Is antivirus software that important?

[pcgeek]

Hey I was wondering if antivirus software is important.
Some people and places say it is and other not. I was wondering if a free one or bought one is better?

Where can I go and buy antivirus software online and where I regularly update it?

I am not sure people tell me different things.
I randomly read:http://www.pc1news.com/news/0180/warning-get-effective-antivirus-software-or-else-.html and I read wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antivirus

So basically the question is where and what antivirus software should I be using?

Any information on this or places I can read or what to do?

thanks

I would like a link I could pay for the stuff online and then just download.

[reddevilggg]

LOL, im just laughing at the irony that "...computer security is my aim" and your asking if anti-virus is important.

Is this serious, or a sick joke??!!

[Calum]

This question is asked a lot.
My own personal take is that whether antivirus or other security software is "necessary" depends on the way you use and maintain your computer, the importance of your computer's security, and your own knowledge and experience.

[fireballs]

So basically the question is where and what antivirus software should I be using?

I would suggest AVG. There's a free version or you could go for the full package, it updates itself regularly and has never caused me any problems. http://free.avg.com/

FB

[yuki953]

ok...if it isnt a joke, Y E S!!!!!!

heres 2

AVG FREE
SPYBOT Search & Destroy<-- tons of phonys out there, but this is real site

I would recoment accualy buying one, like Nortan anti virus, or spyware doctor, but free ones are effective

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Don't get Norton.....

In my experience, they stay started to lose their effectiveness after Norton Antivirus 2003.

[reddevilggg]

Don't get Norton.....

In my experience, they stay started to lose their effectiveness after Norton Antivirus 2003.

I've got Norton. Get it with my ISP package. Although i've had no problems with viruses etc it does take a lot of resources up when starting my PC.

What do you mean, Carbon, lose its effectiveness?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Well for example, Norton 360 does almost nothing.

What Norton product do you have?

[BC_Programmer]

Well for example, Norton 360 does almost nothing.

Well it doesn't do nothing, it allows viruses to enter at any angle!

[reddevilggg]

Well for example, Norton 360 does almost nothing.

What Norton product do you have?

Norton Security Online.

[Broni]

Stay away from Norton, McAfee, and AVG as well.
I don't care what anyone else says, but IMHO, firewall, and an antivirus is a must.
If anyone has a different opinion...good luck, and don't come back crying, that your computer is infected.
In today's world, no matter how computer smart you're, if you don't use AV, you're gonna get infected sooner, or later. Unless....you don't go on-line, and don't share any devices with other computers.

Free programs, and very good programs:
- Avast! free antivirus: http://filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.com/en/download/index.html


- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[Zylstra]

My late reply:
McAfee has gotten MUCH better over the recent, oh, two years. I used it for a while from my ISP, however, I eventually switched back to Avast since Avast has a much more advanced extended configuration that I can go through and set up.

In my opinion:
If you are a skilled computer user who knows how to recognize "bad" websites ridden with viruses, and if you only download from trusted sources AND you have a program in your browser that shows you when a site has had bad user feedback, go ahead and skip out on Antivirus.

If you are a new computer user, or have been using them but you arent extremely skilled with them, for the sake of reducing possible problems that may occur with viruses, keep Antivirus installed on your computer.

I keep Antivirus installed and updated on my computer for two major reasons:
My extremely large email inbox, and the fact that I am often connected to the schools network, and I use their network resources.

Software such as Sandboxie and other virtualization only go so far. Viruses can jump that "wall" if they are well programmed to completely infect all of your memory, even if its partitioned memory, some viruses can "get through"
Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Geek-9pm]

OK Here is my answer. 
Yes, anti-virus is important.
Is one better than another? Yes
A Lot better? Hard to say. 
Is some of it junk? YES. In fact some are Trojans .
Is there a sure way to keep you computer clean?
 Yes, go to the public library and us the PCs there for your research and make only paper copies. Never use you own computer on the Internet.
No, this is not a joke    
Here we have three computer users and five computers plus backup hard drives and we also use anti-virus stuff and once in awhile we have do do a major repair on one of the systems. The two spare PCs not on the LAN are used to fix one of the others when an internet infection takes it down.  About 15% of the sites you visit can ruin your PC , unless you have an active background anti-virus engine checking everything. But it cuts down on your speed. 

[notahopeinhell]

As a novice PC user I have Avast and AVG running together without apparent problem and not been "infected" as far as I can tell since using them.

I've considered doing my banking on-line but never taken the plunge because I am suspicious that if money was stolen from my account the banks would say I had insufficient security because I use free AV software as opposed to "bought" software.  Also I use XP but have only got SP2 loaded not SP3 so again I suspect they would use that as a reason not to compensate me for any on-line theft.

Does anyone know if Vista is more robust than XP was/is in security terms as I understand XP needed loads of security patches to keep it secure?

Is Spybot also "free" software and worth running does anyone know?

[Zylstra]

Vista is extremely secure, however, its not worth upgrading for if you currently have XP. If you get a Vista computer, keep Vista, if you get an XP computer, keep XP...

You should keep XP updated, and change the default update installation time to a time where your computer is actually on. By default, its set to 3:00AM....

And, about SP3, I would recommend getting it if you do not have an HP or Compaq computer. HP/Compaq is not really all too well compatible.
SP3 is just part of keeping things updated as they should be.