The antivirus software conspiracy

reply to post by triplepoint


Hello TP

FireFox with Adblock and No Script will block Doubleclick for you

And because you can select what you wish to see on a screen in regards to the ads you can free up a lot of screen space by removing them,also it remembers everytime you visit that site so you never see them again

Voila...

To the OP....

Woah... Hang on there..

Your only just realising this?

This has been pretty much common knowelege since the First Viruses appeared on peoples PC's.

Only problem is, they hire ppl to make the viruses that keep them in buisiness & they keep their tracks well covered, hence they have never been caught, nore will they ever be.

The same goes for Anti-Pop-up & Spyware Programs. MAN I can't even begin to count the number of times I have been infected with Pop-ups telling me I have Spyware & the only way to get rid of it is to buy "OUR Program"..lol

Most of these programs & their owners are untouchable cause they are all based in China or Russia.

Really, these guys are billionairs & they made all their money on Extortion..

[edit on 5/7/2008 by Ironclad]

reply to post by Skyfloating


What about the conspiracy of someones mind working against them and finding a conspiracy in every thing around them...

Originally posted by Ironclad
To the OP....

Woah... Hang on there..

Your only just realising this?

This has been pretty much common knowelege since the First Viruses appeared on peoples PC's.

Everybody senses it, but we dont have any evidence of it...except for the obvious spyware-scam you mention.

This is a great thread topic! As a matter of fact, last Friday my computer at work basically slowed to a stop. My registration for McAfee had been expired for about 6 months give or take and the computer started getting gradually worse day by day during that time. So, anyways, I run over to the OfficeMax and buy another McAfee Antivirus disc, load it up, and now the thing is flying.

There's no doubt in my mind that the same companies that provide the antivirus are the same ones who are doing most of the infecting.

Just as in everything else conspiracy related, the old saying "problem-reaction-solution" proves to be right again!

Peace

[edit on 7-5-2008 by Dr Love]

Here's one to think about also:

When was the last time some hacker was arrested for creating a virus?

With all of the monitoring of ISP's by the government's "little black boxes", why can't they tell who's writing them and where they are coming from?

Isn't this a matter of national security?

Now, sure there are nefarious nations out there who would like to see our PC's wiped, but hey, isn't that what smart bombs are for?

Maybe is serves someone's purpose to have most all of our systems vulnerable, easy to take down.

Just a thought.

This about more than money. This is about TRACKING us. You dl a 'free' version of this software to 'clean' out your computer, right? You can get the updates for a couple of years free. During that time, that site can access everything you do (ever read the disclaimers when you sign up?)

Wonder how they can 'beat' the new malware as soon as it comes out? Because they wrote it at the same time they were making the 'updates' to defeat it!

The more 'free anti-virus' software you have, the more likely you are to have everything you do online tracked. That includes everything you write in a forum, everything you put in a chatroom, etc.

Sorry, this is not the way it is. The first reaction is to suspect this, but after some thought and experience you realize it's not the case.

First of all, how do you explain the viri which NO anti-virus software will remove? These things are embedded so deeply and intermingled with the operating system to such a degree that it's impossible to remove them. Your only choice is to re-install. There would be an easy cure for ALL viri if this was the case.

Second, what started as a form of graffiti, or a form of competition among virus writers has taken the inevitable economic turn. The purpose of most viri today is to turn your pc into a bot that performs a task for someone. These can be:
Sending spam
hosting ftp/http sites for porn, warez, etc
proxy servers to hide surfing habits
Or just stealing your unused processor cycles, for purposes other than SETI, but the same idea.

All of these hide the actions of the user of these underground services. There are sites where the ip addresses of botted pc's are bought and sold. For big money. That's who pays the virus writers, NOT the AV companies.

When you get the vizagr@ spam it's coming from some idiot's house in NJ, through his cable modem with the dynamic ip, but maybe only for a day. Time warner soon detects the massive outgoing traffic and informs the customer to clean up his pc or be disconnected.

The AV companies are selling crap that only prevents infection by detecting attempts to replace system files. Once your'e infected, you can never be sure you are totally clean.

The only REAL virus protection is your own online behavior. If you must engage in unsafe behavior, keep those install disks handy.

