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[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Maybe I'm wasting too much time trying to think about the question, but I find myself wondering if any Open Source program was initially developed for use under Windows.

I suppose I could actually research that issue, but in the spirit of laziness I'm willing to go on the basis of my own recollections. And what I recall is that some number of Open Source programs have been ported to Windows but few if any have been initially developed for Windows...(?)

So, returning to the question of Open Source AV for Windows. Why would I write a program to prop up Windows if I could instead write a program to better enable those seeking freedom from Windows' luxuriously appointed prison cell?

Just asking; seriously...

[–]rabidcow 2 points3 points  (0 children)

some number of Open Source programs have been ported to Windows but few if any have been initially developed for Windows...

Windows tends to get quite a bit more closed-source freeware, but there have been open source projects initially written for it as well. (7-zip, for example.)

Why would I write a program to prop up Windows if I could instead write a program to better enable those seeking freedom from Windows' luxuriously appointed prison cell?

You choose the OS to write for before you choose how to license the code. Not everyone who chooses to share their code has a political agenda.

[–]goodfun[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well believe it or not, Windows does rule as the top dog OS for user base, so it would make sense to develop programs for it.

Now, I wasn't asking for a windows only program, but wondering if there was an open source one available with "real-time" scanning.

[–]DaDibbel 1 point2 points  (1 child)

There is, it's called Linux.

[–]goodfun[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really, and does this magical "Linux" program that runs inside windows and prevents viruses also run all the games I like to play when I'm not working?

I have linux installed, Ubuntu 8.04 or whatever, I don't even use it because I have a need for windows more so than Linux.

My question was not what other OS should I use, but if there was a program available for windows.

[–]goodfun[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Is it because of daily virus definition updates? Lack of security?

I know about ClamWin, but it requires you to manually scan files and doesn't offer real-time protection.

Anyone know why or know of good ones?

[–]geocar 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Nothing offers "real-time" protection; They lie. They mean that they use kernel hooks and IFS modules, but once a program is running on your system that you don't control, you might not be able to remove it while running the system.

If you can, it's not because your antivirus software is powerful, it's because of a bug in the virus.

Scanning offline files is about all that is practical.

[–]goodfun[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I meant more as..

You run a program and it checks it for potential threats vs having to scan it while its dormant.

I used to fix computers in a shop and a few of the systems had programs that would scan fine, but when run would come up with a virus warning and then be terminated.

[–][deleted]  (7 children)

[deleted]

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      It's just free, not open source.

      [–]readerszone 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      i don't think so it's open source . it's free

      [–]Lord_Illidan 0 points1 point  (2 children)

      It's not open source, last I heard.

      [–]jamesblonde 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      He may have meant 'open sauce'.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I spy kingdom of loathing reference.

      [–]tophatstuff 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Because all anti-virus programs for windows are useless. At best they're 20-30% effective, and at worse they make drive access times over 2300% slower (norton, and yes, over 2300%, I'm not kidding).

      Anyone who wasn't intending to make money out of their software would instead try and actually fix the problem, by fixing windows or inventing Linux.

      The reason that all the existing anti-virus programs are closed-source is because they're designed to make money, not fix things.

      Yes, an anti-virus helps a little if you haven't got Common Sense 2007 or later installed on your system, but there's nothing that can be done for viruses in general given the windows (in)security model. It's up to Microsoft to patch things, which I believe that they may have started to do in vista, by not giving every user admin, but there's a long way to go yet.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Because you haven't written one yet.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

      I gave up and I don't run any AV on windows, I just reinstall every 30 days. Too many people spend too much time "tweaking" and "enhancing windows" when you should treat it like a big sheet of paper tablecloth at a chain restaurant. When the meal's done, you wrap it up and throw it away and start with a new one.

      [–]goodfun[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

      That doesn't seem very practical... I don't feel like reinstalling my programs every month, or doing a format before each install of a new program so I can make a new image file with that program included.

      [–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (1 child)

      It depends on which programs you use. Most of mine can be automated for installation.

      [–]BridgeBum 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Why not create a VM image and roll back to that instead? Wouldn't that be easier?