Viruses

I read up about the basic kinds of viruses on nbr, but it confuses me more than anything. I dont like using virus protection software and have gotten away with it because I have used Macs for a while now. I now own a PC and need a crash course on viruses.

When I get a virus can I simply wipe my hardrive to get rid of it or can it be embedded somewhere else? I guess what I am asking, should I be afraid of viruses, are they a common threat thats near impossible to get rid of once I get one?

Any info would be helpful, or even a link to a good previous thread.

Thanks

 

If you get a virus, trojan, or spyware, if you wipe you will fully erase it, with everything else. Yes. 99% of the time.

The problem is, you usually dont know you have one. Meanwhile its stealing your information and speed. So, thats why Antivirus software is important.

Why dont you like AV Software? Whats wrong with it?
You should 100% recommended get it.
I recommend Norton Internet Security 2009.



EDIT: Im alerting a mod to move this thread to the Software or Antivirus Category, is this is the incorrect one.

 

You should invest in AV.

Viruses are fairly "common", but it also depends largely on your browsing and computing habits. If you visit warez sites all the time, it's a good idea to invest in some AV. If you browse using noscript and adblock and never click unsafe links, you're a bit safer.

That said, there are an increasing # of ways to get malware (not necessarily viruses per se) onto your computer even if you have relatively safe habits. You might also get files from friends who have been infected by viruses that you might assume to be safe as well. Also, nothing can protect against stupidity, but sometimes AV can help.

If, you do get a virus...well. A lot of AV software can clean the virus afterwards, but not all do so well. Besides, once your computer has been compromised, do you really feel safe using it afterwards? Having good backups and wiping your HDD is a good way to feel safe at least, and having an AV to have some additional prevention measures ex ante certainly can't hurt.

Usually the question is not whether to install an AV program at all, but if it's worth paying for one. I'm guessing from your post that you value performance highly. If that's the case, either nod32 or norton 2009 (note it has to be the 2009 edition) should be what you're looking for. Avira and Kaspersky are also very good, although Kaspersky is a tad slower and more intrusive at the same settings (not default). Finally, Avira offers a free version that's highly recommended as well, if you don't feel like paying for AV.

 

Thanks for the advice, and sorry i posted the thread in the wrong area.

I guess I have just had some bad experiences with norton in the past that kinda turned me away from AV. It seemed like it really wasnt helping much and just slowing my computer even more. I will consider getting AV software, but will definetly continue to back up my important info on a seperate external hard drive.

 

The, perhaps try some of the freeware AV' programs...Avira..Avast..AVG

Good thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=190538


Cin

 

Norton was probably one of the worst AV products on the market up until the 2009 version, which made substantial improvements.

 

Thats ok.

Norton has improved much in their 2009 version.

Get a 30 day trial and see how you like it. You will be happy.