This Guy Says I don't Need any AV or Malware Software

Stigg · Apr 9, 2023

Let me get this out of the way. I don't use an anti-virus (including Windows Defender), and I haven't done in decades.
I find them more of a hindrance than a help, and a waste of resources.

My computers all run with scheduled system backups, and in the last 20+ years, I have NEVER had to restore a backup due to a virus or other malware.

Regarding the bit at the end of the video where he disables malware startup entries using Task Manager.
That is not a clean way of removing startup entries of the malware that he deliberately installed. He should have known better than that.

You need to look for the Windows load points such as the startup folder, scheduled tasks or the registry and remove it properly.

If it's loading from the registry, these are the three places it will most likely be.

Code:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Fabler2 · Apr 9, 2023

idgat said:
Well, there's this dufus's credibility shot to pieces ....

Absolutely true......

hdmi · Apr 9, 2023

The kind of malware that he chose to use to deliberately infect his PC was clearly not the kind of ransomware that blocks all user input (mouse and keyboard actions) outside of something like maybe a fullscreen warning message demanding you to pay a ransom fee via whatever it is that the hackers want you to use next to let them steal your money from you. I ran into a malicious webpage like that one time in the past, it was a very long time ago. But because I was running my browser under the supervision of Sandboxie (now called Sandboxie-Plus, which can be downloaded from GitHub for free) it just took to reboot and empty the sandbox. No further cleanup was required. Had I downloaded a malicious executable file and migrated the file out from my sandbox before choosing to open the file, then it would've been a completely different story of course. But that's the whole key: I don't use the file migration feature (Quick Recovery) of Sandboxie-Plus on any files that I know might be infected. When in doubt, I can still upload the file on VirusTotal if needed. To be able to do that, I don't need to migrate the file out of the sandbox.

I still keep Windows Defender's real-time scanning enabled as my 2nd line of defense, though. But I stopped using 3rd party AV suites way over a decade ago, as these things are specialized in just one thing. It is to cause problems where previously there weren't any. If all else fails, I still have my bootable USB flash drive with Ventoy that allows me to boot straight into the bootable Rescue Media ISO file of Acronis True Image 2021, and can perform a full system restore from there. But I never actually even had to do that, as I don't download any malware or viruses like I said. Simply knowing your filetypes (and what filetypes can contain executable code or script commands) in concert with knowing what to download from where (and what not to download from anywhere) already goes a very, very long way. With Sandboxie-Plus, it takes a bit of extra effort to get to know how it works. It's easier if you choose the Classic variant, which is the same as the Plus but simplified so advanced features that were added in the Plus are hidden from the UI. As a matter of fact, even if you got the Plus, it is still possible to use Classic UI by running SbieCtrl.exe instead of SandMan.exe so there you go, it's all set and done. lol

Try3 · Apr 9, 2023

PvtJohnTowle said:
This Guy Says I don't Need any AV or Malware Software

Similarly, I have been eating apples & pears without washing them for decades without any ill-effects that I have been aware of.
But I acknowledge that not washing them might not be safe so I could never recommend such action to others.
When everything is based on probabilities involving changeable & little-understood factors, only mass trials could possibly establish what is "safe" and any conclusions might be so heavily caveated that they would be difficult to use in deciding how to proceed.
This all applies equally to malware protection. Some people have happily run without any for years without any ill-effects that they have been aware of.

I use Windows security [Defender] and I occasionally do a scan with Malwarebytes to get a second opinion [because it found malware that Windows 7 MSSE did not find in about 2014].

All the best,
Denis

ThrashZone · Apr 9, 2023

PvtJohnTowle said:
He used Malwarebytes to scan his computer for Malware and 134 items came up but didn't use it to remove the malware, instead using something called "Tron Script" Why didn't he use MB to remove the malware , instead of downloading additional programs to do this same task? I am a bit confused as a novice. This Tron Script downloads something called "McAfee Stinger" Part of this Tron Script is using CCleaner as well. When he opens his task manager at the end of the video , he disables BitTorrent Web but leaves something called "Program" enabled which doesn't appear to be a valid startup..

Hi,
Well mbam can throw false positives so it is best to review the finding and not block automatically
I frankly remove as much as possible of windows defender and just use mbam pro with ublock origin in browsers
Here's an example of mbam false positives blocking malicious software removal tool from updates triggers a couple.

Other than that I'd say the dude is a loon and been on linux to long :zany:

Although you can use a standard user account and be really close to linux user level.

TraderGary · Apr 9, 2023

I'm comfortable with Microsoft Security (Defender) and have never had a problem.

Edwin · Apr 9, 2023

My PC's run fine with Windows Security...,
... I don't give the issue a second thought.

NavyLCDR · Apr 9, 2023

I haven't actually needed the seatbelt in my car for over 25 years - so I should stop wearing it. I haven't needed the spare tire in over 25 years either, so I should just toss it to save weight. I have never had to use either fire extinguisher in my house, so I should just toss them. Oh, I forgot about the smoke detectors that have never detected smoke - no need to put batteries in those.
I don't use any extra protection on my computers except Windows defender, but just because I have not experienced any viruses, I think I will just leave it running anyway.

rezpower · Apr 9, 2023

best way to deal with malware and viruses is be correctly protected and to not get infected in the first place. This guy is showing the last possible solution as THE Solution! Even in the case of an infection I prefer restoring a clean backup image and not take the risk of missing out something!

cereberus · Apr 9, 2023

When people tell you you do not need AV or malware protection, think of it like safe sex with a condom.

Also remember these idiots spouting such rhetoric are not risking your money!

neves · Apr 9, 2023

This happened not so long ago:

And that was suppose to be a legit app - used by multiple major corporations to communicate with their clients and partners.

Sure, a backup can restore the functionality of your OS, but that's about it. If personal data was stolen (even credit card details and such) - none of current backup solutions can revert time and erase the mind of the culprit. Even tho AV solutions took awhile to detect it - that's still better than no defense. It's not like every malware - we'll fk with your system or try to annoy you with pop-ups (unless that's their only purpose). Some act like keyloggers and such. Could take months - without raising any suspicion - until they finally use your credit card or by some accident - you bump into some of your private photos on the internet. This is stuff that already happens and keeps happening. Even recently - with above situations - who knows what the people using 3CX end-up loosing - while behind confident about the apps they have installed coming from a legit source.