Re: The current architecture is broken

From: Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] (lanwench_at_heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com)
Date: 09/22/03 

Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2003 21:34:38 -0400

It's the computer owner's responsibility to keep their computer patched and
protected - a computer is not like a kitchen appliance you can plug in and
forget about.

*** Good security housekeeping tips, in no particular order: ***

* See http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm

* Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download AdAware...install, launch, update &
run it. This will rid your computer of spyware/adware.

* Use antivirus software (www.grisoft.com has a freebie) and update it
regularly - at least once a week; daily if possible.

* Use a good firewall to block access to your computer from the Internet
(www.sygate.com is a decent freebie for a standalone workstation; hardware
appliances are a better choice for networks). For software firewalls, see
BlackIce or the freebie at www.sygate.com - but you do get what you pay for.
For a good hardware firewall, see NetGear or Linksys or DLink - they all
make easy to use products, but make sure they're true firewalls and not just
NAT devices, as those are not going to stop anyone. Expect to pay about
$100-$120 USD for a good hardware firewall.

* Get a popup blocker to stop IE popups, such as www.panicware.com (they
offer a free one) or try the new Google toolbar 2.0 which does the same
thing (and is just plain cool)

* Run Windows Update regularly (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) to get
all the latest patches for your operating system.

* See http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for lots of information on
browser hijacking and how to stop it

* Do not use Imesh or Kazaa any other peer-to-peer file sharing software,
ever.

* Do not use Hotbar.

Donna wrote:
> I agree with you , I am running Windows 98 2nd and I
> download and keep up with all they send, but Microsoft has
> to do something as this is getting worst, and soon people
> are going to think twice about buying even a computer let
> alone software until these problems get sorted out, It
> seems over the last few weeks there are more problems,
> Wimdows XP and the Blaster and thats a new program, Come
> on Microsoft Help Us
>> -----Original Message-----
>
>
>
>
>> Having just witnessed my 2 email accounts go down from floods of
>> worm-spam (Automat.AHB and friends), it occurs to me that the
>> current Internet mail architecture has failed. I'm able to keep
>> viruses off my machine but someone somewhere with my mail addresses
>> wasn't.
>>
>> The architecture of open email protocols supporting (vulnerable)
>> Microsoft email apps on (vulnerable) Windows, protected by
>> (optional) anti-virus software just isn't working any more.
>>
>> Many people are running Win 95, 98 etc etc without all the latest
>> updates, and/or are running without anti-virus software. Either
>> because they don't know how to install and use the stuff, or they
>> can't afford to buy it, or can't afford to stay connected to the
>> Internet to download all those security patches.
>>
>> I'm running WinXP with everything that comes on windowsupdate.com,
>> plus Norton Antivirus 2003 , but that didn't stop my email accounts
>> drowning in spam.
>>
>> Internet email architecture is now broken, and I don't know how to
>> fix it. However, seeing as Microsoft is in possession of a million
>> gazillion bazillion bucks from this and related technologies, I vote
>> that they start to spend a bit of it on figuring out a real solution.
>>
>> What say you?
>>
>>
>> .

Relevant Pages

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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
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