ANTI-VIRUS SOLUTIONS

Vendors accept that the first few machines infected by a new virus will have some amount of damage, as there can’t be a solution without a problem.

Anti-virus solutions are expensive...

Most anti-virus packs are valid for one or two years, which makes it an expensive proposition. After looking at the disclaimer on the software, a user feels he has paid for something that does not guarantee stopping any or all viruses. Vendors should at least increase the validity period of the software for up to five years. That is what all PC/server buyers look for in a hardware, before they go in for any upgrades. 

Maintaining anti-virus requires expertise...

The saying ‘Prevention is better than cure’ applies aptly to anti-virus solutions. But, today, most of these solutions are not capable of handling new virus attacks by a default installation by the user. Experts are needed to constantly manage it. Anti-virus solutions are efficient, as long as the user is competent and maintains it with regular updates.

Using these solutions is frustrating...

The start-up scanning, though useful, is a frustrating feature. Sometimes one feels that the system has frozen, though it hasn’t. Besides, anti-virus works very slowly on the full scan mode and uses a lot of system resources. Also, some anti-virus don´t remove Trojans and the user has to download separate programs to fix this problem.

Updates reach users after attacks...

Anti-virus vendors provide updates on their web sites only after the damage has been done. This is also the case with OS vendors like Microsoft, which provides service packs and security patches after virus attacks. 

Virus writers are intelligent and know the OS very well. They utilize existing loopholes and write viruses. It is rumored that anti-virus vendors write viruses themselves under the pretext of testing and leak them to boost their sales. 

Update files are big in size...

Most anti-virus vendors provide regular updates on their web sites. But the size of these virus definition updates run into many megabytes. This is difficult, or rather impossible, to download on a dialup connection.

There are technical problems associated with lengthy updates, which have to be done on a regular basis. If by any chance you have loaded the anti-virus software on wrong date (when the system clock is back dated by a year or so), the program will not allow any updation or
uninstallation. 

Anti-virus programs require a lot of memory...

Anti-virus programs function in the background all the time. This means that they have to be resident in the memory. Hence they slow down the PC’s operations. No anti-virus company has handled this problem in an efficient manner.

Anti-virus software is value-for-money...

Anti-virus is an expensive product. But compared to the cost of damages incurred by a virus attack, it is money well spent. It is a perpetual product, like medical insurance, and you need to have it year after year. Several vendors provide reduced costs for buying a longer license like two or five years. One does not realize the benefit of having the solution, till the time of a virus attack. 

Anti-virus is preventive and responsive...

An anti-virus solution is mostly deployed as a ‘preventive’ measure for protection from known viruses using existing identity files. If updated frequently, this solution will not allow known viruses to enter the network. It provides a ‘responsive’ solution by developing updates for new viruses. Most vendors come up with a patch within hours after an attack. It is true that the first few machines to be infected with a new virus will have some amount of damage, as there can be no solution without a problem.

Updates on the Net is outdated technology...

Providing updates on the web site and leaving the responsibility on the user to download them at their convenience is indeed an outdated technology and cannot be relied on providing protection when you have hundreds of systems and mail boxes, which is working round the clock. 

Hence, buyer should choose a vendor who provides features including automatic updates and central deployment.

Use of system resources vary...

An anti-virus solution does consume resources on your PC. But there are vendors who provide solutions whose effect is hardly visible on the user’s application.

A vendor works towards providing a solution and updates, but the responsibility of implementing it and following all the guidelines still lies with the user. If a user has implemented the solution properly and is still getting affected by known viruses, then the vendor has a certain responsibility for damages.

Vendors do react strongly to virus threats...

All anti-virus organizations have a set of values, ethics with a moral and social responsibility of protecting the community from hackers and virus writers. In fact, the anti-virus community reacts strongly to virus threats and also propagates severe punishment to malicious code writers.

There are enough existing and fast spreading viruses still seen like Nimda and Klez, and it is imperative for networks to protect themselves, even if new virus writers cease to exist. Maybe vendors will be more profitable if there are no new virus writers as they will have to spend less on their development work for creating patches.

A heavy update file is bad technology...

Partners should suggest their buyers to go for solutions that include updates, support and free upgrades to the engine for the period of the license. The size of the update file shows how good the technology being used is. There are anti-virus vendors who provide update files typically of 1 KB in size.