 Is Virus Protection & Firewall Really Necessary |
Welcome Guest ( Log In | Click here to Register a free account now! )
Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com
Welcome to Bleeping Computer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.| Important Announcement: We have two terrific contests running on the site that I wanted all our members and guests to know about. The first contest is the HP Magic Giveaway, which is underway as of November 28th. More information can be found at this topic, which will be updated very soon with further information. The second contests, is for the chance to win two Seagate FreeAgent external hard drives. More information about this contest can be found here. These are both amazing contests and I suggest everyone submit an entry for them. - BleepingComputer Management |
  |
 Jun 26 2006, 09:17 PM
Post
#1
|
|
 Member  Group: Members Posts: 143 Joined: 25-March 05 From: Washington State Member No.: 15,349  |
Today I had a discussion with a couple of co-workers regarding virus protection and firewalls for home computers. They both said that you only need virus protection if you don't download from the web and you don't need a firewall if you are not on the internet very often. So, neither of them have VP or a firewall. I have both of these on my home computer and I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject. Thanks, rlight |
 |
 
|
|
Jun 26 2006, 10:28 PM
Post
#2
|
|
 To INSANITY and BEYOND !! Group: Moderator Posts: 9,632 Joined: 10-September 04 From: NJ USA Member No.: 2,608 |
QUOTE you only need virus protection if you don't download from the web Downloading is where most of the risk is. Tho' you can infect your PC with malware just by visiting certain sites.. Perhaps if you only and (never stray) go to truly secure sites you may get away without an Antivirus program ... But .... A firewall is a must. You not only need security while your browsing ,but also from some one browsing your PC. QUOTE Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. from BleepingComputer.com link L@@K
-------------------- Can you spare some PC cycles to help FIND A CURE .. BC FOLDING TEAM Click me /info..
ThoughtVent a goodplace to discuss.<<>>>Staying Updated Calendar of Updates. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.... |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2006, 10:33 PM
Post
#3
|
|
 SPAM Magnet Group: Global Moderator Posts: 13,894 Joined: 6-May 04 From: SW Louisiana Member No.: 363 |
Both of your co-workers are accidents waiting to happen.
If your connected to the internet for any length of time, for whatever reason, you run the risk of becoming infected. It only takes seconds. -------------------- I love being married.
It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy, for the rest of your life. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 26 2006, 11:50 PM
Post
#4
|
|
 Forum Addict Group: Global Moderator Posts: 20,642 Joined: 11-April 04 From: Chicago, Il. Member No.: 113 |
To add to the comments above, several experiments have been done that allow unprotected computers access to the internet. In almost every case (and this experiement does not include active use of the internet) these computers become infected within two days.
Regards, John -------------------- Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one should be silent.
|
|
|
|
 Jun 27 2006, 04:02 AM
Post
#5
|
|
 Just enough info to be armed & dangerous... Group: Members Posts: 2,020 Joined: 18-March 06 From: St Kilda, Dunedin. South Island. NZ Member No.: 59,805 |
Hi rlight. Your coworkers are IDIOTS. Disregard anything they may tell you about computers as they obviously know nothing.
Cheers This post has been edited by rowal5555: Jun 27 2006, 04:31 AM -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 04:29 AM
Post
#6
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 94 Joined: 23-June 06 Member No.: 73,183 |
Where do you work??? What coworkers are they?????
Cos I cant believe they said that!!!!!! I mean its an accident ready to happen as mentioned above!!!! Of course your system doesnt need to be buffed up if u dont download loads or use the net regarly but still..... it only takes a little to get infected so the very basics are required in my opinion  MathsDude -------------------- If anyone ever tells you that you are a geek, just simply reply: " Geeks get rich, popular people get to live in council flats!!!!"
