Battle Life without AV?

uduoix

Level 5
Thread author
Verified
Oct 14, 2015
236
I'm thinking about ditch AV software. I didn't get infected since win7 or maybe win vista and i can't even remember last time AV blocked malware. I don't crack games, don't visit warez sites/forums, porn sites etc.. I use Chrome with ublock origin and malwarebytes. Do you guys think ditching AV is good idea or not? i do daily backups on cloud services (onedrive and pcloud) and on external disks.
 

Andy Ful

From Hard_Configurator Tools
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Developer
Well-known
Dec 23, 2014
8,040
Some thoughts related to this thread.
  1. Using (real-time) AV is generally safer than not using it.
  2. Not using AV is possible only when most people still use AVs.
  3. People do not use AV when there is a reason for it, and not because they believe to be safe without it.
  4. Skipping AV is possible, but the user has to compensate this in some way (safer habits, safer activities, more knowledge, etc).
  5. Most people cannot be moderately safe without AV, even when some people are not infected for a long time without AV.
 
Last edited:

Andy Ful

From Hard_Configurator Tools
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Developer
Well-known
Dec 23, 2014
8,040
According to Wikipedia “ActiveX is still supported as of Windows 10 through Internet Explorer 11, while ActiveX is not supported in their default web browser Microsoft Edge (which has a different, incompatible extension system).”

I can’t believe they’re not done with this piece of &$@
MS Office applications use ActiveX inependently of IE.
 

Andy Ful

From Hard_Configurator Tools
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Developer
Well-known
Dec 23, 2014
8,040
The road to not using real-time AVs.
Windows Defender >> usability issues or infection >> 3rd party AV >> usability issues or infection, or free license >> another 3rd party AV >> ... >> usability issues or infection, or free license, or broken Windows Updates >> EUREKA >> no real-time AV

The reasons for using 3rd party real-time AV:
  1. It is safer to use AV, even when the user likes Anti-Exe or SRP, or Sandboxing.
  2. Most people like to do what is recommended by experts.
  3. Some people belive in the advantage of using AVs, so doing otherwise would not be comfortable for them.
  4. Most users do not feel the essential difference, after disabling AV.
  5. Most users are not trained (even knowlegeable people) for using the system without the AV.
  6. Most users do not like to be a part of computer security.
  7. Some people like the changes, also changes from one AV to another.
The reasons for not using 3rd party real-time AV:
  1. Why to use AV, if the user did not see it working, at all (no signs of malware attack for a long time).
  2. Some people do not believe blindly the experts and like to seek nonstandard solutions.
  3. Some computer activities (programming, etc.) are more convenient without AV.
  4. The system is not bloated by the leftovers of several installed/uninstalled AVs.
  5. Fewer issues related to compatibility & system stability.
  6. More responsive system & more system resources for applications.
  7. Some people like to be the essential part of computer security.
 
Last edited:
G

Genux

Does iPhone fans really compare mobile OS with a desktop OS?
I just show how useless your post was and bring what was comparable on the table.

Who cares of iOS on a windows discussion...
You can do a lot of which were once "desktop-orientated" tasks on a mobile OS. I use iPhone XS Max for everything, it does everything and more then a little more than desktop OS. And who says this is about Windows? It's about Life without an AV, and iOS is life without an AV. I know my colleagues use Android-phones, and they need an AV for protection against some Android-malware.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vtqhtr413

In2an3_PpG

Level 18
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Well-known
Nov 15, 2016
867
I use iPhone XS Max for everything, it does everything and more then a little more than desktop OS. And who says this is about Windows?

Were not talking mobile OS in this thread. OP was talking about Windows.

I know my colleagues use Android-phones, and they need an AV for protection against some Android-malware.

They need it more or less cause their careless.
 

