ESET Smart Security

mrapoc · Dec 08, 2007, 11:56:21

I am now on linux

/laughs at those needing antivirus

/remembers I have an xp partition for games

./Damnit!!

Rik · Dec 08, 2007, 11:59:07

Remember, Sam, that viruses follow the market - they'll reach you eventually.

Simon · Dec 08, 2007, 13:03:33

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 08, 2007, 11:13:01
I only use " free " stuff, AVG, Superantispyware, Microsoft Defender, Spybot S&D, Comodo Firewall......never had a problem.

Crosses fingers and toes.

I have always been a little but wary of 'free' stuff, especially when it comes to security and file protection. I may be being cynical, but I fail to see why anyone would go to the trouble of producing a product that does exactly what a 'paid for' product would do, and to the same standards, then give it away? If you had two burglar alarm shops in your high street, one was selling 'total home security' for £1000, and the other was claiming to offer the same for free, would you not be a little sceptical about the capabilities of the free one?

Not knocking your setup, In, and if it works for you, and keeps your PC safe, then that's brilliant! I'm just saying that personally, I feel more secure with 'paid for' PC protection.

Rik · Dec 08, 2007, 13:06:30

I tend to feel the same, Simon. We may be wrong, but I prefer to have a contract so that I can blame someone if things go pear shaped.

Inactive · Dec 08, 2007, 13:13:21

Fair comment Simon, but we are not comparing " Burglar Alarms " from an an obscure quantity.

The companies that I have listed all have a good track record, why they choose to give there stuff away for free isn't really of any great interest or concern to me, they do, so I just use it.

I do use the internet somewhat wisely, as I am sure you do Simon, so I consider my system quite safe.

Apart from everything else, I am a tite buttocks, so I cannot see the point in spending out when it isn't necessary or beneficial. To each his / her own I guess.

I now await my first virus..

Rik · Dec 08, 2007, 13:15:15

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 08, 2007, 13:13:21
I am a tite buttocks

Are you going to post photographic evidence of that, In?

Inactive · Dec 08, 2007, 13:19:11

Quote from: Rik on Dec 08, 2007, 13:15:15
Are you going to post photographic evidence of that, In?

You really don't want to go there Rik, anyway have a 21st ( thousand ) Karma for your cheek, or my cheek.(s).

Rik · Dec 08, 2007, 13:21:28

Thanks, In.

Simon · Dec 08, 2007, 13:23:22

Quote from: Inactive on Dec 08, 2007, 13:13:21
I do use the internet somewhat wisely, as I am sure you do Simon, so I consider my system quite safe.

Yes, and that's half the battle won, In.

QuoteI now await my first virus..

On it's way!

mrapoc · Dec 09, 2007, 15:32:18

I think its all a big conspiracy to some extent

Why spends hours at home building a virus, send it to people you don't know when you can't even see their face as their data goes down the drain?

These antivirus companies just happen to get these virus definitions before the virus is spread to enough extent? Perhaps they pay to have the virus sent to them first for analysis? Or perhaps they build the virus themselves?

I dont trust much

Rik · Dec 09, 2007, 15:37:45

You're displaying a terrible cynicism, Sam. Careful or Steve will think you're one of us old codgers.

Inactive · Dec 09, 2007, 15:46:33

I have to say, there may well be some truth in Sam's post.

Rik · Dec 09, 2007, 15:54:12

Unfortunately, we can only find out for sure by taking risks that are unacceptable - at least to me.

Gary · Dec 09, 2007, 16:01:10

I agree there may be some truth in Sams statement, I mean in the 70's there were those awful wall units that were just a bunch of boxes you put your tv in and everything else you wanted on dispay, now there was no public demand for them, demand was created, possibly the same with malware, but also organised crime makes a lot of cash out of it, so I think its a dangerous area to tread, and like Rik, its an area of unacceptable risk for me, a bit like not starting on Australasia when actually playing Risk

Ann · Dec 09, 2007, 16:09:49

I think these guys write programs and hand them out free simply because they are geeks who enjoy seeing their work in the public domain being useful. I use Spybot S & D and it's very good. I give a donation every now and then too.

Simon · Dec 09, 2007, 20:45:17

Quote from: mrapoc on Dec 09, 2007, 15:32:18These antivirus companies just happen to get these virus definitions before the virus is spread to enough extent? Perhaps they pay to have the virus sent to them first for analysis? Or perhaps they build the virus themselves?

As has been said, I also believe there to be some truth in the suggestion that security software vendors create viruses (or maybe just Chinese whispers of viruses) in order to make people feel compelled to buy their products. Indeed, I think it's fairly well documented that some anti-spyware programs actually use trial versions, or 'free scans' to plant malware on your PC then demand payment for the full version to remove it!

That said, it's a bit like home or car insurance. You hope to never need to use it, but you feel more secure having it.