On Sat, 10 May 2008 01:34:16 -0800, Craig wrote:

> Kayman wrote:
>> On Sat, 10 May 2008 07:21:49 +0100, Franklin wrote:
>>
>>> On Sat 10 May 2008 03:00:20, Kayman wrote:
>>>> On Thu, 8 May 2008 14:11:07 void.no.spam.com@gmail.com wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> If you wanted to be certain that a Windows computer was not
>>>>> infected with any viruses/spyware/trojans/etc, which scanners
>>>>> would you use?
>>>> Security software manufacturers tend to overstate their product
>>>> description to instill fear and uncertainty; After all it's all
>>>> about the $ almighty. Please step back and try to remove the
>>>> advertisement hype from your mind.
>>>>
>>>> In WinXP the most dependable defenses are:
>>>> 1. Do not work as 'Administrator'; For day-to-day work routinely
>>>> use a Limited User Account (LUA).
>>>> 2. Secure (Harden) your operating system (OS).
>>>> 3. Keep your OS and all software on it updated/patched.
>>>> 4. Reconsider the usage of MSIE and MSOE.
>>>> 5. Review your installed 3rd party software applications
>>>> /utilities;
>>>> Remove clutter.
>>>> 6. Don't expose services to public networks.
>>>> 7. Activate the in-build firewall and configure Windows not to
>>>> use TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC,
>>>> leaving TCP/UDP ports 135,137-139 and 445 (the most exploited
>>>> Windows networking weak point) closed.
>>>> 7a. If on high-speed internet use a router as well.
>>>> 8. Routinely practice safe-hex.
>>>> 9. Regularly back-up data/files.
>>>> 10. Familiarize yourself with crash recovery tools and
>>>> re-installing your OS.
>>>> 11. Utilize a real-time anti-virus (AV) application and vital
>>>> system monitoring utilities/applications.
>>>> 12. Keep abreast of latest developments - Sh!t happens...you know.
>>>>
>>>> The least preferred defenses are:
>>>> Myriads of popular anti-whatever things and staying ignorant.
>>>> Educational Reading:
>>>> Security @ home
>>>> http://home20.inet.tele.dk/b_nice/index.htm
>>>>
>>>
>>> Good sensible stuff.
>>
>> Thanks. And, with the exception of a router and reliable back-up software,
>> it's all freely available :-)
>>
>
> point of information;
>
> For those with Seagate and/or Maxtor harddrives, they've something
> called the Disc Wizard which is a repackaged Acronis backup & other
> utilities....free: <http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/>
>
> Now, we're down to the exception of a router. <grin>
>
That's wonderful :-)