[Vision2020] Stay out of jail - beware of spyware

[Ted Moffett]

Paul et. al.

I wonder if the mayor of Bovill is a truly innocent victim of the digital
shenanigans you discuss, given he has been charged with misuse of city
computers relating to "pornographic" content:

http://www.localnews8.com/story.cfm?nav=news&storyID=122

Thanks for the information... Even if I don't follow your suggestions,
because I just don't want to bother with it all, and have not had the sorts
of problems you discuss, I found the information valuable.

I wonder if you can offer your opinion on Microsoft's new OS, Vista?  It is
supposed to have much better security.  Anyone buying a new computer will
soon have Vista as an pre-installed option.

As I read about Vista in PC magazine, and Microsoft security software, I
discovered Microsoft has made a push to invade the security software market
to threaten the other dominant players with "Windows OneCare," which can
protect against the threats you discussed.  What do you think about this
option?

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+security+service+to+ship+in+June/2100-7350_3-6036290.html

As you mentioned, you did not comment on Microsoft's IE7 browser, but if it
does function better in regards to security, why not have it on your list of
options?  Or do you really suspect it is not as good with security as
Mozilla Firefox?

Well, as many computer savvy insiders, you obviously think Microsoft's
software sucks!

What does, "drink of the Redmond kool-aid?" mean?

Ted Moffett


On 1/15/07, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> 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 <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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