Windows 10: It might be time to stop using antivirus??

Hi there

sorry to labour the point - but what is the purpose of installing something - even if it uses minimal resources -- if it doesn't DO anything useful !!!! - especially if you PAY for the product.

These companies aren't idiotic - even FREE ones will get you on to some sort of "Sales list" - companies don't give away products without expecting some payback down the line even if it's totally indirect.

WD is OK as it's built into Windows.

Anything else IMO is just a 100% waste of time unless you work in a tightly controlled environment - say Mossad, CIA, Police etc and I've agreed that these types of Networks DO need sophisticated protection.

It's 2017 now --realize the NEW threats out there rather than worry about "Old stuff".

Cheers
jimbo

 

@jimbo45 I don't get how MBM is so last century when they've just recently totally revamped the program. It now includes ransomware amongst others. Besides which you don't need ransomware software if you don't click on unsolicited emails and links.

Sorry but on this occasion I have to disagree with you.

 

Hi there

That's the whole point -- as you said if you don't click on unsolicited emails and links you don't get ransomware - so why bother defending against it when you aren't going to get it anyway.

I know this is a bit of a "trivial" debate - but I still find that those who seem to have every bit of A/V software under the sun always seem to have their computers riddled with all sorts of (malevolent) junk while others who just use bog standard WD never get anything.

Software cannot protect you against most of the evil stuff out there - and people often get lulled into a false sense of security.

I've seen in your own country places where the Road Safety people have actually reduced accidents by changing a stretch of seemingly safe road which seemed to have a higher incidence than normal of accidents to look a bit more dangerous - and drivers reacted positively reducing the accident rates.

There's examples too in Holland where they've switched off a whole slew of traffic lights and road traffic is safer and faster (including pedestrians and cyclists).

Moral of all of this is USE your own brain rather than rely on software - be careful what you download, don't accept "special offers" etc, don't go to strange links, never give away too much stuff on Social Media and treat E-Mail as if it's a Hand grenade with the pin taken out -- i.e CAREFULLY !!!. NEVER EVER give away Bank details to 3rd parties etc.

Billions of USD / EUR / GBP / ISL KR/ etc etc are made via Fraud, Scams, phishing etc. If people spent 1/20th of the time learning how to avoid being scammed rather than all this mugging up on essentially useless A/V software they would most certainly be better off.

Cheers
jimbo

 

I use Norton. It's my ISP's branded version of it. My Internet Service Provider is CenturyLink. I have never had a problem with my computers getting infected by using antivirus software. As an extra layer of security, I also use MBAM and SAS (SuperAntiSpyware). I run MBAM and SAS monthly to clean up all of my computers. I really think we should use any antivirus as we like whether it's Windows Defender or Norton, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, etc.

 

I am not sure why you are so sure anti-ransomware software is useless.

 

Windows Defender ATP seems to be working fine against ransomware, I am really looking forward to it in CU.

Averting ransomware epidemics in corporate networks with Windows Defender ATP

 

Hi there

1) It doesn't do any good

2) who ever gets ransomware these days - and if they do what have they actually got installed on their computers

99.99% of this stuff is just SCAREWARE and I'll continue to say that BRAIN is always better than Software.

We never get ANY stats from these people who get Viruses etc on their computers of a) what they were doing, and b) what A/V software they actually had on their computers when they got infected.

I say again 99.9% of this industry for HOME computers is simply built on FEAR

Perhaps you should read the book the FEAR INDEX (based on the VIX -- stock exchange volatility index !!! ).

The Fear Index - Wikipedia

I really think it's time that most of this industry should just DIE AWAY --it's mostly USELESS and people should not be badgered into buying totally inappropriate products.

Anyway that's my last word in this thread --if you guys want to waste time and money on this stuff that's up to you.

SIMPLE BACKUP and RESTORE -- far cheaper and much more secure all ways round.

Remember : The Price of Education might be expensive - but the Price of Ignorance is Astronomical.

anyway on this thread --Over and Out.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Banks are loathe to pay out when monies have been withdrawn from compromised accounts, unless the holder has AV security installed.

 

Hi there

Doesn't WD count -- it's actually built in to the O/S -- and in any case if you get defrauded online chances are it's via phishing / email / scamming etc --nothing ANY A/V could defend you against anyway.

Definitely my LAST word on this topic (probably to the relief of many).

Still though ALWAYS TAKE REGULAR BACKUPS and USE COMPUTER SENSIBLY.

Cheers

and Góða nótt

Jimbo

 

20 US or 20GBP are not big money and promise a little extra protection.

 

Haven't used anything but Defender since Windows 8.

 

Try to use Kaspersky Security Scan (it's like one time virus checker without installation) or anything else

you will be surprised

 

K, just for S&G's then!

 

Only if it passes!!! *Wink *Wink *Wink

 

it should )