Thinkpads Forum

I just purchased a new T60 and I have no idea how to download an anti virus program w/o getting infected while doing so. I usually have someone else do this type of work for me, but he is not available until next week, and I want to use my new notebook now. Besides, I'd like to try and do this myself.

I was going to install Norton Internet Security Suite, but since decided against it. I still don’t know whose AV I should use, or firewall, and something to scan Outlook as well.

I am connected through a router but not sure if that is secure enough w/o an anti virus program already running to proceed w/the necessary downloads.

Maybe I should wait until my computer guy can get to it. Or maybe this is not a complicated as I’m making it out to be.
Any Suggestions?

I wouldn't worry about downloading and installing from a reputable company. The router does provide a buffer against direct attacks.

I'm pretty sure that the T60 comes with Norton Anti-virus preloaded - have you looked?

I don't use virus protection programs but instead rely on common sense when downloading and running stuff. Also, keeping up with Windows Updates is important. Anti virus programs are one of the most crufty things you can put on your computer and usually create more problems than they are worth (failed installs, obtrusive pop-ups, slow downs while scanning, annual subscription fee, false alarms, etc) IMO. There is a nice free online scanner at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ that you can use occasionally as needed but it won't protect against downloads.

That said, if you are an inexperienced PC user its probably best to get some protection. Try and find something that has basic services like scanning and download protection but doesn't take over your machine!

T60 does come with Symantec Corporate version, which is a good and non intrusive AV program.

Not all routers stop malicious attacks unless they are specifically enabled to do so.

I'd use the Corporate version if you are a novice computer user, it is a good program. Personally I agree with some of what WPWood says, browsing habits do have a lot to do with picking up something bad, but normal/average user should have some forms of protection against spyware/malware/virus.

Anti virus programs are one of the most crufty things you can put on your computer and usually create more problems than they are worth (failed installs, obtrusive pop-ups, slow downs while scanning, annual subscription fee, false alarms, etc) IMO

Well, I disagree. Besides the associated fees, the only major drawback of anti-viruses is loss of performance wihich shouldn't be normally an issue. AVs are optional only for expert users, and by expert I mean someone who could clean his/her own system when getting infected without an AV! I do agree that an updated OS is unlikely (or at least to some extent unlikely) to get infected by worms, but that simply isn't enough.

I don't use virus protection programs but instead rely on common sense when downloading and running stuff.

That may help for downloading, but what about email attachements? One approach would be not accepting email attachments, but not everybody can do that! Besides not everyone could diffrentiate between executable and non-executable attachements. Even if they do, what about URLs in the emails pointing to malicious content?

Final word, in todays Internet, AV is a must for the majority of the users. Even if you are extremely good in technical stuff, you should think about what would happen IF you would make a mistake. What if you accidentally run a malicious software. This kind of mistakes can easily happen when you get tired, for example when you are working midnight.

PS: Routers do NOT stop viruses at all. Routers are basically Layer 3-4 devices, virus protection requires application layer (layer 7) inspection. Even routers running secuity enhanced images provide very basic protection. Your network would need an AV gateway to stop viruses for a network bsaed protection. However that would provide protection as long as you are staying within that network; if you move your notebook to another network you don't have any protection.

Hamid

Hamid wrote:PS: Routers do NOT stop viruses at all. Routers are basically Layer 3-4 devices, virus protection requires application layer (layer 7) inspection. Even routers running secuity enhanced images provide very basic protection. Your network would need an AV gateway to stop viruses for a network bsaed protection. However that would provide protection as long as you are staying within that network; if you move your notebook to another network you don't have any protection.
Hamid

As long as your router hides ports (consumer routers do this by default) you are pretty safe from direct attacks, as I mentioned above.

Thanks everyone..................this has been very helpful!