I use firewalls and Spybot to keep out spyware. I cannot get rid of DOS Exploit. Does anyone have any idea how to fight those bastards? If not, does anyone know a good curse to put on those bastards?

Blaise (imported) wrote: Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:43 pm I use firewalls and Spybot to keep out spyware. I cannot get rid of DOS Exploit. Does anyone have any idea how to fight those bastards? If not, does anyone know a good curse to put on those bastards?

Spybot Search & Destroy has a known bug that reports various DOS Exploit problems, when they aren't actually there. If you don't see longer boot-up times than you expect, or don't see pop-ups on your desktop when your browser is closed, then your machine is probably okay.

If you're using any version of Windows including Win98SE or newer, then the patches Microsoft has available on Windows Update have accounted for DOS Exploit problems for quite awhile now.

I guess the best recommedation is to never rely on just one malware program for location and removal. Spybot S&D is good, but it will not find everything. You should also be using AdAware, A-squared, McAfee's Stinger, and Spyware Doctor, at a minimum. All have free versions, and when run as a suite will provide a level of protection more than adequate for 99% of home computers.

Thank you. My processor crashed last week. I am still getting some program installed. I have used some of the other programs you mentioned. Thanks for the information.

Softee,

Try the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

Fire Bill Gates...

A-1

Thanks. I tried to fire Bill, but he bought my house.

A-1 (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2004 1:55 pm Softee,

Try the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

Fire Bill Gates...

A-1

There seems to be a prevalent mindset at this time that Firefox is not vulnerable to malware and viruses. Nothing could be further from the truth.

As soon as Firefox becomes popular, then the scum who write such crap will include it in their lexicon. In fact, there are already exploits in the wild that target Mozilla, as well as all tabbed browsers. Read the full story here:

http://antivirus.about.com/od/securitytips/a/tabbed.htm

I know it's fashionable to blame everything on Microsoft, and urge others to not use their products, but in the real world, that won't do you much good. Even OS X is finding itself targeted by scumware, even though it represents a tiny percent of the market. I guess the lesson here is to keep installing the security patches. Since Microsoft is the only company that has demonstrated the ability to post these patches in a timely fashion, then that fact alone would be somewhat of a recommendation for its products.

It's your choice, though. I use Netscape for my default browser, and it works well for me. Tried Opera, but two of my computers didn't like it, so it's history. I currently have four tabbed browsers on my machines that I use occasionally (Yes, one of them is Firefox), and all are vulnerable to one sort of malware or another. There's nothing for-sure safe when you're on the Internet. It's up to the individual user to be prepared and cautious.

You can bash Bill Gates all you want, but the fact is that he built a hugely-successful company by selling a product that was head and shoulders above the competition. If you don't like MS products, then don't use them. However, before you advise others to avoid MS, be sure what you're advocating as an alternative does not also have weaknesses.

I guess this is the sort of thing which would be obsolete the day it was posted, but is there a list somewhere of secure websites--those from which you can be confident that you won't get any viruses? I am already to the point where I never open an email attachment, and usually only access websites I consider to be reasonably secure, with my own computers.

An Onymus (imported) wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2004 7:43 pm I guess this is the sort of thing which would be obsolete the day it was posted, but is there a list somewhere of secure websites--those from which you can be confident that you won't get any viruses? I am already to the point where I never open an email attachment, and usually only access websites I consider to be reasonably secure, with my own computers.

Good question. The only problem is there are two answers: yes and no.

At this stage of development, it is virtually impossible for any Website to install code on a computer unless the user cooperates by approving a download, or clicking an advertisement. If you accept a download which purports to make the site "better" in some way or other, then you're at risk. Some of the typical ploys are offering plug-ins which allow display in another language, allow animations to run, or offer "free" scans for malware. Not all of those are malicious; however, enough of them are to cause me to recommend that you never accept them. To quote the venerable Nancy Reagan, "Just say no."

Viruses, Trojans, worms, and keyloggers are the truly bad boys of the Internet. They're the ones that can harm you or your computer. About the only way to combat them is to install a recognized antivirus program, then keep the definitions updated at least once a week, but preferably every day. Configure the program to run continuously in the background, and to perform a boot-virus scan when you turn on your machine. Daily, full-system scans may be overkill, but by scheduling them for a time when you're away from the computer they shouldn't interfere with your usage all that much.

A good firewall (and there are free ones) will prevent Trojans and keyloggers from accessing the Internet, whether to spread themselves or to send your personal information to some asshole. Configure your firewall to automatically check for updates, and set it up to run continuously in the background, even if you're using a dial-up connection. In addition, use free programs like Ewido, Spyware Doctor, or McAfee's Stinger (all have free versions) to ferret out and remove this stuff.

Other types of malware, such as spyware and adware, usually won't harm your computer. However, they can make it run more slowly, and I'm sure all of us would agree that the constant stream of pop-ups caused by some adware is maddening. To combat this type of crap, use programs like Spybot Search & Destroy, SpySweeper, or Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. Run on a weekly basis, these programs will keep your computer reasonably free of garbage.

All of this may make it seem as if the Internet is nothing but a cesspool, full of shit just waiting to infest our computers and destroy them. While bad stuff can happen to those who aren't proactively engaged in protecting ourselves, those who are can have enjoyable, safe experiences, as they surf for hours on end. I've used the Internet since 1994, and in all that time have never had a single virus, Trojan, worm, or keylogger on any of my computers. That's not to say it will never happen, but so far it hasn't, because I practice "safe surf." You should do the same.

Probably the most-important single thing you can do to protect your computer is to get a disk-imaging program and use it. Believe me, there's nothing in the world as satisfying as having that sort of protection in your desk drawer when your computer crashes and can't be revived. That simple precaution can save untold hours of frustration, and several hundred dollars of unnecessary expense when (not if) the time comes when you have to reformat and re-install your operating system. I know that for sure, because I've done it several times on my own computers, as well as those of many of my customers.

Thanks. I have a firewall and I use spybot at home and at work. Good response.

Blaise (imported) wrote: Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:17 am Thanks. I have a firewall and I use spybot at home and at work. Good response.

This will cure your DSO worries, use at your own risk.

http://www.nsclean.com/dsostop.html