Uncreative Labs

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:19 pm

The network admins at my school say I have to have active Antivirus software on my computer to get on their network. For the last several years, I've used an antivirus program which includes not opening unknown executables, looking for errant processes, not using IE, and occasional (2 weeks to 2 months) scans with Housecall.

So my question is: Do you use an antivirus program like I do, or do you rely on antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus to detect viruses for you?

How effective (rough estimate of viruses detected/yr) are they? Hardly scientific I know, but I'm just curious.

I've only been noticeably infected with one, and that was because I forgot to put the firewall up before connecting to the school LAN. I've detected others, but normally catch them before they get to me.

Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Posts: 114 Location: ~/

Common Sense(tm) is the best package available. Smile

Not only does antivirus software give a false sense of security, but it also fails to protect against the much larger threat of being compromised in much less obvious ways than by a "virus".

I use FreeBSD, so proprietary software is quite uncommon anyway. Smile

Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Posts: 24 Location: Finland

Yup, common sense is indeed the best package Smile

I have Norton Antivirus 2001 installed. I run a virus scan maybe once every two months or something.

I hate real-time virus scanning programs. All the ones I've used have slowed down the computer. Not much, but enough to be noticeable.

but I've only had one virus ever. And that was back when my main system was a 486 w/ DOS 6.22 and Win 3.11.

Guest

I've had Norton Anti-Virus detect several viruses while running FireFox and Mozilla, so while not using IE will help it's still a good idea to have some sort of anti-virus software unless you plan to disconnect your machine from the internet, and not insert any foreign media.

Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 11:26 pm

I agree. That's what I have: Some sort of antivirus software. I'm not saying antivirus software is a bad thing, but going to an active memory-resident piece of software when what I have is suffient is overkill.

The rationale of the school goes something like this: I just got the oil changed in my car. It's full of oil. I should put an extra quart in to be sure I've got enough.

Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 169 Location: behind you!

I do both. I have av software but I'm smart about my online use so I get less than a virus a month. Spyware is another story Evil or Very Mad

.

Joined: 23 Oct 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Anaheim, CA, USA

Belt and suspenders, my friends...

I run Norton, plus I take all of the usual measures (including reviewing my incoming mail via web access before I ever download it).

Having gone through the agony of a large-scale Blaster infestation, I can understand any large institution insisting that any computer on their network be fully patched and have and up-to-date antivirus.

Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 7:30 pm

Welcome back, JohnL. I hope others find their way here...

Both my web-based email services scan for and reject viruses. I got an email from someone on either the old UCL or Obsolete Computer Helpline that was infected once. I sent him an email about it and he got it fixed.

I don't think the webmaster@ucl account is protected from viruses, but we all know better than to run unknown executables!