Win XP Pro...totally worthless information...
 

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102269099.4qsvEFS3LJXCi87mfPUrSA@teranews...
I fixed up my crashed server and also decided it was time to clean up my
main desktop machine, so...

I bit the bullet and did a clean install of WinXP Professional. It went
smoothly, with no error messages, and I've reinstalled the application
software I actually use.

I suppose this is only a sideways step from Win2k, which I had been
using on this machine. There are a couple of nice new features on XP
that weren't offered on Win2k, though. But not enough to induce anyone
to buy XP Pro. WinXP incluides a basic firewall which seems robust
enough to resist probes from the usual test sites.

FWIW, I've had XP Pro on this (the Florida laptop) for over three years and
have never had a problem with it. I prefer it to the older Windows
programs, although I've heard others feel differently. I keep it updated,
including the SP2 release.

Eisboch

I too have been running WinXP or a few years. Have had to re-install a few
times
but that's mostly because I do lots of development work, install and
uninstall all
types of software. I find a reinstall every 6 to 12 months to be a nice way
to clean
up the system. It's a bit of a pain but OK by me.

I like WinXP. Serice pack 2 certainly seems quite secure with it's firewall.
I used
to use zonealarm.

Computer Associates is giving a 12 month (12 month!) free trial of their
anti-virus & firewall software, so that's what I'm using there.

And a helpful site for WIndows fixes, etc.
www.Annoyances.org

Peace Out,
Gary

"Eisboch" wrote in message
.. .

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102269099.4qsvEFS3LJXCi87mfPUrSA@teranews...
I fixed up my crashed server and also decided it was time to clean up my
main desktop machine, so...

I bit the bullet and did a clean install of WinXP Professional. It went
smoothly, with no error messages, and I've reinstalled the application
software I actually use.

I suppose this is only a sideways step from Win2k, which I had been
using on this machine. There are a couple of nice new features on XP
that weren't offered on Win2k, though. But not enough to induce anyone
to buy XP Pro. WinXP incluides a basic firewall which seems robust
enough to resist probes from the usual test sites.

FWIW, I've had XP Pro on this (the Florida laptop) for over three years
and
have never had a problem with it. I prefer it to the older Windows
programs, although I've heard others feel differently. I keep it updated,
including the SP2 release.

Eisboch


We run XP Home on all 4 family computers and have not had any problems with
the application. We also installed SP2 when it was released this summer and
have seen no negatives as a result. The automatic update feature is also a
plus. As we run Zone Alarm Pro as our firewall and Avast Pro v 4.5 as our
anti virus we disabled the firewall and AV features on SP2.

A couple of anti spyware programs you should consider installing are
Ad-Aware Personal Edition (free at
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ ), Spybot Search and Destroy
(free at http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html ) and Spyware Doctor.

The XP firewall won't stop a rouge program (or spyware, or virus) from
phoning home. It
only stop stuff coming from outside.


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102269099.4qsvEFS3LJXCi87mfPUrSA@teranews...
I fixed up my crashed server and also decided it was time to clean up my
main desktop machine, so...

I bit the bullet and did a clean install of WinXP Professional. It went
smoothly, with no error messages, and I've reinstalled the application
software I actually use.

I suppose this is only a sideways step from Win2k, which I had been using
on this machine. There are a couple of nice new features on XP that
weren't offered on Win2k, though. But not enough to induce anyone to buy
XP Pro. WinXP incluides a basic firewall which seems robust enough to
resist probes from the usual test sites.

Everyone should run Ad Aware and SpyBot to remove all the cruddy spyware
coming in off the net.
My daughter installed a screen saver and there was so much attached spyware
her computer could barely function

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Chuck Tribolet wrote:
The XP firewall won't stop a rouge program (or spyware, or virus) from
phoning home. It
only stop stuff coming from outside.


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102269099.4qsvEFS3LJXCi87mfPUrSA@teranews...

I fixed up my crashed server and also decided it was time to clean up my
main desktop machine, so...

I bit the bullet and did a clean install of WinXP Professional. It went
smoothly, with no error messages, and I've reinstalled the application
software I actually use.

