Re: Hardware vs Software

From: Phil Weldon (notdisclosed_at_example.com)
Date: 04/21/04 

Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 01:17:33 GMT

I did read all your posts in this thread, and their content is what informed
my reply. 

-- 
Phil Weldon, pweldonatmindjumpdotcom
For communication,
replace "at" with the 'at sign'
replace "mindjump" with "mindspring."
replace "dot" with "."
"Linda B" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1d3301c42728$10921240$a101280a@phx.gbl...
>
> Yeah, guy, I don't use passwords.  Give me a break.
>
> If you would have bothered to have read any of the other
> posts you would have found that I was never advising
> anyone *not* to use AV software, that I am in no way
> opposed to it, only that my computer has been running for
> four years, nonstop, using only a hardware firewall for
> protection, and I have NEVER had any problems (compared,
> incidentally, to *countless* posts on this group from
> people with all kinds of software "protection" and who run
> into problems *constantly*).  I was saying that it works
> for me, that it's a simple solution, and that I'm
> surprised more people don't have similar setups.  I'm not
> quite certain how to express it any more monosyllabically.
>
> I've also said that I update my system regularly via
> windows update, and that I'm in IT and therefore tend to
> keep abreast of such releases as critical vulnerability
> patches.  I already ran the latest patch from MS (thanks
> for caring), and even though I didn't read anything about
> the specifics, I would be exceedingly surprised to find
> that it could transmit a virus to my computer via my
> webmail client.
>
> Now excuse me... I have to go find my keys.
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >There is an exploitable vulnerability which contains the
> virus in the body
> >of the email message, and that does not require that you
> use Outlook Express
> >as your email program, only that you HAVE Outlook
> Express.  The
> >vulnerability was patched only a week ago in the latest
> Microsoft Security
> >releases.  With an antivirus program running, you have a
> chance of detecting
> >'virus-like' activity, even if specific definitions have
> not yet been
> >released.
> >
> >What, exactly, is your objection to computer security?
> Do you use
> >passwords, or are they too inconvenient?  Do you not lock
> your home because
> >it is to easy to lose your keys?
> >
> >-- 
> >Phil Weldon, pweldonatmindjumpdotcom
> >For communication,
> >replace "at" with the 'at sign'
> >replace "mindjump" with "mindspring."
> >replace "dot" with "."
> >
> >"Linda B" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> >news:1b8b01c4270a$0857bb20$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> >>
> >> Not using Outlook or OE has been my best protection
> >> against this, I suppose, but I've been in computers long
> >> enough to know what a virus email looks like.  I know
> that
> >> all it takes is a couple inadvertent mouse clicks, and
> >> maybe I should consider myself lucky, but I've never had
> >> any problems like this.
> >>
> >> Maybe I should throw this into the fray as well, while
> I'm
> >> busy debunking the myth that viruses and spyware are
> >> a "problem" -- I hardly ever receive any spam at all at
> >> any of my six email accounts (except for my yahoo
> >> account).  I oftentimes think people just making this
> >> stuff up.
> >>
> >> Don't take me too seriously, I'm really just trying to
> get
> >> a rise out of you now.  ;)
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >"Linda B" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
> >> >> Why is it whenever people on this NG ask about what
> they
> >> >> should do to protect themselves from the evils
> rampant
> >> on
> >> >> the Internet, everyone always responds with "install
> >> NIS"
> >> >> or "install ZoneAlarm"?  Always install, install,
> >> install!
> >> >
> >> >You are right. However, I used to think like you as
> well
> >> until I ran spybot
> >> >S&D on my system and it flagged about 300 different
> files
> >> on my system. The
> >> >thing is, most people need to make sure they are
> >> protected from what they
> >> >might do to themselves by accident as much as what
> others
> >> might try to do to
> >> >them. Routers and hardware firewalls are great, but
> they
> >> need to be properly
> >> >configured otherwise they are of no help. I would
> >> recommend a hardware-based
> >> >solution as well, but most security software that I
> have
> >> used is much easier
> >> >to configure than hardware-based solutions and it has
> >> been my experience,
> >> >that the more difficult it is to figure out, the less
> >> likely people will be
> >> >willing to take the time to set it up properly.
> >> >
> >> >Plus a router isn't going to save you from a virus if
> you
> >> get the right one
> >> >on your system. All it takes is accidentally clicking
> an
> >> attachment and
> >> >you'll have a huge problem on your hands.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >

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