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im using my computer everday. .
just wondering how safe is it? what are the security issues with windows?
are they reliable, even with other OS, eg linux? are they really realiable. Even with zonealarm pro. can u system be totally safe from intruders?
how safe is it to be on the net, in this decade?
Discuss
Hermit
>>how safe is it to go online in this decade?
Using Internet Explorer: Not incredibly.
Using Netscape (or anything else): Fairly.
Merely going online is rarely damaging to your computers health. Using e-mail programs like Outlook Express is the computer equivelant of walking around in a dynomite factory with a lit match.
yeah like the man says its e mails that pose the risk.
[edit : and attachments and little progs etc from sites such as this !!!!]
get the best anti-virus stuff you can and keep it up to date.
don't open any e mail attachments unless youre sure of the origin.
back up your entire harddrive once in a while or at least important stuff. its easy enough if you can copy to cd's. its worth the effort IMO.
i have a friend who lost all his data on his harddrive !! being on his address list i also had the offending e mail but he told me b4 i'd opened it. very close call.......
i wouldn't know if microsoft is more vunerable than linux and other OS's but i'd be interested in anyones comments.
people who write viruses should be hung up by the testicles until they die. and i'm not kidding.
at least they should be imprisoned and given hard labour until they pay for all the damage they do......
that guy who released the melissa virus (forgot the name is it melissa ???) cost about $50 million and has got 18 months i hear. he'll only do 6 months easy time. not enough. they need discouraging better than that...kill the bastards......
>just wondering how safe is it?
About as secure as your car or your house. If someone wants to get in, he will. Nothing is 100% secure.
Your brain is your best defence.
If you have a brain, (a good one mind you) you don't need the latest in firewalls or antivirus programs.
That's my opinion, I'm sure not everyone would agree with it... but in my years of using computer(s) I haven't gotten a virus, lost any data or suffered any major damage (besides O/Cing my old Motherboard... that was stupid)
Stay off the warez (as much as possible), pr0n, and other websites where the virus concentration is usually high (cracks is another)
Also, don't give your email to companies (NONE)... unless its totally nessicary, simply put something like [email protected] unless you're signing up for a newsletter... or they need to mail you a password or technical support..
trouble is , have your friends got brains ???
the virus i mentioned in my post..
a friends little brother picked it up (from somewhere dodgy i think- hes crazy),
it then went to everyone on his address list inc his brother tim.
then it was sent to me, because i was on tims list.
and i can't remember what it said, but if it was from a friend why wouldn't i open it ?????
tim had disabled his anti-virus stuff temporarily cos it was annoying him or something so he'd not picked it up.
my Norton was very out of date cos ive been on the net for donkeys years and had grown complacent since i'd never had a virus. the out of date Norton did not pick it up and if i'd opened it, one week later - no data on the hard drive !!!!!
:mad: :mad:
why do people write viruses ?? is it amusing ??
why are they not punished properly ??? i don't care if they are <18, so what ???
Virus writers should have all computers taken away from them and have a giant V stamped on their heads.
i agree.....
or have a elephant stamp on their head, even better.....
Now im not defending those who write malicious viruii, however let it be said that the true virii, not those stupid wipe yer drive types, but true virii are among the most advanced forms for programming... It is the tiger style to out shaolin..if you will, or not...
anyways, it is in this style that will come major advancements in artificial intelligence, neural networks and the like...
again... yer average script kiddie will not produce the first positronic brain, but the essance of the code will be intelligent mutations and linking.
But then again... people who write True virii, arent killing computers any more, arent getting caught for killing computers... so i guess yer right...
Malicious Virii Authors who intentionally loose thier creations upon the public show have all access to said public revoked...
fnord...
Thats a bit harsh you guys, geez.
Were you expecting it? Normally, I'll ask a friend if i'm not expecting anything from him/her. Also, I don't check my email much, so the friend would normally warn me before sending.Quote:
and i can't remember what it said, but if it was from a friend why wouldn't i open it ?????
i have friends from all over the country sending e mails. usually jokes, funnypics, jobs, all sorts. i dunno really what you mean by expecting one. thats like 'expecting' a letter. you don't expect them...Quote:
Originally posted by Dual-Catfish
Were you expecting it? Normally, I'll ask a friend if i'm not expecting anything from him/her. Also, I don't check my email much, so the friend would normally warn me before sending.
anyway, i may need to be more careful. but look why should i be more careful ??? why is it necessary ?? so some weenie wanker can have a giggle ??
its annoying. if anyone thinks its harsh to say kill em, well i dunno.
i would certainly kick the **** out of any weenie who came to my house and deliberately wiped my hard drive. whats the difference if he did it by releasing a virus ?? only that i can't catch him.
how is that Melissa weenie ever going to pay the $50 million damages he's caused. if it was anything other than a computer virus, and you'd deliberately caused that much damage, you would be locked up big time. the laws soft on them.
