Paranoia will save you! But then you get all the MS Spyware installed on your system, and who knows whom Bill sells that information to?
-- graywolf http://www.graywolfphoto.com http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf "Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof" ----------------------------------- John Coyle wrote: > 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
