[LennonCook]

Originally posted by Farscry: So-called anti-virus software has never done anything but screw up my computer. So, I just don't run any. I know, I've got a deathwish, but you know what? I wind up reformatting to clean up my computer about every 3-6 months anyway (I love my CDRW for backing up files I want to keep!) because it's the only way to clean up all the crap Windows creates. So if I got a virus that walloped my machine, I'd just shrug and reformat a little earlier than normal. Here are my stats for numbers of times my computer's been screwed up by two culprits: anti-virus software: 4+ viruses: 0 hmmm... interesting trend... Farscry

Thats probably through not having the correct anti-virus software. Nortons and McAffee are the best for most systems,but the registered versions are a must. In both of these, the free downloads are never as good as the bought version, and often contain viruses in the download which prevent you from installing. Also, backups are useful, yes BUT in the event of a realy bad virus/worm, if you dont have Virus protection (or if the virus stops you from using it), you definately have to format WITHOUT BACKING UP. It is impossible to tell where a virus is in your system unless you have anti-virus software. It is also impossible to tell where you got a virus... you cant just say "i got it from this download because thats when I noticed it start doing stuff to my computer", because viruses can be set to attack certain things, and stay dorment until certain times. For example, you may get a virus on the 1st of May, which is set to remain dorment until say, you download something from a certain website, which you dont do until the 23rd of June. Somehow, I dont think youd suspect that original program...