Do I really need anti-virus ?

theredpill99 · 01-08-2009, 03:54 AM

I've had Norton Anti-virus since 2003 when I got my first computer. This year I've decided to try to live without anti-virus. My subscription runs out in 2 weeks.

I only frequent about 10 websites and most of those are in the top 10 websites. Sites like youtube, digg, reddit, etc etc. I don't P2P anymore. I don't do torrents. So do I really need it? I was thinking of just maybe once a month using a free online virus scanner and also checking my downloads with totalvirus website which is a file scanning website.

What drove me to this point was how horrible most virus scanners are these days and since I found myself scanning all the files with the totalvirus website anyway and using online scanners, why not just use that as my option anyway and get rid of Norton since it basically sucks these days anyway and it's such a system hog. I'm going to find out how fast my PC is without Norton, hopefully super fast.

**koala** · 01-08-2009, 06:02 AM

You can replace Norton with just about any other antivirus, even the free ones like Avast, Avira or AVG, and your system will run faster.

I wouldn't recommend having no AV at all these days, especially as there are so many good ones available that won't eat all your system resources the way the big names like Norton and McAfee do.

Zealex · 01-08-2009, 02:38 PM

mcafee doesn't eat my resources o.O, im useing it now and it works just like avast.

**peterhuang913** · 01-08-2009, 02:41 PM

Antiviruses are a must and they are free too.

Get Avast! Home or AVG. These use little resources and don't costs money at all. They are even better than Norton.

**Glaswegian** · 01-08-2009, 03:23 PM

Have a look here

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?

peterlakey · 01-09-2009, 10:26 AM

according to mike rizos at remove-malware.com if you are a safe surfer and you are SURE your system is CLEAN then something like Defensewall or Drive Sentry HIPS programs are good to keep it that way . I use spywareblaster - malwarebytes - gmer rootkit detector ( use with caution ) and drivesentry . You can still find AVG antirootkit too if you are not ok with gmer . Use mcafee siteadvisor and most of all use your head - your security is your responsibility . cheers peterlakey .

**Basementgeek** · 01-10-2009, 07:34 PM

peterlakey:

An once of prevention if worth more than a pound of cure.

theredpill99 follow Glaswegian advice.

01-08-2009, 03:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
theredpill99 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 66 OS: windows xp	Do I really need anti-virus ? I've had Norton Anti-virus since 2003 when I got my first computer. This year I've decided to try to live without anti-virus. My subscription runs out in 2 weeks. I only frequent about 10 websites and most of those are in the top 10 websites. Sites like youtube, digg, reddit, etc etc. I don't P2P anymore. I don't do torrents. So do I really need it? I was thinking of just maybe once a month using a free online virus scanner and also checking my downloads with totalvirus website which is a file scanning website. What drove me to this point was how horrible most virus scanners are these days and since I found myself scanning all the files with the totalvirus website anyway and using online scanners, why not just use that as my option anyway and get rid of Norton since it basically sucks these days anyway and it's such a system hog. I'm going to find out how fast my PC is without Norton, hopefully super fast.

01-08-2009, 06:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,355 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? You can replace Norton with just about any other antivirus, even the free ones like Avast, Avira or AVG, and your system will run faster. I wouldn't recommend having no AV at all these days, especially as there are so many good ones available that won't eat all your system resources the way the big names like Norton and McAfee do. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

01-08-2009, 02:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zealex Tech, Games Team Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,158 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit SP2 My System	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? mcafee doesn't eat my resources o.O, im useing it now and it works just like avast. __________________ Xfire Steam Nvidia Drivers ATI Drivers DirectX 9.0c Game-O-Meter System Information for Windows(SIW) Revo Uninstaller

01-08-2009, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
peterhuang913 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 946 OS: XP Home SP2	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? Antiviruses are a must and they are free too. Get Avast! Home or AVG. These use little resources and don't costs money at all. They are even better than Norton.

01-08-2009, 03:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
Glaswegian Moderator/ Rangemaster TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team; Oor Wullie; TSF Surgeon and Resident Comic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glasgow Posts: 25,482 OS: Win XP Pro SP3 / Win 7 Pro My System Blog Entries: 10	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? Have a look here PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need? __________________ Iain - Defender of the Haggis and all things Scottish. I don't help by PM - post in the Forums. PC Safety & Security::PC running a bit slow?::Donate::Photographers Corner

01-09-2009, 10:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
peterlakey Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 68 OS: xp sp2	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? according to mike rizos at remove-malware.com if you are a safe surfer and you are SURE your system is CLEAN then something like Defensewall or Drive Sentry HIPS programs are good to keep it that way . I use spywareblaster - malwarebytes - gmer rootkit detector ( use with caution ) and drivesentry . You can still find AVG antirootkit too if you are not ok with gmer . Use mcafee siteadvisor and most of all use your head - your security is your responsibility . cheers peterlakey .

01-10-2009, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,497 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Do I really need anti-virus ? peterlakey: An once of prevention if worth more than a pound of cure. theredpill99 follow Glaswegian advice. __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP