Firefox must be waiting to add the update notification.
In either case, I'm ready to hop on it.
Everytime I think I've got my box hardened to 440 I manage to pick up some crap.
It's not mutch fun surfing w/o Java Script and I already use No Script...
I am on the verge of resurecting an older P4 box just for surfing.
Here's my defense list
AVG
Spybot S&D
Lavasoft Adaware
CWSHredder
Microsoft Anti-Spyware
Trend Micro
I also do the on-line scans
and scan for open ports, trojans and dakine on a regular basis.
I'm really starting to get disgusted with the net.
I've got Thunderbird wratcheted down to strip everything but bare text and send the same.
I don't do pornsites, or download low-end games, or even "surf"
By the way, did I miss anything Security wise?
Using ADSL no Router. -TIA, somehow I know you'll have input.
wow, lots of stuff you got goin' on. Not sure what fixes are in this version. Maybe on their site they will have it.
I have had problems with AVG letting things get by. I use ETrust Antivirus from Computer Associates along with firefox and thunderbird. I don't have anything ratcheted down. I use Adaware and run a scan once a month - it doesn't find anything.
One thing I do use is what we call Inbox Sentry which is a challenge/response spam blocker that holds email on the server until I release it to Thunderbird - that keeps the auto-executing crap away from my system.
It may be that you have something on your system that hides itself pretty well, then runs when you start your web browser and installs more junk. Those are hard to get rid of but will make your life easier if you can manage to find them.
I got rid of windows 98 too - what a security hole that was!
I would guess that if you can find a way to screen your email before you download it that will stop 99% of the junk from getting to you and then you can let scripts run again.
Put the router in, as they say it wouldn't hurt.
If I may butt in?
The biggest single improvement I've had with the home PC's was setting up a LAN ( newer term is a home network ) using an Asante' FR1004 router which has a hardware firewall in both directions- in & out.
The previous setup used a Wirespeed DSL modem which claimed it had a firewall, but still let in tons of junk-- when we changed to a cable modem, I networked the two home PC's via ethernet, and problems virtually ceased.
You still need an antivirus running, just to be on the safe side, but there's no subsitute for a hardware firewall.
On the bottom of my Freeper Home Page are these three links to the best internet security sites I've found:
The best site for keeping your PC safe from spam, viruses, spyware and other security hazards on the internet is FirewallGuide.com.You also need to have active spyware and virus and firewall software running all the time in your PC, as well as automatic nightly scans for spyware and viruses.The best site for help setting up home and small business networks, and for networking equipment recommendations and reviews is PracticallyNetworked.com. Post your questions to their online forums.
The best site to explain the technology and terms of home networking is CERT's Home Network Security.
It has gotten dramatically worse during the last year.
Proxomitron info
I don't surf.
I visit FreeRepublic, Drudge, Google sports groups, sports illustrated.
I visit links per FR. That's it...and I am bombarded by $hit emails for porn sites (never visited).
I even changed email accounts as an experiment and within a few days, the spam starts again.
Erectile dysfunction...porn...mortgage...ebay account updates (don't have one)
It's sickening.
They should start charging a nickel for every email you send. That would stop the crap.
A firewall?
Try Zone Labs. It is very good and free.
You're a hypochondriac. Pick one good commercial virus scanner (and Trend's PC Cillan is a good one), and perhaps the MS antispyware, if you like, keep them up to date, and call it good. Get rid of everything else.
Most of the crap those other freeware scareware programs find are perfectly harmless cookies. And I suspect, they are a self-fullfilling prophecy. They want you to be afraid.
Why no router? That's the key to security with an always-on connection. They're cheap and effective.