Do I need an antivirus on my PC....?

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  1. Posts : 107
    Windows 7 Home 64bit
       #1

    Do I need an antivirus on my PC....?


    A friend of mine asked me to help her to install a free antivirus because her promotional Norton had expired about 4 months ago.
    I uninstalled Norton and then tried to install MSE, but it failed with "file error" message.
    I read somewhere that I should have rebooted it before installing MSE, but too late now.

    Anyway, I installed AVG 2013 Free.
    And to my surprise when I ran a scan it did not find a single problem.

    I installed SuperAntiSpyware and it found a few tracking cookies.

    I installed MalwareBytes and it found nothing.

    How can one browse the Web for 4 months without antivirus and have a clean PC....?

    Thanks,
    BBDS
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #2

    Not hard if you avoid clicking on links in e-mails (even from those you know) and avoid the "bad" sites. I have MSE and Malwarebytes but I still do not click on links in e-mails, or even open SPAM (I have Mailwasher Pro that I can filter spam before it gets to my PC).
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,963
    Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
       #3

    It all depends on what you do. I've gone months, and even over year before, without a single infection being detected. It sounds like she must be smart about her internet surfing habits. I don't recommend using AVG through. I haven't found to be very reliable since version 7 or so. Uninstall it, restart, and install MSE. Leave MBAM on there. Make sure you use the Norton and AVG removal tools to make sure everything was removed.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,168
    Windows 10 64bit
       #4

    Yes it is best you have some sort of protection on your machine. I highly recommend Comodo internet security. There free version comes with a anti virus and a firewall. Works great and has stopped infections and cleaned my pc in the past.
    Free Internet Security - Download Internet Security Software Suit
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #5

    With MIG on this one and this might be handy too Probably the Best Free Security List in the World
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    If you haven't already done so, I would suggest you use the official Norton Removal Tool. Many times anti-virus programs leave behind remnants that can prevent a clean install of a new AV program or keep a new program from running properly. I would also recommend that you run the removal tools for any other AV programs you may have installed on the computer.

    This is a list of uninstaller tools. Read the "info" section first before running the actual removal tool(s). There may be specific steps you have to take. If in doubbt you could also visit the AV manufacturers' websites for their latest removal instructions.

    Security Software | SingularLabs
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    Maybe you don't "need" it, but if you're using Windows most likely you'll WANT it anyway. I would not really suggest anyone to run on the wild without one, though it's possible and even safe if you're careful, but some protection is not so hard to get and not that intrusive once configured. Even MSE will be better than nothing, but I would suggest Avast instead. The free versions of most antiviruses will do well too.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 341
    Windows 7 Home Premium x32 SP1
       #8

    boyboyds said:
    A friend of mine asked me to help her to install a free antivirus because her promotional Norton had expired about 4 months ago.
    I uninstalled Norton and then tried to install MSE, but it failed with "file error" message.
    I read somewhere that I should have rebooted it before installing MSE, but too late now.

    Anyway, I installed AVG 2013 Free.
    And to my surprise when I ran a scan it did not find a single problem.

    I installed SuperAntiSpyware and it found a few tracking cookies.

    I installed MalwareBytes and it found nothing.

    How can one browse the Web for 4 months without antivirus and have a clean PC....?

    Thanks,
    BBDS
    It is possible.

    I haven't used AV (in realtime) for about 6 years now.
    You need to understand what threats are, how you can be infected (usb, drive-by-download infection, etc) and use few layers of protection.

    AV are outdated these days you shouldn't trust in only AV.
    Here is some reading, I've posted it some time ago: AV myths & facts
    sorry for language quality but it's automated google translated article.

    HTH
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 21,004
    Desk1 7 Home Prem / Desk2 10 Pro / Main lap Asus ROG 10 Pro 2 laptop Toshiba 7 Pro Asus P2520 7 & 10
       #9

    Thats all well and good Creer for those who do understand the threats but I can put money on there being thousands who don't and I think having at least something on the machine is better than nothing at all.

    I have lost count of the fixes I ave done just lately where the friend or neighbours have been playing around on the net and whose machines are totaled with all sorts of malware. Some of the machines have had to be completely wiped and the OS reinstalled because they are in such a mess.

    I ma not disagreeing with you on what you are saying re what you do on the net I have said for a long time now that the user has to take some responsibility for their actions but there are always going to be those who don't and end up in all sorts of trouble.

    For the sake of installing some at very least primitive AV I for one don't see it as a big deal.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 524
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-Bit
       #10

    I wouldn't use AVG anymore. They turned to one of those crap AV's that just "scans your files & makes it look like it's doing something & doesn't find anything" type programs. Norton does the same thing. McAffy does it, too.

    I've also gone a few months without getting viruses & such.
      My Computer


 
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