How safe is your computer?

[Mtnjim]

For you home

computer users. Looks like the start of an interesting series from the BBC. (This is part one. Tomorrow, they will

look into what happens when they
let the computer get infected with malware. Wed and Thurs will
look at spam

and phising.)



As referenced from Slashdot:

"This article from the BBC shows how vulnerable XP Home really

is.
Using a highly protected XP Pro machine running VMWare, the BBC
hosted an unprotected XP Home system to

simulate what an 'average'
home PC faces when connected to the internet."

From the article: "Seven hours of

attacks: 36 warnings that pop-up
via Windows Messenger. 11 separate visits by Blaster worm. 3
separate attacks

by Slammer worm. 1 attack aimed at Microsoft IIS
Server. 2-3 "port scans" seeking weak spots in Windows software."


The machine was attacked within seconds of being connected to
the Internet, and at no time did more than 15

minutes elapse
between attacks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5414502.stm

[sukun]

aren't you afraid of giving your

credit card number or other secret data on the net??

there might be an hostile spyware catching this valueable

data.

i really want to buy some of this site products but thewhole internet credit card issue is quiet new and

intimidating to me

[gaf]

This is why i own a mac.
3

trojans in 3 years ain't bad!
This is what I use,
http://www.markallan.co.uk/clamXav/

If

you don't want to use your card over the net, use the phone to place an order or fax it in. I've done it many

times with other online stores.
problem solved!

[sukun]

but how do you pay for the

product??
do you also tell your credit card number over the phone??

[gaf]

couple of options..
Paypal via the

net
or ummm , yes, tell them your c/c number over the phone/fax including the expiry date and cv number.
You

won't have any problem with being rebilled for "extra stuff" with the Love Scent site as Bruce is an honest trader

, just look at feedback in the forums.
As always when using a c/c check the bill at the end of the month , I've

never had any problem with visa reversing charges that were unauthorised on my account in the last 17 years...

YMMV.

[Gegogi]

I've used Macs since 1984 and

have never contracted a virus.

[belgareth]

I've used Macs

since 1984 and have never contracted a virus.

There are some minor benefits to using non-mainstream

hardware, despite the major shortcomings. Macs really aren't any more secure than PCs or Unix systems but the small

percentage of MACs on the market make them a less tempting target. They are also less promising for hardware and

software developers so there are far fewer options for MAC users. Its a trade off some people prefer to make. I run

several systems because of my work and have not had a virus on any of them in many years. But I'm not careless

about maintenance either.

The real threats aren't viruses anyway and have little, if anything, to do with

viruses and are not really OS or computer specific. Instead, they are various phishing scams or data-trapping

routines.

[eric_pelletier_tw]

athing you should know

: phone isnt secure !!! in fact you can set any Ham radio listning device to a specific frequency & you will in fact

ear the conversation !!
2nd : always check that you are on a secure site: (litle lock at the bottom of your screen

& that you are sending this information tru a secure link ( httpS://... ) {also there is an explorer

setting that says warn before switching between secure & not secure pages} that also shoud be checked (in advace

options)
& whatever your OS is you are AT RISK!! viruses that pollute the internet are mostly from wanabees but if

a real hacker whants to hack you there is no limit on what they can do & they know where to hit...
but most of

those target big enterprises & government &other unix systems (MAC OS is one of them)
while trouble makers try to

impresse by hacking a poor nobody running win98

also there is ways you can secure windows ... firewall being

the first (forget about windows 's firewall it is b*\\s**t !) & setting desired trafic to be allowed in...

[Mtnjim]

I've used Macs since

1984 and have never contracted a virus.

The very first viruses and anti virus software (Worm Food)I ever

dealt with were on the MAC back in '86. They weren't writing many viruses for DOS at the time.

[abductor]

...
I'm trying to

get some security certification... hard stuff (..study ++++)
Well if you really want your computer safe.. is

better user 'power off' way.
Dont belive any company if they say that you are safe.

check out this

educational video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P62vEZNCi4

but there is more fun ..

than a single Home PC... things really funny (?) on cisco routers !

[Mtnjim]

...
I'm trying to

get some security certification... hard stuff (..study ++++)

CISSP?

I've been through some of the SANS

courses, tough indeed.

[abductor]

not CISSP yet ..CCSP for while

.. I need builder my career step by step... :-)