What is Digg?46 Comments
- syntaxerr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Thieves know how to break door locks, so I'll just take the door off its hinges... stupid.
- dick-richardson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Story is lame. The only thing preventing a new install of Windows from instantly becoming compromised before patches can be installed is a firewall.
- sinjar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Best way to secure your PC is to turn it off.
- icetigaurus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"It's been mentioned before, but when it comes to spyware - one spyware utility is not enough. I have been super impressed with Hitman Pro since it basically installs and runs every spyware program available. It takes about an hour from install to completion. It's practically fully automated and it finds and deletes almost all spyware known to man."
Not to sound like a broken record but you could probably save yourself 55 minutes if you just install and use firefox instead of IE (I am assuming that is why you need this many anti spyware programs in the first place). And if you still want anti spyware programs just install one or two instead of clogging up your system with tons of them. - pcgeek101, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Agree with above comment ^^^ I see TONS of computers where people have installed 3 or more spyware removal programs, and all they really need to do is replace those crappy programs with the lovely Mozilla Firefox. I've run Windows spyware-free ever since I switched; 'nuff said.
- MonkeyFit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I run PC-Cillin and Firefox. Not completely sure if Firefox has more to do with lack of spyware, But haven't had any for a LONG time.
- diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This guide is a bit basic, there are better recommendations.
- arlene1985, on 01/07/2009, -0/+0Nowadays the Web abounds in malware, so software protection is not enough to stay safe. PC security includes several key komponents apart from mere resident monitoring of the running processes. Browsing habits also matter a lot. And it's better to surf under User account, not administrator.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Total-PC-Security-Protecti ... - Kriz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Dugg. Excellent little article.
Windows XP can be kept safe and clean with a little maintinence, learning how to scan/update with various protection programs, and having common sense. - RaistlinMajere, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0No firewall huh..what's his IP? ;)
- r00ted, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0good read. and yea, firewalls aren't really necessary. though an IP filter like peerguardian couldn't hurt.
- duke_nate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Thieves know how to break door locks, so I'll just take the door off its hinges... stupid."
Touche - longofest, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0No Linux if you want to really be secure. They have plenty of vulnerability problems. Macs are okay. Basically, the BSD's are the choice for security. My professor who is a security nut uses OpenBSD.
sinjar: good point. The best way to secure a PC is when it is off behind locked doors, but even then it's not completely secure. Mainly this is due to the fact there is no such thing as 100% security as we all know, but there are acutual ways to still get data from a PC without any power running through it... But we leave that stuff to the NSA :-).
Very curious that the guy didn't seem to know the difference between a firewall and a personal security solution like zonealarm. There is no reason why a user shouldn't activate a basic firewall like Windows firewall to close down vulnerable ports. It doesn't need to do fancy stuff like he mentioned... still, I digg the story if only because it MAY bring beginners a little closer to security - DJPandemonium, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0His opinion of a firewall is way off base. While software firewalls are far from ideal, in my experience they are significantly better than nothing.
But, with the cost of a hardware firewall being about the same, he oughta be suggesting one (and everyone should be using one). - mrkoje, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Knoppix comes with a firewall that can be easily turned on. Wonder why they put that in there for a secure OS??"
I believe what your referring to is iptables. I'm not sure if Knoppix comes with iptables, but all Linux distros come with that.
The author could have given better advice such as putting your PC behind a NAT and using a software firewall.
No digg - ShaDoWwork, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i ues outpost firewall and i have to say i am not a comp noob the hassles a good firewall will save you are worth the time and effort to setup.
mine does more than keep the door closed it also reports file changes and traffic the easiest and fastest way other than pulling the net cable to lock down a file is with your firewall.
i tell everyone i know get a good firewall and learn whats what and what should be running. - bebopredux, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Why do consumers even put up with all the security problems Windows has?
If we bought new cars that needed aftermarket parts to make it run properly there'd be laws holding manufacturers accountable. Ahem there are such laws!
Yet, incredibly, Windows gets a free pass. I've said this a lot and I'll say it again:
I know a lot of elderly folks who have given up computing because they now think PC's are "too complicated" and it's true. Not for all of us, this is true.
Seems we have "accepted" that PC's need to be worked on like our first car. I always thought the goal of computing was to make it easy for the masses. I remember computing in the late 90's. No big security concerns. No, there was minimal broadband then but, that's the point. Now that broadband is here PC's have become patched up resource hogging machines that require users to be "on their game" but, not all can...or want to! They just want to use their computer and have it run! PC's loaded with Norton ( ugh....this has got to be THE worst piece of software made yet people keep it on their machines ) and a plethora of ad/spy/mal ware blockers that reduce it to a snails pace.
I used to use XP/Linux/OSX ( in that order ). Now? Windows no longer resides on any machines I own and OSX is Numero Uno in my home. I still use Ubunto and play with all the BSD/Linux distros but, I get real work done on my Mac G5. Period.
Why consumers put up with this is truly a head scratcher to me. - initsix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's been mentioned before, but when it comes to spyware - one spyware utility is not enough. I have been super impressed with Hitman Pro since it basically installs and runs every spyware program available. It takes about an hour from install to completion. It's practically fully automated and it finds and deletes almost all spyware known to man.
