Windows 98

[haraam77]

Ok,.....Windows 98 sucks from what I hear. What are all these "holes" everyone is talking about? I'm not looking for a detailed explanation and I'm not trying to waste anyones time by telling me things that I can learn on my own. But, what I would like is a quick run down of the security problems that Windows 98 has so that I know what to research. I've also heard that Linux is better. Eventually I will look into it further, but for now I need to tackle the many problems faced by Windows. After I learn all I possibly can about security issues and such of Windows98, then I can move on to other things like Linux. Thanx

[the_JinX]

If u just keep ur patches up to date microsoft think's ur safe....

[{P²P}Apocalypse]

Just like the_Jinx said. If you keep your patches up to date you are in the fairly safe zone. Also you need good AV protection and get a good personal firewall. And make sure to turn of file and printer sharing unless you absolutely need it.

The crux of the situation is. Win 98 is over 5 years old (older if you figure it's built on 95 OSR2) and 98SE is about 4 1/2 years old. Anyway, just think. Every expert from white hats, black hats, KiDDiEs, hackers, crackers, good and bad. Have been ripping this OS apart for a long time now. So they have had plenty of time to find holes. In MS's attempt to make the OS user freindly (ie.. click and point) they have made a few bungles along the way. Just like in the first W98 (not SE), the MS Personal Web Server installed by default. Well if someone did'nt knoww about it. Guess what. Port 80 was open to the world. Just one small example. It's just a matter of getting to know your OS you have. Learn it inside and out and matain rigorous security. And don't forget, update your OS, AV, and any other software you have on a regular schedule.
Hope this helps some.

[darkes]

Well, I don't think that Windows98 sucks for home use - IMHO it is in fact more secure than XP, due to the reasons that Apocalypse cited. However you must install the patches from MS (windowsupdate.com) , together with a firewall & an AV scanner.
For professional use WindowsNT, Windows2k, and some flavours of *nix are more secure - Linux is OK I guess, but it's not what I would choose.

[KorpDeath]

Originally posted here by darkes
Well, I don't think that Windows98 sucks for home use - IMHO it is in fact more secure than XP, due to the reasons that Apocalypse cited. However you must install the patches from MS (windowsupdate.com) , together with a firewall & an AV scanner.
For professional use WindowsNT, Windows2k, and some flavours of *nix are more secure - Linux is OK I guess, but it's not what I would choose.

Now why wouldn't you choose Linux? It's, by far, superior to windows. The only thing I can give Win98SE is, is that it's a very good gaming platform.

Other than that I would run FreeBSD or something similar. Of course keep up to date on vulnerabilities and such....

[darkes]

Originally posted here by KorpDeath


Now why wouldn't you choose Linux? It's, by far, superior to windows. The only thing I can give Win98SE is, is that it's a very good gaming platform.

Other than that I would run FreeBSD or something similar. Of course keep up to date on vulnerabilities and such....

I wasn't trying to imply that Windows98 was better than most *nix systems for professional use. However, I have some reservations about Linux. I'm not at all convinced that WindowsNT / 2k is weaker than Linux in this respect.

[{P²P}Apocalypse]

Originally posted here by darkes
Well, I don't think that Windows98 sucks for home use - IMHO it is in fact more secure than XP, due to the reasons that Apocalypse cited. However you must install the patches from MS (windowsupdate.com) , together with a firewall & an AV scanner.
For professional use WindowsNT, Windows2k, and some flavours of *nix are more secure - Linux is OK I guess, but it's not what I would choose.

Let me clarify my posistion. I susjested what I did because of the question put forth. It was basicaly a whats up with W98 kind of a question. I in way meant to mislead anyone into thinking W98 was a "secure" platform. That is simply not true. The only secure system is one that is unpluged. Even then unless you have the HDD rigged to blow if removed, it's still not secure. Now looking from a user, programer, and technicians point of view. I rate it in a whole other catagory.
Ok my history (short version). I have been tinkering with computers since I was in the 7th grade (1980). I goofed around with everything from the Tandy with a tape deck up to the latest 2GHz PC. My first real PC was an IBM PC (the original bought in 1981) and I've even owned a few macs along the way. So I've messed with just about everything that has came down the pike. I am in no way an expert per se', but I can clinck around and try to stay on top of things.
So as far as OS'es go. I have tried almost all of them. So remeber this is just my opinion. But here is how I think they rate as security goes. Just in the current major OS'es most commonly used. Or else I would go on more than what I am.

1. Linux (I like several distro's, even though I use Mandrake I find slckware and redhat to have a slight edge in the security department, thats another issue, so lets no go there in this thread)
2. Windows 2000
3. Mac OSX
4. Win XP (the pro version, if you patch it and know how to close the RPC ports etc... and for heavens sake don't log in as admin and surf the net or go to IRC)
5. Win NT
6. Win 98SE
7. Win XP (the home version, because, by default it sets you as admin and autologin. That is a big no no in security. Surf the web with auto login and as admin is like jerking your pants down and saying take you best shot)

As I said I'm not an "expert", but I do this for a living and this is what I have found to be true from the systems I have worked on. I just did'nt want anyone to say. "That Apocalypse guy said on AO that Win98 is secure, so I used it and got all my files stolen and my girlfreind found my porn." So thats my opinion on how OS'es rate.

[KorpDeath]

Originally posted here by darkes


I wasn't trying to imply that Windows98 was better than most *nix systems for professional use. However, I have some reservations about Linux. I'm not at all convinced that WindowsNT / 2k is weaker than Linux in this respect.

Weaker how? What is "this" respect?

Ipchains beats out anything windows has to offer by default. (which is nothing). Security? It beats up windows, hands down. Now as far as apps go......windows wins hands down. But, the trade off is that you have to patch your OS every other day.

So what's better?

[{P²P}Apocalypse]

So tired I can hardly type. I meant to say on the second line was: "I in no way meant to mis..."
Sorry folks.

[gold eagle]

win 98 is fine for home low power use if you do what the guys suggested. Later when you are ready to move on, get a non microsoft operating system so you can see how it works.

By the time you are in that position your choices will be even better than they are now.

Take your time to learn. No one know it all. Be good.