[Vision2020] [Bulk] Re: Stay out of jail - beware of spyware

[Paul Rumelhart]

Well, all I can say to counter that is that almost every time I have to 
wipe someone's system where I work because they get popups 
left-and-right and it's so infested with spyware that it can hardly 
function, IE or Outlook have been involved.  It doesn't happen to 
everyone, and it can of course be mitigated if you are careful what you 
run from untrusted sites and keep up-to-date on your patches, but I'm 
not making this stuff up. 

The people I've persuaded to move to Firefox and Thunderbird generally 
don't have problems again.  People who don't take the advice will 
sometimes need another wipe of their harddrive and a reinstall.

So when I mention these things, I have actual instances of problems that 
they would have helped solve in mind that I have had to deal with over 
the years.  Your mileage may vary.

Paul

Tom Hansen wrote:

> Paranoia, self-destroya.
>
>  
>
> I have been running Windows XP operating system, MS Outlook, and 
> Outlook Express for a long time.  I have yet to experience any 
> security violations on either of my computers here at home.   I also 
> run Norton Anti-Virus (keeping my online subscription current for 
> virus definitions) and Symantec firewall.  Both machines are on DSL 
> and are, therefore, updated constantly.
>
>  
>
> I upload/download files virtually every day.  The only "slow down" 
> that I have experienced were due primarily running out of Corona beer.
>
>  
>
> My guess is that Microsoft R&D is aware and extremely familiar with 
> any/all online threats.
>
>  
>
> However, if you feel more secure by changing your web browser, 
> reinstalling a different operating system, virtually reformatting your 
> hard-drive, and coating your motorcycle helmet with tinfoil to prevent 
> hackers from stealing your thoughts, go for it.
>
>  
>
> Tom Hansen
>
> Moscow, idaho
>
>  
>
>  
>
> "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of 
> arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather 
> to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body 
> thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a 
> ride!'"
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* vision2020-bounces at moscow.com 
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] *On Behalf Of *Art Deco
> *Sent:* Monday, January 15, 2007 8:21 PM
> *To:* Vision 2020
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Stay out of jail - beware of spyware
>
>  
>
> Excellent advice from Paul.
>
>  
>
> One additional recommendation:
>
>  
>
> Get a program that removes traces of internet browsing and erases all 
> the data from all deleted files.  Deleting a file only removes the 
> entry from the disc directory.  To be safe, the data in the file needs 
> to be erased also.  It is also important to periodically erase all 
> data from a disc that is not in a file.  I use Windows Washer, but 
> there are other programs which do the same.  Set the program to keep 
> all discs on your system clean.
>
>  
>
> W.
>
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