Do antivirus software developers create viruses?

then you are saying possibly so. And couldn't you then say it's also pretty likely? Since these are all wishy washy ways of saying nothing really. You are saddened by the cynics, I am saddened by the apethetic. This sort of thing, which is definitely true by the way, should piss you off to the point of wanting something done about it, after all you probably paid too much for the computer you're sitting in front of, just to have to fix it yourself (or worse, pay somebody to fix it) so frequently.

Cynicisms isn?t that bad. It stopped the Vietnam war and forced the resignation of a crooked president. It sheds light on companies like Enron - faked reports that scammed investors, the Ford Motor Company - the infamous Pinto, Chrysler Motors - closing plants in Flint, Michigan and opening others overseas, Pacific Gas and Electric - the hexavalent chromium disaster, and the tobacco industry - boosting smokes with extra nicotine, as well as many, many others. Almost all of these cases were brought out in the open because some people didn?t believe everything was on the up and up. It just didn?t ?feel? right.

I find it upsetting that most Americas seemed more concerned with Brad Pitt?s sex life than they are about real issues. The small percentage that actually watch the news seem to swallow whatever they are being fed without a thought. This is exactly the same climate that produced Nazi Germany!

I say we need less apathy and more debate -long live the cynics! If there were more we might avoid disasters like 9/11 or another World War!

Ok, I?ll admit that it?s a stretch to go from internet viruses to Nazi Germany - I don?t think the companies producing ?protection? from these viruses are about to roll tanks down Main Street. I?m just saying it seems awfully convenient that viruses and their fixes seem to come hand in hand. It doesn?t feel right.

Micah,
Get your dictionary out. Skeptics is not a synonym for cynics.

To others,
Apathetic I am not. I just prefer to try to see good in everyone (at least a little).

?Cynical - having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives.?

?Skeptical - inclined to doubt or question claims; distrustful, suspecting, suspicious, unbelieving?

All cynics are skeptical, granted they are PESSIMISTIC skeptics - but they are skeptical nonetheless. On the other hand not all skeptics are cynical. Since your message contained the word ?cynics? it is presumed that these people are skeptical as well.

I stand by my statement.

The big difference is that there is no evidence to support the assertion that the companies are writing the viruses. I don't say that people shouldn't be suspicious, but being suspicious is not the same thing as being cynical. If something doesn't seem right, then an investigation is in order. But assuming that something is wrong is definitely not the answer to anything. Assumptions have this annoying tendency to be proven stupid. I think it unlikely-- not impossible, but unlikely-- that the major reputable companies are engaging in this practice, and it's not because I think they are wonderful people. This is a well thought out opinion based on facts, not an emotional reaction.

It is well known that there are small companies that are not honest, and that some of the so-called antivirus and anti-spyware applications are nothing of the sort, but that is not usually the case. Just follow some reasonable precautions and you are unlikely to have any major difficulties. This is my experience.

"I?m just saying it seems awfully convenient that viruses and their fixes seem to come hand in hand. It doesn?t feel right."

I agree with you. It just does not feel right.

Like any good protection racket the trick is to get the ?customers? to keep paying. So they require a subscription fee so the program that you just purchased from them will keep getting the latest updates. If you don?t keep paying them then you will get infected with the latest viruses. These companies need new viruses just to stay in business. They rely on them. It all seems mighty fishy especially when you look at other operating systems. Apple? OS doesn?t get viruses and neither does the Linux OS. Doesn?t it seem strange that only Windows computers get viruses? Is it because people that don?t use the Windows OS are nicer people? I doubt it. I think it might have something to do with economics - 90% of computers on the planet run a Windows OS. There is a lot more money in ?protecting? Windows.

I don't know what antivirus software you use, but I use Norton. Norton's subscription fee IS the software, at least for one year. Then you can renew your subscription, or like I do, buy the new version of the software. Like I said, when you buy the program you get at least one years worth of updates. That's not a protection racket, that's insurance. I could see your argument if I had to buy the software, then pay a monthly fee, but like I said, I don't. Once a year, I can live with that.

You do have to buy a subscription every year. Next year if you want to keep getting updates you better pay them. You still have to pay for the new upgraded versions of the Norton?s software or eventually your version can?t get a subscription! Double whammy! They have a great racket!
It still seems awfully strange that other operating systems don?t get viruses, only the most popular operating system does. If all these viruses were being made by pimply faced teenagers that are bored and want a challenge, then why haven?t they focused on Apple? There are so many people using Apple?s OS that are on the internet with no protection at all. A kid wanting to make trouble would have a field day!
Look at the adware and spyware market. They don?t focus on Apple either because there is a 90% chance that there is a Window?s user on the receiving end.
If you want to surf the internet with out all the viruses, spyware, pop-ups, etc. get an Apple and say goodbye to all that ?protection? costs. I don?t have one, but an older model Mac or that Mac mini is starting to look pretty good.

