crazy ad? "new AMD64 proc w/adv virus protection"

[lordsmurf]

"the new AMD 64 processor with advanced virus protection"
What does this mean? Did I miss something? Is virus protection now done by CPU, and thus bypassing anti-virus software? Or is it just stupid ad talk? This was a radio ad I heard to day, think it was Circuit City. It made no mention of a computer or package, just the CPU.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Sounds like false advertising to me

It's software as far as I know.

Kevin

[tekkieman]

No, it is true. The new CPUs are now incorporating a type of AV that is supposed to prevent destructive instructions being processed. I'll do some research and see if I can find a source for this.

EDIT: first link I found. I'm sure there are others.

http://liewcf.com/wp/archives/2004/03/amd-announced-antivirus-cpu/

[mujahid7ia]

It's called NX and EVP -- No eXecute refuses to execute buffer overflows or something...

[bazooka]

It is data execution prevention.

It is built into the processors and XP SP2 utilizes it.

[888888]

"the new AMD 64 processor with advanced virus protection" What does this mean? Did I miss something? Is virus protection now done by CPU, and thus bypassing anti-virus software? Or is it just stupid ad talk? This was a radio ad I heard to day, think it was Circuit City. It made no mention of a computer or package, just the CPU.

You just heard about this? It has been widely advertised for some time. I personally can't attest to its value but it's definitely not false advertising.

[shelbyGT]

how dare you diss the simpons!

scoff

[offline]

Yeah.. they are just pushing the DEP function in
SP2 windows XP as Bazook said. You been hiding in
the sticks somewhere LordSmurf?

[lordsmurf]

Yeah.. they are just pushing the DEP function in
SP2 windows XP as Bazook said. You been hiding in
the sticks somewhere LordSmurf?

I've had my head buried in the sand for a couple of months now.
Too busy using computers to worry about what's next.

[offline]

Yeah.. they are just pushing the DEP function in
SP2 windows XP as Bazook said. You been hiding in
the sticks somewhere LordSmurf?

I've had my head buried in the sand for a couple of months now.
Too busy using computers to worry about what's next.

Fair enough. You don't run XP on any of your machines right?

[glockjs]

plus some of the new mobo's come with hardware anti virus and firewalls. its nice that they're finally doing something about stupid viruses

[freestyler]

to me, spyware is a greater annoyance than any virus

does it block pop-ups too?

[bazooka]

to me, spyware is a greater annoyance than any virus

does it block pop-ups too?

It is supposed to block any malicious code.

[mujahid7ia]

plus some of the new mobo's come with hardware anti virus and firewalls. its nice that they're finally doing something about stupid viruses

nForce4 and 3 have good hardware FWs.

[ViRaL1]

Mobos have been including some basic AV for years. I don't know many people that used them. I think the bulk of it was for protecting boot sectors on hard drives. EVP has been out for a bit but AMD never bothered to push it. I even saw an article or two saying that AMD dropped the ball by not pushing this when Intel's DEP chips were still to come.

[mrtristan]

I heard the same ad today. It's not false advertising, but I think it can be misleading. Your average joe consumer, (who the ad is aimed at), will just think his computer is immune to all viruses, which is simply not true. I think ignorant computer use is the most responsible for viruses.

I have never had a virus and I no longer install any anti-virus software. I only download files from sites that I know and throw away e-mail that I don't recognize. If it's questionable, I still throw it away. Anyone who has my e-mail definitely has my home, work, or cel number. If e-mail is the only that they can contact me, they don't need to be talking to me.

[bazooka]

I have never had a virus and I no longer install any anti-virus software. I only download files from sites that I know and throw away e-mail that I don't recognize.

Even sites that you know can have viruses.

The register had an infected banner, and anyone who visited the register that day had a virus, so your reasoning is faulty. To connect to the net, and not use antivirus software is ignorant. You do not have to download anything to get a virus. You can also get a virus without reading e-mail.

[mrtristan]

bazooka - I don't keep any important files on any of my computers, so even if I were to catch a virus and have it wipe my hard drive or spyware my information, it really wouldn't matter to me. I'm well aware that I can catch a virus from simply opening a known web page. My point is that taking precaution of what you download is just as important as having anti virus software.

[bazooka]

bazooka - I don't keep any important files on any of my computers, so even if I were to catch a virus and have it wipe my hard drive or spyware my information, it really wouldn't matter to me. I'm well aware that I can catch a virus from simply opening a known web page. My point is that taking precaution of what you download is just as important as having anti virus software.

Very true

[ViRaL1]

bazooka - I don't keep any important files on any of my computers, so even if I were to catch a virus and have it wipe my hard drive or spyware my information, it really wouldn't matter to me. I'm well aware that I can catch a virus from simply opening a known web page. My point is that taking precaution of what you download is just as important as having anti virus software.

I'm in the same boat as you for the most part when it comes to vital info. I don't keep any of it stored on my main PC, so if spyware or viruses got hold of it, I could wipe and reinstall without too much trouble. The thing is, we're a small minority, and even though I don't really stand to lose any data, I lose time. Not to mention that while I may not KEEP the important files on my PC, I do perform various personal and business transactions that I wouldn't want to be compromised. While there are times where I've just up and wiped everything and started from scratch, it's not something I want to do on a weekly basis. Not to mention that your average user not only keeps important info on their computer, but also doesn't know not to (or in some cases doesn't choose to) download certain files. With the multitude of viruses and spyware out there, your average user has to be pretty diligent to make sure they stay protected and that's IF they have all the right software to keep themselves safe.

[mrtristan]

Actually, there is a fail safe way of staying virus free. Get a mac.

[bazooka]

Actually, there is a fail safe way of staying virus free. Get a mac.

Not true

Even macs get viruses.

[Cobra]

http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_mac/

[mrtristan]

I was joking, man. I couldn't think of a way to work tgpo into the sentence, though.

Actually, there is a fail safe way of staying virus free. Get a mac.

Not true

Even macs get viruses.

[bazooka]

I was joking, man. I couldn't think of a way to work tgpo into the sentence, though.

Actually, there is a fail safe way of staying virus free. Get a mac.

Not true

Even macs get viruses.

Ok.

Sorry...

[tgpo]

Even macs get viruses.

Yeah, Microsoft products

[bazooka]

Even macs get viruses.

Yeah, Microsoft products

Whatever

[offline]

<ducks for cover>

[bazooka]

<ducks for cover>

It is ok, you can come out now.

I am ignoring the apple propaganda war.

[ViRaL1]

Not really much of a war. They're cute though. :P