Is it possible...

computer - computer with virus
Philippines
February 19, 2007 6:45am CST
Is it possible for a computer to have a virus even if it has an anti virus installed on it?
4 people like this
22 responses
• Philippines
28 Sep 07
Hi chellicks! Yes! It is really possible that you can still be infected with a virus even though you have an antivirus software. One reason why because maybe your antivirus software is not up-to-date. You have to regularly update your antivirus software in order for your software to get the latest viruses at the present time. Secondly, be sure that your windows firewall is turned ON, because this would also help block some malwares and viruses while surfing the net. Also, I suggest that you install an antispyware for your machine. I would also advice that you use opera and mozilla firefox as your main browser rather than using IE because it is much safer when compared to internet explorer. Hope this would help. Have a nice day and God speed!
3 people like this
• United States
21 Feb 07
I've had AVG antivirus on my computer since day 1. This program updates itself automatically every day (you can set what time you want it to do that) and it runs the full test every day automatically (you can set what time for that to happen too). AVG is free, but if you want more bells and whistles (which isn't necessary), they have paid versions too which you can buy. I've only had one virus get through but it was a new one and the very next day, AVG updated and had a fix for it. Most new computers come with a antivirus program installed; in the US, it's usually Norton. So newbies think they're protected but what they don't know is that you have to contact Norton and pay them in order to get updates and full protection. Another thing is that you have to go into the settings of whatever program and tell it to actually do the scan. No antivirus program will work unless you are actually doing a daily scan. Just having the program on your computer doesn't do a thing!
• Philippines
22 Feb 07
So that's it. You know what i'm using the norton anti virus and you're right. When norton anti virus was installed on my computer i really thought that it is protected. I've heard of that AVG antivirus. I hope i could get a driver of it. Because one of my officemate told me that its better than any other anti virus.
• Philippines
24 Feb 07
Well i guess you're right because my pc got slower after installing a norton anti virus. I'll see to it that i will get the AVG free. You're anwer is a great help.
• Greece
23 Feb 07
tbh norton antivirus is not a good product.. it is a resource hog (ie it slows your computer) and it is not very effective at stopping viruses either.. i always use avg free and i have never had any problems.. if i were you i would not pay for norton again but the next time the subscription runs out just install avg free.. get it from free.grisoft.com .If you want to make your computer run better in gerenal get rid of norton!
1 person likes this
@mypigbox (2245)
• China
21 Feb 07
Of couse.Anti virus just scan the virus we have known and the code of virus shall kept in their data.There are lots of new virus be made every day,they can not be scan by the old anti virus data.That is the reason,we have to upgrade the data from time to time.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
22 Feb 07
Ok its been said that we have to upgrade or update our anti virus from time to time. When is that? Every week, once a month.... Any suggestion? Because i'm not really into computers. I just know how to use it!
@orgilxxx (128)
• Indonesia
20 Feb 07
this is possible virus always update everytime so be careful
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Thank you for answering. I really appreciate it.
• United States
20 Feb 07
Yes. Because there are so many new viruses that come out each day, a lot of anti virus are not prepared to fix those. That is also why there are updates on anti virus software.
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Thanks for answering. Now i know updates are important.
@Biodrome (89)
• India
19 Feb 07
actually what u have asked is a question that is a paradox..... antiviruses themselves are lab viruses.........used to attack other viruses.......n btw, if u r a Windoze user, u will get Alexa spyware by default during installation of the OS....till now, I haven't seen any antivirus remove dat...... If u can bear with Alexa (most of us do......:D).....then probably the best light weight antivirus out there for u is BitDefender......if u can bear with a little slow PC, but want rock-solid protection for ur box and want the rein of control in ur own hands......look no further than Panda Titanium antivirus............. Hope this info helps........if u need more help on ur PC, juzz search for "PC Tweaking" discussion over here n post ur query.......I will be glad to help........:)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Thank you for offering your help. I really appreciate it. Are you a computer techinician or wizard, lol. Thanks again.
19 Feb 07
Yes of course, because not all antiviruses are up to date, and they don't catch all viruses, so you should run a virus check regularly, just in case. The probabilities of you having a virus are much less if you have an antivirus, but you can never be 100% sure.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Feb 07
Thanks for answering my question. I really appreciate it. And thanks for informing me regarding with the matter.
• Philippines
19 Feb 07
Absolutely! Especially if it is not updated. Anti-virus must be updated once in a while and there are some anti-virus that can't intercept a particular virus at all.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
I think of that too. Maybe that's why my pc's been attacked by viruses even if it has an anti virus.
• Philippines
21 Feb 07
of course..everyday there many kind virus produce..so keep your anti virus updated..
• Philippines
22 Feb 07
So it's better for me to keep my anti virus updated. I haven't updated it since september 2006
• India
19 Feb 07
ya..its very much possible..my computer does have..nowadays there are these viruses which disable the anti-virus s/w!!..god save us!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Yeah, you're right. I think so.
@merkava (1225)
• Philippines
22 Feb 07
Positively yes. A virus will always attack first before an anti-virus software has managed to diagnose it and come up with an anti-virus update for it. Anti-virus softwares can't get ahead against virus hackers because they don't know what kind of virus is going to come out.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Feb 07
Yes, you can still have virus even if you have antivirus on it. Just make sure your antivirus are updated and always scan your PC. Try installing antispyware also. In my computer, I have 2 antivirus installed in it.
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Thanks for your answer. It would surely help. I'd better update my anti virus from now on.
@ebo_bro (190)
• Philippines
19 Feb 07
I think as long as your update your antivirus, you'll be fine. but to be sure try the online antivirus there free housecall.trendmicro.com pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
• Philippines
20 Feb 07
Thank you. I think my anti virus is not updated, i should do that.
• United Arab Emirates
5 Apr 07
Yes ofcourse.. I use mcafee and windows one care to detect viruses and spywares..
• United States
26 Mar 07
Yes, it can get one.The programs only watch the major ones, but do miss some.
@pizzoli (3366)
• Italy
5 Apr 07
i had some viruses on my computer when i had the norton's antivirus installed, i have solved the problems installing a nod 32 antivirus which i consider one of the best on the market
@123bart (303)
27 Mar 07
of course. If you don't update your virus definitions, all new viruses will go through. or if you use AVG! lol.
• Indonesia
26 Feb 07
yes it is, maybe several virus use a code that can't be detect by antivirus program
@adnan123 (38)
• Pakistan
5 Apr 07
Yes it is possible. It is betters to update the antivirus. Some of them are trogens, spywares etc. So use anti trogen and anti spyware softwares.
• India
30 Mar 07
Yes it is possible all anti virus have there own definations to protect the systems, There are lakhs of virus and lots of anti virus but no single antivirus can remove all virus, anti virus needs regular updates. even by updataing it is not 100% sure that it will remove all virus. For best protection of your system try to scan your computer with diff anti virus weekly there are lots of free anti virus which are best, when you are not using net disconect it, not open any unknown emails.