[pianotech] Possible antivirus software misconceptions

[Duaine Hechler]

It's fairly simple.........

Other OS'es like Linux and Mac (since it is a derivative of UNIX / Linux) have no idea what to do with "Windows" virus / 
worms, etc.

To get a little deeper in to it..........

"___.bat"     "____.exe"     "___.dll" are "executables" and Linux / UNIX do NOT know how to operate on these types of 
executables,

The Linux / UNIX "___.so" is more or less equivalent of the "___.dll" in Windows.

And, any of the MS Office macros are ignored by Linux's OpenOffice / LibreOffice.

As I've stated many times before, I'm going on 13+ years with NO antivirus software - and - NO viruses / worms / etc.

Oh, and yes, there are antivirus software packages for Linux / UNIX, which referencing above, I have never used one 
(even though, I'm connected to the internet 24/7 and download stuff all the time).

Duaine

P.S. There is a program called VirtualBox (virtualbox.org) that I run within Linux to run a virtual "real" copy of 
Windows XP - for all my "windows" needs.

On 01/08/2013 11:36 AM, tnrwim at aol.com wrote:
> Duaine
> you said.
> "SO bottom line, antivirus software is as good as the ONLY known viruses
> - thus being forever in "responsive" or "reactive" mode.
>
> Furthermore, the ONLY way to get out of this "reactionary" or "catch 22"
> mode is to get off Windows."
> If the anti virus software only catches known viruses on Windows, wouldn't anti virus software only catch known 
> viruses on any other operating system?  What's the difference?
> Wim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Duaine Hechler <dahechler at att.net>
> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Sent: Tue, Jan 8, 2013 6:16 am
> Subject: [pianotech] Possible antivirus software misconceptions
>
> When my brother-in-law was still on Windows using AVG antivirus
> software, he kept complaining about STILL getting viruses, worms, etc.
>
> In case you didn't know, antivirus software is a "reactionary"
> software package.
>
> They ONLY handle KNOWN viruses, worms, etc.
>
> Meaning that if someone writes a NEW virus and it infects your
> computers, you can't blame it on the antivirus software (because they
> don't know about it yet).
>
> That virus that just hit you (and others) has to be reported and/or
> discovered by the antivirus software companies. THEN they have to write
> a "trap" for that virus, THEN roll it out to you as an update.
>
> SO bottom line, antivirus software is as good as the ONLY known viruses
> - thus being forever in "responsive" or "reactive" mode.
>
> Furthermore, the ONLY way to get out of this "reactionary" or "catch 22"
> mode is to get off Windows.
>
> -- 
> Duaine Hechler
> Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ
> Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
> Reed Organ Society Member
> Florissant, MO 63034
> (314) 838-5587
> dahechler at att.net  <mailto:dahechler at att.net>
> www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com  <http://www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com>
> --
> Home & Business user of Linux - 10 years
>
>
>
>
>
>


-- 
Duaine Hechler
Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
(314) 838-5587 / dahechler at att.net / www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
Home & Business user of Linux - 12 years