Anti-virus is a Poor Substitute for Common Sense

[JMH]

-“Common sense always speaks too late.” — Raymond Chandler​

A new study about the (in)efficacy of anti-virus software in detecting the latest malware threats is a much-needed reminder that staying safe online is more about using your head than finding the right mix or brand of security software.


Last week, security software testing firm NSS Labs completed another controversial test of how the major anti-virus products fared in detecting malware pushed by malicious Web sites: Most of the products took an average of more than 45 hours — nearly two days — to detect the latest threats.


The two graphs below show the performance of the commercial versions of 10 top anti-virus products. NSS permitted the publication of these graphics without the legend showing how to track the performance of each product, in part because they are selling this information, but also because — as NSS President Rick Moy told me — they don’t want to become an advertisement for any one anti-virus company.

Source -
Anti-virus is a Poor Substitute for Common Sense — Krebs on Security

 

[arkhi]

There's always this saying: "Common sense isn't." Google.

 

[Dinesh]

People dont have common sense hence humans made anti virus.

 

[pparks1]

I no longer believe that common sense can keep you safe while using the Internet. It certainly doesn't hurt....but it is far from any type of failsafe either.

Sure, you can visit only sites you trust. But how can you trust the sites that you go to? What if they were compromised, what if there is a DNS hack that redirects you elsewhere, what if there is a banner add that includes some type of payload that exploits something on your machine????

I'm a true believer that there isn't any ONE thing that anybody can do to be safe. Unfortunately, safety involves several layers, knowledge, and often compromise between ease of use.

 

[madtownidiot]

As long as people without common sense continue to mess up their computers, I'll never be broke

 

[swarfega]

You have to think of 70 year old granny using the computer. Common sense is ok for people who know what to expect, but grannies can be taken in. I find those sorts of articles reckless.

 

[Dinesh]

You have to think of 70 year old granny using the computer. Common sense is ok for people who know what to expect, but grannies can be taken in. I find those sorts of articles reckless.

Well said.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have a friend that is 79 years old and I or his son just can't get in his head that when something jumps up on the screen and tells you something like you are infected or you need this don't get it. I have give up and no longer fix the problems because that would be the only thing in my life. His son is working on it now. Lots of luck to his son. Some people just won't learn; I think they call that hard headed.

 

[seekermeister]

When it comes to using a computer, common sense doesn't have much to do with it, unless one has been fully educated in the "art" is using them. Many people, including myself, lack this formal education, and have had to learn on the fly. However, regardless of how much common sense anyone may have, it is not enough to avoid every pitfall. Common sense has a tendency to waver at times, and when it succeeds in avoiding a problem, it can also have the effect of falsely bolstering one's ego, making one more vulnerable in times of less acuity...everyone should have a good AV installed at all times.

 

[madtownidiot]

It's probably a sign of a serious lack of common sense to try to use any other complicated piece of equipment without at least glancing at some kind of manual first, so why wouldn't that apply to people who use computers?

I wish I had a $100 for every phone call I get from a customer who forgot to plug in the computer and can't figure out why it won't start up.

 

[seekermeister]

It's probably a sign of a serious lack of common sense to try to use any other complicated piece of equipment without at least glancing at some kind of manual first, so why wouldn't that apply to people who use computers?

I wish I had a $100 for every phone call I get from a customer who forgot to plug in the computer and can't figure out why it won't start up.

It doesn't require a manual to know that any electrical device needs to be plugged in. Yet, it requires a lot more than a glance at a manual to really understand a computer. Even if a person understands every word in the manual, it is only a starting point to mastering a computer and it's operations.

 

[madtownidiot]

Exactly my point. If don't have enough common sense to check to see if your computer is plugged in before you call to have it fixed, you probably should not be trusted with a computer. And for god's sake, when it comes to computers and the internet, if you don't know what's going to happen, look it up or ask someone who knows before trying it. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather talk someone out of doing something stupid before it happens than have to fix it after, even if it means losing a little money.

