Two Minute Drill: Five Things to think about regarding Anti-Virus software

re: Two Minute Drill: Five Things to think about regarding Anti-Virus software

Ben Voigt [C++ MVP] — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:57:18 GMT

Beyond performance hits due to use of extra resources, you didn't address that many A/V programs change behavior in subtle ways, breaking the semantic guarantees of the Windows API. For example, keeping file open and locked after the client application has closed all handles.

Some A/V programs also use inappropriate methods of intercepting data, including kernel patching, which introduce bugs into the OS especially when OS updates are installed and the patch is then applied to different code from that for which it was designed and tested.

It's not Microsoft's role to review the effectiveness of A/V software, but you certainly could call out certain products and vendors that are known to actually break the system in these ways.

re: Two Minute Drill: Five Things to think about regarding Anti-Virus software

Rosario — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:22:41 GMT

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re: Two Minute Drill: Five Things to think about regarding Anti-Virus software

Doug Woodall — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:13:51 GMT

It is indeed hard for the casual user to pick the right product. So many are also getting tricked into rogue products.

But Im glad to see that more users seem to be taking the time to at least try and pick the right product that will keep them safe online.