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Looking at the kind of ST Forum letters that had been appearing lately, which completely succeeded in entertaining and amusing me, while at the same time betraying a lack common sense of knowledge on the part of those who wrote the letters, I’ve decided to start a new segment on my blog called ST Forum Discussion, where I share with you guys fantastic letters as well as some discussion. It is inevitable that I may offend some people with my commentary, and for that I apologize in advance.

Anti-virus software fails to protect laptop from attacks

Having bought Norton anti-virus products in the last four years and despite diligently updating the latest software patch and doing my regular computer scan, they have failed in deterring virus attacks on my notebook.

My latest plight was an unusable harddisk plus an infected backup harddisk. It was upon sending my notebook (covered under extended warranty) for repair that the computer technician informed me of the above diagnoses. It was the last thing on my mind as I have often taken precautionary measures when it comes to protecting my data on the computer.

What irks me is that the company makes no effort to respond to my repeated phone calls.

Brian Low Hung Chye

My take:
1) Anti virus programs only deters against known virus. That is why there is a need to update the virus definition file regularly, to enable the program to detect virus that came out into the wild recently. Brian mentioned that he updates his anti virus program regularly. But does he know the actual reasons for the need to do so? Just like condoms and vaccines can fail sometimes, isn’t it acceptable that his anti-virus program fails sometimes?
2) Protection by anti-virus software isn’t as solid as what people think. If I feel like it, I could have just written a virus and send it to any one’s computer, and the anti-virus software will not know it is a virus simply because the definition files do not contain data on it.
3) Your “latest plight”? Seems like you mess up your computer all the time. “I have often taken precautionary measures when it comes to protecting my data on the computer.” You sure? I know you want to protect the valuable porn and office documents on your computer. But preventing virus has got nothing to do with protecting your data. Since most of today’s virus come the internet, it is time you take a look at your surfing habits (visiting too much virus and spyware filled porn sites?) instead of focusing on how to protect your privacy.
4) You have an “unusable harddisk”. The exact reason causing it to be unusable was not specified. Perhaps it was a harddisk failure, brought about by you swing your laptop around too much and not taking good care of it. Most of today’s computer problems were wrongly credited to the doings of virus. In most cases, the users are the ones who are the “virus”.
5) “infected backup harddisk”. I have no idea how a virus would render your harddisk useless, th infect your backup harddisk. For all I know, most virus don’t wretch your harddisk. In general, they mess with your system files. These are in your primary harddisk, not your (porn) backup harddisk.
6) Finally, “What irks me is that” I’ve been using my computer without any anti-virus software for more than 7 years with only 1 mild case of virus attack, which I managed to rectify myself.

On an (almost) unrelated note, lets enjoy this music video by standup comedian Carlos Mencia called The Mind of Mencia. Carlos Mencia’s comedy is more of abrasive racial type, so if you are easily offended, please stay away from it. What I like most bout this show is phrase “Dee Dee Dee” which he made up to call stupid people. NOT retarded, but stupid. There’s a big difference between the two.

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