Re: Losing Control of my Computer

From: Juha Laiho (Juha.Laiho_at_iki.fi)
Date: 05/22/05 

Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 07:46:50 +0000 (UTC)

"PorkTeriyaki" <helluo@go.com> said:
>I have popup blockers, a spyware remover, & a CWS shredder, but still
>I'm spending more time clicking off popups, deleting unwanted bookmarks
>from my Favorites list, & deleting unwanted shortcuts from my desktop,
>than working with my computer. How do you keep free from these swarms
>of pests?

I wouldn't trust any of the defenses to work at a time when the system
already is contaminated. So, the first issue would be to be able to
install the defenses at such a time that the machine is clean.

Also, remember to keep the operating system properly updated, and
up-to-date virus protection should help as well.

Depending on your connection type, some kind of NATting modem would
prevent some attacks (not those where the nuisance attacks through
pages you browse, but those which scan through address ranges trying
to find vulnerable computers). On the other hand, NATting might also
prevent some of your real uses for the connection - I've heard about
problems related to some peer-to-peer implementations, some
VPN set-ups, and so on. My machines are behind a NAT layer, and it
suits my uses, but your needs and requirements may well be different. 

-- 
Wolf  a.k.a.  Juha Laiho     Espoo, Finland
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