Security discussion regarding hubs, firewalls, anti-virus and VistaSecurity

[eganders]

Security discussion

These are a very basic set of questions. Possibly there is an article
on the web that someone can point me to that fully addresses each of
these:

What security protection should I expect from:

a wireless hub/router

a software firewall

a software anti-virus, anti-trojan program

the security built into Vista


The reason I ask this is that I have a Linksys wireless hub with a WEP
code activated and I also had Zonealarm with Windows XP. I had my
files shared. I thought that the wireless hub should provide hardware
based security from anyone being able to "look" at my files and
anything behind the hub. I found that Zonealarm was giving me a lot
of warnings of malware and other outside people finding me and trying
to access my computer and that Zonealarm was stopping this. I don't
understand the Linksys hub's capabilities well enough to not ask "why
was the hub not keeping these outside intruders out?".

I now have Vista and the security it provides is suffocating. I have
a hard time accessing my own files on other computers on my network
and you need an ADVANCED IT degree to work around it. I would think
that you could provide a secure "knock'em dead" firewall with a
Linksys hub that would allow you to be "naked" behind the firewall so
you did not have to deal with security at all once you were safe
behind the Linksys firewall. I think this shows why I need to learn
all I can so I don't leave my UAC off (which it is right now).

microsoft.public.security

 

[Dan]

RE: Security discussion regarding hubs, firewalls, anti-virus and Vist

.. . . actually, I think computer users should be able to apply for a basic
license to use computers and it should not have to be as technical as A+ and
just something everyone has to pass to use a computer safely and securely.

1. Better to have a wired connection --- like using a wired landline phone
compared to using a cordless set where people can pick up the signal and
block or mess with your telephone transmission if they have the right
equipment -- suggest a DSL blocker as well as other appropriate security
safeguards

2. I would suggest using Windows Live One Care --- I for one like the
package suite-- not as good and comprehensive as others but no false
positives so far on my side which I see as a big thumbs up

3. Software Packages are now debatable and up for grabs in whose in the
best due to the increasing number of false positives that many have

4. Windows Vista has great external security from NT (New Technology)
source code but lacks internal safety of 9x (98 Second Edition) that has a
maintenance operating system built within Disk Operating System according to
Chris Quirke, mvp.

5. User Account Control needs advanced customization features -- I have
already mentioned this to Microsoft like IE has advanced cookie handling
allowing blocking of 3rd party cookies and session cookies

6. LinkSys routers are junk in my opinion and within military circles as
well -- better choices of Netgear and Belkin exist -- do not go with default
passwords -- create your own

7. Block external code, read in plain text, use Microsoft's password
generator to get a strong password and have fun and relax as I am slowly
beginning to do again as DNS Pollution is now weaker due to more complex
variables and other stuff.


"eganders" wrote:

> Security discussion
>
> These are a very basic set of questions. Possibly there is an article
> on the web that someone can point me to that fully addresses each of
> these:
>
> What security protection should I expect from:
>
> a wireless hub/router
>
> a software firewall
>
> a software anti-virus, anti-trojan program
>
> the security built into Vista
>
>
> The reason I ask this is that I have a Linksys wireless hub with a WEP
> code activated and I also had Zonealarm with Windows XP. I had my
> files shared. I thought that the wireless hub should provide hardware
> based security from anyone being able to "look" at my files and
> anything behind the hub. I found that Zonealarm was giving me a lot
> of warnings of malware and other outside people finding me and trying
> to access my computer and that Zonealarm was stopping this. I don't
> understand the Linksys hub's capabilities well enough to not ask "why
> was the hub not keeping these outside intruders out?".
>
> I now have Vista and the security it provides is suffocating. I have
> a hard time accessing my own files on other computers on my network
> and you need an ADVANCED IT degree to work around it. I would think
> that you could provide a secure "knock'em dead" firewall with a
> Linksys hub that would allow you to be "naked" behind the firewall so
> you did not have to deal with security at all once you were safe
> behind the Linksys firewall. I think this shows why I need to learn
> all I can so I don't leave my UAC off (which it is right now).
>
> microsoft.public.security
>

 

[eganders]