I suppose this is only a sideways step from Win2k, which I had been using
on this machine. There are a couple of nice new features on XP that
weren't offered on Win2k, though. But not enough to induce anyone to buy
XP Pro. WinXP incluides a basic firewall which seems robust enough to
resist probes from the usual test sites.





thanks for the tip, Chuck. I just turned off the XP firewall and
reinstalled the one I usually use. Of course, the whole mess is now
sitting behind my server and hardware firewall...

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 06:58:36 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:

Everyone should run Ad Aware and SpyBot to remove all the cruddy spyware
coming in off the net.
My daughter installed a screen saver and there was so much attached spyware
her computer could barely function

I got news for you - Adaware and SpyBot didn't get half of the spyware
on that computer.

You need to add Pest Patrol and No Adaware and forget about SpyBot.

SpyBot is useless.

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 07:36:58 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 06:58:36 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:


Everyone should run Ad Aware and SpyBot to remove all the cruddy spyware
coming in off the net.
My daughter installed a screen saver and there was so much attached spyware
her computer could barely function


I got news for you - Adaware and SpyBot didn't get half of the spyware
on that computer.

You need to add Pest Patrol and No Adaware and forget about SpyBot.

SpyBot is useless.

I believe our friend Tom frequents places he shouldn't...and picks up
doses of things polite folks don't mention in public!

Excuse me? Or you?

In fact, most of the spys were from the NYT, Washington Post and all
the little marine places I visit - all the ones that Adaware and
SpyBot didn't get that is. Pest Patrol got them all - every last one
of them.

As far as SpyBot - it's slower than hell and misses more than you
might think.

Later,

Tom

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102336618.09d33faec01ccec4b377cac6c4f8bed9@t eranews...


I believe our friend Tom frequents places he shouldn't...and picks up
doses of things polite folks don't mention in public!


This past summer I had a new laptop on the Navigator. I bought it because
it had a built in WiFi setup and the marina had WiFi service.

Within a month, I picked up some kind of worm, bug, virus, disease or
whatever that affected the search engines. Once in a while, instead of
displaying the results of my search, it would direct the computer to a porn
site. I really have no interest in these sites and had never purposely
visited any, but somehow the computer became infected with something.

Since then, I've learned more about WiFi service and it seems you have to be
very careful. Other people can apparently piggy-back on your computer to
gain access to the Internet.

Since switching to Firefox on that computer, I have had no further
problems. That reminds me. I've got to download Firefox and Thunderbird and
install them on this laptop.

Eisboch

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 07:46:53 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 06:58:36 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:


Everyone should run Ad Aware and SpyBot to remove all the cruddy spyware
coming in off the net.
My daughter installed a screen saver and there was so much attached spyware
her computer could barely function


I got news for you - Adaware and SpyBot didn't get half of the spyware
on that computer.

You need to add Pest Patrol and No Adaware and forget about SpyBot.

SpyBot is useless.

Uh... care to expand on this theory of yours?

I use SpyBot from time to time in conjunction with an anti-adware
program and they both seem to find what they are supposed to find.

What's so terrific about the two you are recommending?

I bought into the SpyBot/Adaware freeware concept and relied on them
to keep things out of the computer. Based on the first results, I
even sent the guy who developed SpyBot $25 I was that impressed.

Then I noticed that something was amiss - the computer started acting
strange again - popups and the spam started to escalate. Then I got
whacked in an email trojan on a .jpg that Norton missed (which is a
whole 'nother story) and was passed by a member of a lure maker/rod
building mailing list I'm a member of. Couldn't get rid of it.

SpyBot never caught it and neither did Adaware. Norton would catch it
on a scan, but couldn't delete or quarantine it. I started looking
around researching the trojan and came across Pest Patrol. Bought it
and WOW - what a difference!! 168 - count'em - 1 6 8 bugs, trojans,
spys and such - a bunch of them bugs that SpyBot was supposed to
eliminate.

Since then, run side by side with SpyBot, Pest Patrol has caught much
more than SpyBot - most of it in the form of cookies which execute
spys.

It's the same with Noadaware - much better performance and it actually
does what it says it does.

Like I said, I wouldn't give you ten cents for SpyBot - lesson
learned.

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 07:53:59 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102336618.09d33faec01ccec4b377cac6c4f8bed9@ teranews...


I believe our friend Tom frequents places he shouldn't...and picks up
doses of things polite folks don't mention in public!

This past summer I had a new laptop on the Navigator. I bought it because
it had a built in WiFi setup and the marina had WiFi service.

