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

[Art Deco]

Tom's use of a DSL connection is one factor in reducing his susceptibility to an attack.  DSL connections are generally safer than direct (sans router) wireless connections, presently.

I do not share Tom's confidence in Norton Anti-virus.  I used it for several years.  I had to uninstall and then reinstall it several times due to a problem in the program (acknowledged by the vendor).  Worst yet, it failed twice to protect against a potent virus.  Luckily I have a back-up disk scan.  When I tried to remove one of the viruses with Norton instructions, it created a mess which took several hours to repair.  Hence, I switched after reading reviews to another product.  None of the anti-virus products are foolproof against new and evolving viruses.

I use several anti-spyware programs on a regular scan basis plus a real-time one.  It is not infrequent that one program will find spyware that others missed.

Also as a word of caution, beware of transactions using Pay-Pal, especially if there is an email response asking further information.

W.



----- Original Message ----- 
From: Paul Rumelhart 
To: 'Vision 2020' 
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] [Bulk] Re: Stay out of jail - beware of spyware


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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