OT:Virus Bites

[Deathstalker]

Just had to deal with a NetskyB infection, damn these things are annoying....Thank god for free removal tools...Why would anyone create these viruses??

Sigh...

Any advice from the tech-know-alls on how to avoid these types of things...

[Sabin]

Your first line of defense probably has to do with having a firewall. Windows XP has a firewall, but if I remember correctly, it is off by default. You can turn it on, just be sure to adjust it's settings and to get the latest patches.

Also, if I remember correctly, some Internet Service Providers use proxys for further defense. Then you have virus-scan utilities, which can scan files for indications of viruses and the like.

A key rule of thumb is to apply every patch update available. These usually fix weak areas, and may also provide new features. You can usually get patches from the websites of the makers of your software, but not always, since some may terminate old software services due to age. However, alternate sites may provide the patches you require.

[Fyron]

I recommend that you do not use the built in XP firewall. If you must get a firewall, get a real one. Norton, McAffee, ZoneAlarm, Black Ice, etc. Of course, hardware firewalls are much stronger than software firewalls. But usually you will have to get one combined with a router, which could be a bit expensive.

[Unknown_Enemy]

Setup a combo firewall/anti-virus, and keep both of them up to date. Then do connect every month to windows update (despite the problems you may get that way).

My favs for a personnal usage :

http://www.grisoft.com/ for the anti virus.
http://www.zonelabs.com/ for the firewall.

Why them ? They are free !

[Gryphin]

Wasn't NetskyB written to find and clean machines infected with MYDOOM?

[narf poit chez BOOM]

don't believe emails like that.

[Wardad]

My Norton Firewall worked great on dial up.

I believe that with the "ALWAYS ON" Cable Modem there was a Window of Vulnerability during Win98se startup. Some how, some of the Norton Files would get corrupted (maybe new incoming update), and not starup (show Icons). The worst part is that working offline was near impossible because Norton would mostly hang during boot with the Cable Modem (IE6 LAN) disconnected.

I have not have a problem since I got a router with a hardware fire wall. I think it covers the window of vulnerabiltiy hole by blockng unrequested traffic. I definitly recommend both a hardware and a software firewall.

[ February 23, 2004, 20:05: Message edited by: Wardad ]

[Suicide Junkie]

Personally, I thing Symantec does pretty well with their Norton Antivirus, but the rest of it, blech.

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Deathstalker:
Just had to deal with a NetskyB infection, damn these things are annoying....Thank god for free removal tools...Why would anyone create these viruses??

Sigh...

Any advice from the tech-know-alls on how to avoid these types of things... <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Find the little S***s that make the viruses, gut them old school style and then hang there lifeless bodies fron the nearst tree with a sign around there neck that reads "I Created a Computer Virus" as a warning to all other computer virus makers.

[Roanon]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Find the little S***s that make the viruses, gut them old school style and then hang there lifeless bodies fron the nearst tree with a sign around there neck that reads "I Created a Computer Virus" as a warning to all other computer virus makers. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Put a webcam next to it so everyone can see it. Then hang Bill Gates next to him with at sign "I Created Programms Promoting Computer Virusses".

[Atrocities]

Originally posted by Roanon:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Originally posted by Atrocities:
Find the little S***s that make the viruses, gut them old school style and then hang there lifeless bodies fron the nearst tree with a sign around there neck that reads "I Created a Computer Virus" as a warning to all other computer virus makers. <font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Put a webcam next to it so everyone can see it. Then hang Bill Gates next to him with at sign "I Created Programms Promoting Computer Virusses". </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ah if only the world were a perfect place to live and justice was so kind as to allow for something so sweet as this.

[Andrés]

Viruses will only disappear when it's no longer business.
Where do you think virus writers get their money from?
Don't support that business.
Never pay for any commercial AV or related software.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

why ascribe to conspiracy what can easily be ascribed to idle malics?

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Andres:
Where do you think virus writers get their money from?
<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">The same place that the vandals, graphiti artists and arsonists get their money. From whatever day job they have that they use to support their anti-social, destructive behavior.

Or from their parents. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Andrés]

While any kid can buy a cheap paint spray and go out to paint some graffiti, writing a really nasty virus requires advanced programming skills and many hours of development and testing.

Sure there will be some frustrated programmers that just angry with the system, but there wouldn't be so many or put on so much effort without monetary incentive.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

my impression was that only a few virusses are very advanced.

[geoschmo]

And in at least a couple cases they have been traced back to frustrated teens.

Sorry to keep poking holes in a nice theory though. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif