Linux vs Windex security

[Cannonfodder]

*Moved this topic to the security forum :) *

 

Some other things you can do to prevent virus is..

 

1. Turn off IIS if its on.

2. Get rid of the firewall and install ZoneAlarm. Easier to manage.

3. Install Opera. Leave Outlook and IE but destroy any outlook accounts. Many virus come through outlook as activex or executables.

4. I have norton anti-virus, but when the subscription runs out, I usually end up replacing my win2k install with a partimage copy (sans norton) and reinstalling the norton. It starts the virus subscription as new once again.

 

Like the linux server idea.. might end up trying that myself. Another thing you can do is get spam assassin going. Mine actually runs on my web site and has been hosing viruses at a rate of 3-15 a day.

[linux_learner]

Leave Outlook and IE but destroy any outlook accounts. Many virus come through outlook as activex or executables.

 

no virus has come as activeX. activeX is digitally signed software. it acts kinda like a trojan. IE and Outlook and Outlook Express use Macros. this Macros makes use of VBSscript, most viruses are written in VBS designed to exploit the Macros. viruses have and can exploit activeX. in general i removed all activeX components from my windows. ofcourse i probably did more than most people would even consider.

[bvc]

I meant to add this when the thread was alive, but.....

 

Without a doubt, the best resistance is common sense. I got my first pc 3 years ago, (windows) have only run antivirus for 3 months, and a firewall for 6 months of that 3 years. How many viruses have I had?....0. Do I get spam at all? No. Why? I'm not mouse-click happy for any registration-sites (other than a few forums), porn, givaway, shareware and do not open half the emails I get even from people I know. If I do, I wait 3-5 days to see if I hear from them that they have a virus b4 opening it. This has always cracked me up....." only open emails from people you know" LOL. Forget the fact that the people you know probably are/could be windozers with out any common sense, that spend their time at every porn site on the net, haven't a clue how to secure a machine, and click any button that flashes. I don't even open half the emails from my sisters...well now they hardly ever send me anything (chain letters and crap, and bless me crap if I send this on to someone else crap)...that's the closest to spam I ever get. I have had 3 worms that were easily removed but that was over 2 years ago.

 

Trend Micro has a great online virus scanner that I used b4 running antivirus, well I still use it along with, actually. I haven't settled on an ativirus app or even if I will continue to run one. I'm currently running a trial version of pccillan and will try panda next.

 

....bottom line?.....if you get them, you probably deserve them. B)

 

 

QUESTION? How do ya know your ativirus app is working?....if you never get them? Send one to yourself? "Yes mister windozer, ask well, just about anyone you know to Forward you one day of their junk and you'll see if it works." Aintivirus is one of the internets biggest scams that generates a lot of $ from the unsuspected windozers. Now I ticked myself off....I think I'll go uninstall pccillan now

 

cannonfodder, can you make that avatar smaller?

[AussieJohn]

My Anti-Virus program for use in Windows (2000) is a freebie from a company called AVG ( it is based in Germany I think) It is free for personal use and chages only for business use. I have always had suspicions about McAffee and Norton and their sell campaigns. I am still not entirely convinced that they do not let out viruses or encourage virus makers. Funny how few if any virus makers are caught. I have more faith in someone like AVG because they are not trying to financially exploit the average home user.

This is supported by the fact that their product has no advertising contained in the free version and download updates can be done every few days.

 

I also use Zone Alarm which is generally acknowledged to be the best around (free or shareware types) and this from a man who was hated and denegrated by the rest of the "security industry" heavyweights. Many people seem to forget this point.

 

I do all my Internet activity using Mandrake and Galeon and have done it this way for the past14 months. Galeon is excellent . I only connect to the internet from Windows from programmes I am updating or upgrading and I always do a full virus scan after each download.

 

I have only ever had 3 virus in the past 4 years and NONE has ever got past my Anti-Virus protection so I have never had an infection.

 

So in Windows, AVG and Zone Alarm plus some commonsense practices and you have some peace of mind.

 

In LINUX you have almost total peace of mind.

 

Windows safe and secure ???? . Not bloody likely.

 

Cheers. John (69yrs young)

[gmac]

I've since switched to AVG as well. Much better, also it doen't seem to clash with windows in the way macafee does. On a couple of accasions after upgrading macafee I found the hd was badly fragmented and crasshing as a consequence. Also use Zone alert, had a trial with zone alert pro, which seemed o.k. Now just have the basic. I'm not sure how real the number of attcks were. I use a cable modem, not broadband, it was fascinating the number of times it was blocking cookies. Now use mozilla which is streaks ahead of explorer. I can see why MS had to give it away.

 

New year resolution fix my mandrake installation so I can use it again.