haha nice story, I agree with that, my mother actually just had that virus on her computer, even though she has it protected, and I had to go get rid of it for her. It's a pretty annoying one!

If you really knew what a malware writer can do with their code, then you wouldn't go a second on the net without anti malware. You've been lucky if you haven't gotten one yet without such programs. Why would you not? Some of the best programs are free so what do you have to lose? That is not wise & you are asking for it. Do you just want to make it easier for someone to steal you're identity, pervert your files, track what you do with your computer (including screen shots), annoy you with ads, and/or corrupt your system? They can do all that and more & it is easier for it to be done on a system without such programs. This is a very big, real problem and every unprotected system on the net makes it harder for those of us who are responsible enough to protect ourselves. By the way how do you know that your computer isn't infected when you don't have an active scanner? Thats like driving blind. Listen to the experts here. Why did you join if you aren't going to take their advice? Do you need a disaster to wake you up and bring you back to reality? The net isn't a utopia where nothing bad ever happens.

Well, I ran 'Secunia PSI' and it told me that I was 100% secure on both of my computers so that contradicts what you guys are saying a bit, but I didn't look into what the program considers "secure" yet.

100% Secure? I don't think so. What PSI does is check your existing programs to see if they are fully updated. It does not test to see if your system is secure, nor does it check to see what NEW programs you might need. And mine says, "Your Secunia System Score: 100%". It does not say 100% "Secure".

Also, it's not really irony or an oxymoron that if a program fails to perform it is discarded, that's a lot more like causation. As far as the setbelt comparison...I may just be naive, but it seems strange to me that others have more malware or viruses because of me when I have and send none myself.

And how often does the drunk driver walk away from a deadly crash - wondering what all the fuss is about?

I don't think you are seeing the big picture. What is scanning your active memory? Nothing?

How often do you scan your machine? With what? Are you behind a router? Do you use a firewall?

If your computer connects to a network with other computers, and that network has Internet access, without a "real-time" scanner, notwithstanding the fact that you and your computer are at risk, but you put the other computers and their users, and the rest of us at risk too.

Understand that not all malicious code seeks to wreck havoc on it's host. Rather it wants to hide and work covertly to wreck havoc on others - using your IP address.

So, if you don't care about your machine or your identity, that's your choice. But understand your system IS at risk at being used as tool by badguys to hurt others.

You said earlier:

it actually seems more important to me to be aware of what one is doing to avoid viruses and the like.

You are 100% correct! And I hope now you understand that a key system required to "avoid viruses" is a "real-time" anti-virus solution.

it's not really irony or an oxymoron that if a program fails to perform it is discarded

That is not a good reason to abandon all attempts at prevention. Some tools may consistently fail to address aggressively reinvented infections (in a timely manner) that are constantly being updated such as 'Antivirus 2009'. But, at least, it may slow it down or make it initially less overpowering in consequence. Also, many users confuse the relative capabilities of AV and anti-malware tools - some are presumed to do both capably but often miss their mark in their non-core areas. Some infections (as above) are often more successfully resolved with a more limited list of specialized tools.

A tool that has a 95% success rating is still nevertheless adequate and effective against most common infections in their core area of expertise. For all other issues and exceptions, scanning suspect files with the following multi-engine scanning service may assist in determining the nature of any infection missed by other tools:

VirusTotal - Free Online Virus and Malware Scan - About VT

VirusTotal is not substitute any antivirus software installed in a PC, as it only scans individual files on demand. It does not offer permanent protection for the user's system either.

Although the detection rate afforded by the use of multiple antivirus engines is far superior to that offered by just one product, these results DO NOT guarantee the harmlessness of a file.

Currently, there is not any solution that offers a 100% effectiveness rate for detecting viruses and malware. You may become a victim of misleading advertising, if you buy such a product under those premises.