Antivirus question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Walt G
  • Start date Start date
W

Walt G

What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?
 
Hi Walt,

Yes! As there are so many other vectors of attack, the following are mandatory.

1. Antivirus
2. Firewall
3. Malware removal tools

Plus, keep your system fully patched via Windows Update/Automatic Updates. This is even more important.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Walt G" <anon@universe.com> wrote in message news:eqW$qVNvHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?
 
In article <eqW$qVNvHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl>, anon@universe.com
says...
> What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
> antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?

Web based mail is no form of protection. Do you surf? Do you open
attachments that people send you? Do you install programs? Do you share
your computer with ANYONE?

If you don't have your computer connected to the internet, to any
network, and you don't allow media to be used (add/remove) then you
stand a good chance of not needing any AV software.

--

Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
spam999free@rrohio.com (remove 999 for proper email address)
 
"Walt G" <anon@universe.com> wrote in message
news:eqW$qVNvHHA.3956@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
> antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?

Yes. There are many other sources of viral and malware infection. These
include any disk or media that your system can attach to, and any web page,
and emails that you read via a web client.

If you are unsure of what to use, for now get AVG Free (free.grisoft.com).
It works, it is relatively small, and fast. It does not slow down systems
anywhere near as much as many more popular A/V apps do. And, it's free.

HTH
-pk
 
Walt G wrote:
> What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
> antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?
>
>


If you connect to the Internet in any way, shape, or form, you need, at
the very least:

1) A Good anti-virus application
2) A good firewall
3) Good anti-spyware/adware applications.

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
 
On Jul 3, 6:40 am, Bruce Chambers <bchamb...@cable0ne.n3t> wrote:
> Walt G wrote:
> > What I meant to ask in my earlier post was whether it is necessary to have
> > antivirus software running if one only uses web-based email?
>
> If you connect to the Internet in any way, shape, or form, you need, at
> the very least:
>
> 1) A Good anti-virus application
> 2) A good firewall
> 3) Good anti-spyware/adware applications.
>
> There are several essential components to computer security: a
> knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
> reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
> patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.
>
> The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
> user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
> to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
> have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
> claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
> no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
> inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
> too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
> in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
> they're about to click.
>
> Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
> and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
> but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
> user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
> every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.
>
> To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:
>
> Protect Your PChttp://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
>
> Home Computer Securityhttp://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
>
> List of Antivirus Software Vendorshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500
>
> Home PC Firewall Guidehttp://www.firewallguide.com/
>
> Scumware.comhttp://www.scumware.com/
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htmhttp://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell


For your antivirus needs, you can download a compact and effective
antivirus called Protector Plus. Download and install a 30 day
evaluation copy from:

http://www.protectorplus.com
 
Back
Top