Top Ten excuses why people don't want to secure their computer

This is not my work but that of a Belgian MSVP who works here in Brugge.

This is an indication why our Malware team are always busy.

1. I don't have anything valuable on my computer anyway, so I don't need to worry about someone taking it over.

Actually, you have something very valuable on your computer, especially if you are on a fast internet connection. You have bandwidth. A lot of malware is designed to take over your computer and use it as a server to attack other computer, distribute SPAM or even deliver more malware. It will also steal your data, passwords and account numbers, so the criminals can steal your identity and everything you own. Even if you only use your computer for gaming, there are people now stealing passwords for some computer games so they can steal any reserves you have built up online.

2. The antivirus companies are the ones who put out all those viruses so they can sell their programs anyway. If I install their program, it will install their viruses.

This is mostly one of the silliest myths on the web. It is true that there are rogues that try to trick people into buying their programs by claiming your computer is infected

However, the legit companies wouldn't even consider risking their reputations to make a few extra dollars. If they are recommended by reputable sources, they are going to be safe and useful. You need to be sure the source is reputable though. The people that create viruses and other malware are criminals and many are now part of organized crime gangs that make millions by stealing from people like you.

3. Running a firewall slows down my games.

Most firewalls have settings to allow you to play games without removing that protection. Even a few minutes online without your firewall can leave you infected.

4. The programs are too complicated.

Most programs have simple modes that can be set to update automatically and protect you without you having to do much more than renew a subscription or download a major update about once a year.

5. I don't have any money and the programs are all expensive.

You can assemble a very effective set of security programs for free. Even if you pay a bit for a program, it is a lot less than what you will pay to get your computer fixed and possibly deal with having your accounts cleared out by criminals.

6. I have heard that WinXP Service Pack 2 and 3 will cause problems on computers and I don't want to risk it.

That is sort of like saying I will jump off of the cliff because I don't want to risk slipping on the rocks climbing down. SP2 is probably the most important security update that MicroSoft has released for any version of Windows to date. It is true that it caused problems in the first few months, but it has been out for more than 2 years and it is quite stable now. If you don't have it, you also don't have any number of other security updates and you are almost certain to get infected.

7. I have an illegal copy of WinXP and MS won't let me update it. It isn't fair because they make so much money anyway.

If you are running an illegal copy of Windows, do the rest of us a favor - buy a legal copy. When you get infected, you can become a zombie server for the criminals, distributing malware, SPAM and scams all over the web. If all the zombie systems were shut down today, the quantity of SPAM would slow from a tidal wave to a trickle. Don't contribute to the flood. If you don't believe you can afford a legal copy of WinXP, use a free install of Linux. There is no good reason to put yourself and the rest of us at risk.

8. I have never used security programs and I have never been infected.

Maybe, maybe not. Some of the most effective infections today are essentially invisible on your computer. They don't slow it down in a noticeable way, they don't popup ads and they don't do anything to attract your attention. They do quietly send your personal information to the criminals, they do use your computer as a zombie server and they do own your computer more than you do. The truth is, malware is getting more aggressive, harder to detect, harder to kill and almost unavoidable if you go online at all. If you are not armored, you are probably already infected or you will be.

9. It is my computer and it is only my problem if I get infected, so leave me alone!

Well, not really. It is your computer and it is mainly your problem if you get infected. However, if your computer becomes a server that sprays malware, SPAM and attacks against the rest of us, it becomes our problem too. As soon as you go online, you are part of a community and the decisions you make effect everyone in that community. If you don't mind people messing around with your personal information and possibly using it to steal all that you have, please at least consider the harm you may be doing to the rest of us.

10. I plan to install security programs, I just haven't had time yet.

If you are reading this, you are already online. If you are online, you are already at risk. I once fixed a problem with my firewall and had it uninstalled for a while. I went online for about 10 minutes to download a fresh copy and while I was online, my system was infected with the Welchia worm. TEN minutes I was online, only 10 minutes!! How long have you been running without security??

 

11. I have an Icomputer. I pretend it is an apple product, thus making it impervious from the evils of the interweb. :-D

Good post Bill. It is amazing the justification people have for doing unsafe/stupid things online vs simply installing a firewall and antivirus...

 

Great post Bill.

So many people fail to realize the risks of, shall we say, "naughty browsing".

:-D

 

Based on what I've seen of the problems family members and friends have had with malware... because they are ignorant and stupid about safe surfing!

 

You are correct David it is Mieke who compiled the list.

 

Good post, Bill!

I love #2 . . . I have run into a surprising number of people that believe that.

The biggest reason I have personally found is shear laziness - most people who bring me their infected computers simply won't take the time to learn how to secure them, and hate the kind of pop-ups and warnings they get from firewalls and security programs . . . rolleyes

Of course, the $40.00 I now charge for cleaning repeat offenders is proving to be an incentive to change their habits In addition to a "clean" computer they also get my paper on free security programs and how to install, run, and keep them updated.