 

[seekermeister]

A computer is not an automobile, which requires a license to use. Trust is not a factor in whether a person should or shouldn't have a computer.
Since it sounds as though you are a tech, it would seem that you should be happy with the ignorance of your customers...unless you sold them the computer, and they call you for free support. Of course, if you did sell them the computer, then you have no complaint, because you chose to do so. I appreciate your closing sentence, because if some of the dealers that I have had to work with in the past felt the same, my road to cyber competence would have been a lot shorter and smoother.

 

[madtownidiot]

Of course you're right, a computer doesn't require a license to operate, although sometimes I think there ought to be one.

I'd much rather spend a few minutes explaining over the phone why it's a bad idea to install something or change a particular setting than a hour and a half cleaning up their system a week later.. an hour and a half that could be spent doing something more fun and profitable, like upgrading or building a new computer. I'm too busy most of the time to clean up all the avoidable mistakes that would otherwise happen. To me, it just makes good business sense. If someone in this line of work is willing to let someone mess their computer up, just so they can charge them to fix it, it's probably a sign they're not very good at what they do anyway and definitely not worthy of respect.

 

[Layback Bear]

One must boot there brain before there computer. At times one must update there brains bios. (Do some learning on what to do and what not to do online.) If this brain bios update is not done and used with continuous learning there is no software added to the computer that will help much.

 

[seekermeister]

Of course you're right, a computer doesn't require a license to operate, although sometimes I think there ought to be one.

I'd much rather spend a few minutes explaining over the phone why it's a bad idea to install something or change a particular setting than a hour and a half cleaning up their system a week later.. an hour and a half that could be spent doing something more fun and profitable, like upgrading or building a new computer. I'm too busy most of the time to clean up all the avoidable mistakes that would otherwise happen. To me, it just makes good business sense. If someone in this line of work is willing to let someone mess their computer up, just so they can charge them to fix it, it's probably a sign they're not very good at what they do anyway and definitely not worthy of respect.

I can well recall when I bought my first computer, and a number afterward, until I learned to build my own, and the support that I received as a new user was not existent. Almost everything that I know, as little as it is, came from the internet and forums or by trial and error. I know that good tech people exist due to internet exposure, but they don't live in my town.

 

[madtownidiot]

I can well recall when I bought my first computer, and a number afterward, until I learned to build my own, and the support that I received as a new user was not existent. Almost everything that I know, as little as it is, came from the internet and forums or by trial and error. I know that good tech people exist due to internet exposure, but they don't live in my town.

Pretty much the same for me. I find it a bit irresponsible to sell something to somebody without showing them some of the basics of how to use it. At least there are forums and other means of 3rd party support, which I refer my customers to as a way to educate themselves, and the hacking windows books (Steve Sinchak) are a very good investment.

 

[JonM33]

I no longer believe that common sense can keep you safe while using the Internet. It certainly doesn't hurt....but it is far from any type of failsafe either.

Sure, you can visit only sites you trust. But how can you trust the sites that you go to? What if they were compromised, what if there is a DNS hack that redirects you elsewhere, what if there is a banner add that includes some type of payload that exploits something on your machine????

I'm a true believer that there isn't any ONE thing that anybody can do to be safe. Unfortunately, safety involves several layers, knowledge, and often compromise between ease of use.

I agree. Once you connect to the internet with a web browser you are no longer safe and need an AV program.

The common sense part would be to not install things if you get some sort of fake pop-up (such as Antivirus 2009, etc).

 

[Bootz]

Not everything about keeping your computer safe has to do with common sense, Im pretty sure most of us here have some common sense about computers. Im also pretty sure most of us have pry had a virus at least once.

 

[JonM33]

Not everything about keeping your computer safe has to do with common sense, Im pretty sure most of us here have some common sense about computers. Im also pretty sure most of us have pry had a virus at least once.

Once I was attacked by Antivirus 2009 while browsing the web - fortunately Avast (my AV at that time) stopped it. Otherwise the only thing that got me were keygen files. That's why I gave up messing with illegal software.

If you stick to legit websites and software then you have a slim chance of worrying about viruses/malware.