Posted by anon on April 10, 2004 at 19:29:45:
I’m not refering to virii i’m refering to “owning the box” You cannot own a windows box that is default settings. Open file shares are not default (alot of people think they are) Linux box on default is no match for any script kiddie out there reading bugtraq.
If you want to set up a linux box “default mode” and me set up a windows box on “default mode” and have root wars i’m all for it.
Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by Eric
Posted by Eric on April 10, 2004 at 13:49:06:
Hello all-
I was just wondering if anybody here had a recommendation for some good spyware/adware software? I am sure I probably have a number of these programs on my computer. My homepage is changed everytime I restart my computer and there are site’s in “my favorites” that I certainly did not put there. Thanks for the help. -Eric
Re: Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by Jim Locker
Posted by Jim Locker on April 12, 2004 at 12:15:14:
This page will tell you about some of the common things that you need to do to secure a Windows machine:
http://www.propertymanagerresource.com/CleanupComputer.html
Also, with respect to the comments about Linux, I don’t think I’m willing to debate with someone who lists themselves as “anon” but I will tell you that a default Linux box is far more secure than a default Windows box. When both systems are set to be genuinely secure, the Windows box is secure enough, but the Linux box is a fortress.
There are some significant architectural differences between any Unx platform and Windows, that ensure that the Unx system can become substantially more secure than the Windows system can become.
Re: Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by kawikaCA
Posted by kawikaCA on April 11, 2004 at 02:09:23:
Collectively I use a hardware router, spyblaster, spybot, and google’s toolbar with popup blocking. And oh yeah, don’t open up attachments you weren’t expecting.
IT is my business - Posted by David
Posted by David on April 10, 2004 at 14:31:00:
I give seminars about Internet safety and spyware is a big subject. Like Barry, I recommend Spybot. It’s free and does a great job.
Re: Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by Barry (FL)
Posted by Barry (FL) on April 10, 2004 at 14:23:19:
Re: Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by kawikaCA
Posted by kawikaCA on April 12, 2004 at 15:12:35:
I don’t want to get into the linux/windows debate either but I would say that linux being a fortress is mostly true. The caveat being, and is true for both windows and linux, is that all the updates to the linux packages (applications in windows) be applied because the main reason new packages are released are to plug a hole exposed by a hack.
So whichever system you use make sure you update the packages (linux) and software updates (windows). Then the fortress comment is absolutely correct. 
Cheers
Re: Spy-Ware (off topic) - Posted by Allen_IND
Posted by Allen_IND on April 10, 2004 at 14:39:33:
You may have more problems than basic spyware.
For spyware I recomend Free Antivirus Download for PC | Adaware Virus Protection Software and http://www.safer-networking.org/ It’s a good idea to run them both as they catch some different things. Also make sure to update before scanning so you have the latest files.
It’s also an absolute must to run antivirus. Symantec is the my preference. Be sure to set it to scan daily and autoupdate the pattern files daily. Also switching to mozilla/firefox at http://www.mozilla.org/ is a good idea. Most spyware is a result of giant holes in IE that allow anyone to install whatever they want as you surf their page. Firefox is a great browser all around and is far more secure.
Another thing to run is sygate (www.sygate.com) as a personal firewall. It takes some maintainence, but it is a very powerfull tool, and can prevent many attacts if set up correctly.
And yes, I’m hyperparanoid as I’m in IT and security.
Hyperparanoid is the way to be - Posted by David
Posted by David on April 10, 2004 at 14:46:24:
I’m in the IT industry too. At my home, I have a SonicWALL firewall, two spyware programs, Hijack This and Norton antivirus.
Just use Linux as your OS… - Posted by Joe
Posted by Joe on April 10, 2004 at 17:27:51:
and you really don’t have to worry about anything.
-Joe
Just have to worry about… - Posted by David
Posted by David on April 10, 2004 at 20:28:22:
all my programs that won’t work with Linux
I do have a Linux machine along with 2 Windows machines and an Apple. Luckily, my wife indulges my computer fetish.
OS WAR TIME! - Posted by anon
Posted by anon on April 10, 2004 at 18:44:24:
A default linux box is way more exploitable then a windows box. SURE! you can lock a linux machine down pretty well. BUT! who goes through the effort… only a few people. Most microsoft users have never updated their systems and they’re better off then default linux boxes!
anon
Thats were WINE come in - Posted by Joe
Posted by Joe on April 11, 2004 at 10:31:29:
just use wine to execute your windws program. In the case you want to launch a game. Then the game you have isn’t really all that important. The only game to have is Tribes2.
-Joe
Negative Ghostrider - Posted by Allen_IND
Posted by Allen_IND on April 10, 2004 at 19:21:29:
To install a virus on a linux box you have to dl it, give the file permission to execute, and then run it. Even then it will only make changes to a users files and can’t make root level changes. A linux box by defalut has what 5-6 services running. A windows machine has many ports open, one of which can’t be shut down without destroying the OS (135). Linux has a kernal level firewall that can’t be shut down by just any program running on the OS.
There are about 40 known linux viruses and over 60,000 windows viruses. Hmmm
Yep, a glass of wine - Posted by michaela-ATL
Posted by michaela-ATL on April 11, 2004 at 18:01:31:
is a good way to keep me from kicking my computer, when things go wrong ;-). But then, a margarita can be even better
Michaela