No Anti Virus yes it can happen if your smart..

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

It is true, anti-virus programs aren't really needed if you know HOW to use your PC and by HOW I mean not being stupid, clicking on some porn site just couse it has a "discount towards membership, free streams, live webcams" and other trash like that. I've only installed CCleaner to clear out the registry and stuff. Besides with only me having access to the PC (shut down, password protected) protection programs aren't that much needed.

I once got a virus from a egitimate site pop up add, they hacked the add website and injected a trojan into it and voila.

I once got a virus from a egitimate site pop up add, they hacked the add website and injected a trojan into it and voila.

Silicel1

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

Travis_Odell

There have been cases of things like infected jpegs on legit sites that have caused infections. I have even heard of popups installing software on a user's PC without their knowing. Nobody using a Windows PC should go without antivirus and antispyware. Just common sense really. Especially given how easy quality antimalware software is to get.

That's why there is a pop-up blocker you know ... I have seen firefox block pop-ups from gamespot for years (I visit the site daily), dunno what kind of a pop-up it is even. PC is running smoothly as always. Exception: it has been restrasting from time to time while playing games that's couse I'm lazy to get it cleaned for around a year ... fans full with dust and don't cool anything - miracle the PSU still hasn't given up on me yet. :P

I once had a virus blocked from curse while I was browsing add ons because an add was hacked, for the price you pay I don't see why you would not want a complete Internet security suite (if you can afford to game on a pc surely you can afford AV when its on offer or something).

Soo....what does this have to do with PC gaming?

It is true, anti-virus programs aren't really needed if you know HOW to use your PC and by HOW I mean not being stupid, clicking on some porn site just couse it has a "discount towards membership, free streams, live webcams" and other trash like that. I've only installed CCleaner to clear out the registry and stuff. Besides with only me having access to the PC (shut down, password protected) protection programs aren't that much needed.

Code135

Nope, that's 100% false

I use bitdefender total security, costs $79,95 for both my computers and my gf's for a year. Had no trouble since I got it, not because I don't know how to use the Internet but simply because it can happen to everyone who uses the PC for more than playing games. Everyone will get viruses at some point, and many who say they don't have it should try installing anti-virus and do a proper search and you might be surprised what it'll find.

[QUOTE="Silicel1"]

I once got a virus from a egitimate site pop up add, they hacked the add website and injected a trojan into it and voila.

DanielDust

Soo....what does this have to do with PC gaming?

rben21232

this is like saying "i'm such a good driver, i don't need to wear a seat-belt!". good luck dude, you'll need it.

[QUOTE="DanielDust"][QUOTE="Silicel1"]

I once got a virus from a egitimate site pop up add, they hacked the add website and injected a trojan into it and voila.

masterdrat

Nod32 has brought this to my attention a few different times, and its when you go the the forums page of Gamespot, before you click on pc games, or 360 thread, before you get down into specific threads.

Soo....what does this have to do with PC gaming?

rben21232

viruses tend to hide in the same locations on the PC. One of the most common I found was to be in the appdata/roaming or appdata/local/temp Sometimes they also like to hide in the system32 folder but those are trickier and I would definitely not trust using an anti-virus program, Two of the times I actually used an anti-virus program it deleted an important file in my system32 folder and caused my PC not to boot up. I could not repair so I had to reinstall windows. Anti-virus programs do more bad than good. They tend to be resource hungry and cause problems with programs starting.RyviusARC

But it probably wasn't the AV that did the damage. It was virus that infected the files that did the damage. The AV was simply removing the file (something like killing the patient to cure the disease). The alternative was to live with an infected file which eventually would have stopped your PC from functioning (or just stole your identity or used your PC as a zombie to send spam).

The only time I would recommend not having some type of AV (even if it's a free one) is if you don't have your PC hooked up to the net. Not just avoiding suspicious sites or not browsing at all but being completely off the net. Your chances are very low if you are careful but the chance is still there. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rings true here. Yes you might be able to get away with it indefinitely but then again you might not. Maybe the worse thing that happens is that someone gains access to your computer and finds nothing and moves on (if you only game and don't do anything else on it). But they could also turn your machine into a zombie that sends out spam. AV may hinder performance some but the trade off isn't worth the risk unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing and are offline most of the time.

