Let's delete some virusses!

Started by Starry Windy October 8th, 2015 11:02 PM
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  • 22 replies

Starry Windy

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10.4 Years
Viruses are known as one of the main threats in the world of computing, so there are antiviruses that are created to delete them, prevent them and if possible, restoring the PC or laptop to their clean state once again. Which antivirus that you're using right now, and did you consider to switch to another antivirus or managing to open two or more of them at the same time? Oh, and you can share your experience with antivirus programs, as well.

Early

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Right now, I use Avast! as my main antivirus. I've liked it a lot more than any other program as long as I've had it, and it feels as though it's gotten the job done fairly well. My friends recommended it to me when I was searching for a decent antivirus; my PC came bundled with one on a CD... but doesn't have a disc drive to put it in. So far, I haven't considered switching away from Avast since I haven't found a program that one-ups it yet/haven't been actively searching for a different one.
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Megan

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Antivirus programs, my favourite topic <_<

I still have Avast running on my Windows partition, mainly because I was too lazy to get rid of it. For my needs, MSE would probably suffice, since I like to use other tools on my browser, etc., anyway, which already make it hard for viruses to get through. In general I think that you only have two choices, when it comes to AV software:
- not caring about that stuff at all (and running just MSE) and
- caring, which basically means to buy a license of a really good AV program, like Kaspersky

Imo, there's nothing inbetween. Also, never use Avira, which is a virus by itself, as it digs deep into your system and causes more harm, than it helps. With Nortons it's quite similar. I still can't believe, how many people run any of those two...

Speaking of which: "my favourite topic" comes from me just recently having to update really old XP systems that where running with 500 MB RAM, which is terrible, because OS+AV easily eat that up, making "maintainance" a real pain, especially when the AV program is full of Win10 graphics garbage. Since XP doesn't get MSE anymore, I usually just put ClamWin on it, as it's pretty basic per design and I also just say to myself "that PC won't hold on for too long, anyway" everytime. {XD}
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Qibli

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I use AVG it's free, but it always a pest sometimes and it keep the laptop clean and safe.
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Sylphiel

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AVG here, I had actually switched to that from Avast! sometime...earlier this year, I think it was? But mostly because Avast! seemed to have gotten a little too bloated for my tastes (to the point of it lagging slightly whenever I opened it, as I recall), and AVG was the recommendation I was given by someone when I asked about another good, free antivirus.

...Seems to be okay so far. Although I was a bit sad to switch since I'd been using Avast! for years before then. :(

With Nortons it's quite similar. I still can't believe, how many people run any of those two...
Oh gosh, there's a reason I will not touch any Norton product now. I had to deal with Norton Firewall so many years ago on one of my dad's old computers, and turning it off/getting rid of it to be able to do anything without it blocking things was just...impossible. So when a computer of mine (might have been this current one, actually) came with Norton antivirus - nope, that was never getting activated. c: I refuse. I absolutely refuse.

Megan

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Linux doesn't need an anti virus because the risk is so low.
There's actually one situation where running an AV program on Linux makes sense: if you're exchanging files with Windows systems on a regular basis. While Linux doesn't care too much about viruses, it also doesn't care about looking for them, which is why it can be really easy to unknowingly transfer a virus to a Windows system. E.g., it's common practice to run something like ClamAV on a Linux mail server.
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Tsutarja

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Linux.
So what? Just because Linux is mostly pront to viruses doesn't necessarily mean the risk is non-existent.

Melody

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Personally I use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium, Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit and Windows Defender pretty much in tandem with Adblock Plus in Chrome.
I never get viruses. Or even Crapware; unless I go out of my way and ignore the warnings. Adblock Plus is, in my professional opinion, an essential tool for preventing viruses. Unfortunately I feel like most websites, unless they are like PC and have verifiably good reputation and you visit often enough to care that they stay operating, don't need the $0.02 your visit generates due to the fact that most advertising networks can't do enough to prevent malvertising. So if I whitelist a website, I make sure that if I receive any malvertising that it gets unlisted.

Active Protection Enabled; programs are compatible.

Passive Protection, On demand.

In cases like PC and Reddit where one can simply donate to the website; I do that instead of unblocking advertisements when my budget allows.

Akiba

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So what? Just because Linux is mostly pront to viruses doesn't necessarily mean the risk is non-existent.
In theory, Linux is completely resistant to viruses. The only way you'd be infected is if you use it incorrectly, for example, if you were logged into root at all times. That's highly discouraged, and goes against the entire security model.

donavannj

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That's in a perfect world, though. People are kinda, well, DUMB when it comes to computers, and even Linux has a few "1337 Linux users" who are, well, special. Your average Linux user is still a bit sharper computer-wise than the average Windows user.




As for myself, I use MSE at home and use Script-blockers and Adblock Plus in browser, plus I have turned-off copies of Spybot and Malwarebytes installed in case I find myself with an infection.

There's a few practices I should change still, since many of my home practices are about as far from perfect as can be. Just lazy about implementing them at home is all.
whoops

Qibli

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Saying the Linux is a threat-free OS, you are dead wrong. Linux cam be targeted by any exploits or worms even though it never got hit, it still not counted being free from viruses, trojans, worms, loopholes and any attacks
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Mewtwolover

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I'm using Linux, I've installed ClamAV just in case.

The only way you'd be infected is if you use it incorrectly, for example, if you were logged into root at all times. That's highly discouraged, and goes against the entire security model.
Actually it isn't even possible to be logged into root all times.
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Akiba

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Actually it isn't even possible to be logged into root all times.
Why not? Nothing in the kernel restricts you from doing so.

If you were using some preset by some distribution, then maybe. I wouldn't know.

Saying the Linux is a threat-free OS, you are dead wrong. Linux cam be targeted by any exploits or worms even though it never got hit, it still not counted being free from viruses, trojans, worms, loopholes and any attacks
I said it was, in theory, completely resistant. In practice, however, it's nigh impossible to use perfectly. But if you go by the recommended guidelines, you are, in all practicality, safe.

As an addendum, if you're a sysadmin, don't neglect security updates. They're there for a reason.

starseed galaxy auticorn

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I use whatever my Mac has. *shrug* I think it's safe to say that I don't actually have one that's not built in with my laptop. I'm not saying I'm safe from all viruses or anything, but I will say that so far... I haven't run into any.

Megan

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Why not? Nothing in the kernel restricts you from doing so.

If you were using some preset by some distribution, then maybe. I wouldn't know.
Afaik, in distributions like Ubuntu, the encrypted password equals "!", which is an illegal hash character, meaning that no matter what password you type in, it's not going to work.

Though, that's nothing that can't be fixed with the proper admin rights, or hardware access and a LiveCD.
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Juno

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Speaking of which



Seems legit

Anyway, I've been using Malwarebytes for a couple years, it does the job as far as I can tell so I'm sticking with it. :)

Tsutarja

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Still the same ol combination of Windows Defender and Malwarebytes for me :)

Mewtwolover

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Speaking of which



Seems legit
Actually you'll just get some malware if you even click that hoax ad so it's more like "Install Malware".
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Admison

Age 25
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Seen October 21st, 2015
Posted October 19th, 2015
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Actually you'll just get some malware if you even click that hoax ad so it's more like "Install Malware".
Install Malware - Free! {XD}

I personally have used a lot of antiviruses trying to find one that's just right, and I can't say that I've accomplished that just yet, haha. However, currently I'm using Malwarebytes and I'm really loving it. It's detected quite a few things that other antiviruses haven't and that impresses me. I think I'll be sticking with Malwarebytes for a little longer than usual. :)