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[Broomies Mate]

That's great!  That way you aren't pestered by an AV when your computer is infected.  Firefox, Chrome, etc all have their place but thinking that they are in anyway more secure than IE is dangerous.

No, crossing a road without looking for traffic is dangerous.

Using a computer sensibly is fine, much like looking before you cross the road. 

[omega3000]

I pay money for norton. Feel free to take the piss.

Only mildly better than Mcrappy McAfee(which should be avoided like the plague)

About as much use as a chocolate fire guard 

[TheBoy]

That's great!  That way you aren't pestered by an AV when your computer is infected.  Firefox, Chrome, etc all have their place but thinking that they are in anyway more secure than IE is dangerous.

No, crossing a road without looking for traffic is dangerous.

Using a computer sensibly is fine, much like looking before you cross the road. 

Chrome and Firefox  are no more secure than IE. Actually both (but especially Chrome) are far less secure.

Adblock+ will do *nothing* to stop nasties getting on your machine, or to then allow your machine to try to spread all those nasties on.  You do need an AV package of some description, TBH.  For Windows, there are some reasonable frebies, and the MS one in particular, isn't too heavy on resources.

[Broomies Mate]

That's great!  That way you aren't pestered by an AV when your computer is infected.  Firefox, Chrome, etc all have their place but thinking that they are in anyway more secure than IE is dangerous.

No, crossing a road without looking for traffic is dangerous.

Using a computer sensibly is fine, much like looking before you cross the road. 

Chrome and Firefox  are no more secure than IE. Actually both (but especially Chrome) are far less secure.

Adblock+ will do *nothing* to stop nasties getting on your machine, or to then allow your machine to try to spread all those nasties on.  You do need an AV package of some description, TBH.  For Windows, there are some reasonable frebies, and the MS one in particular, isn't too heavy on resources.

Meh, I used to argue the toss a decade or so ago - It's been a while since I could honestly say I was 'up' on computer technology.  I probably haven't built a computer from the ground up for 2 or more years.  14 years ago I was building thousands a year.

All I know is, without Pop-Ups, Advertisements and the crap that goes with them, you are pretty much secure.  I'd very much like to know how something can infiltrate my computer without me actually asking it to.

You have my IP, you know my Version of Windows, you know what Browser I use...... You know I use no Anti-Virus software....

Why don't you try it?

Not that you would, because it would be pathetic, but you surely know what I'm getting at.

Stay away from dodgy porn, cheap movie downloads and free music downloads and you'll be fine.

Signed, Ross - Same install of Windows 7 for over 2 years and never had a baddie.

[TheBoy]

All I know is, without Pop-Ups, Advertisements and the crap that goes with them, you are pretty much secure.  I'd very much like to know how something can infiltrate my computer without me actually asking it to.

Whilst pop-ups etc are likely to be sources of nasties, they are actually not needed to inject code onto a clients browser. This very website has the capability to do that, if it was compromised by not-so-pleasant people.

You have my IP, you know my Version of Windows, you know what Browser I use...... You know I use no Anti-Virus software....

Why don't you try it?

Not that you would, because it would be pathetic, but you surely know what I'm getting at.

As we're both UK based, that would be a criminal offence. Plus, despite having many mean streaks, that is not one of them.

Stay away from dodgy porn, cheap movie downloads and free music downloads and you'll be fine.

Whilst you are more likely to get compromised on certain kinds of site, remember that legitimate sites can be compromised with the same...

Signed, Ross - Same install of Windows 7 for over 2 years and never had a baddie.

Same here. Actually, my current Win7 builds on lappy and desktop are much older (although my works lappy is only about an 18 month old build, and its screwed - I'll rebuild one day, based on 1) can't be arsed to fix, 2) quicker). Vista and later have the excellent UAC which also helps immensely, for those with the intelligence to leave it properly enabled, seeing as virtually everyone thinks its a slur on their manhood to consider running as a non-administrative user.

Although, that said, if you're not running an AV solution, how do you know you've never had a baddie

[Broomies Mate]

Lets not turn this into a "I've got bigger balls than you" type conversation.  Please?

UAC is a pain the the ass and is best turned off for anyone who (basics) knows what msconfig is for.

I'm confident I do not have any TSR's or the like due to I keep an eye on how things are going.  I use this particular laptop solely for vehicle diagnostics, browsing OOF, VxON and BarryBoys (that's a belter of a site and Clive quite likes the Omega, oddly).

Since Windows 95, I have been running without 'security'.  No problems to report so far.

I tend to find that those who click on pop-ups get problems - Whilst I will happily say AdBlock+ is not infallible, It's bloody good.

[TheBoy]

UAC is a pain the the ass and is best turned off for anyone who (basics) knows what msconfig is for.

Absolutely, categorically, utterly disagree 100%.

If anyone feels the need, for whatever reason, to run as a privileged user, UAC should be properly enabled.  There are far more ways to get software running at boot than msconfig can show. In fact, most legitimate software will use these same methods. Disabling UAC whilst running as a privileged user invites any running process to have complete control of the machine (and entire network, as I've seen some pillocks run day-to-day as Domain Admins etc).  Its like running a Unix or Linux system, and only logging on as root.

Since the advent of consumers using an NT kernel, which for most was XP, there is no concept of TSR - the OS enforces a proper, preemtive multitasking system.



Sorry, security is a pet hate of mine, seeing as I seem to spend too much of my working day initially firefighting, then clearing up the aftermath of people who 1) are too stupid to use technology, or 2) think they know more than they do about their computers, in the process severely impacting other users of the ISP  . Especially when 99% of the time its easily avoidable, and for free.

[TheBoy]

Should add, as its not come across too well, not arguing, just disagreeing

[Broomies Mate]

UAC is a pain the the ass and is best turned off for anyone who (basics) knows what msconfig is for.

Absolutely, categorically, utterly disagree 100%.

If anyone feels the need, for whatever reason, to run as a privileged user, UAC should be properly enabled.  There are far more ways to get software running at boot than msconfig can show. In fact, most legitimate software will use these same methods. Disabling UAC whilst running as a privileged user invites any running process to have complete control of the machine (and entire network, as I've seen some pillocks run day-to-day as Domain Admins etc).  Its like running a Unix or Linux system, and only logging on as root.

Since the advent of consumers using an NT kernel, which for most was XP, there is no concept of TSR - the OS enforces a proper, preemtive multitasking system.



Sorry, security is a pet hate of mine, seeing as I seem to spend too much of my working day initially firefighting, then clearing up the aftermath of people who 1) are too stupid to use technology, or 2) think they know more than they do about their computers, in the process severely impacting other users of the ISP  . Especially when 99% of the time its easily avoidable, and for free.

I empathise with you.  I spend a fair amount of time sat with someones laptop getting rid of crap which has been downloaded by someone 'knows what they are doing'.  I have no doubt in your technical ability or knowledge.  I think we both (you more-so than I) have an above average 'know-how'.

I personally do not use any security.  I use NOD on the wife's machine (she demands something) and nothing on the desktop.

Either I am very lucky, OR virus' do not come looking for people anymore?  Actually, I think it's sensible usage...... not clicking every link that gets sent and did I mention being sensible?

EDITED TO ADD: Disagreement is good, life would be boring without a difference of opinion. 

[Jusme]

Glad to see NOD mentioned. 2 different computer shops I have used (one man band size) both said, 'as long as I can see the Eset icon on the screen I do NOT worry. Been using it for 3 years. No probs. Worth the money. In my very (extremely) limited knowledge...

[dbdb]

Worth adding Trusteer Rapport as well as AV if you do any online banking.  Free download from many banks.