Years ago I had mucho problems with virus scan programs interaction with other programs etc. Have seen for more problems with virus scan programs than I have ever seen with virus. As a result I have not use a virus scan for many years. I absolutely never open an attachment that I do not know is coming or that I do not know what is in it. This policy has annoyed some of my friends over the years, but on at least a half dozen times it has save me. And I keep my operating system up dated with security patches. My server now scans all my e-mail, and also catches Spam for me. I would imagine most servers have scanning soft ware too.
So ,,In reading the post by Silver Moonsong about problems with a virus scan program I am wondering if everyone think such a thing is necessary?
Jax

I do have a free virus scan now that someone recommended but I went for years without one and have never ever had a virus. I am on AOL so my mail does not automatically download when I open it. I do not open any mail from addresses I do not recognize, and I don't download files from people I do know unless it is something I was expecting. I never download files from friends who have forwarded the mail from someone else, especially zip files, even if I know all the people involved. I do download music online which is basically why I got a scan. Otherwise, I am careful about downloading programs online. It's good to have a virus scan but if it gives you more problems than it's worth, I believe you can do without one. You just have to use common sense and consider the source of files you want to download.

I've often thought I could make do without an anti-virus program but, on balance, think its best to keep one handy. I don't have it monitoring all file opening/viewing activity in the background though. This is mainly because I have a rather slow computer and it produces a noticeable delay while it does its job.

However, I do use it to scan downloaded programs and file attachments before opening them. Even if I know the person who sent an attachment I still scan it for viruses in case a virus is being passed on unwittingly. Also, I always feel a bit more secure if I scan a program downloaded from the Internet before installing it. I scan it when the download is un-zipped too, just in case I'm missing something. Over cautious perhaps but better safe than sorry.

I think the main danger from viruses comes within the first year or so of owning a computer. Computer novices aren't familiar with the tricks used to get viruses onto computers. After that period, people are a bit more 'wised up' on how not to get caught. Maybe the importance of an antivirus program does fade a bit after that. Personally though, even though I've been around computers for a while, I still prefer to keep an updated antivirus program for the purposes described. I occasionally even do a complete scan of the hard drives.

My computer has never had a virus but I wouldn't put it past the cleverness of virus writers to find a way of getting one there. I think with all the precautions I take they wouldn't find me the easiest of targets though.

Having been sent some classics, I now have had one for a year or so. It usually scans the system once a week. The first time it found and fixed about 3, but none found since, but tonight I was downloading from 'a popular download site' when 3 programmes I tried in a row were caught before thy got into my system. Had I not had a virus checker who knows what I'd have suffered otherwise.
So in my experience it's better to try a few different programmes until you find one that works with your other software. Norton has never interfered with my running, but though a trial of Mcaffee was effective, it destroyed infected programmes and I had to reload them. That is why I ended up not using it as Norton somehow removes the infection without half the programme as well.