On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 9:11 PM, Abhijeet Jain <[email protected]>wrote:
> Myth No. 2- Using Firefox does not make you safe! In fact, IE 7/8 is the > safest browser when used with Windows Vista because it runs on lower > privileges. > > Not on Linux(Fedora) with Selinux Enabled, better if you run with the guest_u selinux usr. > > On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM, Kos <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Ancompuger behind a router/firewall does not make it safe. >> Vulnerabilities and exploits are not limited to a network level, which >> is generally what a firewall is used for. Vulnerabilities sent via any >> protocol used (http, imap, pop, other protocols that may be in use) >> are not suddenly secure. >> >> An example, there are PDFs that will trigger adobe to run, whcih can >> be exploited easily. >> Someone can send your father an email with a malicious attatchment, >> and a firewall isn't going to preven him from clicking and running it. >> Anti-virus is a good start, but will only go so far. >> There are phishing sites too. >> The ways to get owned are countless, regardless of a firewall or not. >> >> You should keep the system maintained and up to date (run system >> updates and applications undated regularly). >> >> So no, a firewall will not prevent a computer from being compromised. >> >> Other opinions? >> >> Kos >> >> On Sep 22, 2009, at 11:29 AM, Steven Anders <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> > I received great responses and am very grateful to the help from >> > community of this list. Thank you. >> > >> > >> > I have a dumb question: Is a Windows box behind a router safe ? >> > >> > It is my father's PC and the Windows OS was not updated regularly. >> > The Windows box was connected through wire (RJ45) to the router. The >> > router is then connected to the DSL modem. >> > The Windows Box has SP2 installed and the default Windows firewall >> > enabled - and I think was last updated from Windows Update on in >> > 2008. It has AVG anti virus. >> > The PC was never moved anywhere and is always behind the router. The >> > router has default settings, which I believe has no ports open. >> > >> > He never installed any applications or downloads anything off the >> > net - mainly it is used for emails and general web browsing (using >> > Firefox, not IE). I informed him to use Firefox, since IE has so >> > many security issues. >> > >> > >> > My questions are: >> > >> > 1. There are many exploits and vulnerabilities of Windows, but I >> > was wondering if outdated Windows box behind router generally >> > safe ? Since, the Windows box was not updated with the latest >> > updates. >> > >> > I have always thought that having a computer behind the router >> > (since router has firewall) is generally safe, but I would love to >> > hear insights or thoughts. >> > >> > >> > 2. If a Windows box is behind a router, could a botnet be installed >> > to it ? Assuming, the end user does not install/download any >> > applications from the Internet and always use Firefox. >> > >> > >> > Thank you all in advance. >> > steve >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. >> > Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html >> > Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. >> Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html >> Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/ >> > > > > -- > 1q4!7EEf71!u > > _______________________________________________ > Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. > Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html > Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/ >
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