I dunno if my charging them has done the trick, or my paper is the effective thing . . . :-D

 

13. I have yet to find an Anti-virus that runs properly on my 64-bit OS.

Seriously, one I had couldn't detect that I had internet, much less that there was a danger to it. Another worked for two days and then broke my computer. Seriously, it kept re-opening itself until I ran out of available RAM and the computer crashed. And a third wouldn't recognize that it was a valid operating system in the first place, in order to install.

14. I have dial-up. I don't have any left-over bandwidth to be stolen.

This one isn't true, and means I have to manually scan my computer for viruses because of the above issues. How we manage to have viruses that work, when anti-viruses don't is beyond me.

 

I could be tempting fate posting this :confused but here goes, CCleaner, Ashampoo, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Sophos, Superantispyware, & Dtweek free all of which I update and use on a regular basis, plus I use Firefox. I defrag every couple of weeks or so, I think I may be a bit paranoid. Is it too much? answers on a disinfected post card please :wave

 

Avast and Avira both run flawlessly on my 64-bit computers.

 

So does kaspersky, and security essentials, try again for the not running properly on 64 bit

 

to tonyhale
What is this Dtweek you mentioned?
Never heard of it and Google was no help.

 

This, maybe? :innocent

 

I have Vista Ultimate 64-bit, and I run AVG just fine.

 

Oh yeah, TrendMicro does as well. Their AV was installed on my laptop when I got it, and I was pleasantly surprised by it, to the point that I now recommend it if someone insists on purchasing an AV for their system.

 

Thanks Mimsy.:-o
But try finding it with his spelling.rolleyes:-D

 

I know. It took me a few attempts :-D

 

Sorry people its been a bad weak and I'm feeling a bit week, maybe I need a Tweak :-D

 

15. There are too many steps to securing my computer, just set my screensave to not prompt for a password when it comes on.

Number one reason why secrets, information get stolen from companies when the "UPS MAN" shows up to deliver a package, when in fact, he's stealing info.

 

A+ for that Tony.:wine:dood

 

Before I would have agreed with you but not now. We have TrendMicro on our work computers and I've been infected 3 times already compared to the never been infected with Avira on my home PCs (a few of my other coworkers have gotten viruses too). The most recent infection was a few days ago when I was checking the chrome tracker (which I've checked dozens of times before) and all of a sudden I got a pop up saying I just installed "windows defender" Uhh, no I didn't. It closed all my programs and wouldn't let me open a thing. I had to hop into safe mode and let MBAM take care of it. TrendMicro didn't pick up a thing or try to stop it.. Since all the infections, I don't trust them the way I did before.

 

Whoa! That's good to know, thanks! If that's the case, I'll probably start sending people to Kaspersky again, instead of TrendMicro... Kaspersky and Nod32 are my constant fall-back AVs.

 

So, who is your favorite?

 

Mine? Avast.

 

You just looove that update voice eh?:-D Used to scare the bejesus out of me at 3AM when I forgot the speakers were left at full!-D The only infection that I've ever had was with Avast but it was easy to take down. I can't personally say anything bad about Avast.

 

LoL! I have heard that voice a few times. :-D I turned it off. I like Avast, pretty good for a freebie.

 

Turning of the update voice is the first thing I do when I install Avast. I leave the sirens on though... it's hilarious when they go off when it finds something. LOL

 

Isn't Avast the one that sounds like a stuck pig when it detects something?

 

Yeps. Crank up your speakers before watching. For the full effect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycs92N_rph8

 

Not the one I thought.
Must have been another program.
The one I'm thinking of had a loud squeal like a pig.
Annoying as h*ll when multiple objects were detected.
Maybe AVG or early AdAware?

 

Imagine it like AOL.

"You've got an infection!"

 

But a great incentive to be careful and not risk infections! :-D

 

A greater incentive to find a replacement program.

 

Sure, sure... if you want to nitpick.

 

:neener:neener:neener

 

∞. I have Ubuntu.

 

And your point?

 

Ot

This just popped into my head. (Not meant to apply to anyone in this thread.) Would be nice if you could have a 'forum firewall'. So when a troll posts, when you scroll down to it, the alarm goes off "Warning: Troll detected!" Or in some of the gun forums I visit, "Warning: Mall Ninja detected!"

OK, get back on topic now. Nothing to see here.

 

It means he's not a PC gamer.

 

Ahh, and I suspect not concerned about attachments he might get and forward to people who are not penguin fans.

 

You're welcome! I just like letting people know what they could possibly getting themselves into. I do love Kaspersky, I don't know much about NOD but have heard nothing but good things.

For me, there are no others... Avira has my heart :heart

Talk about loud sounds, Avira scared the crap out of me the other day. It had warned/saved me when I had tried to download something I thought was safe but it was so loud that I jumped and nearly fell off the bed. LOL