Sure, you have to buy a new subscription or version every year. But that is true with just about every application on the market. Hell, we even have to upgrade our operating system now and then. That's true of Apple too. That's how we keep up to date with technological advancements. That's also how our market economy works. Surly your not against progress?

...and I don?t have any proof at all - only suspicions. I?m not opposed to paying for updating software and believe me I buy a new anti-virus program every year just like you do.

I just don?t trust large corporations and with good reason. If you have ever worked for one I?m sure you know they make decisions based solely on the bottom line regardless of how it affects their employees, the environment, or often even the law.

I can?t help but keep going back to the same point - Why don?t other operating systems get viruses? Doesn?t it seem to be a red flag to you that Windows based computers have hundreds of viruses while others have none? I just can?t believe that Apple or Linux users are nicer than Windows users. I think that the lack of viruses in those operating systems demonstrate that viruses AREN?T coming from the general public. Then where are they coming from?

it would seem that a programmer actually created a virus to find a patch, well, that's ducky, but two things occur to me.
1) It would only work on THAT virus that he created. Every virus out there has its own set of rules, and needs to be treated a certain way. creating patch for a self made virus is only gonna work on that one, not the ones someone else makes.

2) what if it got into the wrong hands? Indirectly the well meaning programmer has unleashed the next virus. Sorta like making up a sample of bubonic plague to find a cure for it, and it gets out into the general population.

not good.

Didn't stop Bill, just lie some more.
Who ever makes the $$, will be sided with.
Poeple like having full pockets.

If our Gov't wanted something stopped, it would stop NOW.
Viruses/drugs make $$ Antivirus/rehab etc.
Face it, if we wanted to stop drugs coming across the border it would stop. an ant couldn't fart in the desert without our knowing about it.
They could stop viruses so fast it isn't even funny.
You can't hide where apps originate. They could be tracked & killed in nanosecond.

SBC, you are showing your intelligence level and it isn't good. Think about what you are going to type before you actually type it. Try to throw in some factual details and not just make a statement about your beliefs or feelings.

Here we have yet another American blaming his democratically elected government for all the worlds ills. Someone correct me if i am wrong...but do you ALL bring politics into what was (i thought) a discussion about VP?
I am Australian, proud of it & frankly care little who your president of the day is. Down here we have, & exercise the right to criticise our government of the day but mostly we refrain from the bitter personal attacks you blokes appear to revel in. If they fail us we simply vote 'em out come election time.
But, some Americans i reckon would blame their government if they (shock horror) woke up one morning with a severe case of dandruff.
As an MD i advise...lay back a little, relax take a chill pill.
Finally, if i may quote one of your very own....
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly". (Robert F Kennedy)

I really don't think you have any business scolding us for something you know very little about. Mr. Bush was not elected. He paid Diebold and another safe company (in favors) to manufacture his voting machines. In Democratic wards, some of the machines started going backward once they reached 8000 votes. There were examples of counties with only 3500 voters where Bush got 35,000 votes. The governor or whatever he was of Iowa, Blackwell or something like that happens to be a part of the Bush administration. The voting machines specially built for Bush had no paper trail. Believe me it is pretty hard to vote out a tyrant. I liken the Bush administration to all the governments that are fighting against democratic elections. Before you critize, I advise that you study up. You only show your ignorance when you assume. I have a few quotes for you; "I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and by men who are equally certain that they represent the divine will. I am sure that either the one or the other is mistaken in the belief, and perhaps in some respects, both. I hope it will not be irreverent of me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me." Abraham Lincoln

"Following the laws of the land and your government with loyalty should not mean becoming a blind sheep to an unjust government." Shanatahani

"Man is wise only while in search of wisdom; when he imagines he has attained it, he is a fool." Ibn Gabrol, "Mibhar Hapaeninim"

"He does not believe, that does not live according to his belief" Thomas Fuller

I can apply each of these to our present adminstration. Oh yes, one more. "question authority"

Whatever you say sir/madam. ( wink, wink, nudge nudge)
But 'scolding' is hardly the appropriate word....amazement at your ability to turn an AV discussion thread into political point scoring was my point.
Now not only have YOU done that but you are 'bible bashing' me as well. Rememeber the thread...VP, focus please.
As i said i care little who your president or Government is...however one thing i do remember when your current president WAS democratictally elected was the huge vote he received from the Pentacostal Christians church members...some even said he only won the election because of that massive endorsement.
I guess that makes these religious people disciples & therefore henchmen ( & women) of this 'evil tyrant'.
Thank you for the advise,but no even though i did spend 5 years practicing medicine in your great country, i do not feel the need to 'study up' as u so eloquently put it on the American political system.... too many vicious, malignent & feral people make up the constituency especially when they are on the losing side.
But i thank you for your post, the absurdity of it proved my initial comments....and you did give me cause to treat myself to a good laugh.
My time is valuable so rest assured this 'ignorant' Australian whose 'little knowledge is dangerous' shall NOT be responding again to this debate on(cough cough)virus protection.
Have a happy day & please DO remember to take your chill pill.. it won't cure your persecution & conspiracy obsession but it sure will not atrophy your condition.