| Why
Not Norton?
First, if you are connected to high-speed internet, such as cable
and dsl, and share it among your house, meaning you are behind a
router, then you are already protected by some type of firewall.
So adding another software firewall would be unnecessary.
Second, I have never once had a computer that had an anti-virus
application running on it. And I have never had a virus/worm/whatever
that did any significant damage to my computer [I have been working
like this for about six years]. Now, this does not mean I never
have installed anti-virus software to run a a scan from time to
time (about once a year or whenever I have suspicions). And, therefore
does not mean I have never found a v/w/w on my computer. At times
I have found about nine or more. However, these troublemakers were
unable to slow my computer or hurt my computer as much as a single
anti-virus software such as Norton. Having Norton or McAfee running
on my computer constantly slowed it to about 75% its potential and,
at times, made it stall while opening programs such as Microsoft
Word. Norton was the worst virus I have ever had.
Who
is the real Bug?
It doesn't just end with computer performance either. On a customer's
computer, I had tried to disable the Norton program in order to
speed up the computer processes since they were hindered completely.
After doing so, programs such as Word would not run since Norton
has a fail-safe on programs such as this that require Norton confirmation
before opening documents [such as .doc] and therefore causes the
program to stall.
I also encountered a situation where Norton caused difficulties
in re-installing the OS on the computer. We instead had to format
the hard drive and then do a complete re-install without Norton.
But
what about the big viruses I hear about on the news?
Listen, and listen close. When a major corporation, or a bunch of
separate computers are hit by a virus, what makes you think your
anti-virus software will protect you? The reason these companies
get hit (companies mind you that spend way more than you do for
virus protection) is because the anti-virus software does not recognize
the signature of those new, more famous, viruses and therefore lets
it pass through to computers and networks unhindered. If these anti-virus
solutions cannot handle it, yours won't either. So, what is the
point?
What
can I do, any tips?
Don't run a 24/7 anti-virus solution on your computer. Instead,
periodically (or when you feel trouble) go to http://www.download.com
and download Norton or McAfee. Run the initial scan with updated
virus signatures and then completely remove the software
from your computer. Next time you have an issue, do the same thing.
It is easy, does not kill your computer, and is free.
On
the other hand, a side note.
Campus Resource does not guarentee that you will
not be hit by something such as a virus that won't significantly
harm your hard drive. However, we still feel it is much easier (especially
if you are a person who backs up their computer to another hard
disk or CD) to format your hard drive and have a completely refreshed
version of your OS installed. Your computer will run like new and
you will never have to suffer the pains and consequences of having
a 24/7 anti-virus program installed and running on your computer.
It is great to get this off my chest from one computer user
to another.
*Many
viruses are stopped first-hand by your internet and mail service
providers.
Get
Norton
here
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