I would highly recommend downloading all the security patches that Microsoft offer: I have my systems set to auto-update, so most of the time I'm in bed when it happens! Don't forget that, if you don't have the latest patches installed, rogue programs can exploit any vulnerabilities in those executables anyway, whether _you_ use them or not.
I have never had a virus get through my defences: I have an ADSL2 router/modem which is the first line of defence, backed up by PC-Cillin on one system and Norton on the other (I know, Norton slows things down but it's my laptop anyway, so it's not in constant use!), as well as the built-in XP firewall. I don't, of course, accept anything but plain text emails, I don't even read the junk emails that get through my ISP's spam protection system, and I never open or save unexplained or unexpected attachments. Ann, PC-Cillin is pretty good, and Trend Micro are excellent at sending updates and renewal reminders on time. The latest version (2007) is a bit more intrusive than the previous one with messages about what it is doing, but does not slow the system down as much as Norton, particularly on start-up. John Coyle Brisbane, Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 3:32 PM Subject: Re: OT: joys and woes of new computer - couple of questions > In a message dated 10/9/2006 8:51:21 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > writes: > I hvae no credit cards listed on the web, fortunately. I > dont buy ANYTHING > on line - well, I did once or twice, but I avoid it as a > whole. > IF someone tried to take "large amounts of money" from my > bank account they would > be in for a big surprise! LOL! > > I dont use explorer - I took it off the desktop so I couldnt > even hit it by mistake. > I installed Firefox right away. > > While much of what you say I'm sure is right, I can't even > fathom it... > > When I get on line I only go to my personal homepage, my > cafepress store, > photo.net, ebay and craigslist. or to look at pics you guys > put up. > > I never go to any sites have anything to do with > entertainment or sports - > I don't open attachments or forwarded mail. > > And I'm keeping my old dial up account for email - for a > while at least. > > ann > ======= > That will cover most security holes, ann. It really well -- common sense > is > always the best defense. :-) > > I do think, however, some of the MS updates are worth it. The first ones, > later ones often have to do with Outlook and IE. If one doesn't use them > the risk > is much, much less. Especially Outlook. > > It doesn't hurt to go to the update page occasionally and look over the > patches. One can pick and choose which to install. Many are useless for a > majority > of us. > > I highly recommend though, that you create a system restore point before > downloading/installing any update. Go to help on your XP menu bar, then > Pick a > Task, then Tools, then System Restore, then Set a Restore Point. That > saves the > current state of your computer so you can set it back if something goes > wrong. > Actually it's not a bad idea to do it before installing any new program. I > forget and don't do it enough. > > I've probably accepted about 6-8 updates since I started with XP about > four-five years ago. Many are to plug security holes in Outlook, so I > don't bother > with those. Some are foreign language patches, and I don't need those. And > some > are to plug holes in IE, which I do use occasionally, rarely, but > occasionally, so I evaluate those on a case by case basis and see if I > think one or > another is important or not. And occasionally there is one that is more > general, > not applying to either Outlook or I.E., and helpful. > > Yous take yous choice. But always create a restore point first. > > Avast isn't bad. > > Marnie aka Doe > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
