Re: Asking about anti-virus programs
From: Deborah A. (dla37tea_at_mindspring.com)
Date: 09/10/03
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Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 13:45:57 -0700
Dear Phillip,
Thank you so much for taking the time and assisting me
with these security issues. Thanks too for mentioning that
running a firewall is crucial.
I believe I have enabled the one that came with McAfee,
because I do go to windows update. I have my computer set
to "automatically check for recommended updates," and when
this last worm came out, I was notified, but I'm getting
somewhat paranoid over what McAfee says each time I open
and run my computer, after signing online with them
yesturday: McAfee says my AntiVirusScan is running but I'm
not protected from the other three crucial elements like
stealing my personal info and credit card info. Then, that
particular popup flashes real quick to where even the
fastest readers have trouble reading it all! How ironic,
as you have written, that McAfee is quite aggressive with
their advertisements.
Well, I also see you posted a second message today, the
10th, which I will now go and read. Thanks for telling me
about the firewall...I believe mine is enabled only
because "Microsoft Windows Update" flagged it. Windows
Update asked me to make sure I check the box reading,
something like "protect my computer" under a red-lined
link saying something about: be sure to enable your
interfirewall connection. Is that what you're talking
about? If so, than my firewall is enabled. I'll double
check as you have instructed.
Again, thank you Phillip. I really appreciate your
response and all the way from London! Does my message to
you say I'm from California?
Okay, I'll read your other message now. Oh, almost forgot,
I did not buy the two software packages that McAfee
offered which expired last night at midnight. I listened
to myself and used the ole cliche: "if in doubt, do
nothing" Besides, I was so burned out from sitting at my
computer...I fell fast asleep (9:30 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. CA
Time) and yes Phillip, I did sleep very well. Thanks
(smile)
Deborah
>-----Original Message-----
>I think you're doing enough to keep reasonably secure
(but see no 2 below).
>The key elements of self-protection are:
>
>1) Run a decent antivirus (McAfee is fine) but keep it
updated, weekly or
>so, with new DAT files. Check the "About" window
occasionally to make sure
>your updating process is working!
>
>2) Run a firewall. (Crucial). You can either enable
the one built-in to
>XP (see Help) or download a free one (www.zonelabs.com or
www.kerio.com).
>Most home users don't need more than the free versions
available, but these
>days, everyone needs a firewall to prevent connections
being made to your
>machine from outside. You haven't mentioned this, so you
should look into
>it. You may have the McAfee one already on your machine?
>
>3) Keep windows updated via
www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate. Check once a
>week. There are also security updates for Office at
>http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate - less critical
(so far) but worth
>doing.
>
>4) Don't do anything daft, like open an attachment
unless you're sure (and
>noone can tell you how to be sure!) that it's safe. If
in doubt, chuck it
>out. They'll send it again if it's important!
>
>That lot should keep you safe from all the main risks. I
put a summary on
>my own website (overdue for a revamp) at
www.WalthamSoft.com/gn/security/
>
>Apart from the major hazards of viruses and worms there
is another
>"nuisance" layer: spyware, popups, spams of various
kinds. Those McAfee
>popups are offering "protection" against things that are
much less of a
>problem, and most people don't need this sort of
utility. McAfee are
>infuriating in their aggressive selling methods so they
may well be from
>McAfee. Of the perils they describe, only ActiveX is
really a potential
>threat, and if you spend a bit of time studying the
security settings in
>Internet Explorer you'll see how to make IE ask you for
permission before
>downloading anything like that. Over time, you'll become
more confident in
>knowing what to accept or reject. If in doubt, chuck it
out... If you want
>an extra utility to help you understand what's going on,
and give you a bit
>more control, you might try www.PopUpCop.com, which I
rather like. You
>don't need it, though.
>
>Anyway, good luck with the business, and sleep well!
>
>
>--
>######################
>## PH, London ##
>######################
>
>
>DEBORAH ADOPT wrote:
>> Any experts out there that can answer security
protection
>> for my hp?
>>
>> Does anyone know about the difference between which
anti-
>> virus protection to have: McAfee or Norton? I'm getting
>> confused and I need to know what I'm doing if I'm
planning
>> on opening an internet business.
