Joe Average User Is In Trouble

The Register ^ | 10/27/03 | Scott Granneman

[snooker]

"I would suggest that widepread use of hardware firewalls"

I agree. This stops most all of the scanner system attacks, a linksys BEFSR41 or similar Linux based router/NAT firewall costs about $50.

To stop the e-mail viruses switch to mozilla's browser. This plugs most of the email problems/viruses. http://www.mozilla.org/

[_Jim]

Ditto -

I'm a Mac PC user -- been one since 1987. I use nothing else.

Never had a virus -- not a single one.

Never had a worm -- not a single one

Never had a trojan -- not a single one

I don't even use "virus protection software". Got tired of scanning and finding nothing there.

Of course, I still get junk email. But I use "POPMonintor" to scan incoming email at the server level, and delete it before I download email to my computer turned off 'scripts', in Windows.

What's all the problems with viruses, worms, trojans, etc.?

Cheers!
- _Jim

[snooker]

"My ISP, Time Warner, apparently hates their customers to have routers."

Comcast used to do this as well. Then they realized that the routers were actually helping cut down on user systems being used for re-mailer viruses. So now if they get a call from a router user, they simply ask that the router be bypassed for troubleshooting. Easy to do, just unplug and plug in the computer to the modem direct.

[Charles Martel]

On the bloated code: I had a word processor, data base, spread sheet (+ some other whistles and bells) running on my ancient Commodore 64 (Berkley Software--can't remember the program name). Not quite true multitasking, but a close simulation of it. That was running on 64 K!

My "multi-tasking" Windows PC runs out of memory (256 megs) all the time! The "Works" word processor must be gigantic. It doesn't like to play with my other programs, either.

The only Berkley C-64 software that I can remember right off is GEOS, which was quite impressive considering the limited computing horsepower on tap. There was also a nice software package for the IBM PC offered by Symantec under the product name "Q&A". Word Processor, database and spreadsheet combo - very lean and functional. Of course, that was just before Windows spread over the computing landscape like kudzu.

[Dimensio]

I converted an old PII450 to a router that runs Linux and an ipchians firewall (I'll update to iptables Real Soon Now). The last time that it required a reboot was...

I can't remember when. I think that it was when the power went out and I shut it down manually in case the UPS didn't hold out.

[Lee'sGhost]

"Its part of the Norton Utilities. Cleans up bad Windows Registry entries.

Does that mean it performs the same functions as Windows Washer?

[dread78645]

Image of TI-99

Ahh ... The machine that should have killed Intel.

[FreedomPoster]

I think that's the case, but am not very familiar with Windows Washer.

[swarthyguy]

Puh-lease? Who can keep up with all the crap. People have lives and don't want to spend their half their life downloading patches and then more patches to fix the updates.

It's a tool, not a high maintenance chick.

Misguided - Windows is to blame, not the users.

[E Rocc]

I'll have to be a cynic and say I agree. How many times do I have to tell the same people who forward me every urban legend they get (and telling me to forward it to everyone in my address book) to go look at Snopes before sending me anything?

A lot of people don't seem to have figured out that those megaforwards are one of the ways spammers collect addresses, and that a lot of "urban legends" about products are actually attempts at commercial sabotage (the "Febreeze legend" comes to mind).

What's just as bad is when people use stuff like that in a debate when a simple Google search will set the record straight. Every time I see someone in a forum claim that James Madison claimed that all our political institutions were based on the Ten Commandments I wanna scream. :o

-Eric

[FreedomPoster]

I've seen Doom ported to a digital camera. No joke.

[general_re]

LOL - seriously? What the heck kind of camera was that?

[bootyist-monk]

Viruses rarely hit Macs for the simple reason: virus creators aren't interested in being able to terrorize only 5% of the marketplace.

[Xenalyte]

We've had DSL from SBC Global for about eight months now, and have yet to a) reach even half the speed they promised us and b) have service more than 50% of the time.

Every troubleshooting attempt ends when they find out we have a router and tell me to restart it. They seem to think that rebooting the router solves all ills, which it doesn't. GRRRRRR.

After many many months of tech-support calls, a support guy came out on Saturday to tell us that we're too far from the DSL hub or node or whatever it's called to get the service we were promised.

Next stop: cable.

[Coral Snake]

The best computer security is to DUMP this "software as a service" on the Internet cr*p and keep your IMPORTANT data on a separate low end machine with its own separate software library OFF THE NET!!! It is simply amazing how the software companies can make the sheeple jump from one "one size fits all" paradigm (Windows) onto another (software as a service over the Internet) with NO consideration for security, individual freedom, or anything else. One more time. The only place to keep important data safe is on a machine TOTALLY OFF THE NET, PERIOD.

[Kenny Bunk]

Every troubleshooting attempt ends when they find out we have a router and tell me to restart it. They seem to think that rebooting the router solves all ills, which it doesn't

You have a signal strength problem. Fuggedabout fixing it unless they build a booster into your line somewhere. Also make sure your virus control software isn't screwing you up and make sure you delete Zone Alarm, if you are using that with a router. Great for modem alone.

[Xenalyte]

No Zone Alarm, and Norton Internet Security isn't causing a problem - no difference with it on or off.

The problem is that we're too far from wherever the signal originates. I maintain that SBC could have discovered that from our street address before we ever signed up.

[Dimensio]

I actually have one of those right next to my computer desk, though I've sadly no place for it. I'll be giving it to a friend, who knows a collector of vintage hardware who is sure to give it a good home.

[Prime Choice]

If someone wants to just be an effective user, they should get a Mac.

If they want to be an effective user who's semi-literate in security issues, then they should use Windows.

If they want to be an effective user with near-Jedi skill in security, then they should use Linux.

Most users just want convenience; even if it means sacrificing security.

[Dimensio]

Every time I see someone in a forum claim that James Madison claimed that all our political institutions were based on the Ten Commandments I wanna scream. :o

I used to get "inspirational tales" from family and friends of family. It cut out when I replied to every one of them with links to snopes.com debunking them. I think that it finally stopped when I replied refuting the sickening glurge tale of "The Little Girl", though I don't know if the sender ever realised, even with my detailed explanation, why I found it so insulting.