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Thread ID: 75759 2007-01-09 08:32:00 Replacement For AVG? JohnnyR (9277) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
514237 2007-01-10 02:33:00 This one, I'll buy:
So, in a sense one could say, it's not really windows that's the security issue, but the user If someone was really meticulous and set up windows with stringent permissions then maybe there wouldn't be such a need for AV software. Or is this faulty reasoning?

I just think that those with the ability to run L systems should take into consideration those who don't and can reap of the lackadaisical attitude of L-users.

Just because it doesn't harm an L-based system does not make it less a threat to others...right?

Or maybe I'm wrong here considering others?
SurferJoe46 (51)
514238 2007-01-10 03:25:00 No, thats good Joe, having consideration for others.
My post was kinda theoretical musings:nerd:
jcr1 (893)
514239 2007-01-10 04:00:00 So, in a sense one could say, it's not really windows that's the security issue, but the user:confused: If someone was really meticulous and set up windows with stringent permissions then maybe there wouldn't be such a need for AV software. Or is this faulty reasoning?

Partially faulty reasoning. It is the way Windows is setup and shipped by default that makes it insecure compared to Linux or Mac. It you buy a new PC lap top and take it home and plug it into a DSL connection just with its default setup with no additional anti virus software or firewall which some people do, then I can pretty much bet that inside of 10 minutes or so you will be looking at having your system probed and potentially taken over, now the same can't be said for Linux or Mac OS which while being probed for open ports won't be compromised because with Mac OS at least there are no open ports by default. This is something that has finally been integrated into Vista but in a complicated kind of way from my understanding. It is also known as User Access Controls.

The bulk of users on this forum prefer any one of the various Linux distros because they are tweakable and very customizable compared to Mac OS. They will also run on any standard PC.

There is also the economic reasoning where if Windows didn't need anti virus there would be no multi billion dollar anti virus software industry.:rolleyes:
winmacguy (3367)
514240 2007-01-10 04:53:00 Does anyone actually get virus's virii or whatever these days? I have had AVG for years and have had next to none found. Have also crosschecked with some online scanners. Spyware is more of a problem these days. wotz (335)
514241 2007-01-10 04:55:00 Does anyone actually get virus's virii or whatever these days? I have had AVG for years and have had next to none found. Have also crosschecked with some online scanners. Spyware is more of a problem these days.

Linux would eliminate that problem too.
winmacguy (3367)
514242 2007-01-11 02:50:00 Does anyone actually get virus's virii or whatever these days? I have had AVG for years and have had next to none found . Have also crosschecked with some online scanners . Spyware is more of a problem these days .


I'm sure many/most? of us would agreee that we've not had a virus infection .
But frequent reading of PF1 shows that others have .

What's more, it's not always just the new users who come here for advice on how to fix the problem . . .
Laura (43)
514243 2007-01-11 03:35:00 I think it comes down to two different mindsets:

All gamers aside, there are those who take the inconvenience of malware and the precautions required to prevent it installing itself on their systems (new or existing) as a necessity of computing today.

and

Those who know that productive computing exists without having to worry about any of the above (except for the gaming aspect).
winmacguy (3367)
514244 2007-01-11 04:57:00 There are Linux viruses out there. Less than 40 depending upon what information you are reading. Most are confined as laboratory only experiments.

One virus called "Bliss" if installed will happily write a log of all its actions for you to read and even comes with a --bliss-uninfect-files-please command option. :rolleyes:

If you were unlucky to receive a Linux virus, the more inexperienced you are, the safer you will be. Most Linux newbies would have no idea how to install the virus in the first place.

Most importantly, do not install (as root) binary only packages from back water websites where they do not offer the full source code as well.

Futher reading:
Linux vs. Windows Viruses (www.securityfocus.com)

I don't run any AV on my Linux system. Common sense is used when forwarding on emails to others and from the one virus email that escaped my ISP scanning that was received, it was pretty darn obvious it included a virus (use plain text only email display by default).

However if you have Window boxes on the network and you share files to them it wouldn't hurt to scan any downloaded files before sending them onto a Windows OS.
Jen (38)
514245 2007-01-11 05:17:00 TY Jen...I knew a voice would sound for correctness.... SurferJoe46 (51)
514246 2007-01-11 07:25:00 TY Jen...I knew a voice would sound for correctness....

Well 40 lab only viruses that have to be manually installed by the Linux user:rolleyes: compared to over 140,000 known viruses and malware that can infect an unprotected Windows machine online within 10 minutes of being plugged into a DSL connection. Incidently there are no known viruses or malware etc for Mac OS X.

So as I mentioned previously, it just comes down to user mindset as to what you choose to do your computing with. :)

Excellent article Jen :)

Read this one too as it compares the length of time taken to attempt to compromise all 3 systems
www.usatoday.com
winmacguy (3367)
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