Posted on 07/02/2005 11:27:16 AM PDT by BJungNan
Run Fast, Run Naked
Alternative Approach to Internet Security
Sometimes the best way to win the game is not to play it at all. What has all the net security programs, spy ware blockers, pop up blockers, firewalls and the like gotten you? In many cases, slower net browsing, a whole lot of configuration headaches and time to maintain all those programs.
Running naked may be the answer for you.
Running naked on the internet means running completely open with no spy ware protection programs, no pop-up blockers, no anti-virus software. Just a simple open connection.
Before you go into shock at someone suggesting dropping all internet security measures, read on. Running Naked really means running two computers: One for fun and another with all the normal net security.
What's To Steal?
If you had nothing of value in your car, your car was a low cost clunker that no one would want, would you leave your doors locked? Of course not. No one is going to try and get in it. With a computer on the internet it is essentially the same. If you don't have anything anyone could want, what is the point of locking it up?
Put in terms of the internet, if you don't do online banking, if you don't buy or sell on the internet, if all you do is browse the net for news, entertainment and an alternative to television, what's to protect?
Most people do more on their one computer than just browse the net. Internet banking and bill paying is very convenient, as if buying (and selling) on the internet. It is these other activities that are good reason, very good reason for every security measure you can afford or master.
But everything else you do outside of banking and bill paying and involving money on the internet decreases your security. The longer you are on line, the more you and your computer are exposed. So, for the important stuff, limit your time on the net.
Get A Second Computer - A Clunker
What exactly do you need to browse the internet. The newest latest and greatest computer with tons of megs and clock speed. Nope. You can browse the internet on a P-II, 400 Megahertz computer and a simple graphics card as quickly as you can with any other computer. Go one step further and run completely naked and you net browsing will fly. With a dial-up connection you will zing. Add a cable modem connection or DSL and you will get every bit of streaming video you could ever want to see on the so-called slow, outdated used computer.
Pick one up at Salvation Army, Good Will or other thrift store used for about $50.00. Monitors at these stores are anywhere from $2.00 to $20.00 for a good resolution.
This will be the internet computer you use to read the news, post to online forums, do research and whatever else you do to entertain yourself on the internet.
Now, you can not run this computer forever without some security measures. But this one is simple. You simply format your hard drive once on month (or more often if you like) and wipe away anything anyone may have dumped on your system. Start fresh, new, clean and Fast!
Your Other Computer - The fancy one you bought
This is your second computer. It rarely goes on line, never stays online and only goes online as long as needed to complete your banking, bill paying, buying, selling or other data sensitive activities. And, when you are done with this activities, you unplug the modem or phone cable - the best firewall in the world is a unplugged cable!
For this computer, use all the normal internet security. We have a basic site set up here with our recommendations for your net security.
That's it. That's our solution. Two computers. One for browsing that is completely open, unlocked, unblocked and naked. Another that only goes online for short periods of time and follows all the recommendations for safe internet use.
So now, Get Naked and Run Fast!
Bookmarking - to DO this - now that I'm on cable, I need more protection than I've had.
What will happen? Over time, you'll accumulate all the same malware you had, and more, and your computer will be spewing out spam and malware to the other poor suckers out there. And it will seem dog-slow to you, because it's no longer working for you --- it's working for someone else, or, more likely, a whole bunch of someones!
If you follow my advice, that won't happen, and it won't get any slower.
It sounds like the best thing to do then is run some protection but also reformat often. What do you think of ZoneAlarm and Adaware and then running Hijack this occossionally. That would still let you run fast but with some clothes on.
Some contention about what is useful and what protections to take. I guess I'll ask my friend, the PC guru, and see what he suggests.
Very well. Join the ranks of the zombie legions.
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