>>
>> I purchased the Windows XP, hp pavilion 780n with the
950
>> all-in-one priner, fax, scanner, and copier. Windows
XP's
>> Hard drive came with McAfee.com, which I've heard
>> is "minimal security protection against worms and
>> viruses," as everyone knows of this last big hit with
>> the "Blaster Worm." However, since I bought the computer
>> package in Jan 2001, I figured McAfee was fine and that
I
>> would just make sure that I kept my computer updated
>> through "windows update," like installing all those
>> security patches that came as no easy task, but rather,
a
>> big challenge for me. I really had a hard time getting
the
>> Fix-recovery patch and then just this last year there
was
>> the "Class Action Suite, Dec 12,2002; Plaintiff Brian
>> Delre vs HEWLETT-PACKARD, involving the upgrading of HP
>> DVD 100i series to the HP200i series.
>>
>> Now, today I did purchase the online subscription for
the
>> McAfee VirusScan 1-year plan of $24.95 because I
followed
>> the 4 steps to inquire about this worm affecting my
>> computer. I did track my history of windows updating
and I
>> did install the Microsoft Security MS03-026 within less
>> than the week the worm struck. However, after scanning
>> (using the subscription for McAfee) for updates and
>> scanning all files today, McAfee said "I was unprotected
>> and at risk for JavaScript, ActiveX, Web Bugs, Cookies
and
>> JavaX," and McAfee offered me: "The Internet Security
>> Advisor" consisting of both Secure IE and Private IE
>> together as a package to protect my PC from security
>> leaks, and hacking attacks.(I thought all those elements
>> were covered under Windows Update)
>>
>> I decided to wait and closed the window, but a pop-up
>> window appeared and "McAfee Security Special Partner"
>> offered me another $10.00 off coupon, because "they
didn't
>> want to loose as a customer." Then as I went for it,I
read
>> their "purchase agreement," which said the software
>> is: "AS IS SALE," with all faults and no warranties, and
>> just basically AcAfee is not at all responsible or
liable
>> for any damage the product might do to my system or
other
>> programs. The total cost for me to have "Secure IE &
>> Private IE with a CD copy" would cost me about $39.99
>> approximately, and that I need to "hurry because this
>> offer ends Sept 9, 2003, at 12Midnight." If I'm aware of
>> this software package, I believe I saw something similar
>> at Staples today, and if so, it was expensive...in the
>> ranges of approx $300 to $600. Now can someone out there
>> set me straight on securing one's computer?
>>
>> My questions to anyone who knows about this: Is "McAfee
>> Special Partner Offer" legitimate and true? Or am I
>> falling into a trap? Do I even need this, when I've been
>> updating Windows automatically? I feel confused and I
have
>> some doubts. After I send this message, I'm going to
talk
>> to hp instant support, or contact Microsoft to inquire
>> about this to see if I should buy and install this
>> software. Most of my friends say they like Norton
better,
>> but they don't have the same computer I do. My Windows
XP
>> came with McAfee already installed.
>>
>> Thanks for your help. Help, help, please? What is true,
>> and what is not? These computers can be risky and they
are
>> not cheap! I'm feeling less confident and rather
>> cautious...am I being too insecure? I'd like to think
I'm
>> wise to double check before I impulsively act, buy it,
and
>> install it, especially if the software is not reliable
>> with no warranties, as number 1 states: "AS IS SALE,"
>> and "WITH ALL FAULTS."
>>
>> Again, I really appreciate those who really know their
>> technology, and who are willing to educate me about what
>> action I should take. In closing, I would hope for
tighter
>> security measures to be achieved, because life is
already
>> so difficult without having to add fuel to the fire.
>>
>> I apologize for the long message. This is my first time
to
>> ever write to a Newsgroup. If I've been out-of-line with
>> any contents of this letter, please accept my apology.
Not
>> to try to gain any sympathy here, but I have missed lots
>> of sleep last night trying to figure this out, and
missing
>> sleep is not good for my disability.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>> Deborah
>
>
>.
>
- Next message: Deborah A.: "Re: Asking about anti-virus programs"
- Previous message: Lee Munzer: "Re: XP Firewall"
- In reply to: Philip Herlihy: "Re: Asking about anti-virus programs"
- Next in thread: Philip Herlihy: "Re: Asking about anti-virus programs"
- Reply: Philip Herlihy: "Re: Asking about anti-virus programs"
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