[clue-talk] Computer Security

[Angelo Bertolli]

For a windows machine which isn't protected by at least a proxy to the 
internet, you should download a firewall (like ZoneAlarm) BEFORE 
installing windows, and install it before you ever connect to the 
Internet.  Otherwise, you'll  get hit with viruses before you can get 
the security patches.  The updates for windows seem to be pretty safe 
now, but you do hear an occasional story of it breaking something.  The 
automatic updates should be safe though because they're only security 
patches, and not software updates.

Angelo

David Rudder wrote:

> I'm not the greatest expert on Windows, but the command.com and 
> cmd.exe recommendation seem unnecessary to me.  These are just the DOS 
> shells, right?  I know they've been used by, eg, code red, but I think 
> it's pretty easy to make a virus without them, too.  Also, I've read 
> (on /. so it's not exactly authoritative) that automatic update has 
> been known to break things?  Does anyone have any experience with it?
>
> Seems to me to be easier to run Linux :)
>
> -Dave
>
> Kevin Cullis wrote:
>
>> Take a look at this comment:
>>
>> Operating systems
>>
>> If possible, don't use Microsoft Windows. Buy a Macintosh or use 
>> Linux. If you must use Windows, set up Automatic Update so that you 
>> automatically receive security patches. And delete the files 
>> "command.com" and "cmd.exe."
>>
>> http://www.schneier.com/essay-078.html
>>
>> Enjoy.
>>
>> KC
>>
>>
>>
>
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