I agree you're a lot better off running Linux from a security standpoint,
but that doesn't mean Linux doesn't have any security issues at all. there
have been viruses for and security holes in Linux and other Unix operating
systems. You still need to make sure you're applying the necessary
security patches and using good common sense.
I wish it were so easy to switch to Linux. Unfortunately, I have to use
applications like Lotus Notes and Microsoft Office to remain employed, and
I don't have accessible alternatives under Linux, at least not that I know
of.
Christopher
Christopher J Chaltain
[log in to unmask]
Jack and Seetbriar <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: "VICUG-L: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List"
<[log in to unmask]>
01/31/2004 12:07 AM
Please respond to Jack and Seetbriar
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] PC minimal security
Well there is something else you might consider. Run Linux..
Cheers.
Jack
Be of stout heart.
Yield not to MisFortune..
On Fri, 30 Jan 2004, Christopher J chaltain wrote:
> True enough and don't forget good old common sense and practicing safe
> computing. don't open up attachments unless you're expecting them. Make
> sure
> your system displays file extensions so you don't get spoofed by a
virus.
> Keep your OS, mail handler and internet browser up to date, especially
> with security
> patches. The recent issue of the Internet Tourbus e-zine claims that if
> you practice tips like these, you don't need an antivirus package. I
> don't necessarily
> agree, but IMHO, all of the tools and safeguards in the world won't do
as
> much for you as good old common sense.
>
> Christopher
>
> Christopher J Chaltain
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
> David Poehlman <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent by: "VICUG-L: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> 01/30/2004 02:35 PM
> Please respond to David Poehlman
>
>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> cc:
> Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] PC minimal security
>
> There is no one size fits all approach here. You need to determine your
> uses and needs. I ran for years with just a good anti virus package
that
> I
> kept up to date. When I first connected to cable, I got a firewall. I
> found that one of my computers the one still on dial up was collecting
> spyware/mall ware so I obtained an anti spy ware program. When I went
> wireless, I dropped the software firewall in favor of the hardware
> firewall
> in my router/access point and now, I run spy ware on both pcs.
>
> To provide some perspective, if one is using a connection via dial up
and
> infrequently and in short bursts, neither a firewall nor a
> spyware/mallware
> dector/remover is needed but everyone must use an antivirus package
unless
> you never connect to the internet in which case, you might never see
this
> message. I read a ton of stuff about this and most of it I disagree
with
> but that probably has something to do with the fact that I don't go
after
> advertising or want to pal up to the software perveyors. I'm not saying
> that safe computing is enough because that does not hold any more since
> you
> can go to a web site and have a worm dropped on your pc but I am saying
> that
> most of the time, this stuff is over rated.
>
> One thing I have asked myself and others and have not been able to find
an
> adaquate answer for is Why suddenly, manufacturers of networking
equipment
> distribute a firewall software package with their firewall router? About
> the only answer I can think of is to protect your computers from one
> another
> and in some ways, that seems silly.
>
> Flame off.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lynn Evans" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 12:02 AM
> Subject: Re: PC minimal security
>
>
> Hello Dino and all interested parties:
>
> I agree. We should all be practicing safe computing. Good protection is
> made
> up of 4 elements: . FIREWALL, VIRUS PROTECTION. SPY WARE KILLER and
> backup
> your document file. You may have to perches the anti virus software.
>
> Please don't let the information below scare you off. The programs you
> need
> can be downloaded from the internet for free. Do a little at a time. Put
> up
> a firewall and work on the rest in the following weeks.
>
> We are working with computers here and it would benefit us all to pick
up
> on
> the computer jargon. I use Kim Komando's web site for the information
> below.
> www.komando.com
>
> There is a web site for the non technical approach. However the owner is
> into self promotion of his e books on computer tricks and tips. The web
> site
> is http://www.newbieclub.com/ and you can find tutorials here and sign up
> for his weekly newsletter.
>
>
>
>
>
> 1 Put Up A Barrier To Intruders With A Firewall
>
>
> A firewall should be installed along with anti-virus software.
>
>
> Firewalls can be either hardware or software. If you have a home
> network and a router, the router probably includes a firewall. Be sure
you
> have enabled it. Check the instructions. Router firewalls are very
> capable.
>
> However, relatively few home users have routers. So they need
> software
> firewalls. Some anti-virus packages include firewalls. There are also
> numerous stand-alone firewalls made. At least two--ZoneAlarm
> (http://www.zonelabs.com) and Outpost (http://www.agnitum.com) are free. I
> use and recommend ZoneAlarm.
>
> Home firewalls hide your computer from snoops. The computer has a
> number of communication points, called ports. These are used to send
data
> to
> the Internet from the computer. Intruders use sniffing programs to find
> computers with open ports. The ports can be used by backdoor programs to
> send information--for instance, your credit card numbers-- to a computer
> on
> the Internet. Firewalls make these ports invisible.
>
> Firewalls also block unauthorized transmissions from your computer
> to
> the Internet. So even if someone succeeds in planting a Trojan horse on
> your
> computer, a firewall will keep it from sending information to the
> Internet.
> The firewall will tell you a program is transmitting. You will have the
> choice of permitting the transmission, or blocking it.
>
> Windows XP has a firewall built in. It is not enabled by default.
> So,
> unless you enabled it, it is not running. XP's firewall does a good job
of
> hiding computers. But it does not block outbound transmissions. So I do
> not
> recommend it. However, it is better than nothing.
>
> A firewall is crucial to your computer's security. Install one
> today.
> Once it is configured, you'll hardly know it is there. But it could save
> you
> a lot of grief
>
>
> 2 and 3 Anti virus software and spy ware.
>
> Problems in exterminating a virus
>
> Q. I believe I have a virus on my computer. I scanned it with my
> anti-virus software, which did not find anything. What else can I do?
>
> A. Be sure that your anti-virus program is up-to-date. This is very
> important; new viruses show up constantly. You can download updates
> from the manufacturer's Web site.
>
> You can also use online scanning programs. These two are free:
> Panda-- http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/
> HouseCall-- http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
>
> If you still come up clean, you probably are not infected. All major
> brands of anti-virus software are updated regularly. It is very
> unlikely that you have a virus that is unknown to these companies.
>
> Sometimes, poorly developed spyware programs can make computers flaky.
> Spyware is often included with downloads of free programs from the
> Internet. These programs track your Web browsing habits and report them
> back to a computer on the Internet. That information is used to tailor
> ads for you.
>
> It is easy to track down spyware. You can find and delete it with
> Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com) or Spybot Search and Destroy
> (http://www.safer-networking.org/). Both programs are free. They also
> must be updated regularly.
>
> Occasionally, a new program can make a system unstable. This is not
> likely, but if nothing else works, try uninstalling any recent hardware
> and software
>
> 4 Back up your document files and keep them in a safe place.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dino Cardamone" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 9:32 PM
> Subject: PC minimal security
>
>
> > Hi all.
> >
> > I am finally getting scared and motivated enough to do some
preventative
> > security on my system.
> >
> > Is there anywhere I can go to get a really clear, dummie language,
> > adequately functional, description of where to get inexpensive
software
> for
> > Virus Protection, Firewalls and Spy software?
> >
> > I'm looking to get the most protection, with the least amount of
> technical
> > side effects, and also the least amount of cost, and difficulty in
> > installation and maintenance.
> >
> > Thank you very much.
> > Dino Cardamone
> > Pittsburgh, PA USA
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> > To join or leave the list, send a message to
> > [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply
type
> > "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> > VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> > http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
> >
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
> "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
> "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
> "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
>
>
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
|
