Why do we bother with....

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
...virus protection programs today? Seems that Malware, Spyware and Trojans are today's maladies du jour. I can't remember when I have had a virus but I sure remember the pain and hassle of recent severe infections of the above.
 

Fireman431

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 17, 2007
Messages
4,292
Re: Why do we bother with....

I thouroughly believe that almost all of the spyware/malware/virus' out there are being distributed by the anti-spyware companies. How else can they have a clean-up tool for it the day after it's identified?

How would they stay in business if they don't create their own demand?
 

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Why do we bother with....

Take off all of the protection software and see how long your system lasts. ;)

It's a constant battle - it always has been. Block some threat today and something new, or at least something slightly different, comes out tomorow.

It's a shame how much time and money is wasted, fighting security threats, but it's the real world and it's pretty cold.
 

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Why do we bother with....

I thouroughly believe that almost all of the spyware/malware/virus' out there are being distributed by the anti-spyware companies. How else can they have a clean-up tool for it the day after it's identified?

How would they stay in business if they don't create their own demand?

Ah, the conspiracy theories. ;)

With Windows "open" API, a sharp 7th grade computer geek, can write malicious computer code, that if it does not cause problems, will at least annoy and incovenience the user. Much of it is just for fun or fame.

Most new threats are just slight variants, on malicious code that it already out there. That's one reason the AV companies catch them pretty quick.

The AV companies certainly don't mind the new threats.
 

1fishbone

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 9, 2010
Messages
476
Re: Why do we bother with....

...virus protection programs today? Seems that Malware, Spyware and Trojans are today's maladies du jour. I can't remember when I have had a virus but I sure remember the pain and hassle of recent severe infections of the above.

These ARE viruses!
If you're not getting any...just un-install your 'virus' protection for awhile:D
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: Why do we bother with....

My antivirus generally doesn't catch too much except when I started online shopping and researching stuff for xmas. It caught several trojans this month.
 

mscher

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
1,424
Re: Why do we bother with....

Not so much a conspiracy theorist as a realist...

Ben Franklin once said "Three can keep a secret if two are dead".

Tens of thousands of people have previously worked, or are currently working for Companies, that make AV products.

Yet all this time, each and every one of them, has managed to remain mum, on this dark revelation. ;)
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: Why do we bother with....

Ben Franklin once said "Three can keep a secret if two are dead".

Tens of thousands of people have previously worked, or are currently working for Companies, that make AV products.

Yet all this time, each and every one of them, has managed to remain mum, on this dark revelation. ;)

Someone opens their mouth, and the goons from Symantec, the AVG, or the Kaspersky family comes by and snuffs them out. :D
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,745
Re: Why do we bother with....

Why do we bother with....
...virus protection programs today?


I don't.

No av.
no nothing.
Just the pop-up blocker that came with the op.


The real question is "Why do we bother with cruddy operating systems?"
 

Vlad D Impeller

Commander
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
2,644
Re: Why do we bother with....

Roscoe, you must be referring to having a Mac, just recently I was having a similar problem to Boomer's and could not get it resolved without a lot of frustration, the laptop was never the same after, to make a long story short I went out and got a Mac and a couple of ipads for me and the missus. Problem solved, like you said nothing but a popup blocker and happy surfing. :)
 

MTboatguy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
8,988
Re: Why do we bother with....

I have no virus software on my computers, never have and never will, I use the pop up and ad blocker from firefox and every once in a while run house call from trend and I check things with advanced system care.

The worst thing I have ever caught was a Word Macro bug a few years ago.

I just have everything set up so it can't automatically run any code attached to emails or embedded in websites/ad's I rarely run flash type stuff and most of the internet use is without javascript enabled...

Over the years I have seen and worked on computers, that the cure(VS) was often times worse that the bug in the way they affected the operation of the computer...

I run PC's and have run Mac's in the past, but I don't find a Mac to be the solution...
 

perchin

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
275
Re: Why do we bother with....

I'm with Fireman, but only believe that the paid for ones are the culprit.;)
I run Avast, and its free....and have not had a problem in over a year..not even any big threats...
 
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