info for new high speed access users

[realcurious]

Just a few suggestions for those of you new to high speed (cable or DSL) web access

when you turn your computer on, you are connected to the web, leaving hackers lots of time to try and get into your system. Windows has so many holes to try and get into.

Zone Alarm is a great free program that acts as a firewall blocking the hackers from getting in, and only allowing the programs you choose to have access out to the web (helping to stop trojans from sending data. I have cable (roadrunner) and can get up to several hundred attacks a day!

www.zonelabs.com

Done by steve gibson, he has a great website at:
www.grc.com

Check out the shieldsup! section and see how many ports are open on your system!


Adaware is a free program to remove “spyware” stuff off your system.
you would be surprised at how many little cookies and such are keeping track of your every click on the web!

www.lavasoft.nu



Other freebees:

ivisit.com

ivisit is a free web cam chat program with an (under romance) adult section (password- adultsonly)
mostly men, come on lit woman, raise the average!
You dont need a web cam to watch, but most people ignore non cam people.
the adult section is divided into 4 sections, bi, gay, lesb, and straight
great for exhibitionist.

in the news groups
alt.binaries.pictures.nospam.post-yourself-nude is a good group to check out everyday people naked
...again lots of men (hint hint lit gals) but some couples and women
alt.binaries.pictures.plumpers.amateur for BBW
alt.binaries.nospam.female.bodyhair.pubes for hairy women

many of the nospam groups are good, some with lots of spam some none check out your favorite!
(do a search in your newsgroup reader with just “nospam” - no quotes- and you'll find them.

PLEASE REMEMBER dont down load any .exe or such-- dont get yourself a virus!
I only look at the jpgs- those that post in bmp dont know what they are doing.

any questions, please dont hesitate to ask
any suggestions please add to this!

RC

 

[Bryce Be I]

Hackers can hack your system even with the computer shut off? It was to my understading that as long as the system(computer) was shut down they were not able to access your computer becuase it is not running.

 

[capricious_chic]

Okay, so I am totally computer illiterate.. but if you have cable or DSL modem, unless you turn THOSE off too, isn't your computer still accessable to outside interference?

 

[Wizard]

The www.lavasoft.nu Link will not work...........Is it correct?

 

[realcurious]

answers

no, if the computer is off no hackers can get in.
But with cable/dsl any time the system is on, they can try to get in, unlike dial up where you are connected to the web only when your modem connects.


the www.lavasoft.nu site must be down, keep trying im sure its temporary...

 

[Weird Harold]

Hackers can hack your system even with the computer shut off? It was to my understading that as long as the system(computer) was shut down they were not able to access your computer becuase it is not running.

If your sytem is shut off, then no, there is nothing that can affect your computer.

I think the point here is that new broadband users are used to being disconnected from the internet when they shut-down their mail program and broswer. However, unlike dial-up service that does disconnect when you shut down the browser and mail program, Broadband connections stay connected to the internet whether you're using the internet or not.

That distinction requires some changes in the way you think about the security of your system -- and a firewall.

You can shut off your DSL or Cable Modem when you're done with the internet, but that's a pain to remember to do every time you shut-down your browser.

 

[realcurious]

lavasoft link

Here this one works- they must have moved

http://www.lavasoft.de/

 

[capricious_chic]

If your sytem is shut off, then no, there is nothing that can affect your computer.

I think the point here is that new broadband users are used to being disconnected from the internet when they shut-down their mail program and broswer. However, unlike dial-up service that does disconnect when you shut down the browser and mail program, Broadband connections stay connected to the internet whether you're using the internet or not.

That distinction requires some changes in the way you think about the security of your system -- and a firewall.

You can shut off your DSL or Cable Modem when you're done with the internet, but that's a pain to remember to do every time you shut-down your browser.

So should one turn off the cable modem when shutting down the computer??

 

[realcurious]

answer

So should one turn off the cable modem when shutting down the computer??

No no need to.

RC

 

[Chuckwrox]

http://www.lavasoftusa.com got me to Ad Aware.

Thx for the thread, realcurious, this is good stuff.

 

[Weird Harold]

So should one turn off the cable modem when shutting down the computer??

