[allinone]

i have heard of some viruses for vista too, micro soft claims vista to be virus free, will it remain virus free or there will be increase in number of viruses for vista. Although virus do not create much problem in vista as it always ask to permit any application run. But i want to now ur experience about vista virus free environment

[xxll_martin_llxx]

I'm no computer expert but it's virus free until the user starts downloading, running and installing applications which contain the virus so then it's not 'virus free'. It will remain 'virus free' until you (in general, not you personally) begin running these applications.

I believe they're all virus free (obviously you can still get viruses) but you only get viruses when they're put on there, accidently or not, by running and installing applications with a virus attached to it.

[JamesB]

Vista or any other operating system out-of-the-box should be safe, as long as you get if from a reliable source.

[Domenico]

Vista is just as susceptible to viruses and malicious software in general as XP is. As long as there are b*****d programmers out there, there will always be viruses for operating systems. Vista being no exception.

[Spartan Erik]

With XP no longer being sent to computer manufacturers, the amount of viruses written for Vista is going to obviously increase. Virus writers want to target the large majority of people using a particular OS. XP was popular and tons of viruses have been made for it. Once Vista surpasses XP, it's just inevitable.

Just be a smart browser and downloader and you won't get viruses. I've never had a virus on any of my machines, but I still have AVG for those just-in-case instances.

[souradipm]

The closest I've gotten to a virus on XP is a tracking cookie, which was removed by Norton 2007. On ME, it got a trojan (which is why we had to upgrade), ouch...

But, yeah, Vista, like all Os's out there is safe from a good source out-of-the-box, but when the internet kicks in, well its a different story. A good AV will couter the malicious sites and so you should be safe.

With Vista's new 'If it's Microsoft it will run, if not it will die' scheme users can choose to exit programs if Microsoft didnt make it (or it isnt digitally signed correctly) and it would take a lot of a programmer's money to get rid of that, purchasing a certicicate and all.

[componentwarehouse]

Im carful with browsing, and try to keep installing to a minimum, but I havent had a virus on Vista in the 6 months Ive had it. I dont run any antivirus tools, only the ones in Windows, Windows Defender and a hardware firewall in the router. Apart from that, nothing. I havent had a problem at all. Ive even turned the UAC and those safety things off cos I find them so damn annoying, and everything seems fine.

I think Vista is a vast improvement to XP, security seems much tighter out of the box, XP had only one security feature out of the box, the firewall, which was a joke to be honest. Vista has Defender, which I find to be excellent.

Alex

[Smith6612]

Everyone here is correct. Vista does, however have extra security precautions to try to prevent viruses from installing. UAC is what should come to mind.

[rlodge]

Want to keep your system virus free? Don't plug it in to the internet. It's just like owning anything else. You have to keep up with the maintenance on it to keep it running well and performing at it's best. There are hazards for cars, boats bikes, etc... You just have to look out for them and protect yourself.

[alexandgruntz]

What's the point of having a PC without an internet connection? :P