do I REALLY need a virus scanner?

[iskim86]

I run Win2kPro and for I while I waent without a virus scanner and a firewall. one of the main reasons I didn't install both was I was afraid running them in the background would cost me lots of resource. but just now I realized, with all the music videos and electronic art portfolios and ripped CDs on my D Drive, wouldn't it be better to sacrifice a bit of resource for extra protection? so what should I do?

 

[iskim86]

oh btw, I'm behind a router. do I really need a software firewall?

 

[WhiteKnight77]

If you are using a router you have no need for a softwall firewall.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you are running Outlook or Outlook Express you need antivirus. If you run Eudora and switch the preview window to NOT use Internet Explorer then you can get by without AV (unless you're stupid enough to click on "Kournikova pics!")

 

[Nothinman]

If you are using a router you have no need for a softwall firewall.

Generally this is true, but sadly Windows has so many untrustworthy programs it's better to install one because half the time you have no idea what software is trying to phone home for something.

 

[Matt84]

My pc was behind a router along with 3 other PCs connecting to Telstra's Bigpond adsl and the bigpond technician advised us to all run virus scanning and a soft firewall program as well. He also told us not to trust the standard XP firewall either.

 

[43st]

Originally posted by: WhiteKnight77
If you are using a router you have no need for a softwall firewall.

Hardware firewalls are the worst available and offer minimal protection from outdated intrusion methods. They're useless against more modern attacks.

Antivirus is needed if your computer is on the internet, period. If you have a fast connection then you're going to want a software firewall also.

 

[Smilin]

You only need firewalls and virus protection for stuff you want to keep!

 

[EeyoreX]

In a moment of "I-am-getting-old-and-forgetful" I had forgotten to reinstall my AV software on my server. I had recently reinstalled Windows 2000 (after trying out Windows 2003 Server) and somehow didn't install my AV software. My girlfriend does not run AV software on her PC (against my judgement, but it's her PC, so whatever. I figure I am safe, cuz I run AV software on all my PCs), and all our PCs are networked. Suddenly, I started having problems on the server. I went to run a virus scan, but OOPS, I didn't have it installed! I immediately installed my AV software and did a scan. Guess what I found? 551 nimda infected files. And this is after 3 days. Bottom line, antivirus software is your friend.

\Dan

 

[mrbass]

I never run antivirus software because I know where the files are coming from and don't use MS apps for email and stuff. Never open those silly attachments friends and family send. However, at work it's mandatory for everyone else though I make sure of it because they are 'click happy creatures'.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

If you have to ask, yes.

 

[sandorski]

AV is a must.