The website is http://www.hitmanpro.nl (dutch) but the program is in English and is available at http://members.home.nl/mloman/hitmanpro231.exe - rideaurocks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yeah wtf is that. "um yeah they can get around firewalls once you've been infected so it's dumb to have them." That's moronic. Firewalls help cover up other's security flaws from being totally open, and do a damn good job in keeping unfriendlies away.
There's a reason firewall detection is included in Windows Security Centre. And guess what: Knoppix comes with a firewall that can be easily turned on. Wonder why they put that in there for a secure OS?? - jaggyg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Completely agree with Mastertech several comments up. The link he provides give more thorough information. Follow the advice there and listen to the Security Now podcast on grc.com and you're good to go.
- matthewsr2000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0the thing about firewalls is that while software based do work to some degree, your best best is to go out and buy a GOOD router. foils most pop-up ads, and foils most malware on your computer from dialing home.
really, if you keep a clean installation and are behind a router with a good firewall, you shouldn't have to worry about a SW firewall. and you can save some system resources by not running it. - diggnationdevon, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1The key to security your pc in my own opinion is a firewall, updates, excellent web browser, and intelligence. I don't need anti-spyware and anti-viral protection because these are knowledge will prevent it. I have been 2 months with out virus and spyware protection and I have got nothing. I do a weekly online scan just in case.
- BillGates, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A beginners guide that tells you NOT to use a firewall and to use "common sense"? How did this crappy self-promotion get on the front page?
absolutely NO digg - Ranferi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0[quote]"Best way to secure your PC is to turn it off."
Don't forget to unplug it. Network boot. ;)[/quote]
Or you could just take your harddrive with you to work... lol - khintzma, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I second mastertech's link
- shmooz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is security disinformation! People should object to basic security articles like these, because viruses have been known to get around them and they are known not to work ;)
- anetadmn, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This isn't right. This setup would be good behind a NAT router, but if your PC has a public IP, you really need a firewall. Software firewalls are not the best, but at least your PC won't respond to ping. Just my opinion...
- brainspout, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Not that I agree with them all the time, but Leo LaPorte and Steve Gibson both are on record as saying they do not run a firewall on their systems. They do both, however run behind a NAT router - which acts as a hardware firewall anyway. ...but no software firewalls for either of them.
- ting, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"OK this is lame"
Without software firewall to look after outgoing traffic and generally what's going in/out you're in trouble. Except if you are using PC only for writing word documents and basic web browsing with secure browser.
But if you are like me - loving to try out new nifty appz like unlocker, power pro etc. that adds a spice in PC usage and normally are not brand names (like Nero or Norton) and often free, you definitely need to know who, where, why and how often go out in the web:)
So firewall is definitely a high priority while antispywares are totally obsolete if Opera or Firefox is used. - Jaymoon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"The key to security your pc in my own opinion is a firewall, updates, excellent web browser, and intelligence. I don't need anti-spyware and anti-viral protection because these are knowledge will prevent it. I have been 2 months with out virus and spyware protection and I have got nothing. I do a weekly online scan just in case."
Ditto... - a1programmer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm not going to follow any guide that suggests Microsoft's own Spyware Tool. Haha.
No Digg. - ptknight, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0very crappy. no dig
- molotov, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Sorry, who is this guy? I'll stick to what I know, instead of listening to some crackpot who thinks firewalls cause more damage than they prevent.
"The conclusion would be, that firewalls are not secure and malicious code can find ways around the firewall and even manipulate it."
HOLD IT RIGHT THERE BUDDY!
Because viruses can get around a firewall we shouldn't use it?
I think he writes viruses and can't figure out how to get around firewalls, so he just wants to eliminate them!
Oh, he also made a mistake in the first word: "You'd" should be "You've" Thanks bud. - pcgeek101, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Good guide for noobs
- greghughes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Wow, bad advice. VERY bad advice.
No Digg. In fact, more like -1 diggs.
Boo! - MonkeyFit, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0"Best way to secure your PC is to turn it off."
Don't forget to unplug it. Network boot. ;) - karlisi, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I have seen many compromised Windows systems without firewall and with antivirus, antispyware and Firefox. It is the first thing for every new Windows installation, before connect to Internet and get newest updates, switch on firewall. Lame advice, no digg.
- t3hs3x, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0The many Linux systems or an Apple Mac is always another option if all else fails.
- Seveneb, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Lame comment staszko, I don't see 'every article' as being a beginners guide to anything. You are new to digg and already bitching about something that isn't remotely true.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0how bout dont use the internet
http://www.frontlinetech.blogspot.com - silverfire, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0Using Firefox as a way to prevent spyware infections and that IE guarantees a viral or spyware infection is a myth. I ran IE for years on end without any problems whatsoever with spyware, and until the past eight months, that was practically unpatched IE and no antivirus. The BEST antivirus/antispyware solution is finding yourself a little of the inaptly named common sense.
- amitrix, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0"how bout dont use the internet"
oh i dont like chicken...how about i quit eating food!!
fuggin idiot!! - capajc, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0What's the point of reading the article if it disregards a firewall?
- konrad, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0lol i dont run antivirus or a firewall, and im rly secure, just switch to linux, it's the best rly lol =) programgeeks.net servers run fedora.
- staszko, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0being somewhat new to digg and i have to say that im a bit confused. digg claims to be a "technology news site" yet every story is along the lines of "beginner's guide to doing X."
beginner's guide to this, beginner's guide to that.
why not just rename digg "idiot's guide to the internet?" - amitrix, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0n00b!
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