Posted on 03/19/2008 11:30:42 AM PDT by Nick Thimmesch
The sheer volume and complexity of computer viruses being released on the Internet today has the anti-virus industry on the defensive, experts say, underscoring the need for consumers to avoid relying on anti-virus software alone to keep their home computers safe and secure.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
"Approximately 5.5 million malicious software programs were unleashed on the Web last year, according to AV Test Labs, a German company that measures how quickly and accurately anti-virus products detect the latest malicious software, also known as "malware." That volume, AV said, forced anti-virus firms to analyze between 15,000 and 20,000 new specimens each day -- more than four times the daily average they found in 2006, and at least 15 times as many the company recorded in 2005. In the first two months of 2008 alone, AV Test found more than one million samples of malware spreading online."
Hope I didn't get one downloading this article!
/mark
I have 5 Mac’s in the house. None have virus protection software. Why would I want Windoze????
How about an easy-to-use switch to physically disconnect the computer from the internet when it’s not needed, such as overnight?
I realize that the bad guys only need a moment to invade, but wouldn’t being ‘off line’ 50% of the time at least reduce the odds by some smaller amount?
Excellent point. My son wants me to build one.
If you are connected over a router they can't see you. There are web sites that will test this for you.
To get a virus you pretty much have to install it. Most likely by responding to spam emails or by visiting porn sites.
“I have 5 Mac’s in the house. None have virus protection software. Why would I want Windoze????”
And I run eComStation on 6 systems. Haven’t had any version of Windows(TM) for over 15 years. No virus protection software - don’t need any. Never needed any.
Not really if you have a firewall. Viruses (virii?) are usually introduced to your system by something you do, such as opening an email attachment or downloading software.
None of my Linux Boxes are infected :-)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
My router has a 'timer' function...I set it to disallow all internet traffic between 11pm and 6am (the intranet function still works during this time though, so I can use my network printer).
I've only played around with the live CD, but apparently Mozilla has a version of Firefox 2.0.0.11 for it at this link.
ok technial question here- wouldn’t it just be simple to make all .EXE files READONLY?
or are computer programs that modifiy the actual executable not the most common?
I use a Dauphin DTR-1. No need to worry.
Yep. I only do an AV scan once a month and don't have AV software running on my computer while I use it. I've neve had a virus infection because I :
1. Never open an attachment I wasn't expecting;
2. don't go to porn, hacker or illegal mp3/video downloading sites; and
3. Never install software from the internet unless I know exactly what it is and what I'm doing.
Follow these rules and you'll probably never have a problem with a virus.
bump
4. Frequently check your task manager (ctrl-alt-del) and become familiar with all the processes that your computer is running. If you see something unfamiliar, google it and take appropriate action.
Thanks, I thought viruses could be ‘installed’ on my computer by roving ‘bots.
Interesting. I ddn’t know any such thing was already out there.
If it's an always on connection right click the NIC and select "disable" but like others have commented, a machine just sitting there is rarely at risk.
I've been online for 25 years and have downloaded and installed a ton of software and have had two viruses during that time, both were before the advent of AV software and general virus awareness; the first was a Hyperstack virus on a Mac (downloaded an infected stack from MAUG) and a DOS boot sector virus from an infected floppy brought to work by an employee.
Don't get me wrong, there are dangers out there, I fix a lot of computers that are infested with malware, but on the other hand keep in mind that AV companies are selling a product and updates.
I'm sure they'd never, ever engage in FUD marketing. Especially since most of the anti-spyware programs I see consider a cookie to be spyware. Or the various AV programs that are almost impossible to remove.
Nope, they're above that kind of stuff. They'd never stretch a point and you can believe everything you read in the Washington Post.
“The sheer volume and complexity of computer viruses being released on the Internet today has the anti-virus industry on the defensive, experts say, underscoring the need for consumers to avoid relying on anti-virus software alone to keep their home computers safe and secure.”
I’ve been online since 1986, on the internet now since about 1995. Prior to that I used GEnie (the poor man’s CompuServe) and about five years on AOL before I was able to get net access.
In 22 years (count ‘em!) I have NEVER had a virus infestation.
Not one.
Let me repeat for emphasis: NOT A SINGLE ONE.
Never had a trojan.
Never had spyware.
Never had adware.
Nuthin’!
I download anything I want, don’t even bother to check it.
I don’t even run virus protection, and I’m online more than most personal users.
Why is that?
Because I’m using a Mac.
It’s that simple.
Yes, it is. (laughing with apologies to the Obamessiah)
- John
(who finds it interesting that Apple and the Mac was not mentioned ONCE in the entire Washington Post article)
Not many Warp machines out there for peer-to-peer virus transmission, eh?
I’ve never gotten a virus either, since about 1988 or so. I don’t do anything much beside a firewall, AVG free virus dectctor that runs 1X day, and common sense in what I open.
No need to change as I see it.
I run 
Indeed. Sadly a commodity that's in short supply at times.
On some of the "friend machines" I've worked on I can't believe some of the junk they've installed. It's certainly lowered my opinion of some of them.
your computer is adorably quaint. :P
It deserves a sweet name like ‘hal’ or ‘marvin’
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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