(I wouldn't put it past them to infect the recovery partition as well as your boot drive, so always make install disks when you get your new pc)

If no one posted it... Free AVG Anti-virus

I've been using this free unit for 6 years and can say I've only had 2 problems, which were probably my fault anyway. It has frequent updates and has caught pretty much anything I've run into. 10/10 in my rating book. It is also very simple to use and monitors for viruses, etc. in real time as you surf, as well. Screw paying for any... I never have.

And if anyone wants a free, easy to use firewall... ZoneAlarm
[I turn off the Windows Firewall and use ZA instead]

Both have been very good to me.

[edit on 5/7/2008 by RabbitChaser]

I don't see a conspiracy.

The threat of downloading a virus does not need to be made by any company, the general public is more than willing to keep that threat going by itself.

Are the antivirus companies committing all of the DoS attacks also? Are they bruteforce attacking websites and home PCs to promote Firewalls?

People make viruses for various reasons:

• Money - Trojans and such can get the programmer financial information from the infected
  
• Attention - Big DoS attacks or worms can easily get the programmer in the news
  
• A Job - Along with the two before, if the programmer is caught, he'll have a job waiting for him when he gets out (either with the government or AV compaies)
  
• Revenge - Some viruses are made just to destroy a computer. I know someone who had his computer rigged so that if it was hacked, it would attempt to upload viruses onto the attackers computer.
  
• Misc - Some, and probably most, come in places where people can't go to the law. These include, weird porn sites and hacked downloaded material.

If the AV companies really were doing this, wouldn't they start making more Mac viruses? Wouldn't they make a mockery of Firefox?

That way, no one could feel safe.

it makes sense

i mean, what other purpose is there to write viruses, seriously now
"awww i knowz whats im gawna doo! ima write sumthin lika virus and make peoplez machines slew!"

Sorry, this idea is just silly. Why aren't viruses and antivirus software a huge conspiracy for Macs and Linux then? There are just as many security flaws for Linux if not more than windows, and yet nobody ever talks about downloading the Norton Antivirus rpms.

The sad fact is there are so many viruses out there because they aren't all that difficult to write, and there's money in it.

Also, you don't really need AVS. Just have a hardware firewall (ie your average $35 router), don't click on poorly spelled ads containing links or attachments in emails, and keep your web browser patched.

You can't increase your girth with pills. This amazing treatment will not make your girlfriend crazy about your rod. You do not have one unread secret crush. You have to exercise and eat right to lose 11 inches, not buy a few pills. Oh, and that ex government official from Lagos, the one who wants to run Eleventy Billion dollars through your bank account and will let you keep a million of it. Yeah, he's a scammer too. I know. It's hard to believe, but true.

really, people, its not that hard.

I tell you what, getting rid of Norton's Antivirus is impossible.

If anyone has actually used this program, you probably know what I'm talking about. I was dumb enough to buy Norton 05 because I thought that was a good idea. HAHAHAHA, little did I know.

So after a few months of Nortons working fine, meaning my computer not having a problem, then all the problems come:
1. Never heard of SpyAxe before but Norton's couldn't clear that up.
2. Nortons couldn't get rid of trojans it said it could; this was using
the Norton program and their website.
3. Tons of spyware on my computer and I was visiting sites like
ESPN, CNNSI, yahoo, ect.
4. The list goes on, worms, trojans, virus', ect.

Now, after having to go through my registry and remove the problem manually, I decided it was time for Norton's to go the way of Ol' Yeller. Nortons doesn't tell you this, but it is a program you can not get rid of, read it again, can not get rid of.

To get rid of Nortons I first used their uninstall program, however, this did nothing. The program was removed from the desktop and other areas most computer users would look, except for the fact that it was still there in my registry and running in my background.

So, after discovering that my uninstall did not work, I went and deleted it from the registry, rebooted and hoped for the best. My hope was short lived as Nortons was still on my computer, and still running.

The only way to get rid of this was to reinstall Windows.

Now, I know some people do not like Vista, and while I was a bit hesitant to latch onto Vista, I can say this about Vista: I have never had a virus, trojan horse, worm, spyware, or any other problems since I have installed Vista.

