Does Anti-Virus Software Still Matter?

Using a computer without an anti-virus program? That’s like driving without a seatbelt — or jumping out of a plane without a parachute, right?

As users become more knowledgeable about safe computing practices, and as anti-virus solutions vendors ratchet up the general level of hacker hysteria, many people are reconsidering their system security options.
Some computer users complain about the cost of antivirus solutions, while others are more concerned about the technology's impact on their machines. It's certainly no secret that anti-virus tools place a big strain on processor and memory resources and are capable of slowing older machines to a crawl. A growing number of computer users are thinking about giving anti-virus software the old heave-ho.

A New Vista. Antivirus software skeptics got a big boost last year when Microsoft co-president Jim Allchin stated that Windows Vista's new security features are so strong that anti-virus software is no longer required. In fact, he boldly claimed that he would have no problem letting his seven-year-old son use a Vista computer without any antivirus software installed.
Allchin based his belief on Vista's formidable security arsenal. The operating system's new anti-virus features include the User Account Control, which defaults users to a non administrator status. Without administrative rights, users can't accidentally (or deliberately) modify system settings, malware can't alter system security settings or disable antivirus software (should it be installed), and users can't compromise the information of other users on shared computers.
Microsoft also has made significant security improvements to Internet Explorer, including a new Protected Mode that can reduce the impact of malware by restricting where files can be saved without the user's consent. Additionally, Vista can clean many worms, viruses and root kits, helping ensure the operating system's integrity and the privacy of users' data. Vista's Windows Defender helps protect host computers against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. Defender features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against detected spyware, and a streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions.
Still, Microsoft is backing away from any claim that add-on anti-virus software isn't necessary for full system protection. In fact, the company offers its own anti-virus service in the form of Windows Live OneCare. The service, aimed at home users and small businesses, features an anti-virus program, a firewall, a backup-and-restore utility, a tune-up utility and integrated functionality with Windows Defender for malware protection. Most major independent antivirus vendors also serve the Vista market, claiming their solutions fill gaps left open by Microsoft.

Beyond Vista. When it comes to non-Vista computers, the need for virus protection varies in accordance with the type of system being used. XP users, for instance, will certainly benefit from anti-virus software, since the older operating system lacks most of Vista's built-in safeguards. Many Linux users, on the other hand, feel perfectly safe running their machines without any antivirus protection. It's not that Linux features some kind of virus-proof shield; it's simply that there are so few Linux users (at least in comparison to Windows users) that most hackers can't be bothered to create Linux malware.
Many Macintosh users also eschew the need for anti-virus solutions. Like their Linux counterparts, they hope that safe computing practices, combined with their systems' low profile (when compared to Windows), will keep their machines safe — or at least safe enough.
So does anti-virus software still matter? Well, to quote Clint Eastwood as "Dirty Harry" Callahan: "You've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky?"

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