If you ask me it's all stupid and unnecessary.
If you have a firewall that can block direct attacks to your PC you're all good.
Who needs bloody anti-virus/internet security software that hoggs up your resources, checks EVERY SINGLE DAMN FILE before it loads when you click on it, LAGS the crap out of every site because it has to filter/scan it first, checks for updates EVERY SINGLE DAY when you least want it to.
it's all rubbish.
If people would learn NOT to go to shady sites or run attachements on spammail the world would not need anti-virus software.
HELL even if I do get a virus on my pc it'll be off of it again within 5 minutes guaranteed. I know all processes that run on my pc, keep my folder structure tight, security tight, windows defender tight (that IS one of vista's major plus points if you ask me btw, its epic), DEP.
And if all else fails there is always system recovery to save the day \o/
and if EVEN that fails ill just format my hd and reinstall windows. It's been about half a year now since im running vista and seeing as I otherwise wouldnt ever get to it a virus to screw up my pc would help motivate me to finally 'clean out the shed' =)
You are kidding right??
It is a very , very bad idea to run a pc connected to the internet without Malware/Virus protection-(I hope you dont use email, download any files, use IE add ons, codec packs for Video playback, use credit cards, etc).
Only an inexperienced User would think that "safe surfing" is an effective means of preventing Malware. There are spoofed websites of banks/sites, worms, trojans, and without a good antivirus you will eventually either lose data, suffer identity theft, hijacking, or a end up with a system so corrupted only a re-install will fix the problem).
One day when you are unable to log into user accounts, or see your bank account suffer unexplained "withdrawals", or recieve "collection calls" on unpaid credit card/loan accounts, or have difficulty obtaining a credit card/loan/tax return because your Personal data is being hijacked/used by others.... Remember your philosophy here, and dont be surprised... Its not just about "Opps, got malware, re-install Windows".
Malware is embedded all the time (trojans) in hacked code on legit sites such as Yahoo/Facebook/MSN/Paypal, etc. "safe surfing" will not protect you from these threats.
Credit card/banking/Identitiy theft are big money now a days. Go without Antivirus/antimalware at your own risk. I personally would rather do other things with my time, then constantly re-install Windows, desperately try to recover lost/corrupted data, fight with collections/banks over unauthorized accounts/charges. Or have to prove to the Government That I am not an impostor in order to obtain Government benefits/tax returns, or fight tax liability.
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