Some Of The Security Measures I Use

[forwardone]

I was very surprised to hear on the news yesterday that more than half of U.K. businesses reported receiving computer viruses! :-k

I started off with Norton Internet Security, AntiVirus, Firewall etc when I first bought my computer.

As time`s gone on, and we hear of malicious viruses, trojans, keylogging and the rest, I guess I`ve got a bit more paranoid about proper security.

Gaining knowledge by reading what others have used for protection, I`ve added different software to try to keep one step ahead. Some I kept, some I uninstalled after trying them.

So, now I have, apart from Norton, these others.

Spywareblaster

a2 Startcenter

Spybot

Ad-aware 6.0

Winpatrol

A couple of these programs are actually designed to prevent anything getting into the computer in the first place. When I first heard about Ad-aware someone said that the first time it`s run, it`s amazing how many `spies` are found. Well I found 130 the first time. I then used Spywareblaster which performs a similar function, and it found a few that Ad-aware had missed.

Needless to say, I keep Norton updated, use Norton to scan regularly, and use Ad-aware & Spywareblaster from time to time to check for spies.

Am I totally secure in this never ending battle? I doubt it, but I feel I am going to reasonable lengths to do what I can to protect myself and others who receive email off me. O:)

I`d love to know about any other security tips, or software others use to keep their computer safe.

Geoff

[emeraldsky]

I also use most of these.

Another one that I really like is Webroot spy sweeper. It runs in the backround all the time and it let's me know if something is running in memory and if a site is trying to hijack my home page. It doen't tell me everything right away but it does when I do a full scan.

Also I use another antivirus software along with norton Sometimes Norton misses thing but the other catches it. it free for home use. AVG.
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

I also use another firewall along with Norton it is also free Sygate personal fire wall.
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

[admin]

Personally I use Nortons as a virus checker, Ad Aware to check for trojans and Zone alarm as a firewall but I also use some other programs as secondary back ups

The critical thing is to regularly check for updates and also check your security and firewall settings

Some other sites worth having a look at are -

1. Distributed Intrusion Detection System - See if your computer is part of a DOS attack

http://www.dshield.org/

2. Shields Up - Probe your ports and see how "stealth" your computer is

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

[forwardone]

Phil I notice that you said about using Norton Anti-Virus.

I know that some do the same as yourself, using Zonealarm for their firewall.

What I don`t quite understand is this. Do you only pay for part of the Norton package, then use the free Zonealarm? The reason I ask is that I have always subscribed to the full package Norton Internet Security/Anti-Virus, and I can`t really see the reason in splitting it. Nortin Security automatically include the firewall protection. Are there any benefits from using a different supplier?

Incidentally I received an email from Microsoft earlier, which notified me of a critical update due to a particular worm that was making it`s way around the internet.

But, when I checked on the Microsoft updates page, there was no sign of it. Perhaps the notifications were mailed before the downloads were ready. ](*,)

As far as updating is concerned, I agree, with any security program it`s absolutely essential to keep up to date.

Geoff

[khoong25]

well, you guys are pretty secure from the looks of it. But there are some more measures that can be taken, such as having a hardware firewall, and software firewall, and I put ZoneAlarm on ultra high sensitivity, as in anything that tries to access the internet will need to manually obtain permission.
And I use Mozilla , and Opera, instead of IE.

And always be careful where you spend your e-gold to. Whatever the site, there have been known attempts to fake real sites, so you can never be too cautious.

Of course, if you want to reach the next level of security, use another computer/separate boot, with Linux, and use that OS/computer only to go to banks/e-currency/exchangers. And never leave that computer plugged into the Internet 24/7.


These are the steps for the ultra paranoids...

[forwardone]

Yes I`ve seen it in a few places where users recommend using something other than IE, as it does seem to have a reputation for poor security.