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 01:25 PM
Post
#7
|
|
 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 398 Joined: 10-April 06 From: Nottingham England Home to the Hood of Robin Member No.: 63,547 |
Hello rlight,
Well everything everyone has said here is correct,so go with them, DO NOT listen to your co-workers! It is because of opinions and self-belief similar to that of your co-workers, that malware and virus' exist so easily today. If people only took 5mins of there time to read what is VITAL software to running and keeping there PC's safe, then we would be on a massive step to preventing malware from even knowing we are here. Ignorance is bliss.............until you find out your bank details have been wiped along with your account money, you have to pay a queens ransome to get your PC fixed , the hackers stolen all of your personal details such as pictures and video,address and friends and family details. They take over your PC by making it a Zombie to help in there crimes, whilst downloading porn and popups on to your desktop.They....................well i think you get the idea, and anyone, not just your co-workers, should take note. I cant even begin to start just what can be done by hackers. There best friends in helping with there crimes,are those who believe that an anti-virus is all you need,and you never know, they may just show there appreciation by taking every last penny your account holds. Stay safe,and browse happy! Graveangel 
This post has been edited by graveangel: Jun 27 2006, 01:28 PM -------------------- ....And on the 8th day God said, "When my children are intelligent, and create the Computer, for my sake may they never screw around with the registry or subscribe to AOL"
 |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 03:58 PM
Post
#8
|
|
 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 843 Joined: 9-May 06 From: PCLinuxOS Land Member No.: 67,460 |
Hay there rlight
You can tell tweedle dumb and tweedle dumber this for me "Flies dance operas to your wisdom" keep what you got and keep your av updated. you should look into other anti-malware as well. -------------------- "Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster"  |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 08:49 PM
Post
#9
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 143 Joined: 25-March 05 From: Washington State Member No.: 15,349 |
Thanks to all of you for your imput. I have no intention of going without virus protection or a firewall. I have tried to follow BleepingComputers guidelines for keeping my PC safe. I wanted your imput to help me educate my coworkers or anyone else that believes that no protection is necessary.
Currently on my PC I use AVG Free Edition for virus protection and ZoneAlarm for a firewall, I used to have Mcafee. What do you think about this? Is AVG and ZoneAlarm enough protection or do I need more. Thanks again rlight |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 09:01 PM
Post
#10
|
|
 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 418 Joined: 30-December 05 From: Rosemount, MINN. Member No.: 47,493 |
Hello,
Even if your not online at all, having a firewall is necessary. People can hack in and steal personal information from your machine. And antivirus programs are a necessity too since hackers can put viruses in your PC. --Jesse -------------------- Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 l McAfee Total Protection l Super AntiSpyware Free Edition l AdAware SE Personal l Spyware Blaster l Spyware Guard l Safe Eyes 2007
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 09:02 PM
Post
#11
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 113 Joined: 1-December 04 Member No.: 6,235 |
It is a start but just to give you an idea, I have over a dozen programs for security.
AV, Firewall, Winpatrol, Spybot (strongly recommend), Spyware blaster, Spyware Guard, ProcessGUard,Spysweeper, Windows Defender,And window washer(or CCleaner on close) and thats not counting the ones that aren't always running:AdwareSE, Ewido |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 10:29 PM
Post
#12
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 143 Joined: 25-March 05 From: Washington State Member No.: 15,349 |
So, trickydick,
Two questions. First, I use Spybot and Ad-Aware. AdAware regularly detects spyware, Spybot even with the newest updates never detects any spyware. Why would this be? Secondly, all the protection that you have on your computer, do have to buy it or is free? Or both? rlight |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 10:33 PM
Post
#13
|
|
|
To INSANITY and BEYOND !! Group: Moderator Posts: 9,632 Joined: 10-September 04 From: NJ USA Member No.: 2,608 |
Using 1 Antivirus and 1 firewall is correct. But you definately should run several FREE Spyware programs in conjunction. There is a BC list HERE
Scroll down to the Spyware Removal section and install those. Don't forget to read the section in the link provided called,Simple steps to keep your computer secure This post has been edited by boopme: Jun 27 2006, 10:34 PM -------------------- Can you spare some PC cycles to help FIND A CURE .. BC FOLDING TEAM Click me /info..
ThoughtVent a goodplace to discuss.<<>>>Staying Updated Calendar of Updates. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.... |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 10:38 PM
Post
#14
|
|
|
To INSANITY and BEYOND !! Group: Moderator Posts: 9,632 Joined: 10-September 04 From: NJ USA Member No.: 2,608 |
QUOTE(rlight @ Jun 27 2006, 11:29 PM)  So, trickydick, Two questions. First, I use Spybot and Ad-Aware. AdAware regularly detects spyware, Spybot even with the newest updates never detects any spyware. Why would this be? Secondly, all the protection that you have on your computer, do have to buy it or is free? Or both? rlight That's why you need several programs they don't find all by themselves ,some find things others do not. The progs in the link above contains excellent free progs. -------------------- Can you spare some PC cycles to help FIND A CURE .. BC FOLDING TEAM Click me /info..
ThoughtVent a goodplace to discuss.<<>>>Staying Updated Calendar of Updates. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.... |
|
|
|
|
Jun 27 2006, 11:19 PM
Post
#15
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 143 Joined: 25-March 05 From: Washington State Member No.: 15,349 |
BOOPME,
So, I've downloaded SpywareBlaster and Winpatrol (I already use AdAware and Spybot). Dp I need more of these?? Also, do I need more than one Virus Protection program and more than one Firewall?? Thanks for all your help rlight |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
| Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 4th December 2008 - 04:22 PM |
© 2003-2008 All Rights Reserved Bleeping Computer LLC.