Slime to none, esp if you have a router with a firewall. I haven't used AV in about 3 years. As long as you dont go opening random files or go to bad websites, youll be fine. Besides, now a days, if you actually do get a virus, most anti-viruses won't help you, as you'll still get the virus and removing them now a days is next to impossible without a format.

Thanks red1- what I was hoping to hear! I'm hard cabled to a very new Motorola SB5102 modem supplied by my ISP. So no router- no firewall there? This ISP offers a free anti virus but I wonder if it is worth it. It looks like I may have gained a tad in Flight Sim FPS since uninstalling AVG and on my ancient computer that's not to be sneezed at! And I'm far too old to go looking at girlie sites!Cheers Alex Reid

And I'm far too old to go looking at girlie sites!Cheers Alex Reid

Well then you are 99% safe :(...by the way, I never thought you could be too old?! :(

Well then you are 99% safe :(...by the way, I never thought you could be too old?! :(

It has been reported that looking at girlie sites can cause a system ID 10 T error.Alex

AlexYou are probably OK. Some things to keep in mind.1. You can get a virus from anywhere. I was looking for ukelele parts and I caught something. On a uke site, for crying out loud.B. Macs and Linux systems don't suffer the way PCs do, but they can pass on a virus to you and they won't even know it.3. If you catch a virus soon enough, you can indeed get rid of it without a format. Although a format every once in awhile is not all bad.D. Seems to me that older systems just don't run newer software very well. I would try to find some simple AV. The laptop I have AVG on is more that 5 years old. My wife and my daughter both have newer laptops. I'll probably look for some different AV for it. I'll let you know.Bob

AlexYou are probably OK. Some things to keep in mind.1. You can get a virus from anywhere. I was looking for ukelele parts and I caught something. On a uke site, for crying out loud.B. Macs and Linux systems don't suffer the way PCs do, but they can pass on a virus to you and they won't even know it.3. If you catch a virus soon enough, you can indeed get rid of it without a format. Although a format every once in awhile is not all bad.D. Seems to me that older systems just don't run newer software very well. I would try to find some simple AV. The laptop I have AVG on is more that 5 years old. My wife and my daughter both have newer laptops. I'll probably look for some different AV for it. I'll let you know.Bob

Bob- The techs at my ISP allowed that their anti virus does eat up some horsepower. They suggested AVAST as an alternate. Any one know anything on this?Alex

AlexAs I said, I use Avast on my FS computer, and other family member computers. It updates everyday with a voice notification that can be annoying. But it seems to work OK, and is easy to turn off with one click if you want.Bob

AlexAs I said, I use Avast on my FS computer, and other family member computers. It updates everyday with a voice notification that can be annoying. But it seems to work OK, and is easy to turn off with one click if you want.Bob

Bob- Thanks for the recommendation. I've had an anti virus (Norton or AVG) for the past 10 years. In that time I have never had a warning that I had contracted a computer "social disease." So I have to think the threat is modest for me. But I suppose even talking about it may increase the risk!I even skipped the free H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine available to us seniors this past winter! Living dangerously perhaps?And thanks also to all who offered their input to my query. AVSIM, you are a winner!Alex Reid