It`s amazing how many people must still be getting caught out by clicking on the links of sites in emails which are "supposedly" sent from companies like Egold. That`s always a no-no. [-X

Geoff

[WL_silentpartner]

Silentpartner here, first I don't type fast but I'll try to get it all in before I time out, most of the time I allow my "Via-Voice" system to type for me, but I have a head cold so it's not working to well right now :-# .
Security I use Norton Anti-Virus, Spybot search and destroy, Ad-ware 6.0,I'm running Mozilla, two Firewalls. I'm new to computers but I read up on security from all over. I visit www.grc.com/ and run sheilds up , will be adding Meteropipe very soon and as said before I'm very careful when it comes to e-mails. Always trying to stay that one step ahead....Oh I don't type in passwords [-( .

[rixzta]

For those that want a good anti-virus package, without having to pay for one, here is an awesome Home version. It is rated in the top 5 of anti-virus applications.

http://www.avast.com/

Try it...you will be very surprised...and pleased.

[forwardone]

That does look a good site, rixzta. They seem to be right up to speed with all the latest in viruses. \:D/

Is there a site you know of where I can check out the comparisons between various anti-virus programs?

Sometimes I get a message from Norton that due to an internal error my anti-virus needs uninstalling then reinstalling. What I then do is log off and on again and it`s fine, but extremely annoying. So I`m thinking about using something else anyway.

Geoff

[admin]

I visit www.grc.com/ and run sheilds up , will be adding Meteropipe very soon

Thanks Rick and SP, Sheild's Up is a great site and Avast looks like a good Anti Virus System too

I saw Metropipe advertised on FLO and have been thinking about purchasing the system but it's a little expensive at around $ 60 USD. I have never used a Proxy b4 but I can certainly see the advantages these days in protecting your internet activities from the prying eyes of Governments, esp. when it comes to HYIPs and taxation

I would be interested in members thought's on Metropipe, mainly from a technical point of view

[admin]

URL for Metropipe http://www.metropipe.net/fompt/

[memorex]

My personal view on Metro pipe ,is that is not something that people really need.

Nothing to do with cost and there is also far cheaper methods out there if they are really the road that some wish to travel.

I honestly feel, it is geared for the person that has ,!! something to hide, i.e. The very people that are a thorn in our sides, the Hackers, Virus predators,deceivers and scammers.

Once they have this installed they can at will just put their distasteful hardware and brain to work .

By clogging up our internet system with more of this load of garbage,scams,Uce & lies that we are accumulating now and as usual, this company is going to profit from those type of people and are trying to promote it as a security against the official law and order of society.

To me it is an absolute digrace and also to the 90% of the human race that believe in our legal system , If any Government is chastising how you are operating, it is because, they have found enough information on you, to merit such a challenge.

And therefore you must be in part guilty of some underlying cause in your operations on this web of deceit .

But if this is the way that certain people want to go that is their decision and my view is my own .

As for myself personally I have nothing to hide and have nothing to fear from any government officialdom.

So I will stick to my own devices as per the secureness of my information on my computer which has sufficed since I dont know when .

regards
gwins

[admin]

An interesting perspective, thanks for your thoughts Jim

Well, you will be happy to know then that I decided not to go ahead with it, as in the end I could not see any real reason or need for it, however I still am a little concerned that the Govenrments can, if they wanted to, could track your every move, when it comes to online investing and taxation and I have NOT declared any income from HYIPs yet and I am not sure if I should or not but that's a different story, so that's the only thing that I have to "hide" as you put it and if that's a crime so be it. It may not be a problem in countries like Australia where the laws protect you, however not every countries laws are the same as Australia's

For example I had a online friend contact me about setting up a forum (nothing to do with HYIPs, its more a forum to do with human rights) but is concerned about the Govt intervention as the Govt and in that particular country does not respect human rights, so in that particular case metro pipe may be the way to go for him, everyones situation is different however they have the right to choose, esp. when it comes to freedom of speach and personal safety

[memorex]

Well Phil
I did not mean that you were being classed as someone who had something to hide. My statement was more inline addressed to some of the more undesirables of this community.
Who may or may not be jumping on the hideaway bandwagon these people are the ones that really use this sort of sytem for their own ends and cause.

