Windows and viruses

arad85

arad85

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Andy
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Where are these viruses people keep talking about?

Thought I'd do a bit of housekeeping earlier on and did a full scan on my PC, my partners PC and her daughters (who is 10) PC using the latest versions of AVAST and malwarebytes. The following was reported:

My PC (6 months old, never rebuilt and in use most days for 8+ hours)
Avast: no issues detected
malware: 2 registry issues which when googled turned out to be empty file pointers from an installer that has a bug in it.

Ms arad85s laptop (2 years old, never been rebuilt used most days)
Avast: no issues detected
malware: 1 infected file in IEs cache (a javascript file)....

10 year olds laptop (1.5 years old, never been rebuilt used 3-4 times a week)
Avast: no issues detected
malware: no issues detected.

These are all standard builds with just avast running. There are no restrictions on what web sites are visited, but they do know not to install anything (and the 10 year old is a "standard user" as opposed to an Administrator). Also, I can't remember ever having to get rid of a virus (well, I did once, but that was my own stupidity...). Yes, I know I know my way around a PC, but the others don't.

I realise I've now said we're clean, and the wrath of Sods law will apply and I'll spend all tomorrow clearing out a huge virus infestation but....
 
we have a random sprinkling of malware every now and again but for 250 odd users its still extremely low. its normally people clicking the fake malware software popups, for some reason sophos doesnt block them.
 
neil_g said:
for some reason sophos doesnt block them.
Click to expand...

Sophos is awesome like that! It lets you know there's a virus, but doesn't block it and doesn't delete it! You have to manually delete the virus... That's my experience of Sophos anyway, don't know if its got better since I last used it?
 
Phoebian said:
Sophos is awesome like that! It lets you know there's a virus, but doesn't block it and doesn't delete it! You have to manually delete the virus... That's my experience of Sophos anyway, don't know if its got better since I last used it?
Click to expand...

not really.. i put a proposal in late last year to replace it with MS forefront but sophos was already in place and cheaper to renew..
 
Same here. Network I inherited has conflikr infection. Sophos happily reports it but does nothing about it. Not a problem at home but when you have over 500 pc's\laptops you would hope Sophos would lend a hand.
 
Last stats I saw infection rate for Windows 7 was something like 3 in every 1000 (roughly, can't remember exactly.)

I certainly deal with enough of it though on other peoples computers. Some very advanced bits of malware out there, but infection rates don't need to be 1/3 as PC World still persist for malware writers to make serious money.
 
Malware is a problem, but it's stats are greatly exaggerated by certain companies and people.

Of course, 3/1000 is the risk if you surf safely, this is greatly increased by going on dodgy sites and using torrents.

64bit infections would be lower, as it's only recently in the last year or so that widespread 64bit rootkits are out there.

The sophistication of modern malware does amaze me though.
 
I have had a similar experience to you, Andy.

Over the last 11 years or so me, Mrs Tringa and the two kids (who are now in their 20s) have used about 7 PCs and laptops and apart from once when I did not read what was on the screen and clicked Yes) we have never had a virus or any other problem.

We keep the security software (all free) up to date and use it regularly but more importantly, I think, we are careful what we do - no dodgy sites, email from unknown sources is ditched without opening, ignore popups (that was in the days before popup blockers). We are not IT experts but have learnt enough to keep the machine secure and running well.

Dave
 
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