Oh, well then I suppose thats a different story. Most friends from across the country I usually have on an IM, then they usually alert me.
Another thing to watch out for is the size of .exes
Generally speaking, anything over a few megs and you're pretty safe... as most of those lame viruses are a few hundred kilobytes.
yeah good point.
ive been lax as to what i open etc....
this virus i was on about started upsetting Word, then slowed stuff down somehow, and finally made such a mess over the course of a week or so, it was easier to wipe the drive and start again. but he was a young kid, dunno if it could have been dealt with better ??? i think he probably got it from a hacker/cracker site by downloading willy-nilly.
but its a problem when these things are sent to everybody's addressees etc......then they spread easy.
i'm gonna be far more careful but its annoying that we have to be, just to entertain some vandalous weenie !!!
missed out quite abit on the discussion.
Yup i guess nothing in this world is a 100% safe. Not even the banks. Everything evolves around risk.
No gain - no loose - i suppose.
About people writing virii , in my opinion, it might be one of those dudes from anti-virus company. you never know. that is where all the money is. ..
i dont see any point in writing virii, just plain dumb and stupid.
this lead to the next question, what anti-virus are you using at the moment. . ?
Im currently using kaspersky anti-virus. Recommended by good computing friend. Sorry to say i hate anti-virus, slow my comp by half
i'm using Norton .....ive heard theres better, i'm no expert.
anyone any informed opinions ?????
i used to have it disabled cos it slows stuff down, but i'd better stop doing that !!! course i am a bit paranoid !!
Aint that the truth!Quote:
Sorry to say i hate anti-virus, slow my comp by half
I don't use a virus scanner.. One every 3 weeks or so I'll scan myself with the online virus scanner @ http://housecall.antivirus.com
if you close all your unneeded ports , and it's just a PC and not a company computer, then it's pretty safe. BUT if your paranoid, get a good firewall, also get a roll back program so that if you are victem of a virus then you can fix the problem. k?
ive just used the housecall antivirus, and i am totally clean yippee !!
also, ive recently had tests for AIDS, hepatitus, etc etc and am totally clean....so if any chicks out there want to play with me, you are completely safe !! :)
stevey, i could swear you're a dirty old man. ;)
Thats all antivirus protection I've got. And its worked just fine for me.Quote:
Your brain is your best defence.
If you have a brain, (a good one mind you) you don't need the latest in firewalls or antivirus programs.
i am i am !!!!!Quote:
Originally posted by lightatdawn
stevey, i could swear you're a dirty old man. ;)
Thats all antivirus protection I've got. And its worked just fine for me.
ive never had a virus (computer) either even after years online etc, but i nearly opened one up as i said... i think you ought to be careful who you allow to save your address. they pick em up, then it can be sent to you.
lightatdawn: i agree with you on that! :) ROLF@stevey
Read the extension (last three chars)
If it is a vbs (virus building system), exe, bat or com throw it away.
Use an online mail like Yahoo.
Look at your PC's security at
www.grc.com
Have a quick probe and scan to see what info is leaking out as you surf.
im not paranoid or anything, i was reading stuff on astalavista.box.sk, an article about computer security. just got me thinking a little.
but like some of the guys here said, nothing is 100% secure , not even the banks huh?
just cross your finger and pray i suppose!
somebody said, stay away from warez site. what about astalavista.box.sk?
and mirc fserve?
>>(virus building system)
heh. Good one.
>>and mirc fserve?
mIRC is notorious as being a script kiddy hangout.
>>what about astalavista.box.sk?
I dont know what that is so i really dont know.
>>nothing is 100% secure , not even the banks huh?
Not even the banks. But the real point is: Some people might want to crack bank software, why would anyone want to crack your home computer?
yeah exactly! waste of time . .
well said lightatdawn, including what u comment on stevey! :)
>>why would anyone want to crack your home computer?
Porn... that's the only legit reason i can think of. :D
but seriously
1. to hide their tracks while they hack some other networks.
2. Script Kiddies/Hacker wannabes/Lamers/Losers etcetc -
"hey dudz i just haxored this guys box on the net with sub7 and f****d up his disk i'm now a leet h4x0r."
i get a lot of sub7 attempts on my firewall daily. a firewall, i think is a must.
though i havent been in contact with any viruses ::touchwood:: of late, i still suggest get a AV.
About the bank stuff, i had read somewhere that a russian hacker hacked thru multiple firewalls of an US bank but was later caught thru his email addy.
so how good is zone alarm pro?
ZA pro is good. (for me atleast)
though i hear people say that it takes to much space, slows the computer, problem with netscape.
