$$$VIRUS$$$

Forum: water cooler
Topic: $$$VIRUS$$$
started by: andrewphoto

Posted by andrewphoto on Oct. 05 2005,12:48

The other day, I heard somewhere, can't remember where, that 50% of software sales is anti-virus software.
FIRST time I went on the net was only the other month, with DSL, FANTASTIC.
Trying not to use up too much time trawling this subject, but a five minute google coughed up annual US software sales at $200 to $240 to $330.7 billion.
So if Norton and the likes are raking in like 165.35 billion bucks a year, my question is, I mean, like, we've had computers now not for 2 minutes, but like, 15 YEARS; who/what/where etc. these viruses come from?

??
I am not cynical by nature, I have faith in human nature, but I am sceptical (Greek verb; skeptome - to think.)
Personally speaking, I find this 'topic' MOST INTERESTING.
Would I ever purchase anti-virus software - not a cat in Hells chance.
Looks to me like scullduggery and perhaps anti-Christ, and God knows what?
Do I believe that Norton and that are Holier than Thou, not a cat in Hells chance.
I hope y'all catch my gist.
Would gratefully love to see some wax lyrical down this thread re this matter, like I said, one of my TOP interests.
P.s. Love and Light to Y'All. AndyP.
P.p.s. Take No Prisoners.

Posted by Borderpatrol on Oct. 05 2005,13:35

People buy because they are scared into needing it.

Posted by andrewphoto on Oct. 05 2005,14:08

Mmm, fear.
Primal emotion.

Checkout the Fear & Love lifeline in 'Donnie Darko,' surely a work of GENIUS, and from quite a young guy. If you think it's a dark movie, well, read, wikipedia.
Love the movie, think it's one of the very best, for ages.
Can't wait for 'V for Vendetta.'

Posted by salan3 on Oct. 06 2005,12:16

I spent yesterday evening removing over 1040 (yes 1040) spyware hooks from a friends system (XP Home). He has antivirus and internet security included with his broardband. No antispyware though! He has noew though!
I think that spyware is more of a threat then viruses these days. Long live DSL!
Alan

Posted by Your Fuzzy God on Oct. 06 2005,15:18

Check out my website:

< http://www.mainframecomps.com >

and go to Repair-->Protection.

There we have some of our FAQs. This is a flyer we hand out that talks about these sorts of problems.

There is NO need to EVER BUY an antivirus or antispyware program. The best ones on the market work on donations. Mostly people are mislead by places like the geek $quad that hire high school kids with 0 experience with any type of computer. These places cost the average computer user hundreds to thousands of dollars a year because of their ignorance and that's how they profit. If all you know how to do is install window$, don't try and repair a computer. These companies make me sick.

Don't shop Best Buy,

Posted by mikshaw on Oct. 06 2005,15:32

typo:
< http://www.mainframecomps.com/ >

Your "no need to ever buy" statement threw me off for a minute. At first i thought you meant that there was never a need to use antivirus software...i think the capitals drew my eyes away from "buy" =o)

Posted by Your Fuzzy God on Oct. 06 2005,15:55

Thanks mikshaw, I edited my post per your comments. I get a little over-zelous when talking about these big "computer 'repair'" companies. They make me want to stab someone in the eye with the #2 pencil I use for editing.

--EDIT--

I seriously need to update that page.

Posted by chickenman on Oct. 07 2005,07:23

Heres another typo, i suppose;

"Why make these prgms?" on the protection page

I dont know if you delibratly did that to be super cool, part of the sms generation etc...

Posted by Your Fuzzy God on Oct. 07 2005,15:47

chickenman: "prgms" is only on the website (not the flyers) because we couldn't fit "programs" in the space we had (too many letters). Although, I may start telling people I did it to be super cool.

Posted by DrJimmy on Oct. 11 2005,22:17

I once payed for McAffe Antivirus. Never again. Open source rocks.

Posted by meestermole on Oct. 18 2005,01:52

Yes, it's fear and ignorance that keep people religiously shelling out thier hard earned cash for these worthless 'wares. I've been saying for years that the biggie AV companies are probably the ones spreading a virus. It's like the mafia - you're paying for potection, but they're the ones you need protection from!
I find it ridiculous that someone would pay ANY amount of money for something like that. I dont know how many times I've found virii on PCs that are "up to date" with a bigname AV. Free stuff found more. Hmph.

Now they're trying to get on the Spyware/Malware removal bandwagon. It's really kind of sad, because the detection routines suck - nothing even CLOSE to what AdAware or Spybot would find. If it manages to detect (something) then the person thinks they have a virus. It's plain stupid. They try to bundle everything into one major sucky resource hog and sell it to someone on a "subscription" basis.
The whole scam makes me sick. If people werent paying the antivirus companies - i bet there would be less viruses-heh- supply & demand.