[QUOTE="DanielDust"][QUOTE="Silicel1"]

I once got a virus from a egitimate site pop up add, they hacked the add website and injected a trojan into it and voila.

masterdrat

care to give more details about this?

[QUOTE="RyviusARC"]viruses tend to hide in the same locations on the PC. One of the most common I found was to be in the appdata/roaming or appdata/local/temp Sometimes they also like to hide in the system32 folder but those are trickier and I would definitely not trust using an anti-virus program, Two of the times I actually used an anti-virus program it deleted an important file in my system32 folder and caused my PC not to boot up. I could not repair so I had to reinstall windows. Anti-virus programs do more bad than good. They tend to be resource hungry and cause problems with programs starting.menes777

But it probably wasn't the AV that did the damage. It was virus that infected the files that did the damage. The AV was simply removing the file (something like killing the patient to cure the disease). The alternative was to live with an infected file which eventually would have stopped your PC from functioning (or just stole your identity or used your PC as a zombie to send spam).

The only time I would recommend not having some type of AV (even if it's a free one) is if you don't have your PC hooked up to the net. Not just avoiding suspicious sites or not browsing at all but being completely off the net. Your chances are very low if you are careful but the chance is still there. The old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure rings true here. Yes you might be able to get away with it indefinitely but then again you might not. Maybe the worse thing that happens is that someone gains access to your computer and finds nothing and moves on (if you only game and don't do anything else on it). But they could also turn your machine into a zombie that sends out spam. AV may hinder performance some but the trade off isn't worth the risk unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing and are offline most of the time.

this is like saying "i'm such a good driver, i don't need to wear a seat-belt!". good luck dude, you'll need it.

BLKR4330

[QUOTE="rben21232"]

Soo....what does this have to do with PC gaming?

topsemag55

True and I see your point (and I usually make software questions in the hardware forum, but I can't blame the TC for posting here. Since he is talking about software, it makes more sense to discuss that in the Game (software) forum than the Hardware (not software) forum, right? :P

[QUOTE="masterdrat"][QUOTE="DanielDust"] Same, except the AV blocked it and it was exactly this website, Gamespot, ads can be hacked on any website, no matter how "legit" it is.Macutchi

care to give more details about this?

True and I see your point (and I usually make software questions in the hardware forum, but I can't blame the TC for posting here. Since he is talking about software, it makes more sense to discuss that in the Game (software) forum than the Hardware (not software) forum, right? :P

Cwagmire21

How do you know you don't have a virus, trojan, spyware ect if you don't have an anti virus program? Its not like Virus or spyware will show up on your screen with big letter says "I'm a virus in your PC Haha". Most of the virus or spyware works behind your PC and try not to let you notice it.

Actually maybe you got a virus, spyware, keylogger or trojan in you PC right now and they are try to send all you infomation about everything you do inclu. your credit card to their server and they just wait for the right time to use it.

Does somebody else see the irony here :P?DanielDust

I've never used an antivirus or firewall. Never had a problem.

Also if someone did manage to get access to my online bank account all they could do is top up my phone or order a statement to my address. I'm pretty sure I can live with that.

I have a quick question... How do you know that you dont have a virus... without a virus program or something that warns you about it? Not every virus is about making the computer fail. Some are about opening ports, finding passwords, bank information etc etc. Reminds me about a friends computer... "Him: LOL NEVER HAD A VIRUS TROLOLOLO" me: Well lets install a anti virus program... he had over 500 viruses on his computer :)KalDurenik

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

Travis_Odell

I agree that you can not use anti virus and be safe at the same time. The funny thing is many of my custoemrs that come to em with viruses have anti virus installed. They don't understand nothing will make them bullet proof.

Does somebody else see the irony here :P? Anyway, no, you need to keep at least a good anti spyware app on your PC. I used to not have an anti virus too, was clean for 2 years, then suddenly I left a relative on it, because he needed to install a "professional, dedicated, legit, extremely expensive architecture software" to print a project of his, his laptop had some heat issues and it didn't work at that time, out of nowhere, I had some severe viruses on the PC, after two days it wouldn't boot, managed to aggressively get rid of it and it destroyed the driver database, nothing worked except the keyboard, had to back up only with the keyboard, deactivate my games and so on...in conclusion, nope, you'd have to be the opposite of smart to not use at least the integrated security application that Microsoft gives you for free + the usual anti spyware app, surprises come when or from where you expect them less.DanielDust

Exactly right Daniel.

