Microsoft windows and Security issues

[Dave_E71]

I put this together for work and I think it would be useful here too

Dave

I know many of us have windows computers, either here and/or at home.

Microsoft has extended support for Windows98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium Edition (Me) through June 30, 2006, but you should be aware that it is coming to an end.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];LifeAn1


There are several things that should be done to keep them secure.

1) Download and install a spyware removal program

I use both ad-aware and spybot, search and destroy on my computers, both are free for personal use

ad-aware -

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

spybot, search and destroy -

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html



2) Install anti-virus software and make sure you keep the virus definition file up to date.

* I use McAfee, mainly because we have a site license *



3) Download and INSTALL at the least the High Priority Updates for your computer from Microsoft.

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com



4) Stop using Internet Explorer (IE) for casual web browsing, most spyware is installed using known exploits of IE. I know you have to use IE for some sites, but for "surfing the net" you should use a different browser. Either of the following are recommended.

Mozilla Firefox -

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/


Crazy Browser -

http://www.crazybrowser.com/download.htm



This won't stop everything, but it will go a long way in reducing it


Dave

[Big Don]

Mozilla Firefox

I have been using Mozilla Firefox for about two month and have never had a pop-up yet. Strongly suggest using it.

[HRTV]

Top ten reason to make the switch !

Good info Dave and everyone should keep this in mind. Also please consider doing what I did and make the switch to Mac ! I made the switch roughly two years ago and never looked back ! What a sweet life it has been ever since ! I recently graduated from the PowerMac G4 to the grand daddy of them all and got the PowerMac G5 ! about a year ago. Pure heaven on earth !

http://www.apple.com/switch/whyswitch/


Dont be afraid make the switch ! do it now ! run dont walk to your local Apple store.

http://www.apple.com/buy/

[Leeann]

I've never owned anything but a Mac (since 1991). I strongly suggest it.

No adware, no spyware and no actual viruses (only a couple test cases). No blue screen of death and, best of all, no Windows! :-)

OS X has a Unix base; it's very secure and very stable. And the Mac GUI is beautiful eye candy :wink:

[HRTV]

I was so confident in my Mac that I ran my new G5 for almost a month without any virus protection at all !! do that on a brand new Windows based PC and you can kiss your a** goodbye !

Stop waiting make the switch !

Stop being a slave to Bill Gates ! set your self free !

[oldunskilledalky]

Bill Gates

Dan,
Hate to inform you, but Bill Gates ownes over 30% of Apple! I agree it is the best, but you remember BETA? They also were the best. However RCA pushed their VHS and you see who won!
I'm one who works on hardware only, and I get calls to repair Mac's constantly. I had a Apple 2E when I started repairing PC's. Only reason a person creates viruses is because 95% of the computers in the world use Internet Explorer. That's a whole lot of computers. Who wants to create a virus for 2 or 3% of 400 million computers? You would be equivalent to the Yugo!
Just thought I'd pass it along.

Mike....

[High Point]

Stepping Up

At this time I would like to step forward and support my Macintosh brothers and sisters. I have used Macs since 1986. I have never owned a PC although I work on them when I have to.

Setting aside all the technical aspects of the two platforms which can be argued endlessly, here's one reason why I like Macintosh:

I admire and reward innovation.

Apple >>is<< the bleeding edge of technological innovation. Almost every feature Windows users enjoy can be attributed to it either being invented or popularized by Macintosh.

I once stood in front of a classroom full of computer forensics examiners who worked for agencies like the US Customs and the FBI. These guys were experts in retrieving data from PC hard drives to be used as evidence in criminal trials. I was teaching them how to do the same job on a Mac.

After being heckled by a member of the audience (in a friendly, good-natured way) I asked this question:

"Name one thing Microsoft has invented." The room was silent.

Finally someone answered, "The blue screen of death", and the room burst into laughter. Not one of these PC experts came up with a real answer to my question.

And Apple's innovation isn't limited to computers. Apple's iPod is the market leader in portable digital music players. Every product recently released by other companies in this market has been an attempt to copy the Apple iPod's stunning design, innovation engineering, and simplicity of use. I admire the iPod even though I don't own one (ok, my wife owns THREE iPods and occasionally she lets me use one).

In contrast, last month Microsoft just launched their new online music store to compete with Apple's iTunes online service which has been a huge success disproving all the pundits and analysts who said it would fail.

And the kicker: Microsoft copied Apple's pricing structure EXACTLY at 99 cents per song and $9.99 per album. Not a penny more than Apple, not a penny less than Apple. Once again Microsoft copied Apple EXACTLY.