PS. is that your pic and is your name Donna.
>>Some people might want to crack bank software, why would anyone want to crack your home computer?
To get your at your bank account. Commonwealth (an Aust bank) has already been cracked thru the users PC based certificates.
Why risk trying to get into a bank when you can get into a home PC with ease. A home user is less likely to find out, and less likely to prosecute if they do.
i thought they have 128bit encryption or something,
im sick of people asking me about my avatar! i should change it . .
Keep it, I like it. Its a good picture; whoever it is.Quote:
Originally posted by hermit
i thought they have 128bit encryption or something,
im sick of people asking me about my avatar! i should change it . .
looks like Shania Twain to me.
i'd put a pic of myself up, but nobody would believe it was me i'm so handsome....and i'd only get pestered by hermit and the other ladies going giddy and swooning, i'm sick of getting too much attention , it wears thin after a while.......
and it would cost Hermit a fortune in air fares to come and visit me, i don't want to be responsible for bankrupting her.....encouraging a Stevey addiction that will only lead to heartache in the long run.....
yup i guess to much attention, i will change it as soon as possible, to something normal ! like a football or something
an airplane ticket to sheffield? hmmm
i was thinking of "around the world trip" after i graduate from my bachelor degree. well u never know. but still dont wanna lead you on stevey, kidding. . .
:D
no i'd leave it, you'll find that you'll get more help on the C programming if you play the "please help me, i'm a sexy young girl " card !!:)
oh come to Sheffield, its such a beautiful sunny city:rolleyes:
i'll keep you up all night......... talking C programming till the early hours:)
stevey: u need to brush up on your pick up line.
dirty old man. but im cool . . men will always be men ROLF@stevey
hey ive got my pick up lines off to a tee, this one NEVER fails :rolleyes:
stevey: have i shown you my magic watch ??
sexy gal : no, what does it do ??
stevey : well it tells me things.....its telling me now, that you haven't got any underwear on !!
sexy gal : well your watch doesn't work, because i have !!
stevey : oh damn [banging it on the table] it must be an hour fast !!!
:D :D :D
>>stevey: u need to brush up on your pick up line.
Oh i dont know. "i'll keep you up all night......... talking C programming till the early hour" seems like a realy kicker. The man must have 'em lined up. :cool:
>>but im cool . . men will always be men
Hey! As the saying goes: "Dont mock it till you've tried it." :)
>>i'd put a pic of myself up, but nobody would believe it was me i'm so handsome
Come one stevey, we're already struck by your rapier wit, why not stunned by your god-like looks as well?
>>hey ive got my pick up lines off to a tee, this one NEVER fails
ROTFL! Heard yelled across a busy street downtown: "I lost my teddy bear... Will you sleep with me?"
>>Why risk trying to get into a bank when you can get into a home PC with ease.
Another thing to contemplate along these lines is: What type of connection are you using? I woudnt feel very threatened if i had a 28.8k modem... Nobodies going to be using that for a DOS attack. :D But sitting here on my high-speed, always on-line, cable connection, i should probably be a little more worried. I dont use my computer to do banking and i have never used my credit card number on-line. If i ever did tho, you'd be damn sure i'd be cleaning house afterwards.
GOD ! help this man. that is lame
but its a good laugh . . but its lame
:D come on you'd be putty in my hands !!!Quote:
Originally posted by hermit
GOD ! help this man. that is lame
but its a good laugh . . but its lame
you think thats lame ?? :) ->
is there a mirror in your pocket ??
no, oh its just that i keep seeing myself in your pants.
if the word of the day is "legs",
would you come home with me and spread the word??
i may not be Fred Flintstone, but i could sure make your bed rock !!!
was your daddy a baker ??
no ?? oh it's just that youve got such a nice pair of buns !!
nice legs !! what time do they open ???
hi, do you have sex with strangers ??
no ??? oh well allow me to introduce myself !!
:) :)
who could resist ???
>>I dont use my computer to do banking and i have never used my credit card number on-line. If i ever did tho, you'd be damn sure i'd be cleaning house afterwards.
Yes same here. I only get dial up at my home (this is not the end of the earth but you can see it from here) so I clean the cookies off each time the connection is closed.
Its not the site you buy from that is the problem (most of the time) it is the unencrypted (or easily cracked cookies) they leave behind for anyone to see.
>>oh come to Sheffield, its such a beautiful sunny city
Nah, Stevie you should go to Melbourne.
See the Grand Prix and some REAL footy. (with a testical shaped ball)
EDIT for the Aussies:
What a shame about 'pretty boy' Hird! (ran full speed into a knee, breaking nose, both eye sockets and cheek here in the game on Sat)
Makes ol' Golden Balls foot look limp.