Within a month, I picked up some kind of worm, bug, virus, disease or
whatever that affected the search engines. Once in a while, instead of
displaying the results of my search, it would direct the computer to a porn
site. I really have no interest in these sites and had never purposely
visited any, but somehow the computer became infected with something.

Since then, I've learned more about WiFi service and it seems you have to be
very careful. Other people can apparently piggy-back on your computer to
gain access to the Internet.

Since switching to Firefox on that computer, I have had no further
problems. That reminds me. I've got to download Firefox and Thunderbird and
install them on this laptop.

And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...


And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom


You know what is strange? I've been using computers and accessing the
Internet for years. I've never used any kind of virus protection software.
I tried Spyware once because it was free and I was curious, but it screwed
up the computer, so I uninstalled it. Other than the WiFi thing I mentioned
and one other worm that I got on this computer last winter that I easily
removed, I've never had any problems with getting a serious virus or other
malady.

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

We were talking about it one day and determined that I use my computer very
differently than she. Hers is on a cable connection and she leaves it
connected 24 hours a day. I always disconnect after every use. Also,
unlike she, when using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, I never leave
the former open when checking mail or the newsgroups on OE. The only time I
open Internet Explorer is to quickly read news, search for something or do
whatever I need it for, then immediately close it.

I don't know enough about computers to be 100% convinced that my habits make
a difference, but I know I don't seem to have the problems she and others
have, even when they are using current anti-virus software.

Eisboch

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .


And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom


You know what is strange? I've been using computers and accessing the
Internet for years. I've never used any kind of virus protection software.
I tried Spyware once because it was free and I was curious, but it screwed
up the computer, so I uninstalled it. Other than the WiFi thing I mentioned
and one other worm that I got on this computer last winter that I easily
removed, I've never had any problems with getting a serious virus or other
malady.

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

We were talking about it one day and determined that I use my computer very
differently than she. Hers is on a cable connection and she leaves it
connected 24 hours a day. I always disconnect after every use. Also,
unlike she, when using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, I never leave
the former open when checking mail or the newsgroups on OE. The only time I
open Internet Explorer is to quickly read news, search for something or do
whatever I need it for, then immediately close it.

I don't know enough about computers to be 100% convinced that my habits make
a difference, but I know I don't seem to have the problems she and others
have, even when they are using current anti-virus software.

You know, as long as I've been associated with these beasts, I've
never used your regimen in terms of shutting off OE and IE in concert
with each activity. I'm going to start doing that.

I usually shut the computer off when I'm away for a while but I rarely
shut off the modem or put it into standby when I leave the computer
running. I think I should start making that a habit also.

On another subject, what kind of Scout do you have? I really like
those boats.

Later,

Tom

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...



On another subject, what kind of Scout do you have? I really like
those boats.

Later,

Tom


It's the 20' "Sportfish" model, powered by a Yamaha 200 hp 4-stoke. It's
set up with a T-top, rocket launchers, several gunnel rod holders, live
bait well - all the fishing type stuff.

I bought it at the end of the 2003 season up in MA because the dealer was
vacating his location and had to sell off the inventory, so I got a good
deal (I think). I towed it down here to Florida last fall and have not used
it here yet. It still has 4 hours on the engine.

Hopefully, after I repair all the hurricane damage I'll have some time to
put some hours on it.

Eisboch

Eisboch

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 09:18:45 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .



On another subject, what kind of Scout do you have? I really like
those boats.

It's the 20' "Sportfish" model, powered by a Yamaha 200 hp 4-stoke. It's
set up with a T-top, rocket launchers, several gunnel rod holders, live
bait well - all the fishing type stuff.

Very nice. Similar to my Ranger if I'm not mistaken.

Hmmmmm - I feel a need to visit Florida after Christmas. :)

I bought it at the end of the 2003 season up in MA because the dealer was
vacating his location and had to sell off the inventory, so I got a good
deal (I think). I towed it down here to Florida last fall and have not used
it here yet. It still has 4 hours on the engine.

Hopefully, after I repair all the hurricane damage I'll have some time to
put some hours on it.

A lot of damage?

Later,

Tom

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102341159.88ea84eb27b7dd159f5524a3aeb2213c@t eranews...