Mark Ritchie
72@E
Proud Macintosh Professional

P.S. Dave, I wish all PC users would follow the info you posted at the beginning of this thread. It's good info. Earlier this year, a mere two weeks after registering a new domain name and created an email address just to use in this website I started getting virus-ridden emails on that email address from all over the world. One of the two dozen or so people I had exchanged email with during that brief period had a virus on their computer and they didn't know it.

[HRTV]

Let me take you on a tour of my G5

Mark, I agree 100% and I also have an iPod For all you Windows based PC owners out there please take a look at the inside of my 1.8 Ghz single porcessor G5 sorry the dual was way out of my price range! But I ask you this ? have you ever seen a finer piece of equipment in your life, open your PC well thats after you take out 20 screws or so and tell me what you see

The inside of a G5 is like an operating room of the future! it is so clear of all cables and junk that it will blow your mind! I added a second internal hard drive in under 3 mins. and addtional memory in less the a minute ! I dont feel worthy to even open this machine and look inside

[Leeann]

Thanks for the support, Mark. I have converted a lot of people to Mac, myself. I even own an iPod!

I do a lot of work for friends on their computers, and the most I ever have to do to the Macs is run DiskWarrior on them to optimize the directories. Mostly, I show them how to do cool stuff on them

When I'm forced to work on pcs, however, all bets are off. I spend huge amounts of time removing adware, spyware, viruses, etc. from them. I can't always fix them, so wiping and reinstalling then updating everything is usually what happens. And it takes forever, too - and that's updating on a broadband connection...

[Dave_E71]

One good thing about Microsoft.
I'm using Internet explorer to type this because one of my suggestions for a more secure web browser (firefox) won't let me log in to hydroracer from a windows xp machine, mozilla works fine from my linux box, go figure

Dave

[David_L6]

I'm using Internet explorer to type this because one of my suggestions for a more secure web browser (firefox) won't let me log in to hydroracer from a windows xp machine, mozilla works fine from my linux box, go figure

Dave

I don't understand why you are having problems. I'm using Firefox and XP.

[Dave_E71]

I don't understand why you are having problems. I'm using Firefox and XP.

What a bonehead I am, cookies are now enabled and I can log in, bah, I hate computers

[HRTV]

[HRTV]

I hate to run this Mac thing into the ground but I thought all the Windows user out there would enjoy knowing I can run over 13 programs all at once and this baby never blinks an eye !

[Richard K.C. Mo.]

At this time I would like to step forward and support my Macintosh brothers and sisters. I have used Macs since 1986. I have never owned a PC although I work on them when I have to.

Setting aside all the technical aspects of the two platforms which can be argued endlessly, here's one reason why I like Macintosh:

I admire and reward innovation.

Apple >>is<< the bleeding edge of technological innovation. Almost every feature Windows users enjoy can be attributed to it either being invented or popularized by Macintosh.

I once stood in front of a classroom full of computer forensics examiners who worked for agencies like the US Customs and the FBI. These guys were experts in retrieving data from PC hard drives to be used as evidence in criminal trials. I was teaching them how to do the same job on a Mac.

After being heckled by a member of the audience (in a friendly, good-natured way) I asked this question:

"Name one thing Microsoft has invented." The room was silent.

Finally someone answered, "The blue screen of death", and the room burst into laughter. Not one of these PC experts came up with a real answer to my question.

And Apple's innovation isn't limited to computers. Apple's iPod is the market leader in portable digital music players. Every product recently released by other companies in this market has been an attempt to copy the Apple iPod's stunning design, innovation engineering, and simplicity of use. I admire the iPod even though I don't own one (ok, my wife owns THREE iPods and occasionally she lets me use one).

In contrast, last month Microsoft just launched their new online music store to compete with Apple's iTunes online service which has been a huge success disproving all the pundits and analysts who said it would fail.

And the kicker: Microsoft copied Apple's pricing structure EXACTLY at 99 cents per song and $9.99 per album. Not a penny more than Apple, not a penny less than Apple. Once again Microsoft copied Apple EXACTLY.

Mark Ritchie
72@E
Proud Macintosh Professional

P.S. Dave, I wish all PC users would follow the info you posted at the beginning of this thread. It's good info. Earlier this year, a mere two weeks after registering a new domain name and created an email address just to use in this website I started getting virus-ridden emails on that email address from all over the world. One of the two dozen or so people I had exchanged email with during that brief period had a virus on their computer and they didn't know it.

That is one hell of a testimonial?? don' owen 1 but i aint shamed to work on em.
My baby girl is studying to be a shrink.Sure sounds familiar to me.