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Spooky
Posts: 26597
Joined: 11/11/1998
From: Middle Earth
Status: offline
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Computer Security for home Users - 10/2/2003 4:59:30
The recent virus and worm attacks should be a wakeup call for all users.
The days of "I dont open attachments, so Im safe" are gone.
As users of the internet, we all need to be responsible for what we do and how we protect ourselves. Enough of the "Well Microsoft got me into this mess" bs, it doesnt mean a lot when YOU have lost valuable information and time.
There are many resources out there, but the most important resource is you. You all know someone who is less than computer savy and they are possibly still to blame for the continuance of simple viruses due to lack of knowledge. Educate them.
A good place to start is Microsoft itself.
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
There are many tips spread throughout this forum and its good to see a high level of awareness amongst forum users. And then theres those who use *nix.... 
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bobby
Posts: 11394
Joined: 8/15/1969
From: Seattle WA USA
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/2/2003 10:49:41
Good points Spooky...
Some points I try to make to friends and family:
If you use MS-Windows, make sure you patch / update regularly and often... and not just Windows, but your AV software as well.
Firewall, Firewall, Firewall!!!
With so many great ones available, there is no excuse... Norton, Zone Alarm, Smooth Wall, etc.
Antivirus software... yes, Norton is gonna cost you $30-$40 and another $15 per year after that. It's worth every penny! Just ask anyone who has been hit hard by a virus.
Also, don't use IE for your main browser... try Mozilla or Opera... they don't have the same holes that are in Internet Explorer (several are still unpatched). Keep IE for testing your pages, but why run around on the internet with your pants down?
Also watch what you download... that cool free game or toolbar might be nifty, but what is it costing you in privacy? Run a spyware check often... I use Ad-Aware 6.0 (free) and it works great.
Switch email clients if the integration between Outlook and IE frightens you... there are free options out there that are fantastic, or get a "web based" email like Hotmail or Yahoo (just don't input any personal info, since they're subject to hacks too)
Whether or not it's Microsofts fault, the bottom line is they aren't going to be held responsible if a hole in their source code allows a hacker or virus to tamper with or even destroy your system... (anybody remember the Chernobyl virus?)
I still recommend Linux... in addition to Windows (dual boot) if you don't want to give up some of your Win only games or apps. Heck, you paid good money for Windows, why should you have to throw it away?
But that's really another topic...
Has anybody ever chronicled just how much time you spend running patches, updates and scans per week?
_____________________________
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
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Spooky
Posts: 26597
Joined: 11/11/1998
From: Middle Earth
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/2/2003 16:16:34
If you have concerns with spyware, unsolicited popups, link or tool bars that have taken over your browser, strange actions happening without your action......
It may be time to run a program to clear out such parasites.
Crashing and slow computing may also be fixed as a result.
One of the better ones that I would recommend is Spybot from http://www.safer-networking.org/
Its free, but donations can be made to the owner.
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shan
Posts: 156
From: Australia
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/6/2003 6:16:24
Has anyone had experience with fortinet?
Recently my computer guy suggested it might be a good idea. It's hardware as opposed to software firewall and antivirus
and after reading about it I'm seriously thinking of taking the plunge, it's around $AU1,000.00, the version I'm looking at I can use it on up to 3 computers and once you have the hardware it's only $300 per year for all the updates.
What do you think?
....the url http://www.fortinet.com
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Boo
Posts: 136
Joined: 9/20/2002
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/8/2003 4:12:08
been reading some new ink
Firewallsss are usselesss agianst the new trojans
because the trojan is already delivered it isssss only making outgoing http
most firewalls asssume that all outgoing http should be legit, and should be ansssswered
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Long Island Lune
Posts: 2340
Joined: 6/8/2002
From: New York
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/8/2003 15:55:47
bobby,
On a more serious note, your should try Tigerdirect. You could probably build a nice inexpensive box quickly there.
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shan
Posts: 156
From: Australia
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/9/2003 5:42:46
Thanks Bobby, I'm looking into what you suggested.
I just happen to have an old pc & may be able to save some money, and still
feel somewhat secure.
Thanks again:)
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Charles W Davis
Posts: 1725
Joined: 3/7/2002
From: Henderson Nevada USA
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/20/2003 1:00:26
Some suggestions to enable easy recovery.
Buy a 64MB USB Flash disk. Download Symantec's virus removal tools to it. Download McAfee's Stinger.exe which to the Flash disk. Then remove the Flash disk to keep it from the virus programs.
When disaster happens, run the Stinger exe first. The current version searches for and will remove 31 worms and viruses.
If you are using MS Windows ME or XP, turn off the System Restore feature before running these removal tools, otherwise on restart, the system will restore the previous settings. DON'T forget to turn the System Restore back on following restarting the system.
I have visited approximately 45 of our Computer Clubs homes in the past two months with my USB Flash disk and restored their systems.
The Flash disk also contains Adobe Reader 6, Ad-aware, Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.5 for the Windows 98 crowd and four of the Windows Critical update patches. The programs are installed for those on dial up Internet access. The critical update patches are for use in stopping some of the worms that get placed on the computer before they can be downloaded from the web site.
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Enjoy! It' s your endeavor!
http://www.anthemwebs.com
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Bill Nicol
Posts: 1445
From: Springfield IL USA
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/28/2003 8:59:53
Re: the AV software at: quote:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
I've used it for over a year now, no problems whatsoever. I got it on a tip from someone here at Outfront. It's inexpensive, and I've found their support to be excellent and timely.
When my hard drive crashed a few months ago, they were unbelievably helpful. And without question, got me going with their AV software again.
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"Hold on Lukey, we're headin'for the rhubarb"... J Watson, 78th Frasers
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J-man
Posts: 936
From: Canada
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/30/2003 16:43:02
I use spybot, hijack this, norton, zonealarm, harware firewall, IP Watcher, plus I don't sleep
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Matrix28
Posts: 15
Joined: 10/29/2003
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/30/2003 17:13:32
Thanks for the warning.
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|M28|CF|BlueShad|LindonNet|Nintra|YY2
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J-man
Posts: 936
From: Canada
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/30/2003 17:14:27
You should get HijackThis an run it, to see how everything really is.
< Message edited by J-man -- 10/30/2003 5:14:53 PM >
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Long Island Lune
Posts: 2340
Joined: 6/8/2002
From: New York
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/30/2003 17:23:27
quote:
I use spybot, hijack this, norton, zonealarm, harware firewall, IP Watcher
Do you have all these things running at the same time?
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J-man
Posts: 936
From: Canada
Status: offline
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RE: Computer Security for home Users - 10/30/2003 17:56:11
Retina you say thanks i'm up for a fun evening!
Yes i run all those at the same time always plus the web page building stuff and so on... and I only have 64 ram, things never crash or get held up, i guess i'm just use to it
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