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azande
26th-December-2004, 01:38 PM
Interesting article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/21/security_review_2004/) about computer security in 2004.

CJ
26th-December-2004, 06:10 PM
Interesting article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/21/security_review_2004/) about computer security in 2004.

Interesting?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!!?!?! :eek:

:wink:

azande
26th-December-2004, 06:33 PM
Scary... isn't it?

ChrisA
26th-December-2004, 11:31 PM
Scary... isn't it?

Do you dance, as well as knock Microsoft?

Just curious, you understand :flower:

Tiggerbabe
27th-December-2004, 01:13 AM
Do you dance
Oh, yeah! - He dances :drool: :drool:

azande
27th-December-2004, 01:36 AM
Do you dance, as well as knock Microsoft?

Just curious, you understand :flower:

I try.... you know... in between hating Micros**t and evangelizing for Apple... :D

By the way, the article is not about MS, is about viruses in 2004.... I'm sure it's only a chance the OS attacked is sold by Microsoft! :rolleyes:

ChrisA
27th-December-2004, 01:38 AM
I'm sure it's only a chance the OS attacked is sold by Microsoft! :rolleyes:
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

azande
27th-December-2004, 02:10 AM
Oh, yeah! - He dances :drool: :drool: :blush:

azande
27th-December-2004, 02:26 AM
And for whoever uses Adobe Acrobat: Adobe patches Reader flaws (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/17/adobe_patches_bugs/)

under par
27th-December-2004, 03:38 AM
The more articles I read the less I understand about this topic and the more difficult the next question I ask becomes.

I have had viruses detected on my pc and I have taken the advice of DS re not using os and have downloaded FIREFOX.
I have zone alarm also.
I have some that viruses that I have not yet destroyed because they are in compressed files, zone alarm won't get rid of them and I do not know how to un compress them so i can destroy them! :confused:

I am sure the article I have just read as an overview of last year is an accurate summary but how does knowing it all assist?

Should I be selling my windows operated pc? for an apple for example.

Should I be desparately gloomy in 2005 every time i switch the monitor on?

I have windows XP as system.

I use it for e-mail, surfing the web and the odd purchase on ebay as well as some games playing, but I would like to use it for internet banking , good idea!!! :whistle:

or should I go and join the queue on the high street cashpoint.? :confused:

ChrisA
27th-December-2004, 10:07 AM
I have windows XP as system.

Steps to take:

1. Install Service Pack 2

2. Ensure that the Windows Firewall is on (it will be, by default, after you install SP2)

3. Install a good anti-virus application. McAfee has a good reputation, as has AVG from Grisoft, which is even free (get it here (http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/) ). Allow the AV software to update itself so that the virus library is current.

4. Configure Zone Alarm to the maximum security level (I assume it's compatible with the XP firewall), and only reduce it if it stops you from doing things you need to do.

5. Go to Windows Update and install all the critical updates. Then either configure Windows Update to run automatically, or visit the Windows Update site frequently.

6. Practise the equivalent of 'safe sex' when you use email or the internet. Opening attachments you aren't expecting is a bad idea, and don't hang around at any dodgy websites. If you use IE, make sure that in Tools/Internet Options/Security, the Internet Zone is set to High security.

Apart from all that, I wouldn't pay too much attention to the doom-mongers. Windows XP is the stablest, easiest-to-use, most secure version of Windows yet, and because it's so popular there is a massive range of software and hardware available for XP-based systems at unbelievably low prices.

Which makes it popular, and hence the most attacked. But I've been running Windows for years, and apart from one stupid thing I did which left me wide open once, and richly deserved what I got :tears: , I've never had a problem.

Chris

ChrisA
27th-December-2004, 10:16 AM
Steps to take:

Oh yes...

... and back up all your important stuff.

:flower:

under par
27th-December-2004, 12:45 PM
Chris Thanks for all that I will endeavour to follow them.

Anybody out there explain how I un compress virus things so the can be exterminated. :whistle:

ChrisA
27th-December-2004, 03:43 PM
Anybody out there explain how I un compress virus things so the can be exterminated. :whistle:
You should be able to get your AV software to scan zip files - then you can just delete the infected files from the zip using whichever zip management software you use.

HTH

Chris

Dreadful Scathe
28th-December-2004, 12:36 PM
If you use IE, make sure that in Tools/Internet Options/Security, the Internet Zone is set to High security.


