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April 13th, 2005, 08:30 AM
#11
I don't know how relevant my post is but...
I use the Norton Security with NAV. So far, I'm quite happy with its performance. Liveupdate happens everytime I go on-line (via dial-up) but it looks like my ISP is masking my true IP address, hence I could not ask Symantec to conduct a true security test on my system.
What I have observed is the sudden rise of Back Orifice 2000 attacks. Maybe it is from the websites I've visited (I do a lot of roaming as I need credible references for my writings every now and then) or the related links they display.
Also, my kids download demo games from Shockwave, Yahoo and from the offerings of Download Accelerator Plus and once installed, some of these games are reported by NS to be "attempting to listen to other connections" which they automatically block as recommended by NS. Then the game fails to execute and instead switches into a "Browser" screen. No harm done, just wasted time and ISP card in downloading.
One thing I do is check into the Windows/Prefetch list and delete those that are no longer needed or used (demo games plant them plenty) and somehow, boot-up time is significantly accelerated.
The news regarding the weaknesses of Windows IE got me worried, though. I've noticed that IE reports frequent errors encountered once I close it. I just hope Norton Security is up to the task of continually blocking intrusions when I'm online.
-G-
Si vis pacem, para bellum!
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April 13th, 2005, 09:46 AM
#12
Goitz...
Welcome to AO...
well,
a firewall can only do so much... and be *positive* it's updated... be sure your box is updated (as with the rest of your software), too - running through the Windows updater once doesn't mean you're covered... I'd do it until it can find no more... and I'd hate to say it, because you sound at *least* somewhat savvy - but - a firewall will only block what you *tell* it to block - a simple Windows-based firewall (such as Sygate) will ask you "'such and such' is trying to connect on port "#####" - do you want to accept this connection?" Now, if you're kids have the "clickity click" mentality (as I like to call it, and as most ill-informed users do), you may be allowing (malicious) programs to run that you have no idea about...
Also - watch your kids games - *especially* if they're downloading them from the internet - a *ton* of free software d/l from the Internet is *loaded* w/ malware...
I've never encountered an ISP that "masked" its clients IPs in my personal experience (though I know it *could* happen - you're sure you're not grabbing a new IP everytime you sign on???)... have you tried TrendMicro Housecall or PandaScan? (online virus-scanners)...
I'd recommend that you run a few malware removal programs in SafeMode (such as Spyware S & D and Adaware) and see what you find... it's also a good idea to keep your Temporary Internet Files to a minimum (I usually select 0 MB under Internet Options, and delete *all* the other files), and uninstall any programs you're not familiar with...
If you're system is *still* giving you problems, download HijackThis! and post your log here or on a similar forum (but please - make it an attachment rather than just posting it straight into the message space...)
Anyway - that should get you off to a good start...
-Wiski
EDIT: As far as I know, Download Accelerator Plus is just one of the many malware-pretending-to-be-useful-pain-in-the-ass-to-remove programs... I'd scrap it... 56k is 56k... If someone else can vouch for it, I'll be happy to withdraw this edit... but a quick Google search shows:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search
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April 13th, 2005, 10:00 AM
#13
Member
Hi!
Also, my kids download demo games from Shockwave, Yahoo and from the offerings of Download Accelerator Plus and once installed, some of these games are reported by NS to be "attempting to listen to other connections" which they automatically block as recommended by NS.
- AFAIK, most of these FREE stuffs includes ads and/or tracking schemes used for surveys and advertisement. And such software like DAP are bundled with ads also. Don't worry about your Firewall, it is doing its job on blocking such connection.
-GONEin62nd
an\"to*nym (noun) [Greek: a word used in substitution for another]
A word of opposite meaning ; a counter-term ; used as a correlative of synonym
- Dr. Gung-ho
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April 13th, 2005, 03:44 PM
#14
Thanks for the tips and heads-up. Will look into these aspects, too. That's also part of the reason why I hesitate to avail of the downloads as they may conflict with the NS and I wouldn't know how to go about resolving whatever friction that arises.
... Heck, my four-year tot is the quickest to the click and that also causes a problem.
... And yes, it looks like it is my ISP that assigns new IP addresses whenever I go on-line. I once audited my dial-up status and found different IP assignment everytime I logged on.
Thanks, again.
Si vis pacem, para bellum!
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