Why would a guy that sold a friend a rebuilt computer....?

Question

a friend of mine was sold a rebuilt computer from someone she knows. This is her first computer..he told her all she needed was a firewall to be safe, no anti-virus or anti-spyware programs. Won't listen to me...says "he's the computer genious, he rebuilds them all the time!" Can you be computer savvy on the mechanics part etc, but stupid on internet usage? Or do you think he just said that so it will mess up and he can get more money from her when it messes up?

I stronly advised her that he was wrong..that I use AVG free and works good for me. and suggested several free anti-spyware programs. I was just wondering the reason why he would tell her that.

Answer 1

I think he's for the $, because every computer tech, knows you need an antivirus and antispyware, besides the firewall.

Answer 2

There are a variety of facets to answering your question. First question is the operating system. If she has windows 2000, Linux or something not XP or Vista, she should be OK. If she has safe surfing practices, she may not have a problem. But, I would agree with you in that having the anti-virus and spyware software in this day and age provides a lot of insurance with minimal or no risk or disruption for no additional cost at all. The only thing you lose is the time to download and up grade. If you have a Duo processor or better, even that time is meaningless.

Maybe the guy wants to spend more time with your friend.

My calm argument to her would be, perhaps you are correct, in that you may not get a virus that penetrates the firewall, but she should also be advised that most viruses that get on computers do penetrate firewalls which virtually everyone has nowadays. The Anti-virus and spyware provides a degree of of insurance in stopping those viruses when there is no downside cost or loss of speed having it. Particularly when there she has plenty of HD space.

Something like this shouldn't stress you out. It's not you're problem. You are just trying to be a good friend-Explain this to her. You sound pretty smart to me

Answer 3

I would tell him by far and away thats the stupidest thing you've ever heard.. Now days Anti-virus and Anti-spy/malware/whatever is a NECESSITY. You can find good free programs all over the net.. just be careful where you get it from. I suggest Spybot search and destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html and for a free anti virus.. there are sooo many. Just make sure to let your friend he doesn't know what hell he's talking about. If someone built me a computer and told me not to worry about anti-virus or other programs... i wouldent give him money for the computer.. period

Answer 4

Depending on the usage and where one visits and what one does with No Virus Software It may run OK for a while but it won't last long.
Unless it is a MAC.

Answer 5

Not having an anti virus or anti spyware is like playing russian roulette.

All of these are free for home use and will work with XP and Vista.

AVG Free is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.

Easy to use, low system resources
Automatic update functionality
Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/us/frt/0

Avast-
avast! 4 Home Edition works for 60 days after the installation in demo mode. You will obtain your FREE license key by E-mail after the registration. The license key is valid for 1 year. After one year you will need to just re-register.
http://avast.com/eng/home-registration.p...

Avira-(recomended)
free-av.com – Protection and security against viruses, worms, Trojans, dialers & more.
http://www.free-av.com/

PC tools-(recomended)
PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition feature highlights
Protects your PC as you are working, surfing and playing
Detects, quarantines, disinfects and destroys Viruses, Trojans and Worms
OnGuard™ protects your computer against threats in real-time.
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

Trend Micro's FREE online virus scanner.(recommended)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/


Free spyware remover.....


SUPERAntiSpyware(recomended)
SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
http://www.superantispyware.com

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware.
http://www.spybot.info/



Adaware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_a...

ewido.(recommended)
Go to the left of the page where it says,"Scan your computer now online
and clean it for free!"
http://www.ewido.net/en/

AVG anti-spyware-
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Edition is a popular free antispyware solution available at no cost to home users and provides a high level of detection capability.
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/us/frt/0
*Never install more than one anti virus, as they may conflict with each other.On the other hand, is always good to use more than one anti spyware.
*You will probably recieve several answers to your question. Whoever helped you the most,please come back and give that person Best Answer.

Answer 6

I would guess he isn't up to date on internet security and the various ways for intrusion. Firewall protect from un-invited guests from entering the network (if setup correctly and updates are kept up to date). but there are tricky ways that people "get" invited and then run havoc on systems.

Answer 7

if he told her that, you might want to assist her to verify that the parts she has are the parts she paid for :)

and that her version of windows is genuine, otherwise she won't be able to get security updates.