No Antivirus

[5av1dg312]

What does it mean if you have no antivirus or any protection on your computer?

The only thing i have on mine is the windows firewall, i feel that antivirus just gets in the way and slows things down on the computer. is this wise and can people get into my computer because i do internet banking.

[Tee_111]

Viruses slow your computer down and could affect your files and stuff also could damage your computer, so Anti-Virus, Spyware, Ad-ware are important to have mate as your always on the net.

[lincsat]

You should always have an AV running, it's easy to download a virus, trojan or key-logger

[Annabell]

Hi 5av1dg312

I would suggest that you do need more protection then just Windows Firewall Because Windows Firewall can stop some intrusions but you have very little control as to what is been transmitted from your Computer.

So to give your self good protection you would need (a 3rd party Firewall, Anti Virus, Anti Spyware, a good cleaner or two, and a defrag app thats faster then Windows defrag.

There are some actions also that are worth making a habit "eg" deleting all but last System Restore Point "if you have SR on" as nasties like to hide in restore points.

To protect you self and your Computer will cost you nothing (£0), if you are happy with this i can provide links that will give you a layered security system and go through setting up with you

Ann

[badboy]

dude if you have a router you can set up the firewall, and stop all pings to your computer, this will make your pc invisable to hackers. and coz its a hardware firewall it wont slow down your PC. whereas if you installed a software firewall it will defo slow down your PC. "AVG" is a free and simple to use virus scanner you can download from Free Software Downloads and Software Reviews - Download.com , you can also maybe download some from a Bittorrent site. But even if you do have a virus scanner, firewall, spyware, etc, it dosent mean your computer is 100% secure!

[Annabell]

Hi Badboy

Just relying on a hardware Firewall is very insecure because they tend to treat any traffic leaving your computer to the Internet as safe. This can be a problem. Software firewalls allow you more control over specifying which programs are allowed to communicate over the Internet from your computer and allow you to block programs that shouldn't be sending out information you don't want broadcast "eg" Your name, address, bank details "including credit card numbers" etc, your Computer can be infected with out you knowing and a bot could be transmitting, all of my Computers have hardware Firewalls and multi layer security, i build mine and configure all software, my Computers are fast !

[badboy]

Hi Ann

if configured properly Hardware firewalls are more secure, thats is why they cost more then software firewalls. program such as Angry IPScanner used by hackers can get a reply from your node with a simple ping, but if you have a hardware firewall you can stop if replyin to pings....

[Annabell]

I use both on all my Computers "and never been hacked"

[badboy]

well if you've got both then wicked!!!

you system is very secure.

but................... it dosent mean its not 100% secure :-)

[5av1dg312]

thanks guys, lincsat pm'd me a link earlier today before going to work so still need to try it. Ill let you know what it is shortly. thankyou