Is AV software a waste of money?

[SuperSparks]

Food for thought here:

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/03/antivirus/

[jdc2000]

I'd say it is worthwhile. Mine has blocked attacks from legitimate web sites that had been hacked and infected.

[SuperSparks]

I must say, NOD32 saved my bacon just the other day, when I stupidly clicked on a link in an email that I thought was from a friend of mine, despite knowing better than to click on such links Of course, she has been infected by malware, and it was trying to give me a nasty, but NOD32 caught it instantly.

If for no other reason than, however experienced we are, we can all do silly things, I like to have AV installed.

[Train]

Went about 14 months without a AV. Chickened out and installed one. Much easier on the mind.

[SpywareDr]

The answers you get will vary widely.

I know people that don't even lock windows, doors, etc.. <-Shrug-> it's their stuff.

[cdroman]

I like ZA extreme security on my windows pc as it lets me decide on any app that wants to do anything or connect to anything. I've always liked application control since my days of using TPF. I've never had an infected pc, but I download from reputable sites and all my emails/downloads get scanned.
It is useful for my kids who download torrents here and there. The virtual browsing feature is nice.
On linux I use nothing but firewalls

[cdroman]

I guess I should say that I'm a believer in application control and AV to check downloads. With application control, if a nasty isn't allowed to execute, it isn't a threat.

[buf]

I'd rather be with it than without it.

[HAN]

Do you have to have it? No. One can use the web without anything but a firewall and if you are prudent/careful and make no mistakes, live to tell the tale.

But for the average PC user, who doesn't want to be bothered by anything tech, antivirus is essential. Because it and Windows Firewall (and hopefully a NAT router) are all that is standing between them and all the nasty things out there.

Even though I use other things for PC safety, I still run AV. But it's not the core of my defense...