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Security question
I have NIS2005 and Adaware installed in WinXP Pro SP2 all regularly updated for definitions, security patches,etc.I have unnecessary services turned off and do regular scans for viruses, spyware,etc. WHat are my chances of being infected or hacked? Are the chances low enough so to not be worried? What other actions should I perform so to minimize security risks?
- rickmktg,
Regularly I send my mother and her friend an email with an attachment to see if she opens it, then yell at her...
Can I borrow that trick? That's the most practical tip yet I've seen for checking if one's various older in-laws and relatives are paying attention to net security warnings!
@JMVP wrote:
rickmktg,Regularly I send my mother and her friend an email with an attachment to see if she opens it, then yell at her...
Can I borrow that trick? That's the most practical tip yet I've seen for checking if one's various older in-laws and relatives are paying attention to net security warnings!
Help yourself. I also write on the calendar when their antivirus software expires, call them 30 days prior and tell them NOT to renew, then work with them to buy a new copy (free after rebate). Last Saturday it took 2 hrs to install (running online scan, running AdAware, cleaning out stuff) over the phone and now they are set.- Rick, I don´t do anything of that, in fact I only admit ActiveX when it´s from a trusted site and essential. One concern I have though is I keep my MSN Messenger on for long periods of time, could someone hack my system making use of the open MSN Messenger connection? Or will the firewall (NIS 2005) prevent it?
redwolfe_98
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Posted March 10th, 2005 09:00
i don't think anyone can hack your computer unless there is already a trojan running on your computer.. keep your computer up-to-date with all of the MS security patches.. be leary of email attachments, especially from unknown sources.. one primary way that malware is distributed is through "game patches" from unofficial websites.. so, i would only get patches for games from official websites, like from the manufacturer of the game..one of the worst things you can do is to use the old version of MS's "virtual machine".. however, if you go to tthe windows updates website, and if you have the old version installed, you will be advised to install the newer version (of MS's virtual machine)..i use high security setttings in IE's "internet zone", but that can be complicated, at least, a little bit..some other things that you could use are:spywareblasterie-spyada host fileyou could also consider using an anti-trojan program..Message Edited by redwolfe_98 on 03-10-2005 06:50 AM
Thanks, I uninstalled Microsoft Virtual Machine long time ago. INstead I use Sun´s Java VM:
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html
the reason being that Microsoft has quit VM product support and updates as it´s discontinued.
rickmktg
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Posted March 9th, 2005 00:00
Do you download attachments from people you don't know?
Do you download attachments from people you do know but you don't know what they are?
Do you click on links in emails that seem to be from companies you do business with that want you to verify your information?
Do you click on links in emails from people you don't know?
Do you run Activex from sites you are unfamiliar with?
If you answer all these questions NO, then you're very safe. Most people who get viruses or spyware do something stupid. You ask them what they did, and then sheepishly tell you.
Regularly I send my mother and her friend an email with an attachment to see if she opens it, then yell at her... LOL :smileyvery-happy: