It appears that your anti-virus is probably not up to date..unless you do weekly updates and that can only take place if your AV (anti-virus program) is valid and current. You can get a Grisoft AV program as a freebe by doing a Google and you should try the Kerio Firewall as it is a freebe also. Do you need to be concerned about this stuff...like only if you have been infected and then it is way late to say I wish I would have done it.
Good luck and take internet precautions via a good AV program and a firewall.
How vulnerable you are really depends a lot on your port, files, printer and browser settings, your security updates status, and currency and settings of your anti virus program particularly as it applies to e-mail. Don't hang everything on a firewall, particularly if you don't really know what your are allowing or not allowing to get by. Suggest you run a port scan first to see how vulnerable you are and adjust your settings accordingly. Subscribe to and weekly update and run AV scans. Be vigilant with any freeware out there, even the best intentioned sometimes bury little elves in your system that like to call home. Run Ad Aware occasionally to ferret these out. You should also visit regularly the Windows update pages for critical security updates if you are not set to get them automatically. Note, despite what some say, receiving them automatically in no way will compromise your control, before loading always click on 'more details and read the associated linked KB articles. Finally use a Firewall like Zone Alarm.
For me,,,,,My firewall is ,my most important software,,, along with a good anti-virus program . Both kept well configured and updated. My firewall software reports scans and blocks possible entery of my system almost daily. About two years ago my AV program detected two Trojan horse virus's in some rec"d files. Luckly they were the type of virus that lay idle till opened, and i got rid of them with no harm, and got a firewall program that works to prevent system entery at all,,,,,,,for any purpose.Since then i do believe my firewall program has prevented several enteries.
Another free firewall worth looking at is
Sygate Personal Firewall. I'm also partial to the free
AVG antivirus program. and use two free programs, together, to control ads:
Pop-Up Stopper and
AdShield. Throw
Ad-Aware into the mix, and you should be fine.
XP's firewall protects against INCOMING packets. Outgoing packets (i.e. sent by a rogue program) go merrily on their way. ZA and other firewalls protect both ways. And yes, you would need to disable the XP firewall IF you enabled it (it has to be manually enabled UNLESS you're using Internet Connection Sharing).
I'm new here, and reading through the messages to see if any of my questions have already been covered -like this one.
What about the firewall that comes with XP Home Ed? I ran one of those tests (can't remember where) and it came up secure, as in they couldn't get through any of my ports. Do I need to replace the XP firewall with another or run another along with? Will they trip over each other?
My skill level would best be described as pathetic but improving, but I hate fixing stuff that ain't broke because one I've @#$%^# it up I generally can't figure out how to undo.
It is surprising just how many progs try to "phone-home" & even try to install themselves as a Server (potentially trying to make your PC "open-house"), without your knowledge/agreement.
Additionally, you would be surprised just how many E-Mails that you receive (particularly those unwanted SPAMs) have embedded HTML code that tries to "phone-home".
all i can tell you is from my own personal experiences. I recently purchased and installed norton 2002 with a firewall. Since then it has popped up nearly everyday informing me of people trying to hack in to my system. So far it's been people in seattle, california, and new york. One attempt they tried 1,098 times......(without sucess!!!!! ) It cost me $29.99 installed.....a very small price to pay for PIECE OF MIND. i bought it because I am hooked to the internet 24-7 and my IP address doesn't change. Makes me wonder how many tried in the past and i never knew. So my answer is yes.....most definately.
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11.9K Posts
0
November 29th, 2002 23:00
wave_dave
111 Posts
0
November 30th, 2002 00:00
It appears that your anti-virus is probably not up to date..unless you do weekly updates and that can only take place if your AV (anti-virus program) is valid and current. You can get a Grisoft AV program as a freebe by doing a Google and you should try the Kerio Firewall as it is a freebe also. Do you need to be concerned about this stuff...like only if you have been infected and then it is way late to say I wish I would have done it.
Good luck and take internet precautions via a good AV program and a firewall.
Dave
tomintx
1K Posts
0
November 30th, 2002 14:00
How vulnerable you are really depends a lot on your port, files, printer and browser settings, your security updates status, and currency and settings of your anti virus program particularly as it applies to e-mail. Don't hang everything on a firewall, particularly if you don't really know what your are allowing or not allowing to get by. Suggest you run a port scan first to see how vulnerable you are and adjust your settings accordingly. Subscribe to and weekly update and run AV scans. Be vigilant with any freeware out there, even the best intentioned sometimes bury little elves in your system that like to call home. Run Ad Aware occasionally to ferret these out. You should also visit regularly the Windows update pages for critical security updates if you are not set to get them automatically. Note, despite what some say, receiving them automatically in no way will compromise your control, before loading always click on 'more details and read the associated linked KB articles. Finally use a Firewall like Zone Alarm.
http://www.dslreports.com/tools
rustymt
292 Posts
0
November 30th, 2002 18:00
For me,,,,,My firewall is ,my most important software,,, along with a good anti-virus program . Both kept well configured and updated. My firewall software reports scans and blocks possible entery of my system almost daily. About two years ago my AV program detected two Trojan horse virus's in some rec"d files. Luckly they were the type of virus that lay idle till opened, and i got rid of them with no harm, and got a firewall program that works to prevent system entery at all,,,,,,,for any purpose.Since then i do believe my firewall program has prevented several enteries.
rusty
vetriguy
2 Intern
•
647 Posts
0
November 30th, 2002 21:00
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11.9K Posts
0
December 1st, 2002 18:00
Jorja
2 Posts
0
December 1st, 2002 18:00
I'm new here, and reading through the messages to see if any of my questions have already been covered -like this one.
What about the firewall that comes with XP Home Ed? I ran one of those tests (can't remember where) and it came up secure, as in they couldn't get through any of my ports. Do I need to replace the XP firewall with another or run another along with? Will they trip over each other?
My skill level would best be described as pathetic but improving, but I hate fixing stuff that ain't broke because one I've @#$%^# it up I generally can't figure out how to undo.
Thanks for any input.
Jorja
Jorja
2 Posts
0
December 1st, 2002 18:00
Wow, instant answer! Thank you very much!
JohnJBurness
17 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2002 15:00
Just adding to rickmtg's very valid comments!
It is surprising just how many progs try to "phone-home" & even try to install themselves as a Server (potentially trying to make your PC "open-house"), without your knowledge/agreement.
Additionally, you would be surprised just how many E-Mails that you receive (particularly those unwanted SPAMs) have embedded HTML code that tries to "phone-home".
Hope this helps,
Regards,
John J. Burness, Bedfordshire, UK
dazed & confuse
3 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2002 15:00
all i can tell you is from my own personal experiences. I recently purchased and installed norton 2002 with a firewall. Since then it has popped up nearly everyday informing me of people trying to hack in to my system. So far it's been people in seattle, california, and new york. One attempt they tried 1,098 times......(without sucess!!!!!
) It cost me $29.99 installed.....a very small price to pay for PIECE OF MIND. i bought it because I am hooked to the internet 24-7 and my IP address doesn't change. Makes me wonder how many tried in the past and i never knew. So my answer is yes.....most definately.
patnshan
2 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2002 17:00
I have had the same experience with Norton internet security. It has popped up at least once a day
on my screen telling me about a trojan being blocked. I am scared to know what has made it out
prior to me getting that program! I also use norton antivirus and adaware and have had no
problems. I have cable and am connected 24/7.
Pat