Trust me, you need Antivirus for Windows Vista, I am running Vista x64 and I
was surprised when I did a scan with Norton AV Corporate Edition 10.2 it
fold several Trojan horses and viruses under C:/Windows which successfully
cleaned and deleted. But regardless of all the security technologies that
come built into the OS, hackers are constantly attacking the platform and
finding new ways to infiltrate the system. That is why you have Antivirus to
stay one step ahead.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"Steve Thackery" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:eAFIU93NIHA.4476@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> I've created a new thread for this because it is seriously off-topic for
> the original thread (see "Vista Key.." below).
>
> I wrote:
>
>>>
> I've been running Vista Home Premium since 31st January, WITHOUT any
> anti-virus software at all, and in fact no other security software
> whatsoever apart from what comes "in the box". It is powered up all the
> time and permanently connected to the Internet via a router.
>
> It has remained absolutely clean as a whistle. No malware whatsoever.
> <<
>
> Alias responded with a very reasonable question:
>
>> How would you know? There are millions of computers controlled by bot
>> nets without the computer owner's knowledge. Root kits and spyware don't
>> exactly pop up and say, "hey look at me".
>
> And some rather less eloquent person called john declared:
>
>> what a load...
>
> Here's how I know: because last week I tried two separate
> "we'll-scan-your-PC" services offered by well known anti-virus vendors,
> who are hoping to scare you into buying their products. Did it a couple
> of times in previous months, too. Also I've got a NOD32 licence (which I
> don't use) but I installed it temporarily to see what it said.
>
> So, then, that's three separate scans from three separate vendors, and not
> a single peep.
>
> I've also got PC Tools antispyware (again which I don't use), but
> installed it temporarily. Again, clean as a whistle. Nothing from
> Vista's built-in anti-malware thing either.
>
> Let me ask you something, John and Alias, and you've got to answer
> truthfully: when was the last time your anti-virus / security software
> popped up and warned you that there was an infection in your machine (or
> it had just stopped an infection)?
>
> I'll tell you my answer: I honestly can't remember. I've been using PCs
> since well before Windows existed and in truth I've got a vague memory
> from (literally) years ago that I once saw a warning, but it is very vague
> and maybe it was from one of the test files you can get.
>
> Having bought a second computer two years ago, I decided to experiment by
> leaving it connected full time to the Internet with NO protection
> whatsoever (I kept using NOD32 on my main machine). For the first year it
> ran XP SP2, for the second year it ran Vista Home Premium. I scanned it
> three times in the first year, and I've scanned it three times this year,
> and in EVERY instance it was completely clean.
>
> Avoiding malware is easy. Here is my three-step guide...
>
> 1/ Always connect to the Internet via a router with NAT and a built-in
> firewall (i.e. all modern routers), NOT a USB modem.
>
> 2/ Use an ISP that offers virus and malware scanning on incoming emails
> (they all do, these days).
>
> 3/ Use a modicum of common sense when downloading files and programs, and
> in particular make sure they come from a reputable source.
>
> 4/ And in Vista, do NOT disable UAC (because it disables IE7's protected
> mode): instead, make your account an administrator and then set UAC so it
> does not require your password, just a click (this does not reduce your
> protection significantly, and makes UAC perfectly bearable). Leave the
> other security settings at their default.
>
> Yes, I know that's four steps, rather than three, but the final step only
> applies to Vista.
>
> With this experience, I'm more convinced than ever that security products
> over and above what comes with Vista "in the box" are, for me, completely
> unnecessary and a waste of money.
>
> Is anyone else brave enough to reject the current paranoid paradigm?
>
> SteveT.