Is it just me or are Anti-Virus programs a bit of a scam?

[megapenguinx]

AVG is crap, too many false positives.
I prefer Avast for Windows (although at work I use Symmantec), Intego for my Mac (just in case of keyloggers), and LookOut for my Android Phone.

OP sounds like you should just uninstall the trial software (unless the code is/was a .pdf file stored on your computer).

 

[Sparkytheyetti]

You want REAL security? Go get a 500 dollar firewall that you SCREW INTO your internet and then into your computer.

 

[Daedalus1942]

Nope, but then again I use decent ones like Symantec Corporate which is the one that companies with huge networks use, so it's pretty damn airtight.
-Tabs<3-

Symantec are the tossers behind norton, just because big companies are stupid enough to use it doesn't make it good, unless you are using the corporate version and the corporate version is vastly different from the virus that is norton its not that great.

OP: Whats so hard to understand? Came with a trial, trail ran out, wants you to buy a key, uninstall it and download AVG or Avira or something. Have a closer read of the pop up messages or whatever they are.

Yeah, uh... i just said I'm using the corporate version. I'm not using norton... god, nortons is like the worst you can buy, after bullguard of course.
-tabs<3-

 

[Manicotti]

I use Avast in tandem with Ad-Aware and I've never had any issues. Avast is great about blocking off suspicious websites and downloads, and Ad-Aware catches all the little things that Avast misses (tiny tracking cookies and such). It's worth mentioning that no AV program is going to catch 100% of everything, because it's probably just not possible to fit them all into the same database (nor is it a good business model, I guess, on the same principle that a vaccine will sell more reliably for a cure as long as people are afraid that something is out there), but if you run multiple freeware AV programs - not at the same time, mind - then you can get some badass protection that nothing with a security key or subscription is going to offer.

And yes, McAfee and Norton are shit.

 

[Torrasque]

1. Buy computer.
2. Get free anti-virus.
3. Anti-virus trial runs out.
4. Totally legitimate pop-up tells you that you need new anti-virus.
5. You get new anti-virus.
6. Your computer is fucked.
7. You fix computer.
8. Totally legitimate pop-up tells you that you need new anti-virus.
9. You buy a mac.
10. Profit.

 

[KefkaCultist]

AVG free. never had a problem with it

 

[Cain_Zeros]

What's so complex about that? You had a trial, it ended and now they want you to pay for a code to continue using it. Uninstall it or buy a code and keep it. It's up to you.

Ummm, no, it was the full version, everything said so. At least the built in windows....thing still works.

Most antivirus software licenses for the full version are only for a year. It'll still work after that, but you won't get any updates, which leaves you pretty open.

 

[Lem0nade Inlay]

Norton has worked well for me so far, so I don't see why I shouldn't keep using it.

However I also use Anti-Malware pro or whatever to stop Malware.

Some anti-virus' are plain terrible though...

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

I use Avast myself, but I'm not happy that they're always bugging you to upgrade to the paid version. The free version works just fine for me.

When do they do that? I have Avast and I never get bugged for that. Just Heidi (the name of the update voice my friend came up with) saying the database is updated, and a firmware update.

 

[BakaSmurf]

Getting a anti virus program.
Hoping for the best.
Getting a virus the some how got passed.
Fucking pissed now 300$ down the drain.
Fuuck you norton you are to blame.

Well your problem is that you're using Norton to begin with.

Not that there's anything inherently wrong with Norton, it's just that about %70 of any form of malicious software is spicifically designed to get past Norton due to it's popularity.

Try AVG Free along with Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware, both are free and have worked pretty damn well for me thus far.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Avira. Free, free, free.

Sorted.

 

[Erana]

Well, I used a few before I stopped using a shitbox Windows one (not being anti-Windows, the thing refused to connect to the Internet at ALL) and went to a Mac, and I haven't used virus protection on this, because no-one can be bothered to code viruses for this thing.

While a virus for Mac is rare, doesn't mean it is non-existent: http://about-threats.trendmicro.com/ArchiveMalware.aspx?language=us&name=OSX_JAHLAV.K

There are more Mac viruses out there, but from what I've read, they're mostly found in the red-light sketchy part of the interwebz. Significant viruses found in the mainstream are usually called out by the fact that they're like, the only one most people ever get, and are terminated fairly quickly.
So, if you're like me, and don't use the internet for what its for according to puppets, you're pretty safe. I mean, its when people go, "Macs can't get hacked! :V" its not like it makes people want to hack into their computer and mess with their stuff to prove them wrong or anything.
Because that's totally never happened.

