@jonnythan Said I've never, ever been infected with a virus.
For many years, I never used any sort of antivirus software whatsoever. The only thing I would do was go to Trend Micro's free online virus scan every month or so just to be sure.
Recently I've installed Clamwin to do scheduled weekly scans because I'm too lazy to go to that website all the time.
I'm obviously a firm believer in not using real-time AV protection. I hate that s***. Slows computers down significantly, no matter which program you're using. Obviously it's perfectly possible to keep yourself virus free by just using a little common sense.
you are wrong on so many levels, answer this :
1. Are you up to date on all software vulnerabilities ?
2. Do you use Microsoft ?
3. Do you use any P2P software ?
4. Do you download music from websites ?
5. Do you use warez ?
6. Do you borrow CDs or DVDs from friends ?
7. Do you open email attachments from people you know ?
8.
Do you use IE ???
9. Are you on a network ?
10. Do you use bluetooth for infrared devices ?
11. Are all your CDs original with a holographic sticker from the manufacturer ?
12. Do you use email manager software (MS Outlook, Thunderbird, etc) ?
13. Is your computer used by anyone else then you (even for 5 minutes) ?
If you answered yes to either one of the questions from 2 to 13 and no to question number one then you have a 99 % chance to get infected with a virus.
Note that a good trojan doesn't even make you acknowledge it's presence...and if you scan your computer once a week (maximum) your computer is already compromised when it catches the trojan.
I recommend Zone Alarm Security Suite: it features a 3 level firewall, email protection, antivirus and antispyware. The good thing about it is that it doesn't slow down your computer at all (i even tested it on a computer with a 800 Hz Duron processor and 64 mb of RAM and it didn't slow it down at all)