Computer question (security & junk)

[Tabby432]

There have been several threads about protecting your computer from viruses lately. So when I received an email about a free scan for your computer I checked it out. Here's the link if anyone is interested:

http://www.earthlink.net/freescan/

All of the tests came back safe except for one.

Results of Security Risk Scan
Browser Privacy Scan
At Risk! Show Details

Scan Description:
Checks whether your Web browser releases information about the site you last visited to other Web sites.

Scan Results:
You are at risk of exposing your Web browsing history to other Web sites that you visit.

Should I care?

 

[thumbs2_ca]

I have gone to a similar site and my system checked out as well. There are alot of mail viruses going around now and so far Norton has caught all of them before I even get the opportunity to open them. (not that I would)
I also have internet security. I have cable so you have an open port all of the time and there are programs that do port scanning. My computer shows at least one of those every week that it has blocked.

 

[miles]

Tabby432

A firewall keeps outsiders from accessing your PC while you're online, and the test results show that you don't have one. You can download freeware firewalls at www.download.com. Tiny Firewall or Zone Alarm will work fine.

That will be $27.50 please. I accept cash with proper ID.

 

[thumbs2_ca]

LOL yea thanks Miles.. I never did get to answer that did I?
Old Timers ya know.. I started out answering and then just rambled right on by.

 

[Tabby432]

Re: Tabby432

A firewall keeps outsiders from accessing your PC while you're online, and the test results show that you don't have one. You can download freeware firewalls at www.download.com. Tiny Firewall or Zone Alarm will work fine.

That will be $27.50 please. I accept cash with proper ID.

No. I do have a firewall... Zone Alarm in fact.

Next!

 

[miles]

Sorry, no refunds.

 

[miles]

Copy and post the details. You may need to select ZA to be more agressive.

 

[Tabby432]

Miles

Before I do all of that, I consider it work, should I care?

 

[Dillinger]

The best site I know of for testing the security of your computer is "Shields Up" at https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

 

[Tabby432]

Dill

Help me out here. Am I that hard to understand? I did scan my computer... because of you I think. Anyway, everything was secure except for the thing with the web sites. Should I be worried about that?

 

[Dillinger]

Try the site I just recommended.

As far as your browsing history... well, that depends on what's important to you or not. Basically it just means that a web site can know what other web sites you've visited. If you'd rather they not know you were just looking at hardcore porn - or that you were at a clothing site and they decide to advertise their clothes to you as a potential buyer...

Personally I don't mind. I have to think about this but I believe the only way you can prevent that from happening - ie not making your browsing history available would be to turn off cookies. Of course, if you do, you will have to remember to sign in everytime you come to Lit.

 

[Tabby432]

Thank you!

That's all I wanted to know. That site you mentioned? In order to do a scan now you have to download something that isn't liscensed. I didn't think that was safe to do?

 

[shadowsource]

Tabby, it can be a problem -

I think it's a problem. I have something called - wait - Internet Cleanup by Ontrack, and I can click on it to remove, even shred, the histories and cookies from anywhere I've been. I can program it to do this anytime I boot up, or sign off a browser. So I worry less about cookies, as they stay in only as long as I stay online in a session, and my cable modem is fast and I don't have to sign on. Its brainless, quick, and I think it cost $20 at Staples a year ago. It's available online. I won't oblige you with a URL, as I am a lazy scum.

But I believe in max security. Who wants these bureacratic marketing hos to know where they've been? The less they know about you, the more confused they are and they can't sell your data to each other. The more data they get from the peole who buy cigarettes with debit cards, and who carry cookies from sirte to site, the less they know about me. I get about one telemarketing call per month!

And then there's EarthLink - founded and still controlled by Scientologists (one of whom, a founding E-Link director, was just busted in what the feds call the biggest Ponzi scheme in history), with a very bad record of respecting their customers! I wouldn't tell them jack...

 

[Tabby432]

Thanks for all of your help.

Shadow, I'm not that paranoid.

 

[Guest]

Yahoo

The free web based e-mail in Yahoo offers virus scanning of files and images downloaded via the web. The virus checking is done in conjunction with the Norton Anti-virus center, which I am sure is updated with the most current virus definitions.

Shadow, I'm not that paranoid.

Of course your not and besides, you may have revealed you have an Earthlink account as well, lol!

 

[Myrrdin]

Tabby

The check may have revealed that you have a programme on your PC, that allows that programmes publisher to monitor your PC usage.
http://grc.com/downloaders.htm

 

[Tabby432]

Myrrdin

Thanks for the link.

 

[shadowsource]

Revelation via Myrrdin!

Thank you Myrdin! I signed on for the newsletter available below, which today greeted me with a fine account of a 13-year-old hacker's attacks on this guy's servers (and EarthLink refused to help him, though the attacks were coming from their network). He cracked the hackers' own IRC network, engaged them - it's a good read. But I also found that my own firewall - Black Ice Defender - was useless and couldn't detect that his own computer was a "zombie." I just bought ZoneAlarm....


From Wales (Myrrdin):

The check may have revealed that you have a programme on your PC, that allows that programmes publisher to monitor your PC usage.

Best & thanks!

 

[Renegade]

Tabby

Just buy a new computer. Trust me, it be easier then going through THIS. You know what I'm talking about. And, if you don't, I'll make something up later. Trust me on this.


http://voxs.homestead.com/files/smlygoodnevil.gif

 

[shadowsource]

The damned link -

Mrrdin's link was at http://www.grc.com (my paste dropped it)
The site has a very good security test and offers the newsletter to which I referred. it also explains how netscape and Real Networks download software CAN keep your NAME & IP Address every time you download music or video (like Lit's Video of the Week). There are two lawsuits against Netscape over this.

Tabby: Buying a new computer will get you nowhere. Get the Ontrack thing if you want to crunch your cookies and history. It involves no heavy lifting, mental or otherwise.

 

[Renegade]

Tabby: Buying a new computer will get you nowhere. Get the Ontrack thing if you want to crunch your cookies and history. It involves no heavy lifting, mental or otherwise.

Don't listen to him. You know I'm always right. *dry cough* lol

 

[shadowsource]

Beware Renegade's amygdala!

It's radioactive. Reboot him. Again. Again. Again....

 

[Renegade]

Shadowsource

Radioactive?? Dang. They told me standing infront of that X-Ray machine for so long would come back to bite me in the ass.

 

[Tabby432]

Re: Tabby

Just buy a new computer.

The best advice yet.