Are Firms Too Reliant On Anti-Virus Software?

from the well,-of-course dept

ZaneK writes "A Sophos senior virus researcher says that anti-virus software cannot be relied upon to keep networks virus-free: "I always say, 'Do not rely on antivirus software'. In 99 per cent of cases you cannot. The problem is we have to see a virus before we can detect it. If antivirus is in place, it may not detect [a virus] because it may be very targeted for you."" The most annoying thing about this is that this isn't a new idea. Anyone who feels protected because of their antivirus software is only asking for trouble -- yet, suddenly it's newsworthy when one security company comes out and admits what everyone should know already?

4 Comments | Leave a Comment..


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  1.  

    anti-virus software

    identicon
    malhombre, Sep 9th, 2005 @ 2:23pm

    Weeel, we here of ginormous compooter expertise certainly should be aware of the fact that all virus detection code is mainly post facto, but how many mom-n-pop operations are relying on their whiz-kid relative to do IT ("he knows everything about computers!)?
    It does serve a useful purpose to announce these otherwise obvious things every now and then, if only to alert the newbies and the naive, perhaps.

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    Antivirus

    identicon
    jean, Sep 12th, 2005 @ 11:17pm

    Now NOw nOw NOw

    antivirus is a good choice, we need somebody to tell us hey there is trouble.....
    BUT
    If the users have been educated quite enough then the virus attack is very limited possibly close to 0%
    this is tested
    :O

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    Antivirus

    identicon
    Mys_.bat, Mar 25th, 2007 @ 10:42am

    So tell me what are the best recomended ways for defending against hacks and viruses? If there is no limit to what a home user will spend to defend whats on his or her computer wahts the general consensus? Please feel free to contact me

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Mick, Jan 27th, 2010 @ 1:08pm

    Sophos makes a high quality antivirus product but the rep is correct simply because you cannot protect people from themselves. Despite what level of protection you have, human error or maliciousness can always usurp software.

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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