Do computers who have Internet block still need anti-virus?

Hi experts,

I support an office with 3 computers in the front office and 4 on the back. I've blocked the back computers from Internet but they do have access to the network. Only the computers in the front have antivirus software installed. My question is, is it safe to not installed the antivirus on the back computers? Can they still get a virus even though their access to Internet is blocked? What do you experts recommend and why?

frankbustosAsked: 2013-01-09

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LVL 14

shahzoorCommented: 2013-01-09

Viruses come from CD and USB Drives as well
Then it can travel via network to the other computer. Its better to use any lite version or FREE AV like AVG for back office computers

LVL 75

käµfm³d 👽Commented: 2013-01-09

Do they have USB/Firewire/SD Card ports or optical disk drives? Not all virii come from the 'net! They're also networked to the other machines, which are on the Internet. So if one of the front machine's AV doesn't catch something in a scan, you've got three wide open machines. True, even if you did install AV, the back machines would get the virus the same way the front machines did, but if the AV later detects the threat, you might not think to clean the back machines if they don't have an AV to alert you of infection.

frankbustosAuthor Commented: 2013-01-09

Yes they do

frankbustosAuthor Commented: 2013-01-09

So would you say it's safe to leave them with no AV as long as Internet is blocked?

LVL 75

käµfm³d 👽Commented: 2013-01-09

I wouldn't, no. But feel free to wait for others to weigh in.

LVL 84

Dave BaldwinFixer of ProblemsCommented: 2013-01-09

I would never say it is safe as long as the network cable is still plugged in. Many programs constantly check with the companies that wrote them for updates and data. Then there is email. If you are still allowing email, there is a path for malware. The only way to make a computer completely safe is to turn it off.

LVL 25

Tony GiangrecoCommented: 2013-01-09

If the back computer doesn't have wired or wireless internet access, and you don't plug in any flash drives, external drives, map any drives, install any games, music or other files that are downloaded from the web, then I'd say you are probably safe from visus and malware.

Any change from that and I say Yes, you need anti virus.

Hope this helps!!!

LVL 3

nam0aCommented: 2013-01-10

from my point of view , computers with internet need to have antivirus bundled with internet security and computers without internet need to have antivirus not necessary with internet security (only antivirus). many free antivirus comes without internet security and they will be fine for those computers without internet. So the PCs need antivirus. If you don't want to install antivirus you can opt for defreeze.