Ask HN: Do you still use Antivirus in 2019?

12 points by bishala 7 years ago | 10 comments

I have not installed a single antivirus software in the past 5 years or so and haven't been infected either(used to get constantly infected during the XP days). I think Windows Defender is pretty good these days. Do other HN'rs feel the same way?

speedplane 7 years ago |

As a computer nerd who is confident about identifying shady websites or email attachments, I do not use any anti-virus software. All of my important files are backed up, and I know how to reinstall an OS. I'm sure I can probably be tricked eventually, but if I am, my over-confidence will result in me ignoring any security warnings from anti-virus software, so it won't help.

Ultramanoid 7 years ago |

Don't use it in 2019, just as I didn't in 2009, or in 1999.

Furthermore, have had to remove it from plenty of machines of non-techie people asking for support, where it was not only doing NOTHING to protect them, but also preventing their systems from working as intended.

Now, if you want to talk about uBlock Origin and the likes though, that's a good conversation to have these days about actually essential protection.

Times have changed. The biggest virus today is convenience.

dangwu 7 years ago |

I do not. Window’s built-in stuff and plain macOS are very good these days. I’m not very convinced that third party anti-virus software provides much additional value. Would love to hear an expert’s thoughts on this subject!

dlahoda 7 years ago |

Windows 10 of 2019 is much much more safer than windows 7 or xp as example. Much safer security defaults and dozen more security features. So firewall, hosts and unlock origin is what I use. Backups also. Sometimes I do test on VM or via clamav. Defender is off. I did setup 'run only from predefined folders policy' and non admin users for my relatives.

luka-birsa 7 years ago |

I still install antivirus software, but given the feedback from you guys - I'm not sure it's still worth it.

What can I say, I moonlighted as a computer technician during W95-Win7 years and old habits die hard.

jaden 7 years ago |

I don't. I found anti-virus software slows machines down (especially live scanning) and causes some of the very same problems as malware.

quickthrower2 7 years ago |

Antivirus is like taking penacillin because you eat food from a dodgy takeaway. Instead just eat at trustworthy places.

ddtaylor 7 years ago |

Linux.

highhedgehog 7 years ago | |

Using Linux will not save you.

ddtaylor 7 years ago | | |

Have you ever used Qubes?