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Relentless, Your Post Is Here...Are We Vulnerable???...

by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 3, 2004 4:46AM PDT

Because your post doesn't belong in the "Tips" thread (Not for "Questions" but for "Solutions" to commmon problems), I'm going to remove it from that location. I'll repost it directly below so folks can give suggested answers:
_________________

Ok my friend, I need a tip. I posted something of this nature elsewhere on this site, but so far no help. I've been computing since 1995, starting with a home made 386. Now I have a beautiful PC, a P4 with all the bells and wistles, including XPpro. I recently had to have the hd reformatted after only 1 year because I was under protected and my silly male friend was opening spam at yahoo. I know that was not the only problem. Now I have a router, SP2, disabled that firewall and installed ZA free, lobbying for pro, NAV, lobbying for KAV, IE6, looking for a new browser. The old configuration was so infected..... I can't convince anyone that I'm not paranoid, that there is a full out war against MS (not that I blame them for disliking Gates, I however am innocent) Please, back me up, we, running dsl are still vulnerable aren't we?
Thanks ever so
Carol aka relentlesss

Hope this helps.

Grif

Discussion is locked

13 Posts
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Yes, If You Use The Computer, You Are Vulnerable To Attack
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 3, 2004 4:59AM PDT

Carol,

....And especially if you use it on the internet, not just DSL, but all connections to the net have the potential for an exploit to occur.. Still, you are on your way to protecting the computer correctly. XP Pro is a fairly secure operating system..You have a firewall, an antivirus, and other items listed which will help protect you. But nothing's perfect and the objective is to stay vigilent and keep your software current.

I would find another primary browser such as Mozilla, Firefox, etc. because Internet Explorer still has quite a few "holes" which will allow websites to install malware on the machine. Keep IE as the secondary browser for accessing Windows Update, etc.

Make sure to install the free spyware removal tools below and update them regularly and run them. There are others as well:

Ad-Aware">http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/]Ad-Aware

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Re: Relentless, Your Post Is Here...Are We Vulnerable???...
by billzhills Sep 3, 2004 5:25AM PDT

Carol

As a personal opion.

I don't know if its a full war against M/S or the lack of security within the O/S. Every one wants to make money, Ole Mr Gates came up with a good one by creating an O/S that any hardware or software vendor could write to. An O/S that anybody could use with no knowledge of computers. Then came the World Wide Web. Another selling point.

If Apple or Linix had the sales that M/S have
would they be as vunerable? That is the great debate.

I will not say that Windows is a secure operating system. I will say that it is the user, their habits and making money creating a lot of the problems.

On the issue of DSL, yes and even more so as it is an always on connection with a fixed IP address.

See,
Follow the Bouncing Malware ? Part II
http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?date=2004-08-23
(bad habits and making money)

http://isc.sans.org/ Reports of Internet probes.


Bill from Zephryhills, Fl

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Re: Relentless, Your Post Is Here...Are We Vulnerable???...
by relentlesss Sep 3, 2004 6:20AM PDT

Good Grief!
Mr. BillzHills, I followed your urls and were my eyes opened. And btw, that is _exactly_ what happened to us.
And thank you uh, sorry, Gil is it? Sr. Moderator, for setting my silly man straight. I get to buy ZA Pro now and get KAV and Foxfire. Plus the freeware you recommended.
I love you guys!!!!!
Carol

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Carol, Glad We Could Help...And...
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 3, 2004 9:45AM PDT

...keep up the safe computing.

Grif (as in Griffith)

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Re: Relentless, Are We Vulnerable???...billshillz....
by relentlesss Sep 4, 2004 3:00AM PDT

Hi, a few more comments,
Forgot to ask, you that is, I have asked verizon and their answer doesn't square with your observation about dsl. I don't trust them. You too Grif, asking that is... Wink. They say I have a dynamic IP address, not a static one. Obviously I don't trust them, that's why I bought the router. Do they provide a dynamic IP?
Another thing, I seriously recommend the site you sent me to for the "Malware" article, for every newbie. I printed it out and plan to share it with anyone who will read it. To repeat the url,

http://isc.sans.org
Thanks again
Carol

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Re: Relentless, Are We Vulnerable???...billshillz....
by Bob__B Sep 4, 2004 5:20AM PDT

What is a Dynamic IP address?

An IP (Internet Protocol) address identifies a computer or other device on the Internet for the purposes of sending or receiving data. Having a Dynamic IP address means that each time that device accesses the Internet, it will have a different address. There is no need for the user to take any action to set up this address each time he or she goes online. Customers who need to be constantly identified on the Internet (those with a domain name like XYZ.com), those who are hosting a Web site or e-mail server, or those who need to access their computer remotely, will require a static IP address. Dynamic IP addressing is the only one addressing available with the residential version of ""VERIZON"" Online DSL Service.
==================

It would seem that if you want a static address you have to open up your wallet. Happy

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Carol, It's Easy To Check The IP Address....
by Grif Thomas Forum moderator Sep 4, 2004 11:53AM PDT

...and whether it's static (stays the same) or dynamic (changes). While on the internet in Windows XP, click on STart-Run, type "cmd" (without the quotes), then click on OK. When the commmand window opens, at the flashing cursor, type "ipconfig" (also without the quotes), then press the "Enter" key. Your current IP address will be listed.

At some later point, maybe the next day, do the same thing and see if the IP address has changed or is the same.

Although many DSL providers assign a static IP address, some do not. You can easily check to make sure.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: Carol, It's Easy To Check The IP Address....
by relentlesss Sep 5, 2004 2:45PM PDT

Thanks, I'll do that.
Can you tell me what HPHipm11.exe might be? I thought it might have to do with my hp printer, but it's running fine. I keep getting a message that it can't be run. At the top it says RTL.
Thank you

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Re: Carol, It's Easy To Check The IP Address....
by helpmeout2 Sep 5, 2004 10:24PM PDT
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Re: Other web Sites
by billzhills Sep 6, 2004 10:39PM PDT
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Re: Other web Sites
by relentlesss Sep 26, 2004 5:54PM PDT

Uh well I dun know Bill, that there one looks kinda technical. However, I do so love the Flash Videos on Albino Black Sheep. Look at "meow" "cat dance" and "Badgers"
Just evening out yer legs there bill,
:@)Carol

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Re: Other web Sites
by chuckieu Sep 27, 2004 2:57AM PDT

I agree, Carol. But I did download the dcombobulator
program from the links on that show(year ago) and use it to close port 135. Does good job. chuck

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Re: Jeanne
by billzhills Sep 27, 2004 7:58AM PDT

Carol

Claremont in Fl off HWY 50?

Much damage from Jeanne? Here in Zephryhills wide spread roof and tree damage, not much structural damage.

Bill
.

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