And some web sites won't work - better off NOT using IE at all - many independent security experts recommend this.



Apart from all that, I wouldn't pay too much attention to the doom-mongers. Windows XP is the stablest, easiest-to-use, most secure version of Windows yet, and because it's so popular there is a massive range of software and hardware available for XP-based systems at unbelievably low prices.

Whilst that may be true it really is not saying much. All other versions of windows have many and varied security problems so thats an optimistic spin you've put on it there ;) You are quite correct about the software of course, no other platform will offer as much choice.



Which makes it popular, and hence the most attacked.

Sorry, but this is nonsense - its not attacked just because its the most popular - its also by far the easiest to attack. the popularity just means it easier to find a machine you CAN attack. Less so in win XP SP2 but how long has that been out ? not long.

heres a good article comparing windows vs linux (http://www.theregister.co.uk/security/security_report_windows_vs_linux/)


But I've been running Windows for years, and apart from one stupid thing I did which left me wide open once, and richly deserved what I got :tears: , I've never had a problem.


But you're competent. The vast majority of PC users have very little in the way of a clue, they sometimes 'think' they know whats going on but this is often worse - a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Its only since XP service pack 2 that Microsoft has finally catered for this market of 'newbies'.

Sheepman
29th-December-2004, 12:48 PM
6. If you use IE, make sure that in Tools/Internet Options/Security, the Internet Zone is set to High security. But if you do this, there are some sites which just won't work any more, e.g. Yahoo (and NO, I'm not moving to Hotmail) any suggestions?

Greg

Tiggerbabe
29th-December-2004, 02:35 PM
:whistle: :whistle:

azande
29th-December-2004, 05:21 PM
But if you do this, there are some sites which just won't work any more, e.g. Yahoo (and NO, I'm not moving to Hotmail) any suggestions?

Greg Best thing you can do is ditch Explorer and try Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/releases/#othersystems), now that it is at version 1.0 is worth using it as main browser.

Dreadful Scathe
29th-December-2004, 05:29 PM
Firefox is great but Opera is also great - some think its better, see here (http://stuff.techwhack.com/archives/2004/11/26/opera-more-productive-firefox/) - theres no argument that they are BOTH far better than Internet Explorer (except from misguided or insane people :) *)



* generalisationsruleok :)

azande
29th-December-2004, 07:24 PM
Firefox is great but Opera is also great - some think its better, see here (http://stuff.techwhack.com/archives/2004/11/26/opera-more-productive-firefox/) - theres no argument that they are BOTH far better than Internet Explorer (except from misguided or insane people :) *)



* generalisationsruleok :)
Yes, but last time I checked Opera was either with adverts or you had to pay to get rid of them. To be honest with Safari (and Shiira), Firefox and Camino all at a good level I never bothered checking Opera in a while.

azande
31st-December-2004, 02:21 AM
Another reason to dump Explorer?

Trojan horse threatens latest Windows XP (http://news.com.com/Trojan+horse+threatens+latest+Windows+XP/2100-1002_3-5506709.html?part=rss&tag=5506709&subj=news.1002.20)

Dreadful Scathe
31st-December-2004, 10:12 AM
Indeed. Opera is free if you dont mind a little advert in the top right - its really not noticeable to be honest and its certainly not spyware or anything that will slow your machine down - unlike some ad supported software. You can pay for Opera to get rid of it - current price is $39 (£20) but you also get full support for that.

Opera is my main browser because of the integrated email program, the wand utility it uses to remember text you've typed into boxes before, the way it remembers all pages you were looking at on different tabs, mouse gestures so you dont need to use the keyboard to navigate at all.....well worth a look, and Version 8 is now in Beta.

stewart38
31st-December-2004, 10:42 AM
Indeed. Opera is free if you dont mind a little advert in the top right - its really not noticeable to be honest and its certainly not spyware or anything that will slow your machine down - and .

I paid for Spyware the other week,is it no good ?

Im sure my machine crashes more then it use to

Im finally upgraded to Broadmand via AOL (platimum) I hope they all go together. Will try hooking up today

Dreadful Scathe
31st-December-2004, 11:29 AM
I paid for Spyware the other week,is it no good ?

