I do not need antivirus!

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus, I am careful."

There are viruses that infect computers remotely, without any user intervention. Even if you do "attention", you may be infected.
Your computer can be infected simply by connecting to the Internet, without needing to launch Outlook.

Example 1: Virus Blaster. Connect your PC to the Internet, you are infected.
Example 2: Nimda virus. Post a web page in IE, you are infected.

So, needless to say that you "pay attention" because it does not protect you.

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus, I regularly WindowsUpdate."

or

"Anyway, the signatures of viruses arrive too late compared to viruses."

In the past, Microsoft took several months to correct some flaws.
The publishers of antivirus software, they usually updated signatures within 24 hours.

Between Microsoft and antivirus software, which protects both you as soon against a virus that uses the latest flaw discovered?

[MattyBoy]

"An antivirus program is useless, they are not 100% effective"


Your belt does not guarantee that you will never have an accident and you will never die at the wheel.
But if problems arise, they often save lives.

The same goes for antivirus.

In principle, no software is 100% reliable, but the current antivirus you covered in 99% of cases.

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus, I have a firewall."

The firewall does not protect against software bugs. For example, with the Nimda virus, it was enough to display a web page in IE to be infected. The firewall does not protect against such vulnerabilities.

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus, I don't x changes files with anyone."

Even with the CD magazine, you can be infected (It's already happened.)
And then you are sure you will not x changes file with anyone?
You do not have Internet access?
You do not connect a digital camera, USB?

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus, My Internet connection is 56K modem"

Viruses are mocking the type of Internet connection you have.

"I do not need antivirus, I go only on trusted sites."

The website of the publisher antivirus VCatch was infected with the Nimda virus.
Even trusted sites may be infected.

"I do not need antivirus, I do not use the mail."

Viruses have lots of other ways to infect a computer:
By connecting directly to your computer remotely by a program. EXE now on CD, DVD or USB drive in a Word document, in a Java program in a web page, chat (MSN Messenger), telephone (IP Skype), a WMV video ...

The mail is just one of many ways to enter your computer.

[MattyBoy]

"I do not need antivirus software, the Windows Task Manager allows me to know everything that happens on my computer"

A fundamental principle of a virus or trojan that can really be dangerous to the user, is to be discreet.

Consider: Would it be smart to create a virus to steal information about a computer for example, if the virus triggers a big sign "You are infected with the virus XXX?
No, actually. In this way a virus, it is more discreet, it is more effective.

A new process (although some-times the case) it would be too easy.
In contrast, replacing an executable vital to the system is much more discreet, and this is transparent through the task manager.

And then there is not an executable that may contain a virus!
This is simply software that will use the file that will cause damage to the system, and yet open the Task Manager will do absolutely nothing.

[vahnx]

Ever since I got a computer as a noob with Windows, I ran an anti-virus just because I thought it was needed. I quickly learned about computers and how not to get infected, so I decided to try life without an anti-virus. WOW! My computer sped up dramatically and I even ran a scan several months after and no infections found. Nothing weird happened to my system, NOTHING.

End result; Do not use an anti-virus unless you do not know what you are doing.