Re: Security discussion regarding hubs, firewalls, anti-virus andVist

On Aug 20, 5:17 pm, Dan <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> . . . actually, I think computer users should be able to apply for a basic
> license to use computers and it should not have to be as technical as A+ and
> just something everyone has to pass to use a computer safely and securely..
>
> 1.  Better to have a wired connection --- like using a wired landline phone
> compared to using a cordless set where people can pick up the signal and
> block or mess with your telephone transmission if they have the right
> equipment -- suggest a DSL blocker as well as other appropriate security
> safeguards
>
> 2.  I would suggest using Windows Live One Care --- I for one like the
> package suite-- not as good and comprehensive as others but no false
> positives so far on my side which I see as a big thumbs up
>
> 3.  Software Packages are now debatable and up for grabs in whose in the
> best due to the increasing number of false positives that many have
>
> 4.  Windows Vista has great external security from NT (New Technology)
> source code but lacks internal safety of 9x (98 Second Edition) that has a
> maintenance operating system built within Disk Operating System according to
> Chris Quirke, mvp.
>
> 5. User Account Control needs advanced customization features -- I have
> already mentioned this to Microsoft like IE has advanced cookie handling
> allowing blocking of 3rd party cookies and session cookies
>
> 6. LinkSys routers are junk in my opinion and within military circles as
> well -- better choices of Netgear and Belkin exist -- do not go with default
> passwords -- create your own
>
> 7. Block external code, read in plain text, use Microsoft's password
> generator to get a strong password and have fun and relax as I am slowly
> beginning to do again as DNS Pollution is now weaker due to more complex
> variables and other stuff.
>
Thanks for the info.

I looked at a websit with Live One Care:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-au/default.htm?mkt=en-au#

I tried to drag it to a folder on my links so I could access it
later. It told me I did not have access to do it!!!!!!!!!????
I was able to get around it be just adding it to just the links
instead of the folder in the links. I never had the problem before,
but this is what I mean. N o explanation as to why I don't have
access. I looked at the folder and I appear to have full rights.
What the heck is going on here I wonder?

 

[Dan]

Re: Security discussion regarding hubs, firewalls, anti-virus and

Have you made sure your machine is clean. Are you logged into an account
with full admin. rights. What steps other than these 2 have you tried? Feel
free to email Microsoft and I know they will be glad to help you if we cannot
get it to run here but I will do my best and let others chime in if they
would like.

"eganders" wrote:

> On Aug 20, 5:17 pm, Dan <D...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > . . . actually, I think computer users should be able to apply for a basic
> > license to use computers and it should not have to be as technical as A+ and
> > just something everyone has to pass to use a computer safely and securely..
> >
> > 1. Better to have a wired connection --- like using a wired landline phone
> > compared to using a cordless set where people can pick up the signal and
> > block or mess with your telephone transmission if they have the right
> > equipment -- suggest a DSL blocker as well as other appropriate security
> > safeguards
> >
> > 2. I would suggest using Windows Live One Care --- I for one like the
> > package suite-- not as good and comprehensive as others but no false
> > positives so far on my side which I see as a big thumbs up
> >
> > 3. Software Packages are now debatable and up for grabs in whose in the
> > best due to the increasing number of false positives that many have
> >
> > 4. Windows Vista has great external security from NT (New Technology)
> > source code but lacks internal safety of 9x (98 Second Edition) that has a
> > maintenance operating system built within Disk Operating System according to
> > Chris Quirke, mvp.
> >
> > 5. User Account Control needs advanced customization features -- I have
> > already mentioned this to Microsoft like IE has advanced cookie handling
> > allowing blocking of 3rd party cookies and session cookies
> >
> > 6. LinkSys routers are junk in my opinion and within military circles as
> > well -- better choices of Netgear and Belkin exist -- do not go with default
> > passwords -- create your own
> >
> > 7. Block external code, read in plain text, use Microsoft's password
> > generator to get a strong password and have fun and relax as I am slowly
> > beginning to do again as DNS Pollution is now weaker due to more complex
> > variables and other stuff.
> >
> Thanks for the info.
>
> I looked at a websit with Live One Care:
>
> http://onecare.live.com/site/en-au/default.htm?mkt=en-au#
>
> I tried to drag it to a folder on my links so I could access it
> later. It told me I did not have access to do it!!!!!!!!!????
> I was able to get around it be just adding it to just the links
> instead of the folder in the links. I never had the problem before,
> but this is what I mean. N o explanation as to why I don't have
> access. I looked at the folder and I appear to have full rights.
> What the heck is going on here I wonder?
>