Re: Dialup Security: Is this a known problem?

From: Ma No (phony_at_emailh.ere)
Date: 12/28/03 

Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2003 12:19:41 GMT

That Ad-Aware installs spyware is quite an allegation, and yes I've read
Ad-Aware's statement about the conflict with COAST. Still, considering the
kudos that programs like Ad-Aware and Spybot usually receive in these
newsgroups, I wish you had added some some supporting facts or experience
that lead you to that conclusion.

Ma

"Gerry O" <dysart@eircom.net> wrote in message
news:aac5cb9d.0312272235.3aeed386@posting.google.com...
> Whatever you do, don't use ad-aware, it acts like a trojan and
> installs spyware, that was the reason they were kicked out of COAST
> (Consortium of Anti-Spyware Technology Vendors) On their website they
> say that they left but I heard that they were warned about using
> spyware in their product and they continue to use it.
>
> Gerry
>
> NeoSadist <neosad1st@charter.net> wrote in message
news:<vusj633klqg7a@corp.supernews.com>...
> > sponge wrote:
> >
> > > On 27 Dec 2003 20:20:49 GMT, jbwtsn03@aol.com (Jbwtsn03) wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > Bad news. NIS is crap.
> >
> > 1) I think that all windows and/or personal firewalls pale in comparison
to
> > IPTables, so I think you should re-think your response.
> > 2) Even if this is so, then why do all the security magazines keep
rating
> > Norton high and McAfee low? Come on, I doubt they'd have reason to lie.
> > Even PC Magazine rated NIS and ZA at the top, with NIS taking the award.
> > 3) Symantec has been in the security industry much longer also. Don't
kid
> > yourself.
> >
> > > McAfee's is better in many respects but you
> > > might be better served by using discreet tools: A firewall (use
> > > McAfee's, ZoneAlarm, or Kerio 2.1.5.
> >
> > (Uh, and even then, a firewall is only as good as its admin.) "Discrete
> > tools"? Uh, what's discrete about a firewall and antivirus?
> >
> > > Use a HOSTS file
> > > (http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt, and unZIP it into your
> > > \Windows folder for Windows 95, 98, Me, or to your
> > > \Windows\System32\Driver\etc folder for Windows NT, 2000, and XP).
> >
> > I do not recommend screwing around with that file, since it wasn't
really
> > meant for that.
> >
> > > The
> > > third thing to do is use ANY browser and email program other than
> > > Internet Explorer and Outlook.
> >
> > Uh, no, don't bail out on them just because you don't know how to use
them.
> > However, I will admit that there are better web clients and/or email
> > clients out there. I use Konqueror and Kmail.
> >
> > > If you want more details visit my site
> > > in my sig, below, which covers all this. A fourth to do is download
> > > and run Ad-Aware and SpyBot (both, make sure to run their built-in
> > > Update features after downloading, and scan your system. Make sure
> > > you've allowed them to remove any flagged parasites.)
> >
> > Sad that one must do so to keep the windows OS safe. However, once
someone
> > learns where to look for such things, both in the registry and on the
hard
> > drive, those programs aren't necessary.
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Nothing. Thst's common with AOL. You local AOL node is probably
> > > throttling connections to a certain speed so divide bandwidth equally
> > > among customers. Consider, also, that at this time of year, you have a
> > > lot of people shopping online, a lot of kids home from college who
> > > have to use mom or dad's AOL instead of their campus network
> > > connection, etc.
> >
> > That, and AOL just sucks, both my opinion and that of most user-based
> > surveys. Also, AOL claims to be "unhackable", but last time I heard
they
> > train their parrots to say this, then put them on the phone support
lines.
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > Ok, so stick with that. AOL software is, well, pretty crappy.
> >
> > That, and some firewalls don't know how to work with AOL, since it's not
> > over a standard adapter (i.e. not using the dialup adapter, but the
custom
> > aol adapter, which further makes AOL suck).
> >
> > > Frankly,
> > > I think you'd be vastly better off with another ISP (besides
> > > Earthlink).
> >
> > I agree.
> >
> > > Just make sure if you do use another ISP, not to install
> > > any software they provide.
> >
> > Why not, if it's free? Also, why not, if they support it? I don't know
if
> > earthlink supports the software they provide, but I still suggest
> > installing it (i.e. if it's firewall or antivirus, not the stupid
"connect
> > me" software).
> >
> > > If you go with a dial-up ISP, you can use
> > > your operating systems "New Connection Wizard" to set everything up,
> > > and you then start your browser or email program and do what you want.
> > > If you get cable or DSL, you normally do not have to do anything to
> > > connect - just make sure your firewall always runs at startup.
> > >
> > >>I'm sure that there's a program on my drive that allows him to see
> > the desktop
> > >>and do whatever he wants, and nothing I've used so far can find
> > > anything wrong!
> >
> > Previous poster: are you smoking crack? I know that trojans can allow
this,
> > but until you know for sure, don't get all dramatic about stuff.
> >
> > >> When I discovered that the registry has new entries, ie in the "Run
> > >> Services"
> > >>key, he started hiding them elsewhere. Now I can't find a thing on
> > my own, and
> > >>I certainly can't afford an expert to look at it. I think the
> > install will
> > >>just get ruined again and I'll have wasted the money.
> > >
> > > Don't jump the gun here. A lot of weirdness is actually normal stuff
> > > (unfortunately).
> >
> > Yep: windows isn't the most stable of the operating systems...
> >
> > > Look, download and run HiJackThis!
> > > (http://tomcoyote.org/hjt) and post the results here or email them to
> > > me and I'll analyze them, if you want. Although it's possible you've
> > > been owned, what I'm seeing here actually seems pretty normal for AOL.
> > > HiJackThis may find other potential threats as well.
> > >
> > > Sponge
> > > Sponge's Secure Solutions
> > > www.geocities.com/yosponge
> > > My new email: yosponge2 att yahoo dott com

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