A friend just had a new computer installed and it has been set up with AVG 7 for antivirus (ok) and just the windows firewall. Is this sufficient for her protection (she's connected via a USB ADSL 'modem')? I am told that windows firewall only protects inbound, if so, shouldn't she really have something like Zonealarm installed to ensure outbound protection, or is her config. ok?
TIA
On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:45:59 -0000, Sam spoketh
It really depends on the user. If the user is careful and conscious about what she is doing online, then it should be sufficient. If she's not, and are likely to click on every link presented to her, including opening every e-mail message she gets at home, at hotmail and at yahoo mail, then she may need additional software and/or hardware to protect herself...
Lars M. Hansen
oh, to confirm, it's Windows XP SP2
windows firewall is poor at best, additionally you should not use IE or outlook express, Firefox would be a better choice for browsers and web base mail is the safest, try yahoo mail
usb for broadband is not the preferred method, ethernet is a better option
NAT firewalled router is computer 101
spywareblaster, spywareguard, adaware and spybot should be installed on everyones pc
Thanks, Lars - that's reassuring. I don't think she's a link junkie!
You might be surprised. I got a call from a client that has a 73y/o customer that needed some help on his PC. Seems the poor chap got a $700 phone bill for last month.
He got a new Dell in March, didn't update/register anything, and only used the AOL Dial-Up product, never leaving AOL. The machine was still in the default config..... Needless to say I found 8 dialers and 400+ spyware, adware items installed. He said he's never done anything except AOL.
I had to wipe his system, registered his copy of NIS 2004, set it up, installed all Patches, installed all Updates, installed FireFox, and disabled file/printer sharing.
It's amazing what people can get into when they don't have a clue.
Tiny Johnson wrote: web
Oh yeah? Where did you find this gem of information?
You're right but I'm talking about a naive user who uses her computer for email and internet browsing. I really don't think that she is interested in installing all manner of other items - she needs something that will act without her intervention. Spybot, etc - no way!
And besides, if the person has to run with all that junk, then he or she shouldn't be on the Internet. ;-)
Duane :)
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