Antivirus - Is it possible to do without a virus scanner?

Antivirus - Is it possible without an additional virus scanner?

Antivirus computer programs have long been under criticism. As early as spring 2017, former Mozilla developer Robert O’Callahan called for “Disable your Antivirus Software (Except Microsoft’s),” a demand supported by Justin Schuh, the developer of Chrome Security. Schuh is practically a direct competitor of O’Callahan, as he works at Google Chrome, Firefox’s rival. Both are critical of antivirus software. Especially after the Kaspersky scandal last fall, their demand likely resonated with many. But is it really better to forgo a purchased antivirus program? And which antivirus scanners are the best in comparison? We answer these questions here in the magazine from Ankermann – your specialist for PCs and notebooks. 

What exactly does Robert O'Callahan mean?

If you read a little further, you'll get to his main point. He believes it's crucial to keep your operating system up to date. If you do this and use Microsoft Defender, which comes with Windows, you're on the safe side. And all without any third-party software. So, his point isn't about being completely unprotected online, but rather about developing an awareness of dangerous software and not relying solely on an antivirus scanner, which itself might be a potential entry point for malware. A point in favor of Microsoft's solution is that its developers have expertise in the field of antivirus software, which isn't always the case with many other antivirus vendors. 

What accusations have been made against antivirus programs?

Antivirus programs hinder the delivery of critical security updates and the secure use of ASLR through exceptions that can then be exploited by malware. ASLR is a technique that makes it more difficult to exploit security vulnerabilities on a PC. By randomly assigning address ranges to programs, it aims to reduce buffer overflow attacks. 

Most users are unaware that they are entrusting their most sensitive data to antivirus providers. These providers know everything: all the documents, pictures, videos, etc., that you own. They know where you browse the internet. They know your online banking details. They know what you buy online. 

Third-party antivirus programs can have security vulnerabilities due to their system architecture and quality issues. These vulnerabilities prevent the implementation of effective protection mechanisms. The danger, therefore, is not that the antivirus program will miss a virus, but rather that the software itself becomes an entry point for hackers. Antivirus programs possess extensive system privileges necessary for scanning files. Exploiting these privileges, as happened in the Kaspersky scandal, can have serious consequences for consumers.

Examples supporting this thesis: 

• Kaspersky is sabotaging SSL certificate verification. An attacker can use a forged SSL certificate and perform a man-in-the-middle attack. 
• Many AV software products terminate the TLS encryption of HTTPS connections, intercept the connection, and thereby make it less secure. 
• Furthermore, antivirus programs often interfere with the browser's functionality, thereby compromising its security. Many opponents of antivirus software argue that common sense, computer skills, and caution are sufficient to protect against malware. It is also frequently claimed that virus scanners slow down the PC system. 

Many third-party antivirus programmers lack sufficient knowledge of malware, and Microsoft developers clearly have an advantage here. They are typically very knowledgeable about viruses and malware. 

What are the advantages of antivirus programs? 

Depending on the antivirus program, these statements are more or less accurate. As the comparison shows, some programs impact system performance more than others. Whether the computer slows down or not therefore depends on the choice of antivirus scanner. Many programs also offer a performance boost if you disable certain security features. The argument about security vulnerabilities in external software is also largely based on speculation, and infections caused by antivirus programs are not widely known. It is advisable to consult an objective antivirus scanner, in addition to using common sense, computer skills, and exercising caution. These scanners are regularly updated to protect against current threats and can react quickly. Some providers even create a backup of all files in the event of a threat. This is also very useful in an emergency. 

Six virus scanners compared 

Ultimately, the decision to use an antivirus program is a personal one. Arguments against antivirus software include the increased attack surface for hackers, the potential intrusion into privacy, and the slowdown of the computer. Arguments in favor include additional protection against internet threats, the difficulty of hacking attacks, and assistance in dealing with infections. In comparison, the well-known antivirus software manufacturers are particularly compelling. 

Despite the scandal, Kaspersky Internet Security ranks first in many tests conducted by renowned experts, followed by Bitdefender Internet Security in second place. Avira Total Security and Symantec Norton Security Standard share third place in our comparison, while ESET Internet Security and Avast Premier share fourth. The top-ranked security solutions, in particular, promise good protection, which, while never 100% secure, achieves over 90% protection across all providers in our comparison. 

Important if you don't want to use a third-party solution: free programs like Microsoft's integrated antivirus package Defender in Windows offer a high level of protection and are already included in Windows. 

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