Lets just for a minute remember Patryn & Mario and this is two of whom we both know existed in their secretive little worlds.

Phil 90% of Hyiper's dont declare this income so we are all under the same flag no matter what country in which we are domiciled .

We are all also eligible to pay tax on unearned income which is what they class profit from investment type systems in every country. I dont think anyone has the ability to get out of this no matter where you live.

And I can assure you that if shove comes to push the government on any continent will and are able to track you down eventually.

I also meant that metropipe were really trying to oversell a product with scare tactics.

If you have Norton System Works 2003 and later you can goverment wipe all your freespace on your computer including any folders you wish which permanently deletes them .

So that it is completely obliterated with this sytem so why do we need an expensive $100.00 recurring bill per annum after the initial freebie discount from FLO.

As all it does is strip the identity from your email that you send, it is the files that are on your computer, that you need to protect and as I have stated.
This can be done a lot cheaper and easier by Norton or some other good Antivirus system

Sorry if I have offended you in any way as it was not intended as I hold you in the highest regards in this community and I hope as a FRIEND.

regards
gwins

[admin]

Hi Jim

No probs, thanks, I probably took it a bit the wrong way, I have been doing that a bit lately :-# Anyhow, I agree with you 100% that when it comes to hackers and scammers, they use these proxies to cover their dirty tracks and thats the problem, it makes it hard for the authorities to track them down

I guess my point was that there are some genuine people out there where a proxy may be of benifit for them, such as in countries where freedom on the Internet is NOT a right. Eg. I read last week that the Chinese Govt shut down around 2500 plus Internet Cafes and block a lot of traffic and sites from the US

[memorex]

I realise what you are saying, but I wish they would get rid of their hackers.
That keep on sending the MSQQL stack overflows at my computer especially from China.
Although I dont get any intrusion, it does become monotonous having to delete them every five minutes .
I think they are experiencing a glut of hack training there and this may be causing the problem as well ,I dont know for sure, just my guess.

Anyway look after your self always glad to hear from you .

regards
gwins

[betrdanevr]

This is the type of conversation that makes me proud to be associated with BOTH of you guys! =D> =D>
Isn't FLO, though, going to "require" the use of some type of tunnel for private program members? Maybe I'm wrong about that, and sometimes information changes and I don't catch it. Best of my memory, when Xavier first mentioned MetroPipe Tunnels, it was a free service. Of course, these things have to cost a lot of money to provide, and I'm not an I.T. person by any stretch of the imagination. Are there ALTERNATIVES to MetroPipe that are cheaper -- for actual "tunneling," that is?

Regards,
Terri

[memorex]

Well as we already are aware, the FLO system, is already in a secure system, with their three different servers for a start .

They also have a very secure entry to their site which includes not one password but three .

Which they can and have applied already when they need to whenever there is a call for it .

How much more security do they need to be safe and how more hidden do they need to be to apply themselves.

Apart from complete obscurity whch will also place the investors in the same vein.

A lot of people think that I personally want FLO to fail they cannot be more farther from the truth, as I also have a vested interest in this program .

It is known fact that this program has been hailed as a scam from its inception.

My honest opinion, I dont know ,apart from their interest rate which I feel is not sustainable.

But hey who cares as long as it pays and you make a profit but always remember, Dont put your life savings in it .

Whatever do you or every member need Metro pipe tunnelling for this is only needed to secure the website, which you are accessing.

And this is sufficient for them, not you or I, this is where the story ends, unless you want the thrill of stripping your identity from your emails.

Which is their way, of not being able to be traced, apart from this why do you or I need this .

Unless that is we have something to hide :))

So in the respect of security it really doesnt effect the normal run of the mill honest day to day person especially at a $100 a throw :)) per annum.