A few years back I went over a year without any antivirus or antimalware program and did not get infected. But this is because I was smart about where I went and what I downloaded. BUT, I was very lucky to get away with this. I would never recommend someone do this...EVER. I did it not do it because I was slick and super-smart. I did it because I was a lazy dip$hit.

These days I always run Microsoft Security Essentials (Brilliant free program) and Malwarebytes Pro. Now I know I shouldn't have anything to worry about. The combination of good/safe web practices and those programs keep me nice and clean. ...so far. Also keep in mind. All the safe web browsing under the sun will not keep you safe from some of the malicious crap floating around these days.

Even legitimate sites are unknowingly hosting virus'/malware and spreading it without any knowledge to others. If you have a way to protect yourself, the hackers/a$$holes have a way to break or bypass it. They may suck but they are some smart a$$ punks.

I haven ever been hacked or keylogged. I think the last time I had a virus was maybe 7 or 8 years ago on Windows XP. I can't even remember.

Yes I agree as long as you don't go to stupid sites or click on stupid things, you should never get a virus. But not using an anti-virus is a dumb move.

Avast has blocked malware and spyware many times from me just clicking on legit looking sites from google search.

Avast Free + Windows Defender is all I need.

I haven ever been hacked or keylogged. I think the last time I had a virus was maybe 7 or 8 years ago on Windows XP. I can't even remember.

Yes I agree as long as you don't go to stupid sites or click on stupid things, you should never get a virus. But not using an anti-virus is a dumb move.

Avast has blocked malware and spyware many times from me just clicking on legit looking sites from google search.

Avast Free + Windows Defender is all I need.

jakes456

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

Travis_Odell

you can just get a free one.

avast is good at providing free antivirus

[QUOTE="Travis_Odell"]

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

shreshto

you can just get a free one.

avast is good at providing free antivirus

[QUOTE="Travis_Odell"]

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

shreshto

you can just get a free one.

avast is good at providing free antivirus

I dont have anti virus for years now.... i dont remember when was the last time i had one... no virus here. :P

[QUOTE="Macutchi"]

[QUOTE="masterdrat"] Or injected in the forum posts.masterdrat

care to give more details about this?

i'm just curious as im a web developer who's used javascript for years and i've been trying to work out how someone could maliciously incorporate something into a forum post that would infect someone else's machine. i can't figure it out

Does somebody else see the irony here :P? DanielDust

Yes I see it. Silly forum posters.

[QUOTE="shreshto"]

[QUOTE="Travis_Odell"]

Alright it's been a year since i had window7 and i have been cleen for a year now, so is all this avast and sybot search and destroy bull crap? As long as you know what your looking at. and not getting onto porn or torrent sights that don't have seeds and comments it's ok, If your smart you can get away without a virus or spyware **** goging up you system. Please before you try this don't explore the web without common sence.

Travis_Odell

you can just get a free one.

avast is good at providing free antivirus

I would say 90% of people catchin viruses has to do with PEBKAC.

Always good to be diligent on your computer and a virus protection program is a good thing.

I personally haven't had a virus in 6 years but I also stay invested in website/computer behavior.

Those who are stating they are catching things thru ads on sites should realize almost every ad out there can be stopped from loading in the website.

If you are a firefox/palemoon user, Here are some addons to look at:

Disconnect

Ghostery

Adblock Plus

Better Privacy

(GS not letting me link this but also check out NO SCRIPT)

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/?src=search

There are also similiar extensions for google chrome but it is a web browser I do not use.

Microsoft Security Essentials runs with minimal resources and updates itself. The only time you know it is there is when it finds something. Why even risk it? Hackers are coming up with new ways to get into your system every day, they only have to be right once to make your life hell.

In my opinion this thread serves no purpose other than you to thumb your nose at people as if you are above anyone who feels the need to use AV. Good luck with your theory.....