Two weeks ago, my wife said her computer was slowing again, and she was
plagued with pop-ups. The offender turned out to be a nice little
routine that Yahoo offers to install for you to make your searching
easier or more fun. It's called Target. Has nothing to do with the
stores. Once I got it off her machine, the problems stopped.



I suppose it eventually had to happen - the commercialization of the
Internet. I refuse to get so wrapped up in protecting a computer from
hackers and various forms of infection that it becomes a daily chore. If
the day comes that I can't use it - I won't.

Eisboch

Well

You need to run several programs to catch it all but there is enough good
freeware you dont have to buy anything.
Ad Aware seems very thorough to me
You need to check for new config files everytime you run it.

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102338552.2892938c1cffa66db4748321c864df7c@t eranews...
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 07:46:53 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 06:58:36 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:



Everyone should run Ad Aware and SpyBot to remove all the cruddy
spyware coming in off the net.
My daughter installed a screen saver and there was so much attached
spyware her computer could barely function


I got news for you - Adaware and SpyBot didn't get half of the spyware
on that computer.

You need to add Pest Patrol and No Adaware and forget about SpyBot.

SpyBot is useless.

Uh... care to expand on this theory of yours?

I use SpyBot from time to time in conjunction with an anti-adware program
and they both seem to find what they are supposed to find.

What's so terrific about the two you are recommending?


I bought into the SpyBot/Adaware freeware concept and relied on them
to keep things out of the computer. Based on the first results, I
even sent the guy who developed SpyBot $25 I was that impressed.

Then I noticed that something was amiss - the computer started acting
strange again - popups and the spam started to escalate. Then I got
whacked in an email trojan on a .jpg that Norton missed (which is a
whole 'nother story) and was passed by a member of a lure maker/rod
building mailing list I'm a member of. Couldn't get rid of it.

SpyBot never caught it and neither did Adaware. Norton would catch it
on a scan, but couldn't delete or quarantine it. I started looking
around researching the trojan and came across Pest Patrol. Bought it
and WOW - what a difference!! 168 - count'em - 1 6 8 bugs, trojans,
spys and such - a bunch of them bugs that SpyBot was supposed to
eliminate.

Since then, run side by side with SpyBot, Pest Patrol has caught much
more than SpyBot - most of it in the form of cookies which execute
spys.

It's the same with Noadaware - much better performance and it actually
does what it says it does.

Like I said, I wouldn't give you ten cents for SpyBot - lesson
learned.

Later,

Tom


Well, I just ran AdAware, which found one "possible" browser hijack
routine...I let it ride. Then I downloaded and launched No Adware, which
found nothing. I'll fool aroud with No Adware for a while. It is faster
than AdAware.

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 09:23:43 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102341159.88ea84eb27b7dd159f5524a3aeb2213c@ teranews...

Two weeks ago, my wife said her computer was slowing again, and she was
plagued with pop-ups. The offender turned out to be a nice little
routine that Yahoo offers to install for you to make your searching
easier or more fun. It's called Target. Has nothing to do with the
stores. Once I got it off her machine, the problems stopped.



I suppose it eventually had to happen - the commercialization of the
Internet. I refuse to get so wrapped up in protecting a computer from
hackers and various forms of infection that it becomes a daily chore. If
the day comes that I can't use it - I won't.

I think you would be surprised at how much it has intruded into the
everyday functions of life.

It's simply amazing.

Later,

Tom - who is killing time waiting to head out for three DR
appointments - one of which is my daughter-in-law who I am taking out
to lunch. :)

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 09:26:40 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:

Well

You need to run several programs to catch it all but there is enough good
freeware you dont have to buy anything.

No there isn't.

Ad Aware seems very thorough to me

Not by half.

You need to check for new config files everytime you run it.

What - you think I'm a newbie?

~~ sheesh ~~

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 09:38:38 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 09:26:40 -0500, "scott downey"
wrote:

Well

You need to run several programs to catch it all but there is enough good
freeware you dont have to buy anything.

No there isn't.

Ad Aware seems very thorough to me

Not by half.

You need to check for new config files everytime you run it.

What - you think I'm a newbie?

~~ sheesh ~~

Not at your age.

That's true enough. :)

Later,

Tom

You have to tell XP to not be the default CD writer. I had the same
problem using Auto-Grabber.

