Can I use a computer without anti-virus ?

Question

I want to designate a computer for on-line stock trading. If I don't surf the net, do email, or anything other than open my brokerage account on it can I expect to be safe ?

Answer 1

I dont use it, I figure the computer gets slow anyways and I have to reinstall my OS anyways.

The thing is I can tell if something's a virus, I only download from trusted sources and if it does slow down my machine I format. I use Linux now so there is no need for me.

If I am curious about a file, I just run a check on the family PC which has AVG free.

Answer 2

You can, but I would not suggest it.  Any site can have a virus attached to it.  Just be extremely careful.

Answer 3

yah but its really going to mess up your computer thats why i got it when i found out

=]

Answer 4

No you cant, you are always vulnerable on the net

Answer 5

I would never even think about connecting to the internet without anti-virus software.  I work for a very large company and our systems are connected to the internet, however they are blocked from surfing.  We only use them for business web based applications.  Even with the blocks set in place, we still manage to have system issues.

Answer 6

don't take the risk always have anti virus to be safe

use avg its free and works great also use threatfire it will detect any activity that could be considered virus activity andask for your intervention if needed

http://free.avg.com

http://www.threatfire.com

Answer 7

Nope, especially if you use windows.....

But, if you can guarantee that you will never use a thumbdrive/CDROM/anything other than going to that website.  Then you actually might be pretty safe.(Found for the most part anti-viruses don't really work that well anyway)

Just make sure firewall is on :)

Answer 8

You will be as safe as the brokerage's network is.

Considering how many have been compromised, make your own decision.

Note, you are unlikely to pick up a virus, they don't want those networks crashing. What you are likely to get is a Trojan that reports information back to the hacker.

Answer 9

Of course you can! Just don't download things you don't know where it came from. Download things only from trusted companies like Microsoft.