Do you run a real time Antivirus?

No. I do not run realtime a/v, or any other protection for that matter.

The general best-practices & techniques I've developed (and learned from others) over the years seem to work extraordinarily well. The proof is in the pudding!

Look - I use my computers to do real world productive work every single day. I do NOT use my computers for beta-testing a/v software and security suites. I do NOT use my internet connection for baggie-chasing make-work updates and subscriptions. I don't foresee myself changing how I do things either.

 

.. and yet your data and my data are 100% secure on my internet-connected systems which aren't fully patched by MS either. How do I do it??

Ohhh ho ho it's MAGIC you know. Never believe it's not so.

 

I feel relaxed, safer and enjoy using computers and the internet more because I don't use an antivirus. If I did not feel that way or if not using one made me feel like I was living on the edge, I would get one immediately.

Bo

 

I decided to stop using Antivirus on my Windows 7 netbook. I don't need to anymore, I use it only for browsing on safe websites. Majority of my browsing experience is done on openSUSE.

 

I find it hilarious that the Yes/No vote percentages are 65/35 (i.e. 65% do run a real-time AV), yet the vast majority of those who commented have said "No!". Based on this observation and the content of the comments themselves, it really seems like braggadocio.

"I'm too l337 for AV!"

 

I think it comes down to the fact that people who don't use real-time protection feel the need to explain why they do so, whereas those who do use real-time protection don't.

It's good to know that 35% of people who have voted, like me don't think it's essential to have real-time protection, and I'm not the only one.

 

That's right!

 

I don't, having said that I don't use the web for financial purposes of anykind (if I do I use a one-off\top up paypal card), I don't store anything that I would be horrified at becoming available to anyone else (I wouldn't be happy of course)...And in 8 years of using AV's I never had an alert I didn't expect..(aside from the false positives)....So I guess its a choice thing is it not? I certainly feel no need to condemn or mock those that do....I notice however that those that do use AV's and the like are apt to do those that don't.

Sandboxie, some system hardening and as many say 'common sense' all have worked for me.

 

Sure shows how much you guys know about security, depending on the most newbie-friendly option.

 

Still with MSE.

 

Definitely yes.

 

Yes I do.

 

Responses like these make me realize how much I don't care WHAT someone else does or doesn't do.
Perhaps I'll start a thread about pushing one's beliefs upon others!
Simple question to be... do you engage in it or not?
Think we'd see any honesty in that thread?

 

I run a basic realtime AV essentially for simplicity. I have other layers of course. I just like 'simple'. It's a solution a cyber-wally like me can deal with!

 

I've been without AV for quite a long time. I was mostly using HIPSs, Sandboxes and other mitigation techniques. After a while I realized I really don't need them (they never prevented anything bad from happening). I decided to use a security setup that average user could handle. Right now I'm using AV and UAC only. I update software and system and regularly backup personal stuff and system. I will probably use AV as long as it doesn't make any problems or slow down my PC.

hqsec

 

Yes, as can be noted in my sig. Actually, I believe that my system is very safe with SD's Shadow Mode enabled, but you never know and NIS provides an additional 'security blanket'.

TS

 

It might seem like bragging to you but this are my reasons why I don't use an antivirus:
1) I am safer
2) less stress (antiviruses cause stress)
3) to avoid conflict with SBIE
4) Less wear and tear to the PC
5) No need to do upgrades or updates that sometimes go bad
6) no AV, means more time available to do whats really important

Bo

 

LOL! This made me laugh out loud. They certainly do cause stress at times.

 

Sweet answer. But c'mon Dave, cyber-wally?
I Googled it, but nothing made sense. What it mean?

 

In British-speak Wally= http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/wally?q=Wally

Which is surely not Daveski...but the "other layers of security", would be significant also I'd say

 

I know your feeling I have researched a few daveski words myself in the past, if I don't find an answer I ask just like you....remember he is from Lloegyr they speak like that there. I like it Dave spread the words

 

Yeah me too. I dual boot with OpenSUSE

 

A 'wally' is a bit like a 'pillock' crossed with a 'wazzock' and with a bit of a 'git' thrown in.

 

Well, I tend to agree I can be a bit yampo at times, but I wouldn't say I was gobsmacked about it.

 

MSE is nice & simple, but I also run MBAM (on-demand) & SpywareBlaster. Some browser hardening as well; NoScript, RequestPolicy & ABP. Maybe not so simple a solution after all ...