ZDNet : Do you really need antivirus software?

"Do you need antivirus software on your PC?
If you’re not sure of the answer to that question, then the short answer is yes. The longer answer is that security software is only one piece of what should be a simple, straightforward, and systematic approach to your PC’s health. I’ll outline my recommendations in this post. If you’re visiting the family over the holidays, you might want to take my list along with you." ~ Ed Bott

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/do-you-really-need-antivirus-software/2685?tag=content;search-results-river

I understand where he is coming from. I also see his strategy is fairly well thought out. Yes, the security software industry is sort of a protection racket, however, it is still within your best interests to invest in their software.

While I do not place my money into McAfee's or Symantec's hands as of late, I do believe they are trying in their own ways. The whole industry needs to go back to basics on their software. They also need to see that we want a good product at a decent price. I can protect 3 PCs well with Kaspersky Internet Security at $60, while Symantec sells Norton 360 for $80 for 3 PCs ( which is mediocre in my opinion).

Maybe it is our fault at the consumer level that some products have gotten so big. I do still believe that if the focus were to shift into better products, instead of how much they could milk out of us for them, they would make more money. Again this is my opinion.