Mac and PC, Antivirus Software Necessary?

[grawk]

Yes, antivirus software is necessary, on a windows box. So I voted yes, because in a YES/NO question, if you can answer yes, it's true.

No, antivirus software is not necessary on a mac. It's an unnecessary load on the cpu.

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelkernel8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am a PC user. I have never gotten a virus, and I run one simple low-resource AV program. I wonder why its always the Mac users who have trouble with PC's? Are they incompetent with PC's because they are Mac users or did they switch to Mac after having so many problems with PC's because they were inherently incompetent with them?

I am a mac user. I have never gotten a virus, and I run no AV programs. I have trouble with PCs because windows is awful. I guess I am incompetent with PCs because I don't use them, similar to my being an incompetent pilot because I don't fly planes. I suppose it's not inherent because i've never heard of an inherently competent windows user and I guess I don't even know what that means. Don't you just learn how to use them?

 

[Dorito123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin /img/forum/go_quote.gif My Basics list: Don't run IE Don't run ActiveX Don't run Outlook Don't run Office Macros Don't download from unsolicited e-mails Don't view images in unsolicited e-mails Don't install anything not from a known good source Don't install anything of indeterminate origin Keep Windows up to date Keep rest of software up to date Use a firewall Pay attention to extensions before double clicking Pay attention to file sizes before double clicking Only let others use crippled guest accounts On Vista, enable UAC The list goes on, but it's mostly common sense when using a computer.

You would rather put yourself through all that paranoia rather than install something that is cheap or free?

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelkernel8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am a PC user. I have never gotten a virus, and I run one simple low-resource AV program. I wonder why its always the Mac users who have trouble with PC's? Are they incompetent with PC's because they are Mac users or did they switch to Mac after having so many problems with PC's because they were inherently incompetent with them?

Err I don't think I even understand your foundation of the question. Many more PC users have troubles with PCs than Mac users.

Nor should Windows (which is the issue more than the PC) inherently be the default. I think long term Mac and Windows users are pretty naive about the other platform, though Mac users are more likely to be less under the hood people, but be required to know about Windows for work, etc. I'm typing this on my ThinkPad at an anti-virus company I'm contracting at. I have many more years on the Windows platform than OS X or Linux. I believe in anti-virus on Windows. No matter what they encourage at work, I don't have one installed on my Mac at home. Even the sales pitch to buy OS X anti-virus software is focused on protecting yourself from passing along virii to your Windows friends. Hell last I checked (admittedly a couple years ago) over 90% of all Mac exploits were thru MS Office.

So Windows unless you're very careful: Yes
OS X or Unix/Linux: No

 

[wanderman]

I run unbuntu 8.04 alpha5, windows xp, and osx and I have never gotten a virus. Do I get a cookie.

 

[AuroraProject]

18 months ago I switched to Mac, I run no anti virus software, no problems at all. On a PC, yes you should run av and some form of anti spy/malware software. I earn my living fixing busted Windows boxes due to viruses and spyware, and business is good!

 

[Dorito123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderman /img/forum/go_quote.gif I run unbuntu 8.04 alpha5, windows xp, and osx and I have never gotten a virus. Do I get a cookie.

Let us know how your doing when you 45. You never said if your using some AV software or not?

<~~Grab a Dorito instead,,,LOL

 

[Xephyr]

Lets put it this way...is there anything negative about having an AV running?? I use AVG and it doesn't really bother at me all..and it is free (limited functionality though) but as long as I don't click stupid links (which I don't...most of the time) it shouldn't be a problem. But better safe than sorry!

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xephyr /img/forum/go_quote.gif Lets put it this way...is there anything negative about having an AV running??

Just speed and resources.

 

[Al4x]

AVG and zonelabs on mine, i pick the little buggers up all the time,

i didnt have a set on for a week and something got in, when i play games i turn them off tho to gain performance, laptops have a job playing crysis!

edt when i go back to xp itll just be zonelabs suite

 

[Dorito123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just speed and resources.

How does the AV impact your actual usage?

 

[ncmando]

I do all that _and_ run AV, spybot, adaware, and am still not sure I'm paranoid enough. Spend 2 days one time cleaning up a bug on my wife's PC.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorito123 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You would rather put yourself through all that paranoia rather than install something that is cheap or free?

 

[Dorito123]

That another good question, its seems this is more directed at PC users. How often do you format your drive and reload your Operating System?

 

[GlendaleViper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelkernel8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...or did they switch to Mac after having so many problems with PC's because they were inherently incompetent with them?

I'll fully admit to this. I switched to Mac because I'm a software user. It's the home console of PCs for me and I like my computers to just do their thing.

When I was on PC (which I also have far more experience with), antivirus software was a must for me. Never once on the Mac.

 

[Al4x]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorito123 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That another good question, its seems this is more directed at PC users. How often do you format your drive and reload your Operating System?

very rarely cause its such a hassle to install all the programs!