Value of Traditional Antivirus Software Questioned

[ddpruitt]

Really the article isn't all that interesting. It boils down to this:

Most security software is reactive works by blocking the bad
We have some start-up companies working on a "new" idea, be proactive by allowing only the good

This isn't really a new idea since most systems, including Windows, have had the option to block everything but approved programs, websites, and ports for a long time now. In fact Tom's had an article regarding this issue a few months back.

 

[Avus]

And BEST anti-virus software is the "user" him/herself. There is no free lunch. Before careful when you go to warez/porn site. Know what you are "clicking" into. Don't just keep clicking "next" or "yes" without reading. Don't go to "Shady" site. If you are careful enough, any MS windows with up-to-date Security Essential are good enough. If some how you are targeted by some high level hacker or CIA/KGB, no amount of retail security product can actually fully protect you.

 

[randomizer]

[citation][nom]ddpruitt[/nom]We have some start-up companies working on a "new" idea, be proactive by allowing only the good[/citation]
The trouble is that you need to determine what is good.

[citation][nom]Avus[/nom]Don't go to "Shady" site.[/citation]
If you want to prevent infection, avoiding "shady" sites isn't good enough. Plenty of legitimate sites with vulnerabilities distribute malware.

 

[ChiefScooter]

[citation][nom]Strunf[/nom]OMG cause you think "Linux Server" has to endure the same has "Linux Consumer" ? 99% of the windows virus replicate with the intervention of the user, windows by itself if probably close to 99.9% virus proof, it's when users start downloading things from all over the net, going to shady websites and installing less legal applications that things go wrong, also many of windows virus rely on the user and on application exploits. I'm not saying the Windows is safer than Linux I'm just saying that when people compare Linux and Windows or Mac OS they speak of PC OS not Server OS.[/citation]

Strunf is correct. A web server is nothing like a workstation or a home computer. Web servers, for the most part, operate autonomously, with very little user interaction other than to apply patches or whatnot. You don't log onto a server and start browsing the internet with it. Therefore, most of the malware and viruses out there will not be able to infect the server.

In contrast to this, a home computer user or a workstation at work is a totally different story. People love to plug in random thumb drives from who knows where that contains malicious code. Surfing the internet in general, not just shady sites, can easily expose a computer to malicious code. Downloading torrents and other files from the internet also exposes a computer to risks.

Antivirus and anti-malware software are great tools, but they are only so effective. User knowledge is something that needs to be fostered and developed in general to help prevent a lot of infections that occur these days. I still know people who click on those emails that say their bank account has been suspended, please click here to reactivate it! User knowledge is key in the fight against malicious software and code.

 

[falchard]

I find it pretty difficult to get a virus now with the steps Microsoft took with Vista. The only virus or malware I can get I have to accept first, unless someone is making a concerted effort to compromise my system specifically. Thats pretty big because I am not such a bigshot that even 1 person wants to snoop at whats in my computer. When its something I click, I usually am smart enough to know if its safe or not.
For those I miss ESET or MSE does a fine job and stopping those.

Now if I was a bank I would obviously take alot more concern in preventing something from compromising my system.

 

[cats_Paw]

Unfortunatelly the "good guys" wont have the backup as the bad guys, so yes, Internet is a dangerous place. But in a way so is the street since you can get robed or run over by a car, so is your home since your water supply might be tainted with some dangerous bacteria or virus...

In general what poeple do is "be carefull", and thts what we need to do in computers as well.

If its not enought, well, sorry to say that shit happens... So its better to try to enjoy life anyway >D.