Any advice on free anti-virus software

[Regular Guy]

Point taken!

The average user has trouble using a Windows system. Expecting them to learn how to use one of the dozens of varieties of Linux is foolish at best. Especially if they actually want to use their systems to run the software they bring home from work or the games they or their kids want to play.

Not to mention the problems with finding drivers for hardware that are far beyond the average PC user. Linux is fun to play with but it is far from being ready for mainstream users.

Point taken! In my own defense I did caution that there is a considerable learning curve involved. This, of course does not preclude the fact that, as I said the majority of viruses are written for Windows ergo Linux systems are virtually virus free. I, myself am using Kubuntu but I must confess it was installed on a separate partition on my hard drive and set up by my son who is also in the computer industry and is very well qualified. The various versions of Linux available today have their own following just as they have their detractors. I was simply pointing out the option. I assumed the originator of this thread would research the viability of the Kubuntu O/S on his own. It was never my intention to throw it out there to initiate controversy (i.e flame war).

 

[YouVantOption]

Like I said...I have real world experience, I don't base my knowledge on web reports by others. I deal with what problems my customers have, not with the reports of virus census takers. It's amazing how 99% of my customers have no malware problems at all.

How would you know, if the packages only pick up 20% of the exploits in the wild?

The majority of clients with malware problems tend to be new clients who are coming to us for just that reason. Usually a quick cleaning and a bit of education and they never have the problem again.

Wow. The sheer arrogance and ignorance of that statement leaves me feeling very sorry for your customers.

 

[YouVantOption]

Lastly, the Apple notice is not a 'few years old' as you put it. If it was, it would hardly reference OS 10.5x versions of Mac OS. When I return to work on the 5th, I will be happy to send you the link to it.

Yeah. I'll stand by.

In the meanwhile FAIL (again).

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/12/apple_mac_users_should_get_ant.html

Update, 2:35 p.m., Dec. 3: As a number of readers have pointed out, Apple has since pulled the advisory that prompted this blog post. Try to visit the old link for the advisory, and you will see the following message: "We're sorry. We can't find the article you're looking for."

In a written statement sent security news site Securityfocus.com, Apple explained their decision to pull the document:

"We have removed the KnowledgeBase article because it was old and inaccurate," Apple said in a statement sent to SecurityFocus. "The Mac is designed with built-in technologies that provide protection against malicious software and security threats right out of the box.

 

[Techman]

Hey RG! I have no problems with your bringing up Linux. I run a Linux box alongside my Vista system and I like to play around with many of the Linux variants that are readily available for free download. I just think that Linux is beyone the ability of most normal users to install and use as their main OS. Don't forget that we are dealing with people who had problems setting the clock on their VCRs. Expectiing them to actually install, configure and use an operating system...any O/S...is not realistic.

Until major PC makers begin pre-installing Linux as an option, and standards evolve to the point where major software publishers and hardware manufacturers will support it, I feel it is doomed to stay in the place it occupies today.

YVO...that sounds like the standard Apple crap that always comes out when they have been caught with their pants down. Besides...most of the Mac owners I know spend more of their time running Windows on their Mac than the native OS.

By the way, I judge my customers' problems by the number of service calls I receive and by how their systems are running. Not by web reports of phantom percentages of possible virus problems in the wild that are always overestimated.

And for your information, my customers are very satisfied with the way their systems are running as well as the service they receive when problems do occur. I don't spend my time frightening them with malware horror stories just to make money off of them or oversell them on security software that will slow down their systems and cause more hassles than they solve.

 

[YouVantOption]

The Christian thing to do, on this holiest of holy nights would be to let this go, turn the other cheek, and allow this to fade away, unmolested.

Unfortunately, I am a devote believer an obscure death cult that mixes equal parts Aum Shinrikyo, Charlie Manson, and Great White Shark.

YVO...that sounds like the standard Apple crap that always comes out when they have been caught with their pants down.

You misspelled "You were right You Vant Option, and I was completely and utterly wrong - signed p0wned Techman"

Besides...most of the Mac owners I know spend more of their time running Windows on their Mac than the native OS.

Gosh I love it when a John Hodgeman-wannabe, when proven wrong, repeatedly, falls back to making stuff up. Yeah, I know a guy who owns a McLaren Mercedes, only he swapped out the stock engine for a diesel Yugo powerplant.

 

[ExoticSpirit]

Get a Mac. Switched over several months ago after my PC blew up. Haven't had to install any virus software at all.

 

[Porter]

Linux is FREE and is mostly virus free!

And speaking of patches, only with a Micro$oft brain washing have we become compliant in accepting flawed commercial software.

We have become dulled in believing their marketing BS and we go on paying through the nose and having to patch the system every other day.


In any case 09 will be a spectacular year for exploits

Cheers

Porter

 

[DouMan]

YouVantOption - Techman

YouVantOption - Techman,

Come on guys, cut the bickering. You are both well-respected members that we appreciate to read and learn from.

No need here for the “my dads’ stronger than your dad” bs. This is an interesting thread that was started by JLB and it’s a shame to see it tend towards childish flaming.

Kiss and make-up and if you still have the urge to prove yourselves as the stronger one, take it pv.

With all respect, I am not tending to insult either of you guys …

 

[Regular Guy]

Merry Christmas

YouVantOption - Techman,

Come on guys, cut the bickering. You are both well-respected members that we appreciate to read and learn from.

No need here for the “my dads’ stronger than your dad” bs. This is an interesting thread that was started by JLB and it’s a shame to see it tend towards childish flaming.

Kiss and make-up and if you still have the urge to prove yourselves as the stronger one, take it pv.

With all respect, I am not tending to insult either of you guys …

On Christmas Day I agree. They are both well versed in the topic. No need for highballing or a pissing contest. I and I am sure many others appreciate that they both, from time to time lend their expertise for the benefit of the membership free of charge.
We appreciate the efforts of both you guys. Let's just, on some of the more visceral elements, agree to disagree in a good natured way in keeping with the spirit of the season. Merry Christmas guys!

 

[AllOverHer]

Merry Virus free Xmass everyone.

Here's my favorite anti-virus from a german company it's called antivir
http://www.free-av.com/

Why I like it? Because it's the only one that found infected files that avg, kaspersky, avast, et co couldn't find. So it's all a question of taste for me.