Are computer viruses a scam?

Question

I know someone else asked a similar question but I would like to add a few more details. I believe that computer viruses are a scam and companies like Norton and McAffe make tons of money off of basic computer users because they don't any better. The first point I would like to support my claim is the fact that most computer viruses are purely an inconvenience. They don't stel information or email addresses, the don't stop you from working on important tasks, nor do they stop your computer from working. Most of them hit you with annoying pop ups and inappropriate images. If I were a criminal minded virus created wouldn't I want to damage something or at least get a credit card number or two? Also wouldn't I want to be able to see the effects of my handy work?

Answer 1

Harmless? A scam? Hardly. At one time it was "script kiddies" but no longer.

Today it's all about making money. Perhaps Eugene Kaspersky, founder of anti-virus maker Kaspersky Labs said it best, " It's a different world today. 10 years ago, we were fighting against smart kids who hacked as a hobby. Now, we're dealing with criminal gangs that control your computer to make money. Different world, different protections."
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2074772,00.asp?kc=EWEWEMNL121806EP24A

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

LOL
No, they are not a scam. Little kiddies love to just send out viruses and have ignorant people download and execute so they can't use thier computer anymore. Back in the 90's they even created applications that would make a virus for you. And you do reference a couple of features in your question that relate only to spy ware and adware, which is a completely different program. They came out of viruses, but they are not viruses. And holding an anti-virus company to the standards of an anti-spyware and anti-adware standards will not hold water. that is why they make different programs for spyware and viruses.

Answer 4

Do you *really* think viruses do no harm? Even a virus that uses all of your processor time trying to spread itself to other PCs? Do you really wnt to upgrade your PC just because it's full of virusues stealing your resources?

Do you *really* not mind your PC becoming a vehicle for others to use to attack organisations they don't like?

Do you *really* not mind all the data you type into your PC being collected by someone else?

Well, if you don't pay any attention to what viruses are on your PC that's gonna happen to you. All of the above have happened to friends and colleagues.

And why is it a scam when companies like AVG or Panda allow you to check your PC for viruses for free? How are they making money out of you?

Answer 5

Computer viruses are NOT a scam.

I have been hit 5 times by viruses over the years, 2 of them munged my system so badly that I had to do a complete re-install to recover the use of my system.

Protect your system, use a hardware firewall (such as LinkSys) and an anti-virus app

Answer 6

get on an Apple and you will never worry about a virus again. i did. true story.

people make viruses for lots of reasons. attention, or because they can, or for the infamy, as a cruel joke, and who knows why else.

the bottom line is it happens. don't let stuff like this keep you from using and enjoying computers and the net.

good luck

Answer 7

You odviously haven't had one turn your computer into a paperweight yet. Go without a antivirus program for a while and enjoy the effect.
YES THEIR REAL.

Answer 8

i think of it rather is a rip-off siince we were getting calls to- possibility- possibility. They the two choose to return over or log on your workstation. Get some loose loose non- intrusive suggestion off the Asystematics websites.

Answer 9

yea it might be

norton and mcafee are absolute garbage at detecting viruses too...so if they can't detect their own, it wouldn't be a scam

use Avast!

and comodo firewall

thats all you need

Answer 10

yer talkin about spyware, not viruses or trojans or worms.
good luck.