Tom,
I have my wireless router set up to only communicate with my laptop by
using 128 bit encryption. That might also be an option on yours. I could
also configure it to only communicate with the MAC address that is
associated with my laptop's wireless card. It's a new Belkin pre-N version,
it's advertised as having 8 times the range and 6 times the speed of the "G"
version.
Paul

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 07:53:59 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Harry Krause" wrote in message
news:1102336618.09d33faec01ccec4b377cac6c4f8bed9 @teranews...


I believe our friend Tom frequents places he shouldn't...and picks up
doses of things polite folks don't mention in public!

This past summer I had a new laptop on the Navigator. I bought it because
it had a built in WiFi setup and the marina had WiFi service.

Within a month, I picked up some kind of worm, bug, virus, disease or
whatever that affected the search engines. Once in a while, instead of
displaying the results of my search, it would direct the computer to a
porn
site. I really have no interest in these sites and had never purposely
visited any, but somehow the computer became infected with something.

Since then, I've learned more about WiFi service and it seems you have to
be
very careful. Other people can apparently piggy-back on your computer to
gain access to the Internet.

Since switching to Firefox on that computer, I have had no further
problems. That reminds me. I've got to download Firefox and Thunderbird
and
install them on this laptop.

And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 16:47:30 -0500, "Paul Schilter"
paulschilter@comcast dot net wrote:

Tom,
I have my wireless router set up to only communicate with my laptop by
using 128 bit encryption. That might also be an option on yours. I could
also configure it to only communicate with the MAC address that is
associated with my laptop's wireless card. It's a new Belkin pre-N version,
it's advertised as having 8 times the range and 6 times the speed of the "G"
version.
Paul

Yeah - I hear you. Mine is a little old and running under the old B
standard I think.

Maybe it's time to upgrade. :)

Later,

Tom

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .


And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom


You know what is strange? I've been using computers and accessing the
Internet for years. I've never used any kind of virus protection software.
I tried Spyware once because it was free and I was curious, but it screwed
up the computer, so I uninstalled it. Other than the WiFi thing I mentioned
and one other worm that I got on this computer last winter that I easily
removed, I've never had any problems with getting a serious virus or other
malady.

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

We were talking about it one day and determined that I use my computer very
differently than she. Hers is on a cable connection and she leaves it
connected 24 hours a day. I always disconnect after every use. Also,
unlike she, when using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, I never leave
the former open when checking mail or the newsgroups on OE. The only time I
open Internet Explorer is to quickly read news, search for something or do
whatever I need it for, then immediately close it.

I don't know enough about computers to be 100% convinced that my habits make
a difference, but I know I don't seem to have the problems she and others
have, even when they are using current anti-virus software.

Eisboch

If she's on a cable connection without a firewall, I'm surprised she
lasts a week.

John H

On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD,
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

"Divide each difficulty into as many parts as is feasible and necessary to resolve it."
Rene Descartes

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 07:53:59 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

Since then, I've learned more about WiFi service and it seems you have to be
very careful. Other people can apparently piggy-back on your computer to
gain access to the Internet.

================================

Basically you are making your WiFi laptop part of a large and very
insecure LAN (Local Area Network). If you have default sharing
options turned on and do not have a firewall, your computer is as good
as naked on main street. Just about anyone in the world can have
their way with it, and they will. I recommend ZoneAlarm Pro as a
good, reasonably priced firewall product. It takes a little practice
and head scratching to learn how to configure it, but is worth the
effort. One of my unprotected laptops caught a worm/virus within 15
minutes of dialing up a new internet service last summer. It didn't
even come in via EMAIL.

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 13:12:13 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

======================================

Learn how to set the security options on your wireless LAN. That will
stop most of the mischief. You still need a good firewall however.

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

=======================

Norton is not enough these days. You also need a good firewall and
spyware chaser.

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:43:13 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

Not at your age.

That's true enough. :)

==========================

Age is good when you consider the alternatives. It's sort of in the
same category as paying a lot of income tax.

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 19:55:08 -0500, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 14:43:13 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

Not at your age.

That's true enough. :)

==========================

Age is good when you consider the alternatives. It's sort of in the
same category as paying a lot of income tax.

Then I would prefer to be much younger.

Later,

Tom

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed
up.

=======================

Norton is not enough these days. You also need a good firewall and
spyware chaser.


