How confident are you in your computer's security?
Totally confident, bring it on! (share your strategy)
Very confident (why?)
Somewhat confident (how so?)
A little concerned (share your concerns)
Very worried (why?)
Terrified (please explain)
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How confident are you in your computer's security?
Totally confident, bring it on! (share your strategy)
Very confident (why?)
Somewhat confident (how so?)
A little concerned (share your concerns)
Very worried (why?)
Terrified (please explain)
Discussion is locked
I may feel secure, I use MS Firewall, Zone Alarm Pro firewall,AVG Pro,AdAware,Aluria,SpyBot,and others, but now I find 'needed' files removed that dis-able some programmes I want to use. We need sensible security measures, without hampering the freedom to surf the web. All hackers, trojan, virus malware creators cause such widespread misery that this must deserve the ultimate penalty.
I usually go on line about once or twice a week. I keep my virus pattern and firewall pattern up to speed. I may not download a new pattern each time, but I do keep it at at least a month before downloading a new pattern. Each time I am on line, I clean all traces that someone who is not familiar with surfing would look at and then I do a scan after going off line in order to check for anything that was inadvertantly installed on my computer. I am using Win98 and TinyFirewall and have been pleased by the cleanness that is created by this. My viris checker scans all incoming and outgoing. I also use Earthlink to keep the 'spam' out of my mail. My XP machine won't connect (says the passwords don't match) and I know that I would have a lot more problems if I used that machine.
I've got two machines in the house. One runs XP Pro and one 98SE. It seems I have more security issues with the XP machine!
The old P2 processor in the 98SE machine ticks along nicely. I get better internet connections and have had no virus activity in 3 years.
The XP Pro machine - running a Pentium 4 - pops up with a Trojan or virus every other month! The internet connections are awful as well. Cleaning a virus out of the registry is almost impossible.
I'm running the same Anti-virus software on both and am border-line anal..LOL..about updates and maintenance. The modems are identical ( US Rob.) and they both have 60Gig Hdds.
So..It's my opinion that XP is a ''virus-attack-waiting to-happen'' OS.
I can't wait to what screwups Microsoft puts into Vista.
Hmm. to say my computer is totally protected is like the White Star Line saying the Titanic wouldn't sink.
(we know how that turned out;))
I am confident that i am as protected as i can be. ![]()
my home network is behind a firewall in my soho router. then i run the network through a linux box that also acts as a firewall (and a print server) Then all three PC's are running Norton Internet Security suite for virus and ''Hacker'' protection.
If someone wanted into my PC badly enough to get through the system, so be it. there isn't much on my PC that is critical to me. I don't save cookies and i clear my browser caches every day and i don't have my checkbook or any banking software on my PC.
But I would probably get a little pissed off if I lost my digital photos or music if someone did get in and wrecked some havoc. ![]()
I am what they call old school. I have no University degree in Computer Sciences or any type of formal education in Computers at all. I come from the School of Hard Knocks. Anything that I have learned or do is because I was willing to learn the basics of safe computing and gather knowlege from any professional who was willing to share their knowledge. Questions were asked and they answered. Me, I listened and learned from them. To the people who share their knowledge, I thank you for helping me become a smarter and safer surfer.
Sure I think my personal Computer is safe, but that is only because of the things that this user does. Most computers get hacked or have had a virus and such because of their user generated computing. That means that the user contributed and was a factor. They opened an attachment, had open ports, you get the idea.
My Specs:
Windows XP/pro with SP2 plus all updates
A/V is AVG (free edition)Latest updates and sinatures
Software FireWall is Outpost Latest update and plugin signatures
SpyBot S&D to handle Spyware
FireFox as my browser
And a router with built in firewall.
But the best feature is my brain. I am careful with my surfing habits and watch what I click on or open.
Is this enough? For me it is, I have had no problems at all for over 6 yrs. But as I continue to learn everyday....I cant answer how this will work in the future. As things change so will I to keep up to date with this knowledge.
I use a router/fixed firewall and MS firewall, stay off unsafe site, no probs so far
All though I have confidence in my pc's security, I also am smart enough to realize that there are elements
out there always looking to exploit security weakness's
and you won't beaware of any weakness's until after the
fact, i.e. breach. In my opinion there will always be
breaches because there will always be someone looking
to find a security hole.
GMDSR..
I use a Mac. Nothing is totally secure but so far no viruses, no worms, no nothing. So different than when I used Windows.
I have a robust package of software including anti-virus, spam killers, pop-up blockers and firewalls. However, I will continue to be concerned about the security of my computer since the battle against new threats is fought in a large part on a reactive basis.
I use a Mac w/ Safari as a browser. I have a closed wireless network shared w/ another family members' Mac. We both have our built in fire walls on. I'm told a phisher should detect no signal from our network and that they would need military grade code breaking skills to phish for info.. Also Mac's account for a low % of computer users & the same goes for Safari. It's just what I've been told. Kathleen England
Don't fall for the low numbers theory. Macs are attacked as often as PC's but the Mac is not affected by any of the virus's currently out there. If you are on the internet, you are being probed for weaknesses ALL the time. The Mac is particularly safe in this respect.
Phising depends on the users gullibility and their willingness to part with sensitive information when asked. It has nothing to do with detecting a signal from your network. A Phiser usually uses email in an attempt to solicit information. Phisers also work the phones!
Glad you're safe and using a Mac
P
I have all kinds of back up and a mass mailing worm found it way in. The only way I got rid of it was call Microsoft and they walk me through a couple of ways of getting rid of it. People can say what they want about Microsoft but they sure helped me out of a bad spot.
I have the following softwares:
-Norton Internet Security 2005
-Runs LiveUpdate every day (not that I need to most of the time, but for peace of mind's sake)
-Microsoft AntiSpyware program
-Windows firewall
-Norton Personal Firewall
-Runs spyware scan once a day
-Runs virus scan once a week (at least)
-Checks Microsoft Update twice a week for updates
-Have automatic update turned on
-Secured wireless network
So I'm very confident.
I usually use WinXP... tis damn gud, n also Ubuntu Linux... fantastic but dearth of apps of my choice on it.
Can't say much abt Linux coz still got a long way to comment on its security, coz it probably has no issues. But abt Win XP (SP2), never in the last 10 year have had a virus problem, n maybe for once some spyware. I rely 100% coz i use... (F = free)
>McAfee Security Suite (full, including internet/wireless suite, but NOT privacy suite)... norton is good but heavy on my system
>(F)Spyware Doctor and PcTools Spyware Doctor together for handling spywares.
>(F)Mozilla Firefox wirh (F)NoScript plugin and (F)Google toolbar (for anti-phishing) for ultimate security while web browsing. MS Internet Explorer is good, but I fear doing net banking using it, so its only for 100% trusted sites n updates to WinXP, if req.
>PcTools Registry Mechanic and RegSupreme Pro for cleaning the registry
>(F)ToniArts Easy Cleaner for temp files that keep coming for everwhere/SW.
>(F)Eraser to completely wipe out any infected or suspiscious files.
>if possible, open-souce alternatives coz u can be quite sure there is no embedded or hidden codes jeopardising my security or privacy, unlike proprietory ones...
(others i can't say much, like as for MS Defender... some Microsoft sites always try establishing unauthorised connections with my pc, n it never reports... damn! i dunno who it may be but the McAfee Firewall keeps reporting.)
try wat i use... i'm sure u'll love it.