Re: Finally getting DSL

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 05:42:13 -0500, Polychromic wrote:

On Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:55:30 -0400, erimess wrote:


<snip>


So... I do have one question. (For now.) Is there some extra security
precautions I should be taking here? I'm intending to disconnect at
least every night, maybe more often cause there's some stuff I just
don't like doing while online. And speak laymanese please. :-)

Keep your OS patched. Black Tuesday (the 2nd Tuesday) of every month is
when MS issue patches if you don't keep AutoUpdates enabled. You can
manually go and download them then.

The super-critical ones seem to come through AutoUpdates OK but there are
important ones (depending on what you're running) that it doesn't see
until later - it's often advisable to go to Windows Update anyway rather
than wait.

Keep the XP firewall enabled or, better yet, install a 3rd party
firewall with more features. I'm still using Kerio 2.15.

Many ADSL modems (my Linksys AG241 for example) have a fairly decent
inbuilt firewall, plus it does java/javascript blocking and even some
content filtering. Check the doco that comes with yours to see if similar
features exist on your model.

The XP firewall is passable but users have a habit of being a bit trigger-
happy with the "OK" button.

Keep your AV and Spyware programs updated. If you don't set them up to
be resident all the time, implement some schedule or protocol so
everything you download gets scanned. If you are unsure about
something, you can always submit it to virustotal.com

Quit using IE and OE altogether. No excuses! Use Firefox or Opera. I
like to use NoScript and Adblock Plus with my Firefox and only enable
scripting for sites I'm very certain don't contain nasties.

Thunderbird for email definitely. There's no excuse for running OE in
this day and age.

'punt.

--
The Internet: Where men are men, women are men,
and children are law enforcement agents.
.

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