All,

It is just as David Icke says -

Problem-Reaction-Solution

Problem -

Virus programs causing massive infrastructure collapse

Reaction -

People panic

Solution -

Antivirus companies!

Global market and conspiracy!

It is in their interests to have virus's out there!

Just my 2 pennies worth

[edit on 7-5-2008 by Gregandgemma]

Long ago and far away (actually a few years ago and in this same town) in Computer Land there lived a Silly Dolt; Me.

This stubborn, silly man refused to pay for virus protection on his computers because he believed it was all a trumped up scam. He spent all his free time re-installing his operating systems and struggling with mystery problems and having a general bad time on the Internet.

One day this Silly Dolt woke up and realized how much his silliness was costing him. He pulled a bit of magic plastic out of his pocket and hit a few keys on his magic keyboard and all his troubles went away. For thirty five units of his local currency he was able to magically receive a special talisman every twelve months he placed within his computers. All of his problems went away, never to reappear and he lived happily ever after.

Yes it’s like paying protection money and yes it is wrong, but for a few dollars a year I have not had a single problem in more than four years. No slowdowns, no blue screens (other than hardware failures) and the Internet is always fast. So, I pay the fee and use my free time for other more enjoyable endeavors. No more weekends ruined and all for about $3.00 a month.

I would not be the least surprised if there is some monkey business going on. Nothing I can do about it so pragmatism is the obvious course of action. I do think that most viruses and the like are a product of the same vandals who paint on statues and deface public and private property. Somebody needs to slap their parents for raising the little jerks who write this crap. They should also be sterilized so they can’t produce any more of these little bit’s of human waste. I keep a special little cache of particularly disgusting sputum tucked away within my throat in case I should run into one of these Troll’s.

_________

Having finished with my rant, I’m ready to start another. NORTON needs to stay away from my computers, my family and me. I keep a tire iron under my bed just in case Norton should drop by. My personal Geek who keeps me up and running and earning a living won’t even touch a computer touched by Norton and its Firewall From Hell!!!!!!!!

There, now I feel better somehow

I'm off to figure out what Digg is and how to Digg It

Norton is awful. And they bought veritas and ruined that as well. I like AVG, have heard of NOD32, but the incessant ads on the radio make me suspicious.

I like a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, but there ain't one here.

Originally posted by funky monk
I think norton had been caught out (or something like that) writing viruses. Maybe it was something someone told me. I cant remember....

-fm

You are absolutely correct. It was Symantec, the makers of Norton. They got caught red handed. It was about 4 years ago.
1. Disease
2. Antidote
3. Profit

I'm sure there's a fair bit of illicit activity from the AV companies, and I'm pretty sure that any proof of such would be removed from the net ASAP.

For those of you so inclined, Avast is a very good free AV. If you don't want to install AV software, you should still be doing regular, free, monthly online scans. Also, there are free spyware progs out there that will catch a lot of stuff - spybot etc. Worth running once a month, maybes twice. You may think theres no need to have any protection, but you may be storing all kinds of crazy stuff on your PC, and more than likely, your PC is probably part of a botnet that takes down other peoples servers. You won't see anything strange going on with your PC, but you're helping people blackmail, and generally make some peoples lives miserable while those attacks are going on.

Originally posted by me262
Norton is awful. And they bought veritas and ruined that as well. I like AVG, have heard of NOD32, but the incessant ads on the radio make me suspicious.

I like a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, but there ain't one here.

Norton sucks. I had nothing but problems with it and 2 computers later in a year's peroid. Thought I lost my new laptop not too long ago....but was able to recover it....then I switched to AVG and have had NO problems....

[edit on 7-5-2008 by greeneyedleo]

Anyone have a source for these Norton accusations?

Bold to say these things without even posting a link.

reply to post by Sublime620


All the evidence you need that Norton is a bad idea, is that you can mention it on any board and get a string of people who have had problems due to Norton. We are the evidence.

As far as them getting caught at something; this is the first I've read myself.

McAfee however has caused me no problems and the couple of times there was a problem with an update they alerted me and fixed it asap. It's been so long since I had a problem with XP Pro that I've forgotten what it felt like to be constantly having to install an OS due to some little nasty thing floating around the Internet. Same experience with Vista. A full year and no problems other than bad drivers provided by less than adequate vendors.