So, you think you are secure and don't need precautions

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

UrbanBounca said:

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

So, are you telling me that you never pull up Google.com and search for something and then click on any of the returned links to see the results of your search.

I fail to see where what I posted was funny or odd in any way. It's not as if I was searching for anything of questionable content. I would have to believe that the overwhelming majority of Google searches result in returned links that 99% of people click on at least a few of them...otherwise what is the point of searching.

pparks1 said:

UrbanBounca said:

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

So, are you telling me that you never pull up Google.com and search for something and then click on any of the returned links to see the results of your search.

I fail to see where what I posted was funny or odd in any way. It's not as if I was searching for anything of questionable content.

No, I use Google all the time, but I won't click any link that isn't legitimate. There is a difference between Wikipedia.org and 8349stuff.38373.gythel.com.

UrbanBounca said:

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

I'd recommend reading the thread. The point here is that you don't need to 'click on a random link' to get infected. You don't need to download a file in question, either.

Got Adobe Acrobat installed? If you do and have Javascript enabled, right now it's perfectly possible to visit a trusted webpage you've gone to for years, navigate there via BOOKMARK, and get infected.

The vectors of attack are changing. If you think malware only spreads through emails and porn sites, you're flat out wrong.

P.S. It's perfectly possible to get a rootkit on your machine with or without A/V and never realize it. I've run MBAM on several machine of people who had no idea they were infected. Just because you don't 'see a problem' doesn't mean there isn't one there. I get a little tired of the 'I've never been infected' routine, seeing as there's no way to actually know that you've never been infected without your knowledge.

Carbonyl said:

UrbanBounca said:

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

I'd recommend reading the thread. The point here is that you don't need to 'click on a random link' to get infected. You don't need to download a file in question, either.

Got Adobe Acrobat installed? If you do and have Javascript enabled, right now it's perfectly possible to visit a trusted webpage you've gone to for years, navigate there via BOOKMARK, and get infected.

The vectors of attack are changing. If you think malware only spreads through emails and porn sites, you're flat out wrong.

I'm not arguing they aren't out there. I'm arguing that it doesn't take a genius to stay clean, even without an AV.

UrbanBounca said:

Carbonyl said:

UrbanBounca said:

On the flip side of the spectrum, I'm an average Windows user since about 1995, and haven't used an AV until late last year, and that was experimenting with MSE. I've never had any problem with a virus/malware, and I'm a firm believer that common sense is the best tool against any virus. You don't click on a random link. You don't download a file in question.

You don't need a degree to be a security expert. Honestly, I read the OP and laughed.

I'd recommend reading the thread. The point here is that you don't need to 'click on a random link' to get infected. You don't need to download a file in question, either.

Got Adobe Acrobat installed? If you do and have Javascript enabled, right now it's perfectly possible to visit a trusted webpage you've gone to for years, navigate there via BOOKMARK, and get infected.

The vectors of attack are changing. If you think malware only spreads through emails and porn sites, you're flat out wrong.

I'm not arguing they aren't out there. I'm arguing that it doesn't take a genius to stay clean, even without an AV.

I think the point is that the attack vectors are getting more crafty. As I said 'Safe Surfing' isn't possible any more. If you think you can prevent infection just by restricting your clicks, that's just not possible anymore.

I realize people hate AV software, but it serves as a line of defense against unforseen attack vectors.

Carbonyl said:

I think the point is that the attack vectors are getting more crafty. As I said 'Safe Surfing' isn't possible any more. If you think you can prevent infection just by restricting your clicks, that's just not possible anymore.

I realize people hate AV software, but it serves as a line of defense against unforseen attack vectors.

You are more than welcome to use it, but I've never had any symptom of a virus/malware. I'm not arguing they aren't getting advanced, and I'm not arguing that I'll never get one, but I can assure you, upto this point, I've never had a virus. I've used online virus scans a couple times, and I've even installed Norton and McAfee at one point, simply to prove that you don't need an AV to stay clean.