Im sure my machine crashes more then it use to

I'll assume you're not trying to be funny :) heres an explanation of what spyware is (http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html), its not a particular program its a type of program, and you do NOT want it on your PC. I'm pretty sure that you did not pay for spyware :)



Im finally upgraded to Broadmand via AOL (platimum) I hope they all go together. Will try hooking up today

AOL is an evil ISP, but if you can get it to work and not conflict with anything you may not notice :)

azande
31st-December-2004, 11:34 AM
AOL is an evil ISP

:yeah: :yeah:

stewart38
31st-December-2004, 12:34 PM
I'll assume you're not trying to be funny :) heres an explanation of what spyware is (http://www.spychecker.com/spyware.html), its not a particular program its a type of program, and you do NOT want it on your PC. I'm pretty sure that you did not pay for spyware :)



AOL is an evil ISP, but if you can get it to work and not conflict with anything you may not notice :)

Im not trying to be funny. ill double check what ive paid for when i get home

Done AOL has found the non broadband fine but very slow.

baldrick
2nd-January-2005, 04:14 PM
I've heard people having troble with AOL 9 and going back to AOL 8 is better. Evil? overly helpful sure.

stewart38
2nd-January-2005, 05:00 PM
I've heard people having troble with AOL 9 and going back to AOL 8 is better. Evil? overly helpful sure.


Does it make a difference what modem cable you get. The thick one is too short, went into shop and they said a standard modem cable is fine :sick:

Whitebeard
3rd-January-2005, 12:48 AM
AOL is an evil ISP, but if you can get it to work and not conflict with anything you may not notice .....
Can't agree with that - you're being very scatheful!! I started with Compuserve (largely because of the very helpful online community in those days) and stayed as it was absorbed into AOL and have had few grumbles. On the few occasions I've queried their Help systems it's been free and the staff friendly and knowledgeable (more than can be said for many Helpdesks).

OK, the (the word eludes me - but I refer to the logon screen) can be a pain but in Ver 9 this can be avoided by using the AOL Dialler. Another improvement in Ver 9 is that the traffic light icon has reappeared in the system tray and online activity can now be seen.

Maybe I'm just easy to please (ladies, take note ;-).

Dreadful Scathe
5th-January-2005, 01:04 PM
Can't agree with that - you're being very scatheful!!

Just because you dont agree, doesnt mean AOL is not evil :).

The evilness of AOL...

AOL mass produce CDs (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5193717.html), the majority of which end up in landfill sites.

They block incoming mail (http://www.santaclaus.com/email.html) from some addresses with no recourse from users and because spammers use AOL you can also find your own email blocked.

AOLs software is non-standard, and it prevents you adding other ISP connections. Trying to remove AOL software may not even remove everything! (http://www.computing.net/windows2000/wwwboard/forum/60406.html) and installing it in the first place can cause different computer issues with different versions - here (http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/aol-hell_00.html) - here (http://www.helpwithwindows.com/windowsMe/tip-0103.html) - here (http://eagles.chatserve.com/aolhelp.html) - here (http://forums.whatpc.co.uk/thread.jsp?forum=20&thread=45341) - and here (http://www.computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/44147.html)

It also makes it impossible for blind people to use (http://204.245.133.32/bm/bm99/bm991201.htm), a problem that does not exist for other ISPs because they use standard OS connections. This is illegal! (here they promise to fix it only after being sued!) (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,17855,00.asp)

If you cancel AOL, they may 'forget' to stop charging you or just try to rip you of regardless! (http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=6080&wrapper=) - MANY more examples here (http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff35380.htm)

If a hacker wants your password AOL will happily give it to them (http://www.aolwatch.org/list/0095.html).

If you do a search in google for the phrase "AOL sucks" you'll get 18,700 hits ;). heres one of them (http://www.isomedia.com/homes/vertical/aol.htm)

...see Evil! :)

Graham
5th-January-2005, 01:32 PM
Can't agree with that - you're being very scatheful!!
He's frequently dreadfully scathing - what did you expect? :wink:

I have to agree with him here though - I must have thrown out loads of AOL CDs in my time, and I had to just about reformat my PC to get the AOL software off when I wanted to change ISP (since the AOL software helpully disables any other connection software you have and at least in the OS version I had prevented you reinstalling it).

Whitebeard
5th-January-2005, 05:49 PM
The evilness of AOL...
And there was me - blissfully unaware that I'd made some sort of Faustian pact with the Devil incarnate !! Stuck with it as well, unless I fancy reformating. Gotta just hope he looks after his own as promised.