http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-09/17/avg-privacy-policy-browser-search-data

Except that if everyone switched to Linux, all the folks who write viruses and exploits will simply switch to Linux as well. Most people who run Linux now would probably be ok, as they're likely to be computer savvy, and those same people would be probably be fine on Windows too. the other 95% of the population will be doomed, no matter what OS they choose.

There's still people believing anti-virus software (any of them) is anything but a scam? I'm with Aaron here, just don't run any anti-virus. You won't be any less or more secure than before.

Anti-virus software is so SLOW these days! It's terrible!

Years ago, I didn't have AV, and then I got a virus and had to do an impromptu reformat which was annoying. But I've caught a total of 0 viruses in the last ~4-5 years so maybe it's time to stop again. It's nice to have a virus scanner (as opposed to a 24/7 "guard") to scan stuff you download that is sketchy.

I just did a reformat (*), so I'm probably just going to leave it off and see how I go.

*Windows literally stopped being able to use WiFi... at all. Not hardware, but the entire WLAN service (and interrelated services) was corrupted and dead.

[edit] I might try ClamWin (Portable!). They have relatively poor "hit rates" but they're open source, free, and has a portable version.

I almost switched fully to Linux this time! But my work requires Windows. My work laptop is Windows 8 (and Cisco VPN does not work on 8), so I needed Windows 7.

I actually love Ubuntu + Unity on my Chromebook. I'm switching virtual desktops like some sort of genius. People watch me go back and forth and think I'm Data from Star Trek. I don't know how well it will work on a full desktop with a 40" screen, but a small netbook works great.

Also, I love having my 40" screen (it's a budget bin one at 1080p, I'm no rich guy). I recently started using VMWare Player + old video games. VMWare can attach specific hardware (keyboard/mouse) to the VM so I can run Diablo 2 on my computer + Diablo 2 on a VM, for split-screen networked gaming with my wife. It's really fun!

It's true that Linux (or even GNU/Linux) cannot single-handedly protect negligent users from themselves. However, reliable, secure systems help a lot, as well as well designed interfaces. This is what makes Windows 7+ so much more resilient, even without anti-virus software. On Windows XP it was and is a requirement to have anti-virus software. Merely connecting one to the Internet without installing them was risky. That's not user error. That's bad software.

One of the things that I really like about Linux is that at least at the command-line file extensions are meaningless. To be executable the file needs a mode bit set or else you need to invoke an interpreter to execute it. Even from the GUI this tends to be the case. File extensions are relied less upon, and typically before a program is run from a naive double-click the user is prompted: do you want to "display" the file or execute it? Not all graphical interfaces are created so wisely. I have no doubts that Unity doesn't work this way since they're trying to appeal to stupid users and shady money making schemes. I cannot hate on Ubuntu enough.

There's nothing stopping you from developing an insecure GNU-based, Linux-based, anything-free-software-based OS. However, the very smart people that are typically involved in developing the truly free software OSes have safety in mind. They're also very security conscious and constantly release security fixes. It's a completely different ecosystem than Windows or OS X. It's not invincible, but it's a lot safer than the proprietary alternatives. Even in the hands of a naive luser.

That's interesting... I can't put it past Microsoft... But more than likely it's a flaw in Avast.

Point taken, but the article says they had wording in the policy prior that states they could do something similar. Have they? I will concede they may in the future.

I'd say fun. It probably is Avast's fault, but it causes problems for hobby programmers writing network games. I sent a false positive report but don't expect an answer.

Don't you mean "appligists"?

♥ RMS

Although that's a rather bad photoshop, if you look at pictures of RMS as much as I do you immediately see the completely different body shape of the guy they pasted his head on.

She better watch out or Stallman will use his katana to break him off a piece of that.

FTFY

Is it just me or when a "joke" is repeated over and over and over and over ad nauseum it actually can become extremely irritating to read/hear/witness it...

Because this is one of those times. It may have been chuckle-funny the first time I witnessed the joke, but pretty sure by now I've seen many thousands of iterations that are no better.

I guess if I wanted to read though-provoking piece of text, I wouldn't be browsing this thread, but can't I dream?