Fatman,
Good points.
I didn’t want to bash IE, so I didn’t talk about that.
I use Firefox and don’t seem to have as many problems.
The test machine at home uses IE and has tons of problems.
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:3e862]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:3e862]
Zone alarm is one of the best free firewalls around. If you want extra functionality the pro version doesnt cost all that much.
If you couple a software firewall with a hardware firewall in a router you are protected very well although not totally invulnerable.
Another program to check out is Microsofts Anti-Spyware. It is free but still in beta. It runs similar to antivirus programs, it runs realtime in the background and can also be set to run full system checks on a regular basis.
Boy could I go on and on about this one. Mainly because my job is to educate workers about the evils of the internet and fix their computer when they don’t listen. I have learned to rid most computers of their problems without reinstallation.
BTW fdisk alone will not clean a hard drive because it does not redo the boot sector. Try fdisk /mbr then run fdisk alone. Many viruses can make their home there.
CG36 hit the nail right on the head but I could list many other sources of problems. Almost all problems are by invitation not by hack. You just didn’t know you invited it. Many of the softwares provided by ISP’s, antivirus, music download software leave holes so they can monitor your computer. Guess what; so can anybody else that knows about it. This is the biggest reason MS recommends shutting down their own messenger service (not the instant messenger) that gets activated by default. And one of the worst is those little helper programs so readily available like search tool bars for IE and things that are supposed to keep you notified if something changes like the weather.
First thing is if you insist on using Windows (or have no choice) DO THE UPDATES! Next go to dslreports or shields up and do a port scan. This will show you how they get in. Free software is great but you get what you pay for.
A good firewall is very expensive but the cheaper routers that use NAT and basic firewall rules should be all the individual user needs. DLink and Linksys make pretty good ones in the $50 range.
I find it ironic that Windows has security problems. How does one secure a window?
I run Linux on all my personal stuff. It’s secure and free if you so desire. I just pay for it to help support development but it’s not required.
I better stop now.
FlyLine,
Thanx … As for FDISK, that was just the start.
I work out of the house often and as I have to VPN to the office, I take security issues pretty seriously.
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:2dc1f]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:2dc1f]
Make sure you download service pack 2 for Windows XP on the windows update page. That will include a firewall that is very effective. Of course it is free.
As far as viruses goe, you really need a virus software that will update each day or one you can update automatically from the vendor’s website. Just my opinion. There are too many out there to take a chance.
As far as hackers go, there are many different ways for them to access your personal information. Spyware definitely can allow them to detect your keystrokes which could be usernames and passwords for bank accounts.
Make sure you are downloading all of your critical updates on the Windows update page. Once you have Service pack 2 installed, you can configure it to install them automatically.
Best of luck.
I saw someone mention they had 100 attempts?
Actually what was occurring was a passive scan by some unscrupulous individual looking for subport and other backdoor programs. Most of the time they only scan cable/dsl ips and are harmless unless you have the above mentioned programs on your computer.
Reality is that most hackers just use “others” programs to exploit something your virus/ad scanner didnt pick up. People who could actually hack you from the desktop would not generally be interested in hacking private boxes.
I got a good one in the email today. “Download yahoo toolbar and protect your PC!!” WOW, too good to be true. LOL
If flyfishing were a sin, I’de be the devil’s right hand man.
E_o_Carp,
The 100’s of hits were at home and I figured it was some pretty low risk stuff. I backtracked the roadmap and saw it was so.
As for REAL security, as I VPN to the office I really watch out for stuff. After all, if I wanted to to something, that’s how I’d do it 
(that is, vs floundering around with some “off the Shelf” hack).
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:0e76c]http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/[/url:0e76c]
I have heard that the Windows firewall should NOT be used in conjunction with another firewall. Does anyone know if this is true? Does this pertain to just the windows version, or should one never use 2 software firewalls at the same time?
thanx
Soup,
I’m not sure why that would be a problem. I didn’t even think about it.
The home PC is behind a router firewall AND it’s running the XP built in Beta thing from Micro$oft. No problems there (if juniour would just quit downloading stuff).
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
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[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 21 May 2005).]