Vista, will it require antivirus software?

[timswim78]

I have been reading about the Windows Vista security upgrades, and it sounds pretty strong. So, will viruses still be able to spread on Vista computers, and will AV software be necessary?

From what it sounds like, the Internet will have very limited access to a computer, so a person would have to be tricked into downloading and installing a malicious file. After that happens, will the virus be able to spread on its own, considering all of the new permissions that will be built into Vista?

As you can tell, I have a very limited understanding of computer viruses.

 

[Cdeck]

ms is planning on selling vista users a $50 per annum anti-virus service; therefore, we're not out of the woods yet.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Cdeck
ms is planning on selling vista users a $50 per annum anti-virus service; therefore, we're not out of the woods yet.

I am a tester for One Care, but I read that it is not compatible with Windows Vista.

 

[Cdeck]

within the last month, ms made an announcement of a vista equivalent. vista should be a lot better and the processor manufacturer's have been incorporating features that will assist. we should be better off but there isn't much hope for the users that downloads and installs malware themselves. these are the peeps ms is going to hit $50/annum.

 

[randym431]

The day will come when you just "rent" the ms os. Maybe month by month. They will brag you no longer have to purchase their os out right. And updates will be included so there will basically be one ongoining ms os. Like an update from xp to vista would be nameless, just an update/grade they apply to your rented os. There will be minor updates and major, with no name like 'xp" or "vista" attached. And fail to pay your monthly fee, woops, no os till you do. But ms will push this as a huge savings and advantage for the user.

anywho, the beta one care is pretty nice and free (for now).

 

[spyordie007]

The day will come when you just "rent" the ms os. Maybe month by month. They will brag you no longer have to purchase their os out right. And updates will be included so there will basically be one ongoining ms os. Like an update from xp to vista would be nameless, just an update/grade they apply to your rented os. There will be minor updates and major, with no name like 'xp" or "vista" attached. And fail to pay your monthly fee, woops, no os till you do. But ms will push this as a huge savings and advantage for the user.

That's some nice speculation, but it doesnt have anything to do with the OP.

Yes an AV will still be a piece of software you should run under Vista. An OS (Vista included) does what it is told to do, it doesnt differentiate "good" code from "bad" code. An AV is designed to make this distinction and to save you from distroying your system when "bad" code is encountered.