This really needs a retraction

Last year, I met with a prominent journalist who I respect, and he let on to me that some Microsoft execs had been telling him that they don�t run antivirus because Vista is so secure.

Oh really? Hmm� Give me Steve Ballmer�s email address� I could have fun with this.

The idea that you can�t run security software just because you�re running Vista is flat out wrong.

So no offense to the writer, but here�s an article that really needs a retraction:

� Turn off Vista�s overly protective User Account Control. Those pop-ups are like having your mother hover over your shoulder while you work.

� Uninstall your anti-virus software. I�m serious. Symantec Norton 360 spent so much time trying to protect me from problems I don�t have that it dragged my Toshiba�s performance to a crawl. So I uninstalled it. Instant speed boost.

Surprisingly, the article didn�t get much attention when it came out last week, except for some mentions (like this ComputerWorld blog post). Unfortunately, it�s now spreading through syndication.

But really � this is just terrible and dangerous advice.

If you�re fed-up with the bloat of your AV product, get a leaner one. I make one. And there are others as well.

Want reasonable performance tips? I posted some similar advice a couple of years ago on optimizing the performance of your PC, and this LifeHacker article from a while back debunks some common performance myths.

But no way � no way � should you not be running an antivirus product. This is not my self interest speaking, as I�ve blogged about free tools you can use.

It�s just a simple fact.

Alex Eckelberry