So, how important is having a resident, up-to-date anti-malware product for Windows users?
Middlin’. No, seriously.
Here’s a wee experiment I recently did:
- Windows 7 box, mostly updated (I did not accept some problematic M$Office 2010 updates, but then I rarely fire up M$Office).
- Removed all resident anti-malware products.
- Surfed normally for a month.
- Scanned with offline standalone scanners and online scanners from reputable anti-malware companies.
Result? No malware.
A properly-configured modern(ish) browser (Opera 12.17), decent firewalling and simple safe computing practices were all that was needed for me to avoid infections/infestations with malware.