Safe without anti virus software?

Mr_S

Mr_S

Mr_S

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If I have a pc that is connected to the Internet via a NAT router but only use it for gaming and never to browse the web, is it safe to not bother with anti virus software or will just being connected mean I'm vulnerable to some kind of virus?
 
I would say don't use one, but you will get conflicting opinions.

If you keep your PC well patched and use common sense I wouldn't bother with AV.
 
If it is price you are worried about, there a lot of free software that are very good. If it is performance, many AVs will let you disable them while you game.

If you choose not to run one at all, it may be worth running something like Malwarebytes Antimalware occassionally.
 
There's no need to use A/V if you know how to use a computer in a safe manner. I will refrain from sounding like a broken record but even the smartest individuals fall pray to malware due to impatience etc.

If in doubt, use A/V.
 
I could write pages on this, but if you are seriously going to use it just for gaming and install things only from trusted sources as long as you keep the OS itself up to date then no, antivirus isn't necessary.
 
there's no point in not having an AV. computers are so fast these days, there is no reason not to have one. In all likely hood you will be fine. But there is always a chance you will get one and you won't know any different.
I can't remember the last time anything showed up, but why would you not run one, when they are free and computers are so fast. You wont notice any change in fps or anything else.
 
Mr_S said:
If I have a pc that is connected to the Internet via a NAT router but only use it for gaming and never to browse the web, is it safe to not bother with anti virus software or will just being connected mean I'm vulnerable to some kind of virus?
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Would you also use same PC to download a patch for a game, or look for walkthrough advice? As it's already connected it's easy to alt tab out and browse.
 
Why wouldn't you, as Acidhell said pc's are quick enough for them to make no difference these days and they are free.

Even "smart" people get caught out and its better to have something to fall back on than nothing at all.
 
I would install the likes of Avast just for peace of mind. What would happen if a mate connected a USB pen drive or external HDD that was infected! No reason not to run with a free AV package.
 
dont forget there are loads of 'good' proper web sites, CD's, smart phone and USB devices that are available WITH malware, its not just 'bad' sites and people who distribute malware..

to those who say they ahve never had a problem.. how do you know? maybe all your details have been harvested and you pc is part of a bot net.. it may just be you had no details of use of they ahve not been sold / used yet.

having said that I dont use av, but I do run a scan now and then...
 
With Windows you need one, and I don't care how many people say "You just need to be careful where your browse."

Enough reputable sites get hacked often enough that you DO need an anti-virus. Run without and you are likely to end up in a bot-net. And it's people like you that cause halls internet to go down in the 1st week of the academic year, EVERY YEAR!
 
fluff said:
There's no need to use A/V if you know how to use a computer in a safe manner.

If in doubt, use A/V.
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What do you class as using a computer in a safe manner? Even normally safe websites can deliver malware onto your PC, heck just recently Anandtech had a malicious ad banner and was putting Trojans on peoples PC's.
 
The PC is used for games only, no browsing at all, just online and offline gaming, I have another PC for all the other stuff I just wanted to have as little as possible on this box that could cause slow down in games. I have Avast on there at the moment and just cant think of a reason not to remove it and wanted opinions.

Thanks
 
The problem is if you don't have anything you will never know if there is a virus on it or not.

I think it wise just to have something like MSE, Defender or at least a free ant-virus, just to protect yourself.

I personally use Nod32 and I just leave it running in the background and it has never affected me gaming what so ever.
 
Broken Hope said:
What do you class as using a computer in a safe manner? Even normally safe websites can deliver malware onto your PC, heck just recently Anandtech had a malicious ad banner and was putting Trojans on peoples PC's.
Click to expand...

There isn't a list of set instructions. It comes with experience.

If a site delivers a 0day exploit not know to the vendors, one is screwed regardless of whether or not an anti-malware product is installed.
 
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