Test Case: Running a PC without an anti-virus

[Arch_Angel]

Due to a member asking about running a pc without an anti-virus, I have decided to do a test case that proves this is very much plausible and can be done without too much of a risk.

My argument is, if you practice safe computing techniques, you can all put away your anti-virus and surf safely.

The Case
My initial thoughts on this case, was to do this over the time of a month, giving an online virus scan report at the end of each week, to show that my computer is safe and sound.

I was also thinking of visiting sites that you guys might visit everyday, as part of my surfing habit.

Any other ideas are welcomed.

Safe Computing Practices
Here is a list of some safe computing practices that I do everyday to avoid being infected with a virus.

1. Have a good firewall.
2. If using an email client don't open emails with attachments. Use a free online email provider that will scan your attachments for viruses for you.
3. Disable autorun.
4. Download files from sites that you trust. Downloading cracks, visiting porn sites are risky without an anti-virus.
5. Don't click on links in your messenger if you don't know the site it is taking you to. Also confirm with your friend if they sent the link to you before you visit the site.
6. Use the free online virus scan sites to scan a file or your computer for viruses if you suspect a file is infected or a virus is on your pc.
   I use Jotti's Malware scan to scan individual files: http://virusscan.jotti.org
   Virus Total is also a good online virus scanner. http://www.virustotal.com/
   I use Trend Micro's Housecall to scan my entire computer for viruses if I suspect I have one: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
7. DON'T use IE as your main browser.
8. Stay up-to-date with Windows Update.

Viruses enter your pc in the following ways:

• Through email attachments
• Through links sent to you via messenger
• Through activex when using IE
• Through files you download
• Through usb devices you plug into your computer
• Through other networked computers

If you guard yourself through each of these entries, you CAN use your computer safely.

My Current System
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Firewall: Comodo
Network
At home: Connected to a network of 4 windows computers which are running Zonealarm free and Avast Anti-virus.
At school: Connected to school network when at school.

My Previous System
OS: Windows XP Professional with SP3
Firewall: Zonealarm Professional
Network: Connected to a network of 4 windows computers which are running Zonealarm free and AVG free.

I'll post my scan results at the end of each week.

Topic is open for discussion.

[kilaj1]

Not sure of the OS your using, but you can also log into a limited access account vs a admin account.

[Arch_Angel]

Not sure of the OS your using, but you can also log into a limited access account vs a admin account.

Yeah I should mention that.

Using Windows XP with Service Pack 3.

A limited account is way too limited for everyday tasks. And having to logout and log back in to an admin account to do certain tasks like installing a program or a game, is too cumbersome.

The option Run as Administrator doesn't fully work as it only allows the selected file to be run as an admin, but if that program uses system files or runs other programs, then those are also denied access.

[kilaj1]

You can right click and get the option for applications as well, annoying yes but there is a registry entry you can make to have that option display all the time...let me look it up, it what my company uses, we have an admin account and limited user account on all our systems.


edit: wrong thing i was thinking of, the reg edit actually lets you run a program in another process, when explorer crashes for example.
But holding shift then right clicking should bring up the Run As... option on any application. If that fails you can assign the account so certain security groups, for network support add them to the network operators group, or if you need more right than that but not admin, add it to the power users.

[Skele Drew]

Install MasterYourWindows which detects any new entries added to startup locations (including services) and asks your action (Accept | Disable | Delete) when the computer restarts (doesn't prevent running though).

[Anubis]

My question is is step 6. a recommendation or is step 6 being used solely as a means to provide a weekly/monthy reports of your computer status because the experiment here is using your computer without an anti-virus so whether it is locally installed or online it should be used for this experiment?

[CrowMagnum]

I approve of this. My AV (Kaspersky) alerts me upon infection attempts, and I don't get any alerts. It can be done, but we don't suggest you do.

Yo, Archy, if it blows up, you know where I am, just drop it here.

[kilaj1]

My question is is step 6. a recommendation or is step 6 being used solely as a means to provide a weekly/monthy reports of your computer status because the experiment here is using your computer without an anti-virus so whether it is locally installed or online it should be used for this experiment?

I think thats more or less the idea, hes still not installing a anti-virus on his system

[Arch_Angel]

An online anti-virus is needed for the 1 off occasion you need to clean a virus, but not needed for the day-to-day running of your pc.

For example, my thumb drive which I must use at my IT class, whose computers are riddled with viruses, I will clean with the online virus scanner.

Yo, Archy, if it blows up, you know where I am, just drop it here.

LOL. Guys, I keep my AV turned off for the past 10 years so this is nothing new for me. Only to clean my thumb drive is when I needed it.

[CrowMagnum]

Well if it works, maybe you could convince Chris to make a front page report of it. It would give TJ some publicity from a random Google search.