Just the other day, I ran into another person who told me
they don't run anti-virus software on their home computer. I looked at them in
disbelief and asked why they would expose their computer/personal information
to the potential danger? The response I got was, "I've never had a virus
on my computer before". As I explained to this person that they have every
right to not run anti-virus software, I cautioned them and asked that they
looked at the risks they were taking.
I started to ask what things were on the computer such as
financial information, etc. Next, I asked if they used their machine for online
banking. I started to see a look of concern on their face. I stated that
getting a virus is as easy as clicking on a link in your web browser. I said I
would hate to see a virus drop a keystroke logger on their computer and get
their online banking credentials. Some legitimate sites could have been hacked
and not know it yet.
I know because it has happened to me. I was surfing on my children's
computer and clicked on a link. Immediately, a second browser opened and my
anti-virus software popped up an alert. Fortunately, I was running AV software
that contained it and their computer had zero information on it. I got to spend
my Sunday afternoon rebuilding their computer.
Symantec states that “10-15 new viruses are discovered every
day.” A Network
World article written in May 2008 says “The total number of viruses will
reach 1 million by year-end, according to security experts.” With this
information alone, it makes a great argument to make sure to run anti-virus
software. Anyway, a lot of Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) are giving it away
for free because they don't want the potential problems inside their own
networks. I guess the way I look at it is, I would rather spend a little time
and maybe some money to reduce my risks of identity/financial theft than spend
potentially thousands to straighten out my credit.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.
Jeff Gibson
Vulnerability Management, Compliance & Forensics Analyst
Westfield Group
The other day I received a direct comment from a reader and wanted to post my response to the comment. I have included the reader's comment too.
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I'm glad that this blog post helped you. I hate to hear stories of innocent people being affected by viruses or malware.
You mentioned that you didn't know the difference between anti-virus and personal firewall software. Well, let me try to give you the short version.
Anti-virus software looks for certain known patterns (viruses) in files and data flowing between your computer and other computers. When it gets a match, it tries to either delete it, or quarantine (isolate) it so it cannot infect anything else on your computer or anyone else's.
Personal firewall software concerns itself with applications talking in and out of your computer. This is to protect you from a bad program that gets installed to your computer (usually unknowingly) and attempts to make a connection back to a hackers machine to give them access to your computer. Typically, the FW software will popup a box and ask you if this traffic is OK which gives you the heads up if there is an unknown application running.
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I'm one of "those" people that do not have anti virus software or maybe I do and just don't know it. My reason - I'm a computer idiot and wouldn't know how to install and use it. But I read your article linked to the News to Use and have decided to take your advice. I figure no one wants to steal "my" identity - I have enough trouble being me - why would someone else want to ! But seriously - I am going to take my computer to an expert so I can make sure it is checked over thoroughly and the correct sw is installed. I'm confused though - never could figure out the difference between anti-virus and firewall sw, but I'm going to find out.
Just wanted to say thanks for the kick in the backside !
Posted by: Jeff Gibson | 25 February 2009 at 08:45