Do You Really Need AntiVirus Software Anymore?
January 1, 2009 Computer Safety Tip
Windows Vista Systems
It’s no longer hush-hush that most malware targets Windows-based machines. Microsoft addressed this problem by incorporating several types of anti-malware technology directly into its Windows Vista OS.
Vista’s key to virus-fighting capabilities is UAC (User Account Control), which automatically senses prospective dangerous situations and temporarily suspends running programs and processes, trapping any malware that may be trying to install itself on the machine or run itself with administrative priviledges.
Windows Defender also protects Vista PC’s by working to keep the system free of many types of malware, including spyware and adware. Windows Firewall blocks mistrustful types of incoming/outgoing traffic, improving system security.
The automatic-updating feature provides yet another sheet of protection by ensuring that the host system is kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and enhancements.
The combination of UAC, Windows Defender, Windows Firewall and automating updating does a good job of keeping Vista-bases machines secure. External anti-virus protection is unnecessary unless a Vista user performs foolish actions.
Windows XP Systems
XP remains a stable and highly usable platform, its vulnerability to viruses and other types of malware is well-known. XP doesn’t provide UAC, Windows Defender or other security improvements. Microsoft and various application vendors have worked hard to patch the OS’s many security holes, new and serious XP vulnerabilities continue to arise on a regular basis.
Users can add much of Vista’s protection to XP by adding a third-party firewall and install the free Windows Defender.
Macintosh Systems
Avert Labs found that out of more than 236,000 known malware programs, only 7 of them targeted OS X. Despite the rise of the Macintosh virus, the situation is still radically better for OS X users than it is for Windows users. This makes it much less likely, although not impossible, for a Mac system to be compromised by a virus.
Abiding to smart operating practices, such as keeping OS X up-to-date and not clicking unknown e-mail attachments, it’s generally safe to use a Macintosh computer without anti-virus software. If there are extra security concerns, Macintosh versions of anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall programs can be installed.
Linux Systems
Linux’s user base is slowly growing, and there are Linux viruses and malware programs – just not that many of them.
Linux viruses are relatively rare and that most Linux users are highly knowledgeable, the need for add-on anti-virus protection is nominal.
The Bottom Line
Abandoning add-on anti-virus software hinges on several factors, including the particular OS and how the system is being used. Other factors to consider include the level of user knowledge and the computer owner’s willingness to accept an increased level of risk.
Security tools are slowing taking the place of anti-virus software, partly because of changes in virus behavior and partly because the new tools fight a much wider range of malware than just viruses.
