Hello Anne, On or about Sunday, November 10, 2002, 12:49:14 PM, in a galaxy far, far away, Anne wrote:
A> Ermmmm that's OK insofar as TB! and e-mail goes Spike, but to say that A> an AV is unnecessary because one runs TB! is overlooking the fact that A> virus can be introduced to a system in other ways as well - e.g. via A> floppy disks, CD-Rom etc, and via downloaded software - so unless you A> don't introduce any other software to your system it's always at risk A> of infection - even with the security settings in the browser set to A> optimum. I have a separate "condom equipped" junk system that I test the rare odd floppy or CD on if necessary. It has NO MODEM, NO HDD, boots with a floppy, and uses a NAV rescue disk (borrowed from a paranoid friend). In the rare instance where I purchase software online from a less than mainstream vendor, I do the same, using a ZIP drive in the same machine. I actually use it only 3-5 times a YEAR out of necessity. I do use this system to experiment with virus material I receive, but with my ISP condomizing my mail now, I have to use a stand-alone account to receive anything to experiment with. I then install a junk HDD and let the bugger rip! Surprisingly little if any real damage occurs anyway. In other words yes, I have this down to a science. I should, as I have been building my own machines since the first PC/XT clones. I've only purchased one "brand name" computer in my life, and it was a total unmitigated disaster. Proprietary EVERYTHING, and 300-400% higher to upgrade than generic. $195 for a $35 power supply when needed, floppy drives with backwards (non-standard) connections.......... I'll be the first to admit that I'm an unusually well informed user, but it doesn't take rocket science to protect yourself from the dearth of XXX.jpg.pif/scr or similar foolishness out there. The security fixes for the browser are easy for anyone who can read a list and check/uncheck a click-box. The specs are published on most any security site. Before I deviate totally afield (into total O/T territory) let me finish by saying that a _well-informed_ TB! user has no need for e-mail scanning. IMHO it is a needless drag on resources. I'll have no more to say on this issue, as I have no desire to be glue factory material. -- Warmest tropical wishes, Spike -------------------------------------------------- Get a PERMANENT 100MB capacity mailbox for ONLY $29.95/year. No more lost mail due to mailbox capacity restrictions. Access by POP3 or Webmail! Earn a FREE mailbox with their referral program. (HINT - You get $11.00 towards your mailbox for each referral who signs up!) Apply NOW at http://1110.runbox.com -------------------------------------------------- Running The Bat! V1.60h on Windows 2000 Vers. 5 0 Build 2195 Service Pack 3 ________________________________________________ Current version is 1.61 | "Using TBUDL" information: http://www.silverstones.com/thebat/TBUDLInfo.html
