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

From: Derek (FredFlintstone_at_bedrock.com)
Date: 05/02/04 

Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 15:11:30 +0200

Hi Jupiter Jones,
Please see my post (news:4094f299$0) above, switching on the Firewall must
be a priority.
Derek

"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.
> >
> >
>
>

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