Wayne, thanks for the inputs and advice. It's amazing that some form of
random encryption can't be devised and used on computer to Internet
interfaces, rather than having to rely on increasingly complex but quickly
obsolete detection programs. The military and major corporations have had
secure communications systems for years (although perhaps not via the
Internet) and they are reliable and foolproof.

Eisboch

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 20:05:47 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

The military and major corporations have had
secure communications systems for years (although perhaps not via the
Internet) and they are reliable and foolproof.

===========================================

The appeal of the internet, and its curse, lies in universal
connectivity. If your PC has an IP address when you are connected,
anyone else with an IP can reach out and bonk you. The firewall is
there to decide friend or foe.

"Eisboch" wrote in message
.. .


Wayne, thanks for the inputs and advice. It's amazing that some form of
random encryption can't be devised and used on computer to Internet
interfaces, rather than having to rely on increasingly complex but quickly
obsolete detection programs. The military and major corporations have had
secure communications systems for years (although perhaps not via the
Internet) and they are reliable and foolproof.

Eisboch


Sure, the technology is there to keep your computer protected. And if you
only
had 3 sites you went to that would be NO problem. You'ld program in those
sites, setup encryption for them, and your comptuer would not let anything
else touch it.

But, as Wayne pointed out and I'm just elaborating on, the allure of the
internet
is all of the 100s of things you can do. Games, news, usenet, this search
engine,
that search engine, this download enhancement, email from friends, email to
company X asking a question, etc., etc., etc. There is no way for the system
to
know friend from foe. At least not 100% of the time.

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .


And that's another whole subject. I have a wireless router and I keep
the firewall off because of the XP firewall and a specific firewall to
the computer - but...

There are several wireless computers surrounding the homestead in
other homes and I have been infected several times via that route. I
now keep the wireless portion of the router off until I need it.

Even then, I keep a Spy Eye running in the background to make sure
nobody is piggy backing on me.

Later,

Tom


You know what is strange? I've been using computers and accessing the
Internet for years. I've never used any kind of virus protection software.
I tried Spyware once because it was free and I was curious, but it screwed
up the computer, so I uninstalled it. Other than the WiFi thing I mentioned
and one other worm that I got on this computer last winter that I easily
removed, I've never had any problems with getting a serious virus or other
malady.

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

We were talking about it one day and determined that I use my computer very
differently than she. Hers is on a cable connection and she leaves it
connected 24 hours a day. I always disconnect after every use. Also,
unlike she, when using Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, I never leave
the former open when checking mail or the newsgroups on OE. The only time I
open Internet Explorer is to quickly read news, search for something or do
whatever I need it for, then immediately close it.

I don't know enough about computers to be 100% convinced that my habits make
a difference, but I know I don't seem to have the problems she and others
have, even when they are using current anti-virus software.

I have noticed the exact same thing. My wife uses Win XP pro (with the
firewall turned on) but leaves it up all day on the cable modem. She
has NAV running as well, yet she has had more than a few viruses and
trojans. Thank God for ASR backups......

I, on the other hand, run Win 2K with no virus protection, but I run
Zone alarm for a firewall. I am only on for small periods of time when
I do "stuff". I have yet to have an infection.

I am now setting up a wireless network, and the router has a built-in
firewall as well. I plan on tightening it down to only allowing those
ports that we use to go out, and nothing comes in. Hopefully that
helps.

Dave

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 20:05:47 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"Wayne.B" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed
up.

=======================

Norton is not enough these days. You also need a good firewall and
spyware chaser.


Wayne, thanks for the inputs and advice. It's amazing that some form of
random encryption can't be devised and used on computer to Internet
interfaces, rather than having to rely on increasingly complex but quickly
obsolete detection programs. The military and major corporations have had
secure communications systems for years (although perhaps not via the
Internet) and they are reliable and foolproof.


You could always run UNIX (or a MAC)........

Dave

Wayne,
Back in the days of DOS, when Peter Norton was on the cover, Norton
Utilities were top notch. These days?????
Paul

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 08:39:06 -0500, "Eisboch"
wrote:

My wife, on the other hand, has been through several computers and many,
many crashes, burns, virus infections, worms etc. It seems every other
month her computer needs to be disinfected. She uses Norton, keeps it
updated but still whatever computer she has, it eventually gets messed up.

=======================

Norton is not enough these days. You also need a good firewall and
spyware chaser.