Is Antivirus Software a Waste of Money?
- Thread starter iPanik
- Start date
I think if you're relying only on AV to keep your system safe, then yes it's a waste of money.
The face of malware is changing so rapidly that the AV product of old just isn't able to keep up. This is where sandboxing, HIPS, and behavior blockers, come into play.
AV is a nice complement to the aforementioned technologies, but I definitely don't think it's a good idea to place all of your eggs in a single basket. In my opinion, the layered security approach is the way to go.
The face of malware is changing so rapidly that the AV product of old just isn't able to keep up. This is where sandboxing, HIPS, and behavior blockers, come into play.
AV is a nice complement to the aforementioned technologies, but I definitely don't think it's a good idea to place all of your eggs in a single basket. In my opinion, the layered security approach is the way to go.
Anyway, paying for an AV/suite when you have many very effective free solutions is totally illogical.
There are a couple real time antivirus that I would pay for if I wanted to use an antivirus but I think its wiser to spend money buying something like Sandboxie or DefenseWall. If the user feels better using an antivirus along one of the programs that I mentioned, the user can use any of the free solutions that he feels comfortable using. Nothing will get through. Paying for a real time an antivirus is not needed but it should not be looked as wasted money neither, in my opinion.
Bo
Bo
Littlebits
Retired Staff
- May 3, 2011
- 3,893
This article doesn't apply to home users, this article applies to companies.
Companies are still targeted by malicious viruses, trojans, worms, etc. that can cause extensive damages.
Unlike home users who appear to only get infected by rogueware now days that doesn't cause much damage.
Yes they need protection, however most of the free solutions are only for home users, so they will have to buy a solution.
In my area, most of the companies, business, government and military use either McAfee or FortiClient. Both provide excellent protection for companies and are much cheaper than other solutions. Companies should shop around to get the best deals that are cheaper and still provide excellent protection. Prices can be much different according to your area.
It's very much true if you properly train your employees it can cut down on infection, but people are people and make mistakes, therefore in a company environment a good antivirus is a must have if you want to protect your investment. Just one infection can shut down all computers in a business, cause lose profits, bad customer relations, lost data, etc.
Advanced protection like HIPS and sandboxing just doesn't work in a company, just one mistake could cost millions of dollars.
Just think of what the damage would be to your area, if your power plant computers got infected and went offline. It could be much worse if your power plant was fulled by nuclear reactors.
Thanks.
Companies are still targeted by malicious viruses, trojans, worms, etc. that can cause extensive damages.
Unlike home users who appear to only get infected by rogueware now days that doesn't cause much damage.
Yes they need protection, however most of the free solutions are only for home users, so they will have to buy a solution.
In my area, most of the companies, business, government and military use either McAfee or FortiClient. Both provide excellent protection for companies and are much cheaper than other solutions. Companies should shop around to get the best deals that are cheaper and still provide excellent protection. Prices can be much different according to your area.
It's very much true if you properly train your employees it can cut down on infection, but people are people and make mistakes, therefore in a company environment a good antivirus is a must have if you want to protect your investment. Just one infection can shut down all computers in a business, cause lose profits, bad customer relations, lost data, etc.
Advanced protection like HIPS and sandboxing just doesn't work in a company, just one mistake could cost millions of dollars.
Just think of what the damage would be to your area, if your power plant computers got infected and went offline. It could be much worse if your power plant was fulled by nuclear reactors.
Thanks.
- Apr 17, 2011
- 9,224
Littlebits said:
What I have seen that schools and the TAFE us is Symantec Endpoint Edition. Provides the basics of what a business needs to protect but there are better alternatives like McAfee and or FortiClient. Another one that business use is Microsoft TMG, which is what every business needs to help with security.
So I do, not think that for companies and business Antivirus Software is not a waste of money. For home users it's totally different ball game.
- Feb 28, 2011
- 530
Littlebits said:
A HIPS based system is very much possible is an enterprise environment.
A company i worked for a few years ago, switched to a HIPS based system. The rules were locked down, and the user could only install from a list of pre-approved software. This list was very extensive, so the user wasn't too limited.
They didn't have to invest in training of the employees, and as far as i know it is still a great success.
The point of the article is more that if a company deserves the attention of hackers, they will test their malware against the company's AV, and the av will be useless. Therefore it can be a better investment to lock down the systems and/or look at logs than putting all your eggs in one basked with the AV based solutions.
pcjunklist
Level 1
- Dec 28, 2011
- 523
Our company is required to have AV, no way around it. The only AV I have seen on federal systems are Symantec, Mcafee, and Sophos and all are versions you won't find on the website. At home people can do as they please, in a corporate environment your only able to do what I allow you to do. In the corporate environment (at least ours) we run monthly classes in information security for the end users and keep a very up to date intranet. The more rights you take away from people the less apt they are to break something, opposed to my families pc's that not matter what AV I put on their systems they are always catching something bad.
Littlebits
Retired Staff
- May 3, 2011
- 3,893
iPanik said:
In my area all businesses that I know about like governments, schools, military and most companies, etc. Each employee runs on a limited user account, only managers or the people in charge have full access rights. Which is just as effective as using HIPS and costs much less than having to buy an HIPS system. The companies only have to train few workers on how to secure the systems instead of the complete workforce which saves costs.
Yes I agree that in a company environment a paid AV is a must, but when it comes to home users many can get by just fine with a free AV.
Thanks.
blues
Level 1
- Apr 30, 2011
- 88
The very few pennies a day I spend for the protection offered via EAM is money well spent imho.
Especially when you consider the consequences of just one unfortunate incident involving either your computer system or your finances.
Of course, YMMV, but I'm happy to pay a little bit for the peace of mind and also knowing that I am doing a little bit to help the research and development continue.
Especially when you consider the consequences of just one unfortunate incident involving either your computer system or your finances.
Of course, YMMV, but I'm happy to pay a little bit for the peace of mind and also knowing that I am doing a little bit to help the research and development continue.
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