But at the OP, I generally found that PC antivirus programs are generally not better with price.

 

[killcheese]

I have been anti-virus free for all but my first computer, which was my dads old work desktop. That is close to 10 years of no anti virus and not one virus... So yes, it is a scam, if you are smart about using your computer you dont need it. I should say i also use bittorrent which iv heard people say is all viruses, again just be smart about using your computer and i guarantee you, you will not get a virus.

 

[Khada]

being smart > anti-virus

 

[demoman_chaos]

I am almost certain at least some of the viruses made are made by the Anti-Virus companies. If there are no viruses, they are out of business so they have to make an epidemic every so often to get people to pay for their software.

If everyone had Linux instead of Windows, they would be screwed. A Linux-virus is like Santa, The Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. It doesn't exist. It has amazing anti-virus abilities at the cost of the blackest birthday present. NOTHING!

{Those that get the reference will be given half, of nothing.}

 

[Skinny Razor]

Just be like me and don't use them at all. Just avoid sites that are iffy, and avoid downloads that aren't legit. I've run nothing and in my 8 years on PC never got a virus, I'll run Malaware, or Spybot every few weeks and they never find anything and if I did get one i'd just google the tool to remove it, if I can't remove it then just reinstall windows. My Laptop came with Mcaffee and that thing was a pain in the butt, always popping up, and running because it freaking turns itself back on everytime you rebooted. I'd forget and WoW would run at like 6fps till I noticed it was doing a scan. After a few days I gave it das boot.

ROFL!!!! ***Warning*** If you know this guy in real life, never take a USB key from him or let him near your computer.

I'm a work study at my college, in the IT room. I (and a few others) take student laptops and attempt to fix them. Almost all of them are cases like the above, where some dumbass has downloaded a couple hundred illegal songs and some porn, all with absolutely no virus protection. Some of those computers are so slow...

Anyway, the dude that originally wrote this has a computer that's probably so chock full of viruses, malware, adware, spyware, and the like that he couldn't even get a virus scan to run, much less get rid of them. If he did get something to run, it would take maybe days to scan and show up with a number like so:

12,345,678,909,876,543,211,234,567,890 Viruses found on your computer.

Long comment over, sorry.

I think you miss this guy's brilliant plan, right there in the middle: "If I can't remove it then just reinstall windows." Hey presto, problem solved! Let' have some beer.

 

[killcheese]

Just be like me and don't use them at all. Just avoid sites that are iffy, and avoid downloads that aren't legit. I've run nothing and in my 8 years on PC never got a virus, I'll run Malaware, or Spybot every few weeks and they never find anything and if I did get one i'd just google the tool to remove it, if I can't remove it then just reinstall windows. My Laptop came with Mcaffee and that thing was a pain in the butt, always popping up, and running because it freaking turns itself back on everytime you rebooted. I'd forget and WoW would run at like 6fps till I noticed it was doing a scan. After a few days I gave it das boot.

ROFL!!!! ***Warning*** If you know this guy in real life, never take a USB key from him or let him near your computer.

I'm a work study at my college, in the IT room. I (and a few others) take student laptops and attempt to fix them. Almost all of them are cases like the above, where some dumbass has downloaded a couple hundred illegal songs and some porn, all with absolutely no virus protection. Some of those computers are so slow...

Anyway, the dude that originally wrote this has a computer that's probably so chock full of viruses, malware, adware, spyware, and the like that he couldn't even get a virus scan to run, much less get rid of them. If he did get something to run, it would take maybe days to scan and show up with a number like so:

12,345,678,909,876,543,211,234,567,890 Viruses found on your computer.

Long comment over, sorry.

I look at it as, if you cant fix your computer without outside help, you should have a anti-virus. Most of the people i know who have got viruses are the exact people who should be using anti virus but aren't. Most of the time it is common since in avoiding viruses and the anti virus makes the computer so slow its just as bad as the viruses them self. I am a computer consultant for a non profit and they were thinking about getting new computers to replace the ones they have but wanted to see if i could speed them up because paying me would be cheaper. All the computers were running norton and i must say it was utter shit. I have removed friends viruses in the past and i originally thought it was a virus they had because it was so slow. I did a test and removed norton form one and did a few other performance tweaks and it was like new again. I ended up putting avg for good measure but after giving a small amount of advise on using the web it is almost a year and no viruses to speak of for them. Common since, the best anti virus.