But I am sure their will be someone that will question my theory but that is their choice and their opinion and mine is my own.


regards
gwins

[friendly]

Hi Phil,

Wonder if you could do me a favour and add the link to "Shields Up" to your resources page please.

I keep referring it to friends and family and have to keep coming back into the thread to find the link again! #-o

Spose I could bookmark it, but might want to have it on your Resources page anyway.

Thanks,

Robyn.

[admin]

Hi Robyn

Actually Shields Up is already there, twice :smt003

Under Computer Safety and Security, point number 3 (Shields Up) and then also under Internet and Computer Resources (GRC), which is Shields Up too :smt003

[bdriverstyle10]

Hello,

There is an option to Metropipe that I've found. It is less expensive, and available to both Mac and Windows users. If indeed we must have a tunnel for the FLO private program.

http://www.primedius.com./

Regards,

Bree

[forwardone]

Thanks for that, Bree. I`ve just taken a look and I like the demo in the window. :)


The lowest priced paid version is $29.99 per month, which is about half that of Metropipe I think. And I notice there is a Free version with less features.

I`m still not too sure it`s all for me. I still have questions about whether it slows the operation of the computer down by any significant margin, would my existing security programs still work ok (in fact would I still need all of them)?

But as this type of thing gets even more popular likely prices may start to fall even further and the public will have a greater awareness of how it all works.

Geoff

[bdriverstyle10]

You're welcome Geoff. I wanted a less expensive alternative to the Metropipe, because it will be required in the FLO private prog. If that were not the case, I do not think it would be for me either. In fact, if there is no Private program, I will not purchase Primedius.

The Mac version (free demo) has not slowed my computer down in any noticable way, but I don't know what will happen if I purchase the paid version. As far as the Windows version, I have no idea.

It is my opinion that we would still need our existing security, because the tunnels are only hiding software and as such do not offer protection from viruses, trojans, worms, keystrokers, and sypware. The only way that I can see this not being true is if the tunnels had protection and removed the viruses and such before they filtered through to us, but I don't think I want to leave the protection of my computer in the hands of others. As to whether current protection programs will work with them, unknown for Windows, and I'm still trying to figure that out for the Mac. So far, I have not experienced any problems.

Regards,

Bree

[Laughing Dog]

Phil: Thanks for the Shields up Link. I used it for ages and it's brilliant, then I manages to lose the shortcut to it.

Geoff: I've been using the full Norton for years and never experienced your problem with having to reboot it. Seems a shame if you have to dump such a good system.

Only other thing I use is A2, which sometimes picks up stuff that Norton misses.

LD

[forwardone]

Well, LD, for some reason the situation`s got much better with Norton. I must admit I do like the system, although I know it does have it`s detractors.

I used A2 a couple of weeks ago, and it did pick up a couple of Trojans that Norton didn`t seem to find, so it is worthwhile running several programs just to keep on top of things.

Geoff

[memorex]

Thanks for that, Bree. I`ve just taken a look and I like the demo in the window. :)


The lowest priced paid version is $29.99 per month, which is about half that of Metropipe I think. And I notice there is a Free version with less features.

I`m still not too sure it`s all for me. I still have questions about whether it slows the operation of the computer down by any significant margin, would my existing security programs still work ok (in fact would I still need all of them)?

But as this type of thing gets even more popular likely prices may start to fall even further and the public will have a greater awareness of how it all works.

GeoffYes The only problem with the free version, is you only get 4 mb bandwith and it is used up pretty quickly.
Also it has time limit for use on the line I already use Primedius and it works fine for me.
It doesnt slow it down all that much well, not on my computer anyway and it normally automatically configures your Firewall and Anti Virus into the system no worries at all.
regards
memorex

[forwardone]

That`s good to know, thanks for that. I`d hate to have to get into conflicting program issues.

I`ve just realized that I quoted their price as $29.99 per MONTH, when I should have said per YEAR. :o Better value still. :D

Geoff