StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Ok, I just recently starting using DSL at home after years of dial up computing and I'm loving it.

NOW, I just want to make sure I have my ass covered (against hacking, trojans, spyware, etc.)

Here's what I've got on my PC (running and updating religiously of course):

Zone Alarm
Spyware Blaster
Spybot S&D
Adaware
PeerGuardian
CWShredder
Hijack This

and a couple of various programs like Shoot The Messenger and DCOMbobulator. Plus, I've installed all the latest WinXP and IE updates.

Am I good to go? Is there anything else I could use?

ps:
I'm also using a router.

Hopefully you're already not using Internet Explorer or Outlook.

Paranoid? not in my book.

You don't have any AV aplication? That makes you a lazy bum and not paranoid and secondly if you feel that Zonealarm is a bit weak get Kerio instead.

And get TDS-3 to handle da crappy worms that infests the net.

Faram wrote:Paranoid? not in my book.

You don't have any AV aplication? That makes you a lazy bum and not paranoid and secondly if you feel that Zonealarm is a bit weak get Kerio instead.

And get TDS-3 to handle da crappy worms that infests the net.

OOps...yeah, I'm using Norton AV.

TDS-3? I'll check it out.....

Damaramu wrote:Plus, I've installed all the latest WinXP and IE updates.

Am I good to go? Is there anything else I could use?

Step one, ditch IE, it's the equivalent to going to the worst afflicted parts of africa without condoms in search of a gangbang....and as was mentioned above, do not ever under any circumstances use Outlook.

What he said.

http://www.mozilla.org

Download Mozilla FireFox (it has a similar interface to IE, but doesn't have the same vulnerabilities, has popup blocking, and tab browsing),

Ditch IE, ditch Outlook. If you really need an email program, download Thunderbird from Mozilla.org (at least it doesn't have those dang Outlook vulnerabilities), however, it is much safer to view your email on the web. Why?

When you open an email on the web that has a virus for an attachment, the attachment is still on the email server- you can delete the message from there.

If you open the email in an email program, the email program FIRST downloads everything onto your hard drive (the email, the attachments, etc).

Additionally Outlook (I'm not sure about Thunderbird) supports executables in email text so that you only have to OPEN the email to be infected. Since you have to click on the emails title to delete it, it gives you trouble.

Now, if you want to be really secure, install Linux and run your Windows programs via Wine. You'll be practically unhackable by all the Windows hackers and viruses running around out there (99% of viruses and hackers).

If you really, REALLY want to be secure, buy a Mac, then buy Mac versions of all your programs. Then have a blast.

Are you running a firewall?

Robert Walper wrote:Are you running a firewall?

He's running Zone Alarm. Of course, it would also help if he's behind a hardware router/firewall.

Praxis wrote:What he said.

http://www.mozilla.org

Download Mozilla FireFox (it has a similar interface to IE, but doesn't have the same vulnerabilities, has popup blocking, and tab browsing),

Ditch IE, ditch Outlook. If you really need an email program, download Thunderbird from Mozilla.org (at least it doesn't have those dang Outlook vulnerabilities), however, it is much safer to view your email on the web. Why?

He'd be much better off downloading Mozilla itself. Its smaller than FireFox and Thunderbird combined by atleast 2MB and comes with everything.

Additionally Outlook (I'm not sure about Thunderbird) supports executables in email text so that you only have to OPEN the email to be infected. Since you have to click on the emails title to delete it, it gives you trouble.

In Mozilla Mail, all it takes to block HTML rendering (anyone with it enabled is a moron and is ASKING for trouble) by going to the view menu, select "Message Body As" and select "Plain Text".

Also, ditch ZoneAlarm. Nothing but panicware and is just a bloated POS. Kerio is far superior. They basically took the functionality of Atguard (minus the ad blocking...which can be done through Mozilla and your hosts file anyways) and brought it up to date.

EmperorMing wrote:

Robert Walper wrote:Are you running a firewall?

He's running Zone Alarm. Of course, it would also help if he's behind a hardware router/firewall.

Yup, I've got Zone Alarm and I'm running through a router.

You really should take off Zone Alarm. There is no need for a software firewall if you already are running through a hardware firewall (your router) and its probably just eating system resources.

Take off Zone Alarm, then run Shield Up! to test for vulnerabilities. If you pass that test without Zone Alarm, then you're much better off without it.

Ahh...gotcha.