Only if you're concerned about the effect of leaving it on has on your power bill. I don't think the few mili-watts you'll save will make much difference, though.

Cable/DSL Modems don't save up hacks to dump on your computer when you turn it back on, so there's no security reason to turn it off. I use a power strip to remove power from all of my computer system -- incuding my external modem -- when I shut down for fire safety reasons. The transformers and stand-by power consumption of the computer and monitor generate some heat, and a catastrophic failure from a power surge could cause a fire. It's not a very big possiblility, but removing the power is an old habit.

 

[capricious_chic]

Ahh.. got it.

Thanks.

 

[Nefarious]

Ad-Aware pales next to SpyBot

I've used Ad-Aware for over a year, and I felt pretty good about it. A few days ago I ran across a link on TechTV.com for a free download call SpyBot Search and Destroy. I ran that for the first time and I was shocked at all the things that Ad-Aware had missed.

Ad-Aware's free version quarantines spyware, but doesn't remove it. SpyBot cleans it out, right down to repairing the registry. SpyBot also defeats dialers, keystroke loggers, spybots, trojans, and trackers. It even cleans out the shared computing thing that Sharman Networks uses to finance Kazaa. Team that with a good firewall and a frequently updated antivirus program, and you've got decent security.

I've got a fast connection, always on, and the only computer problems I've had have been of my own making.

 

[realcurious]

Re: Ad-Aware pales next to SpyBot

A few days ago I ran across a link on TechTV.com for a free download call SpyBot Search and Destroy. I ran that for the first time and I was shocked at all the things that Ad-Aware had missed.


cool, Ill give that a try!




I've got a fast connection, always on, and the only computer problems I've had have been of my own making.

Somtimes those are the hardest to fix!

 

[Dr.O]

In most cases it is really important to leave your cable, or DSL modem turned on, even though you shut your computer off. Most network providers have systems to poll there networks to see how many modems they have, if there active, the amount the send and recieve, etc. If the modem is turned off for a few days, the system will shut it off, which requires a call to the tech support to have it reset. A free service, but still an inconvienence most times..

To find out how much power up would save, have a look at the W rating on the power adapter, or the bottom of the modem itself. You are probibly looking at a savings of $1 maybe a month..

 

[capricious_chic]

In most cases it is really important to leave your cable, or DSL modem turned on, even though you shut your computer off. Most network providers have systems to poll there networks to see how many modems they have, if there active, the amount the send and recieve, etc. If the modem is turned off for a few days, the system will shut it off, which requires a call to the tech support to have it reset. A free service, but still an inconvienence most times..

To find out how much power up would save, have a look at the W rating on the power adapter, or the bottom of the modem itself. You are probibly looking at a savings of $1 maybe a month..

Ahh.. I am not concerned with saving a buck.. just that the computer was shut off.. but my modem was still on. I wasn't sure it that left my system vulnerable or not. Guess not.

 

[Dr.O]

Once the computer is shutdown it is absolutely impossible, no matter what the hacker/government is using to try to get at your computer.

DSL/Cable systems use a IP address that will change if the computer is off for a few days, sometimes. What will happen, the computer, when started, asks for a IP address, the server or ISP then looks one up a gives it to the computer. If the old IP address is still available the computer will get it back.

In most cases this is where the problem might exist, if a hacker has your IP address, then it is an increases possibility that you will be hacked. Again, only when your computer is on.

Firewalls are a good thing, as long as you set them up correctly. Then can be a false security if you don't set them up correctly..

 

[capricious_chic]

I have a firewall, that I am sure is set up properly..

So I guess I have nothing worry about.

Thanks!!

 

[Stoic Perrin]

good site info

if you have a high speed internet connection here is a great site to look at

www.dslreports.com

they have:
speed tests
security tests

and other stuff too
(though SOME of the stuff requires a membership fee)

the security test will test your firewall

the speed test is kinda fun

My advise? If you have a firewall test it. If you don't, then get one and I must agree I have Zone Alarm and it works great.

Windows XP has a "firewall" but the security test found holes

Zone Alarm got me a Perfect score on the security test