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Removing Symantec/Norton Antivirus

First ask yourself *why* you think you need an antivirus program of any sort, and then think if there are better ways to attack the root of the problem. Rather than running your PC in a straight jacket re-checking every file that is every opened, consider first if there are ways to stop malware getting on to your PC in the first place.

Never use MS email software (OE or O), use IE as little as possible (and lock it down to "high" security), make sure your incoming email is scanned (preferably at your ISP, or your own email gateway) and all executable attachments are removed, use a real firewall between your PC and untrusted computers (that may well include other family members, not just the Internet), check any dodgy downloads carefully, and most importantly of all - use your head!

For on-demand scanning of downloads (and scanning of emails if your ISP does not do it, or you don't trust them), try clam

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On-demand virus scanners and complicated windows firewalls are an amazing waste of time, money, and PC resources, and they are always playing catch-up. A few proper precautions gives you better security for nothing.

(Of course, you could always switch to Linux...)

Reply to
David Brown
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and then think if there are better ways to attack

re-checking every file that is every opened, consider

place.

Agreed, been running without AV for years. I was sick of my Norton AV and just uninstalled it at some point.

it down to "high" security), make

I've been using OE for years without any problem. It is only a problem if you're an idiot and open attachments you don't know (especially exe files). No problem after years of use without AV. If attachment looks suspicious, I save it and open in hex editor.

Firefox and enabled cookies here, no problems either.

gateway) and all executable attachments are

well include other family members, not just the

use your head!

Nothing beats a "helpfull" ISP that blocks spam for you on their own initiative, including 1% of "collateral damage". Preferably using ORBL or similar unreliable database, which should be used only for consultation and not just flatly blocking emails. And of course, if asked, they will claim to not perform any kind of filtering. Comcast comes to mind.

But AV on the mail server is indeed nice to have.

not do it, or you don't trust them), try clam

Neat, per file scanning on demand, comes handy sometimes.

M
Reply to
TheM

The problem is when malicious email coding tells OE to execute the attachment (or other unpleasant code) automatically when you simply view the email. Since OE6 this has been less of a problem, as the security setting is "high" by default, but I simply would not trust OE (or Outlook) - there have been too many instances of exploitable bugs and major design flaws (such as ActiveX, and in particular the concept of "ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting"). Even with "high" security, you are open to web bugs (which tell potential attackers your IP address and that you are online) and other such nasties.

And why would you bother looking at suspicious attachments in a hex editor? I would think the "shift delete" treatment is more appropriate.

The same here. At my office, IE is banned for all but a couple of specific sites - people use Firefox or Opera (by personal preference).

I forgot to add one other important security setting - turn off the "hide extension for known file types" setting in explorer. Then you won't fall for the old "joke.txt.exe" ploy.

Reply to
David Brown

(or other unpleasant code) automatically when you

security setting is "high" by default, but I simply

exploitable bugs and major design flaws (such as ActiveX,

scripting"). Even with "high" security, you are open to web

and other such nasties.

would think the "shift delete" treatment is more

1-2 times I suspected what appeared to be a normal attachment so I checked it out first just in case.

extension for known file types" setting in explorer.

There's probably nobody in this NG that doesn't do this first time after installing a fresh copy of Windows. But yes, it happens.

M
Reply to
TheM

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