Cortex

Level 26
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Aug 4, 2016
1,465
The road to not using real-time AVs.
Windows Defender >> usability issues or infection >> 3rd party AV >> usability issues or infection, or free license >> another 3rd party AV >> ... >> usability issues or infection, or free license, or broken Windows Updates >> EUREKA >> no real-time AV

The reasons for not using 3rd party real-time AV:
  1. Why to use AV, if the user did not see it working, at all (no signs of malware attack for a long time).
  2. Some people do not believe blindly the experts and like to seek nonstandard solutions.
  3. Some computer activities (programming, etc.) are more convenient without AV.
  4. The system is not bloated by the leftovers of several installed/uninstalled AVs.
  5. Fewer issues related to compatibility & system stability.
  6. More responsive system & more system resources for applications.
  7. Some people like to be the essential part of computer security.

RE: point 5. I wanted to install RollBack RX, I disabled all that can be in HMP.A. However during install HitMan.A jumped in & terminated the install half way through, I wasn't asked, it was just terminated, end of story. (Norton asked) After a reboot I had half a program installed. In the end I had to image back, uninstall HMP.A & installed RollBack without issue. It should have took 10 mins & ended up being an hour. In a 3 year licence of Alert (got 6 months left) not one time has it ever stopped anything malicious with all it's bells & whistles yet has caused me more grief with FP's that MS ever has. The program is a pain in the arse & will never reside on any PC I use.
 

Andy Ful

From Hard_Configurator Tools
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Developer
Well-known
Dec 23, 2014
8,040
RE: point 5. I wanted to install RollBack RX, I disabled all that can be in HMP.A. However during install HitMan.A jumped in & terminated the install half way through, I wasn't asked, it was just terminated, end of story. (Norton asked) After a reboot I had half a program installed. In the end I had to image back, uninstall HMP.A & installed RollBack without issue. It should have took 10 mins & ended up being an hour. In a 3 year licence of Alert (got 6 months left) not one time has it ever stopped anything malicious with all it's bells & whistles yet has caused me more grief with FP's that MS ever has. The program is a pain in the arse & will never reside on any PC I use.
That is normal (from time to time) for every strong anti-exploit application.(y)
 
  • Like
Reactions: vtqhtr413
D

Deleted member 178

RE: point 5. I wanted to install RollBack RX, I disabled all that can be in HMP.A. However during install HitMan.A jumped in & terminated the install half way through, I wasn't asked, it was just terminated, end of story. (Norton asked) After a reboot I had half a program installed. In the end I had to image back, uninstall HMP.A & installed RollBack without issue. It should have took 10 mins & ended up being an hour. In a 3 year licence of Alert (got 6 months left) not one time has it ever stopped anything malicious with all it's bells & whistles yet has caused me more grief with FP's that MS ever has. The program is a pain in the arse & will never reside on any PC I use.
Rollback RX is the first thing you should install on a machine especially before any security apps.


I made a best practice guide for RX.

Rollback RX users guidelines
 

Cortex

Level 26
Verified
Top Poster
Well-known
Aug 4, 2016
1,465
That is normal (from time to time) for every strong anti-exploit application.(y)

I realise that, my point being the amount of time faffing with issues with FP's etc over the past two & a half years with just HMP is probably far less that dealing with problems if any caused by not using HMP - In 24 years of Windows I've only had one infection & I really think I've over done it with protection recently.

If I had spend time with precautions in other departments I may not have four children? :p:p:p:p:p
 
G

Genux

Were not talking mobile OS in this thread. OP was talking about Windows.

They need it more or less cause their careless.
I'm thinking about ditch AV software. I didn't get infected since win7 or maybe win vista and i can't even remember last time AV blocked malware. I don't crack games, don't visit warez sites/forums, porn sites etc.. I use Chrome with ublock origin and malwarebytes. Do you guys think ditching AV is good idea or not? i do daily backups on cloud services (onedrive and pcloud) and on external disks.
Do you guys think ditching AV is good idea or not?

No one can mention other OS because it's Windows or nothing. What kind of forum is this?
 

Andy Ful

From Hard_Configurator Tools
Verified
Honorary Member
Top Poster
Developer
Well-known
Dec 23, 2014
8,040
Last edited:

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top