Re: Removing Symantec/Norton Antivirus

"David Brown" <david@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:48f33dcc$0$25383$8404b019@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> 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.

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

> Never use MS email software (OE or O), use IE as little as possible (and
lock 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.

> 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 im****tantly of
all - 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.

> 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 
> (www.clamav.net, www.clamwin.com).

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

M