I don't run AV these days either. I just use MSE also. Dedicated AV programs (all of them) in my experience are more intrusive than a benefit. Common sense and regular vigilence will always be the best defence.

Thanks for the various opinions. I really didn't know that Nod32 had an exclusion list, so I'm going to use that. Why not? Seems like a "no-brainer".

Thanks.

 

Stan

I use AVG and it allows me to exclude the FSX folder while running. Seems fine.

 

Lee

 

Lee,

 

where exactly (Menu path) do you set the exclude in AVG please? I have not been able to use F1 Garmin 530 on the account AVG prevents it

 

Manny

I run F-Secure. You can either exclude programs or just unload the AV and leave the firewall running which is what I do.

Manny, in AVG click on Overview, then click on Anti-virus. Down at the bottom you will see a tab that says Manage Exceptions. You have to add the path to FSX in the menu it provides.

 

Lee

I also use MSE... I've not had any issues on my end but it's found a few things on other people's computers I've serviced.

 

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

To those of you who think you've gotten off "scott-free," by not having any security software - gooooooood luck.

 

Before I retired, I was a security solutions developer for the government. In my opinion, it is just a matter of time before someone gets through your thinly-veiled security and screws up your system. You've been warned.

 

In the past I have used just about every security software package you can name (freeware and payware). I had trouble using all of them. Then I found VIPRE Internet Security. This package is the elephant in the room. I would be greatly surprised if any process or person gets by VIPRE unless you tell it to allow the access.

 

I never disable the program (caveat). I use it when I run FSX with no appearent issue. I use it when I download and install all my software. There's never been a problem - including not placing files in their correct location. Now, my system is a high-end computer using Windows7 so this solution may not be for every person.

 

The caveat - VIPRE, while running, will not allow you to access web content that it feels will compromise your system. That includes downloads you're trying to get as addons for your simulator. This does not apply to every site - only those VIPRE security deems dangerous. If this happens you have two choices. One, roll the dice, deactivate VIPRE, and complete your download. Then re-establish your security. Two, place VIPRE into a "learning mode." VIPRE will attempt to stop your web access but will then let you notify VIPRE that you want to make this particular file or site "safe." This is a very neat trick and not found in most security software.

 

VIPRE provides Internet and e-mail security. Their technical support is the best I have ever used. If something comes up they haven't seen, they will ask you to send them data and then get back to you with solutions. They will even make attempts to download files you're having problems with to see what is going on. This eliminates most of the issues we all have regarding false positives.

 

No, I don't work for GFI but I am a very loyal customer.

 

Frank

To those of you who think you've gotten off "scott-free," by not having any security software - gooooooood luck.

 

Before I retired, I was a security solutions developer for the government. In my opinion, it is just a matter of time before someone gets through your thinly-veiled security and screws up your system. You've been warned.

 

In the past I have used just about every security software package you can name (freeware and payware). I had trouble using all of them. Then I found VIPRE Internet Security. This package is the elephant in the room. I would be greatly surprised if any process or person gets by VIPRE unless you tell it to allow the access.

 

I never disable the program (caveat). I use it when I run FSX with no appearent issue. I use it when I download and install all my software. There's never been a problem - including not placing files in their correct location. Now, my system is a high-end computer using Windows7 so this solution may not be for every person.

 

The caveat - VIPRE, while running, will not allow you to access web content that it feels will compromise your system. That includes downloads you're trying to get as addons for your simulator. This does not apply to every site - only those VIPRE security deems dangerous. If this happens you have two choices. One, roll the dice, deactivate VIPRE, and complete your download. Then re-establish your security. Two, place VIPRE into a "learning mode." VIPRE will attempt to stop your web access but will then let you notify VIPRE that you want to make this particular file or site "safe." This is a very neat trick and not found in most security software.

 

VIPRE provides Internet and e-mail security. Their technical support is the best I have ever used. If something comes up they haven't seen, they will ask you to send them data and then get back to you with solutions. They will even make attempts to download files you're having problems with to see what is going on. This eliminates most of the issues we all have regarding false positives.

 

No, I don't work for GFI but I am a very loyal customer.

 

Frank

 

But I have gotten off 'Scott Free' because I have never been infected, not once - and I have been using the internet on an almost daily basis since it was created. Out of interest though, how many websites have you actually visited which VIPRE considered dangerous and what sort of websites were they? I'm just curious because whenever this subject comes up I always wonder what it is that people are actually doing to get infected and what sort of risks they are taking. I also haven't heard of any freinds or family getting a virus for at least ten years either and some of them are clueless when it comes to security. And yet it's obviously such a huge industry with products like VIPRE, which I've never heard of cropping up all over the place. Makes me wonder where all the fear and paranoia comes from

But I have gotten off 'Scott Free' because I have never been infected, not once - and I have been using the internet on an almost daily basis since it was created. Out of interest though, how many websites have you actually visited which VIPRE considered dangerous and what sort of websites were they? I'm just curious because whenever this subject comes up I always wonder what it is that people are actually doing to get infected and what sort of risks they are taking. I also haven't heard of any freinds or family getting a virus for at least ten years either and some of them are clueless when it comes to security. And yet it's obviously such a huge industry with products like VIPRE, which I've never heard of cropping up all over the place. Makes me wonder where all the fear and paranoia comes from

 

Same here. And I have been using the net since the days of gopher. As many times as the gov's systems have been compromised make me wonder also.

I cannot tell you how many users over the years who have said the very same thing - I've been using the Internet for years and have never had a problem. Thus, I have no need of any security. OK, so it hasn't yet. This same argument is posed by people who don't purchase life insurance or auto insurance. The question is not whether it will happen but when. You may get by year after year - so you're lucky.

 

I don't remember the sites VIPRE prevented access. Some of the sites contained malicious content while some sites had files I tried to download but were deemed dangerous to my system. The percentage of sites I accessed successfuly is very high so most of the time there is no problem. Mainstream flight simulator do not pose a threat.

I guess it's the same argument as those who insist on keeping a gun in the house 'just in case' and yet they are the same people who always end up getting shot. It seems those who insist on keeping an anti-virus running in the background 'just in case' seem to keep coming across viruses!

The main reason why NOd32 is "better" is not due to the exclusion lists, etc but that it has the smallest footprint and background interference when running FSX resulting is less stutters etc. Even when you 'disable" AVG and many others, they leave a memory resident core that can still steal processing time from FSX. Don't have the link handy but NickN went into this a long time ago and the consensus was that NOD32 was preferred simply because a) it was an excellent AV program and B) the least interference with FSX, regardless of exclusions and pass throughs.

 

Vic