The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Do I need Anti-Virus if I browse in user mode ?

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by wearetheborg, Mar 30, 2009.

  1. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,282
    Messages:
    3,122
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Do I need Anti-Virus if
    1) Windows firewall is on
    2) I browse questionable sites. open email attachments only in user mode ?
    3) I use firefox with adblock plus and flashblock; and thinking of moving to scriptblock

    Also, do third party firewalls provide more security than the windows firewall ?

    This is for XP
     
    wearetheborg, Mar 30, 2009
    #1
  2. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,038
    Messages:
    3,071
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Nobody says you need antivirus. It's only recommended that you have antiviruses. The chances of you getting any viruses in those "questionable" sites are highier. Don't click any ads and you should be fine 99.99% of the time.
     
    jackluo923, Mar 30, 2009
    #2
  3. randdy

    randdy Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    4
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    if you are using the third party firewall. no need to installed the antivirus.
    anti virus only helps to the high level virus which comes from the internet through the downloaded files.

    do not click on the pop ups.
     
    randdy, Mar 30, 2009
    #3
  4. entropy.cz

    entropy.cz Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    110
    Messages:
    386
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    geez.. randdy, firewall and antivirus have totally different purposes, and both are important. you can read something about that for example in wikipedia. antivirus helps against *all* types of viruses, not only "high level", and viruses do not only "come from internet through the downloaded files"... - it's nice of you that you try to help, but this advising is rather confusing.
     
    entropy.cz, Mar 30, 2009
    #4
  5. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

    Reputations:
    2,503
    Messages:
    1,794
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I'd say running with a limited user account is the first BIG step in reducing attack vectors.
    You could also take a different approach with the program DropMyRights which enables you, while being in admin mode, to run a certain program (any internet facing app.) with reduced privileges/rights.
    An AV can still be usefull to scan email attachments. While any nasties might not have the ability to perform malicious actions, they will still reside unscanned on your HDD.
    I use FF with AdBlockPlus and NoScript myself, I think it's an excellent layer of defense.
    3rd party firewalls can provide more security imho but primarily because of the extra functionality as in added HIPS (Comodo/OnlineArmor).
    Cheers.
     
    Baserk, Mar 30, 2009
    #5
  6. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,282
    Messages:
    3,122
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    What is HIPS ?
     
    wearetheborg, Mar 30, 2009
    #6
  7. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

    Reputations:
    2,503
    Messages:
    1,794
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Host Intrusion Prevention System, an application that will detect system changes made by other software and will block these changes unless you give approval.
    Some are 'raw', where you will have to allow every single application/action, some are more user friendly, using whitelists that will allow/trust standard Windows OS components already.
    As an example, I like OnlineArmor (free version) myself, a FW with integrated HIPS, they also have extensive helpfiles link.
    Comodo also offers a strong FW with integrated HIPS combination (and optional AV).
    Cheers.
     
    Baserk, Mar 31, 2009
    #7