Re: Anti-Virus Software Suggestions

Ron Hunter <rphunter@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Floyd Davidson wrote:
>> Ron Hunter <rphunter@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>> ASAAR wrote:
>>>> On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 03:07:40 -0500, Ron Hunter suspiciously wrote:
>> Actually it is *much* easier than that.
>>
>>>>> First, avoid OE/IE . . .
>> First, avoiding OE/IE isn't of significance. They don't run on
>> my OS, and the mail agents and web browsers that do don't have
>> the same problem, plus they get wide scrutiny and are quickly
>> updated any time a security hole is detected.
>>
>>>>> Second, NEVER open an email attachment unless . . .
>> Second, there is no need to worry about email attachments.
>> None
>> of the email programs available on reasonably safe OS's are at
>> risk.
>>
>>>>> Third, run AV and malware software, and KEEP THEM UPDATED!
>> Third I've *never* used anti-virus or anti-malware software,
>> and
>> have never been infected. A reasonable OS doesn't need them.
>>
>>>>> Fourth, NEVER download something from an unknown source.
>> Fourth, how can *anyone* claim to download software only from
>> known sources, it they download at all. That's just a totally
>> bogus suggestion. (If someone wants to check digital signatures
>> or checksums or whatever, that's a very different security
>> measure, and might well be worth doing.)
>>
>>>>> Last, be suspicious of ANYTHING that looks too good to be true.
>> That point is valid. Incoming email is *not* easy to sort!
>> For people who have the talent to apply logic to each situation,
>> it isn't much risk... but of course that is not true of many,
>> if not most, people.
>>
>>>> Only these four simple rules to follow and Windows will be
>>>> secure?
>>>> That's surely too good to be true. :)
>> Be suspicious???? ;-)
>>
>>> Nope, and it is quite easy to learn. Even my wife understands the
>>> principles of 'safe hex', and she certainly isn't a computer expert. It
>>> really IS that simple.
>> My point of course is that I use Slackware (Linux), though any
>> of several distributions of Linux, BSD, or even Solaris, will be
>> just as simple to deal with. What you are recommending is simply
>> a hassle for many people, and is not necessary anyway.
>> I helped a neighbor convert from a dialup to broadband DSL the
>> other day. With three computers for school age children all
>> under the age of 14, they've got a fairly complex set of home
>> requirements, and a couple of folks offered to help. I did the
>> networking (firewall etc). Another fellow who knows Windows XP
>> configured the computers. The first thing he did was start
>> cussing about the schools teaching how to use computers, but
>> *never* teaching the kids how to set up anti-virus and
>> anti-spyware programs. He upgraded the AV program and install
>> some kind of spybot... and between the two computers that had
>> been connecting to the Internet via a dialup, there were more
>> than *five* *hundred* items detected and deleted.
>> Now, it may be easy for a guy with 40 years to condition him to
>> thinking that he should be doing that; but it is bull*** to
>> claim it is easy for just anyone. It is bull*** to *sell* an
>> OS like that. And disgusting to recommend it for kids, as one
>> example.
>>
>I don't know what world you live in, or what imaginary life you lead,
>but in the real world, people use Windows. It's just a fact, like
>hurricanes, and tornadoes. So you don't get hurricanes, but what about
>earthquakes. Having watched professionals spend DAYS putting Unix
>systems back together after problems, I can tell you that all is not
>rosy and carefree in the Unix world. Schools use Macs and Windows
>systems. There may be a Unix server sitting in the Admin. building, but
>in the classrooms, Windows and Mac are what IS. You can ignore the
>truth if you wish, but Unix isn't the OS of choice for 97% or more of
>the people using computers.
>
>You may think my precautions are unnecessary for a Unix system, but they
>are essential for a Windows system, and that is 95% of users.

I'm not much influenced by herd mentality Ron. That argument
might make you feel rosey, but it isn't logically valid.

I don't run Linux because somebody else does. I use it because
it is *better*.

--
FloydL. Davidson http://www.apaflo.com/floyd_davidson
Ukpeagvik (Barrow, Alaska) floyd@xxxxxxxxxx
.

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