Re: Windows Spam and Firewalls
From: Patrick Hallihan (rick_hallihan_N0$P_at_M_@hotmail.com)
Date: 05/02/03
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Date: Fri, 2 May 2003 08:01:46 -0400
Comments inline...
"a" <a@b.com> wrote in message
news:057f01c31049$2a81c2f0$3301280a@phx.gbl...
> In summary: the problem is that by default my PC is open
> to someone remotely getting control of my drive and being
> able to do anything they want to it, purely because of
> the failings of XP.
>
> Nothing that anyone's said here negates that fact.
FALSE. Nothing inherent in XP allows what you say. As for your efforts to
pinpoint XP, I run several Windows and *nix systems and _all_ require
constant attention to patches and updates. Granted the Windows ones might
be at slightly higher risk, but that's because Microsoft's success and the
wide adoption of their OS's has painted a giant bullseye on them for
hackers.
> Other people's [Use a firewall] response is irrational as
> 99% of people who use a PC don't even know what a
> firewall is, let alone know how to configure it.
> Contrary to what techies here might think, people who
> know how to configure the nuts and bolts of every aspect
> of the comms on their pc are in the tiny minority -
> normal people just don't have the time to deal with such
> things as that's considered the job of the people who
> make/maintain the software and hardware.
We understand it. We make money because we know the nuts and bolts. I'd
really prefer that this stuff didn't become common knowledge because then
it'd get pretty hard for computer geeks to get work...
> Most people just want to plug the computer in, and go.
>
> Most people don't want to spend days configuring and fine-
> tuning their PC/OS, and they assume that it comes off the
> shelf with at least some form of default protection.
True, but most people would also balk at pay 4 to 5 times as much for their
computers. What does that have to do with anything? Microsoft is a
_business_ with limited resources. Almost every product produced by _any_
company in the world has shortcomings. Scheduling of resources to introduce
improvements is done based on what is going to allow the business to make
more money. Internet access is not a _right_, it's a service, or commodity
(we'll let the economists argue that one). You get what you pay for. You
aren't "entitled" to anything. If you aren't willing to put the effort into
learning how to use it properly or to pay to have someone help you use it
properly, then you must accept the risk of the way you choose to use it.
What you're asking for is like buying a Saturn coupe and racing it on the
highway, and expecting it to provide the same protection as a
top-of-the-line Lexus.
> Most people assume that when they buy a pc and use XP,
> that microsoft would/should not by default allow other
> people to gain access to their PC as soon as they plug it
> into a phone socket.
>
> Besides which, the XP firewall doesn't work properly.
>
> Does anybody here understand/appreciate my argument, or
> is everybody on the planet supposed to have a degree in
> comms ?
I understand your argument. I appreciate your concerns, but you must
understand that it's _YOUR_ responsibility to use technology properly. You
can't expect the world (Microsoft, your ISP, etc.) to take care of
protecting you. There are plenty of people that will work to protect you,
but you might have to pay them. Actually, this newsgroup provides a great
deal of FREE advise that you've mostly dismissed amidst your anti-Microsoft
ranting. You can't expect all the good of the Internet without also
accepting that it comes with risks. If you have specific concerns, then ask
specific questions, but this thread has wasted many people's time already.
Regards,
Patrick Hallihan
MCSE, MCDBA
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