Re: Buy a PC at Best Buy today and plug it in - how long till I get a virus?

From: Lil' Dave (spamyourself_at_virus.net)
Date: 05/02/04 

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 04:28:07 -0400

Using cablemodem, router, dedicated PC NAT firewall, Win98SE. I cannot use
windows update without removing the following from running in background:
Zone Alarm Pro, AdSubtract Pro, and PestPatrol. ONLY protection afforded is
the PC NAT firewall and router, other than NAV.

Have multi-boot, boot manager. In XP_HE, does not have these problems
regarding ZA Pro while running windows update, even though it is installed
and running. NAV 2004 installed there, runs all the time.

In another case of 98SE on same computer, there is no software protection
except NAV2002. Seldom used for internet access except for Windows updates.
Other than NAV, only protection is the PC NAT firewall, and a router.

In all cases, I have always have updated NAV definitions installed first
before installing any additional software protection, or going to Windows
update site.

Someone did put a weblink in a post two months ago that tried to backdoor my
router. Luckily, I changed the default password previously. So I take all
advice posted here with a grain of salt, a big one.
"Jupiter Jones [MVP]" <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote in message
news:eYPvRRAMEHA.3216@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> The antivirus is not usually the issue in that case although it should
> be done, but not first.
> First, BEFORE physically connecting the network cable enable the
> firewall...you have just eliminated most possible issues since surfing
> and Email is not yet an issue.
> Second is get all the Critical Updates from Windows Update.
> Third, now update the antivirus.
> You are now ready to go but a good spyware application is a very good
> idea.
>
> The OEMs may or may not enable the firewall.
> If not Blaster or similar could be in within seconds.
> With the firewall enabled, you are reasonably safe as long as you stay
> away from surfing and Email.
> Just get all patches and updates before surfing or Email.
>
> See also:
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm
>
> --
> Jupiter Jones [MVP]
> http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
>
>
> "BeamGuy" <nobody@spam.com> wrote in message
> news:uU9kRJAMEHA.1272@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > Here is a hypothetical question... If I were to go down to best buy
> and
> > buy a PC today, take it home, unbox it and plug it in how long would
> it
> > take before a virus found it's way to my computer?
> >
> > Lets assume it has a virus scanner included from the manufacturer,
> but it
> > has been in the box for 3 months so the virus definitions are out of
> date.
> > It clearly won't be sitting there polling constantly for an internet
> connection,
> > mine takes maybe 10 minutes after I have reboot to determine that
> there is
> > an internet connection and download the patches.... If it is a 28K
> modem
> > connection it could take quite some time to download the whole
> upgrade,
> > I could be without virus protection for maybe 30 minutes or more
> even if
> > I am on the ball and the vendor provided virus protection in the
> box.
> >
> > And for system patches - lets assume I have read the news, know that
> my
> > system is wide open for exploitation as soon as it is plugged into
> the internet and
> > immediately start downloading the system patches. With broadband I
> might
> > be lucky enough to finish patching the system before a virus
> strikes, but these
> > days I am getting hundreds of hits an hour on my firewall mostly
> from viruses.
> > It is more likely that my system will be compromised before I can
> patch it,
> > even if I am on the ball and do the right thing and upgrade
> immediately instead
> > of fooling around browing the web.
> >
> > --------------------
> >
> > Did I miss something, or is everyone who takes home a computer
> tommorrow
> > with a dialup modem going to have a virus on their machine within 10
> minutes
> > of plugging it in? And those with high speed internet will suffer
> the same unless
> > they have a firewall router and read the manual in advance to turn
> the firewall
> > on.
> >
> >
>
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: I am having connectivity problems
    ... firewall and turned ON Windows firewall. ... When I tried to install SP2 I was unable to get it thru Windows Update. ... does the connection problem persist? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: I am having connectivity problems
    ... Are you telling me that the ZA firewall AND the Windows Firewall was enabled when you installed SP3 via Windows Update? ... This Service "protects" Windows and disallows certain changes to be made (e.g., the changes install SP3 will make), so it should have been disabled prior to installing SP3. ... does the connection problem persist? ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Administrators Only - Control Panel says I am
    ... The idea for bypassing the router and 3rd party firewall is just to ... the first issue I had was the ActiveX Controls issue ... "Software Update Incomplete, This Windows Update ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: mcafee firewall exception in CPD.exe
    ... I scanned all drives with Stinger and with Mcafee, both on Safe Mode, ... firewall for them to do ... closing the browser or disconnecting from the net. ... >> All windows update applied to OS and browser ...
    (comp.security.firewalls)
  • Re: AOL Servers Probing ???
    ... I use Kerio Personal Firewall 2.1.5. ... later Allowed that is for Windows Update so they may be the same cause. ... Inbound UDP packet ... Remote address,service is ...
    (microsoft.public.security)