested in VM first. Now; Does SAV/SEP catch everything? No. Will you find an antivirus application that WILL catch everything? Doubt it. Does that solution work well for me? Yes.

Other applications I utilize:

Hijackthis (be careful.)
Malwarebytes
AdAware
Spybot S&D
rkill

Those are all post-infection utilities and typically don't remove a "virus" but malware. Hope that helps?

I use: nothing. It's been 4 years and have never once had a problem. Other than smoking a graphics card.

Windows xp 32 bit, all updates
Intel q6600 quad core
Nvidia 9600gt
Gigabyte motherboard

My outdated iRacing rig lol

Thank you, Scott.

I do use a whole host of "post infection utilities", as well. It's just that I am sick and tired of bloated and heavy antivirus programs, period.

I remember reading about a test where some guys had set up a clean PC with no AV software, and used it day and night to see what would happen. Their report was interesting: nothing happened after six months.

So, I am thinking maybe I could follow suit on that. Hence the real life experience question.

Yesterday I had to clean my sisters computer, which had a paid subscription, up to date, McAfee antivirus running without detecting the shit messing with her laptop...

One of those fake antivirus-viruses. Relatively easy to get rid of though.

I use MSE (Microsoft security essentials) free antivirus just for peace of mind.
Have used AVG in the past, but they don`t seem to find much anyway.

MSE is the way to go. I have used it for a few years with no problems. Very light weight also.

MSE is "good enough" given that it is free.

Like elesjuan, I first tried SAV (not "Norton") in my ex-corporate environment and was very happy with it. No noticeable delays etc. Even the user interface was that of a normal app, an indication that the system wasn't taxed with drawing non-standard objects.

Symantec Endpoint Protection is also very good, this is what I use on my Windows virtual machines.

Until recently I was a committed AVG and Avast user. Got tired of the interference with other programs, the performance drag on slower systems, all the nonsense. Uninstalled all of that, installed MSE, haven't looked back.

MSE on all my family and friends machines, zero issues.

I still have Panda Cloud (free) AV on my desktop from god only knows when, also zero issues. I will occasionally run Malwarebytes & Spybot S&D just because. If I'm feeling saucy I'll run CCleaner w/CCEnhancer just to clean up the trash.

I think keeping Java and Shockwave/Flash updated is critical if you are going to let people loose on the web. Also, STOP USING IE! Chrome w/Adblock Plus plugin (EasyList & Fanboys List filters) is pretty much mandatory for people if they expect my help in the future.

Our corporate environment runs TrendMicro Office Scan. I find it... lacking.

I dont run any antivirus, I just run the factory win7 firewall.

Theres no need to use an antivirus if you know your way around the internet and use a modern browser.
Been going like, 12 months on this rig no issues.

If you stick to known trusted sites and dont download every free gadget you can find to try to avoid paying money for genuine software you will be just fine.

Dann

Also while Im at it a big mistake people make (I sell PCs at work and so deal with id10T errors often) is that they click on anything that comes up, or they refuse to click on anything. Same issue. If you arent sure its genuine, or you cannot just press the 'x' to close it as normal, CTRL SHIFT ESC, and close the process that the popup opened in (the browser 99% of the time). Then open another browser, google the exact wording and google will tell you if its legit. Very easy.

Dann

my work computer has symantec. we're a software company so i trust their judgment very much.
i got my pc laptop from a friend in it at whatever company he works with. it also has symantec on it.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...ZzuviAe1-IbaWd
SERIOUSLY. LISTEN TO THIS MAN +1 for Dann

Thanks, guys.

I uninstalled Avast, and got the MSE in gear. The PC is noticeably smoother now.

Like I said, this is temporary till I get a "modern" PC going for that particular workstation.

+1 MSE. things have never improved more than removing AVG and replacing it with MSE.

I'm a diehard fan of ESET Nod32. I think someone here recommended it a while ago.

Same here... was using Norton Corporate and switched to Nod32, haven't looked back

MSE easy, cheap, free. I haven't ran antivirus on any of *my* pcs for several years but decided to give this one a shot after hearing about it recently. Its like an ounce of piece of mind that I didn't really need anyway. As long as you stay away from sites who's names sound like 'bob's clown house of free clown porn' You'll probably be ok. If you go to a site and get 900 pop ups, its a safe bet that they don't have what you want, and are trying to scam you/install malware, etc. Its really pretty easy, but my sister seems to fuck it up all the time anyway.

Yeah, This.

Most of the users I support who end up with malware typically open the attachment they received from "UPS" about their "tracking information." :facepalm:

"Well I got an email that my tracking information was available.. I mean, I didn't order anything at all but wanted to see where my package was!"

Whats the 2nd recommendation after MSE?