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 14:05:56 -0700
Hi Phillip, Thanks so much for your technical assistance,
and I have printed and saved the following website that I
will definately use!
Take care,
Deborah A.
>-----Original Message-----
>This is a useful summary from Microsoft:
>http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/windowsxp/print.
asp
>
>--
>######################
>## PH, London ##
>######################
>
>
>Philip Herlihy wrote:
>> 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!
>>
>>
>>
>> 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
>
>
>.
>
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