AUTOEXEC.BAT - Security File ?

[Guest]

Hi,

I'm using windows xp pro.

Renaming the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to AUTO.BAT and then editing AUTO.BAT file by
typing "auto" and saving this AUTO.BAT file would prevent automatic execution
of virus and trojans in the system in case if it gets infected.

I want to know whether this is a proven, effective, reliable security
measure that has to be taken?

Thankyou.

 

[Colin Nash [MVP]]

Hi,

I'm using windows xp pro.

Renaming the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to AUTO.BAT and then editing AUTO.BAT file
by
typing "auto" and saving this AUTO.BAT file would prevent automatic
execution
of virus and trojans in the system in case if it gets infected.

I want to know whether this is a proven, effective, reliable security
measure that has to be taken?

Thankyou.

No, it won't help with spyware. AUTOEXEC.BAT is not used for anything
important in Windows XP and its usually blank for 99% of users... it's only
there for compatibility with extremely old apps.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

In Windows XP, Autoexec.bat is not processed for running programs, only for environment variables and the like. It surely won't hurt, but most common infections that affect XP are loaded via the system Registry.

 

[David H. Lipman]

NO -- It is not even interpreted by WinXP so how can it help ?

Dave



| Hi,
|
| I'm using windows xp pro.
|
| Renaming the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to AUTO.BAT and then editing AUTO.BAT file by
| typing "auto" and saving this AUTO.BAT file would prevent automatic execution
| of virus and trojans in the system in case if it gets infected.
|
| I want to know whether this is a proven, effective, reliable security
| measure that has to be taken?
|
| Thankyou.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Actually, it's a rather pointless precaution: WinXP doesn't use
Autoexec.bat. The empty file is present simply to provide some
backwards compatibility with legacy applications.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for replying.

So all of you have said that procedure is useless.

I want to know whether there are any files for auto execution in Windows xp
pro with SP2 and the method to modify those files to prevent auto execution.

If not, I want to know whether there are any tricks and tips to make windows
xp pro with Sp2 more secure and if so what those procedures are OR the
default settings of operating system are simply enough .

Provide me some good web links to reduce your typing work.

Again thanks again for your valuable time and assistance

 

[David H. Lipman]

Based upon the original question and the subsequent reply, I suggest going Barnes & Noble
and get a book on Windows XP.

Dave




| Hi ,
|
| Thanks for replying.
|
| So all of you have said that procedure is useless.
|
| I want to know whether there are any files for auto execution in Windows xp
| pro with SP2 and the method to modify those files to prevent auto execution.
|
| If not, I want to know whether there are any tricks and tips to make windows
| xp pro with Sp2 more secure and if so what those procedures are OR the
| default settings of operating system are simply enough .
|
| Provide me some good web links to reduce your typing work.
|
| Again thanks again for your valuable time and assistance
|

 

[Malke]

Based upon the original question and the subsequent reply, I suggest
going Barnes & Noble and get a book on Windows XP.

Dave




| Hi ,
|
| Thanks for replying.
|
| So all of you have said that procedure is useless.
|
| I want to know whether there are any files for auto execution in
| Windows xp pro with SP2 and the method to modify those files to
| prevent auto execution.
|
| If not, I want to know whether there are any tricks and tips to make
| windows xp pro with Sp2 more secure and if so what those procedures
| are OR the default settings of operating system are simply enough .
|
| Provide me some good web links to reduce your typing work.
|
| Again thanks again for your valuable time and assistance
|

Whether or not Dave was being flip, he is absolutely right. There are
many wonderful books about securing computers. The information you are
asking for is complex. Go to the bookstore and buy a book that looks
good to you and read it. Try out suggestions on a testbed machine.
Never do experimenting with a production machine.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Remember me.....answering the" Internet zone changes " Q. By providing that
link for clean installation , you have provided me the answer I deserve here.

Now where this ' FLIP ' comes from? I know.......

If You two find me as the reason for whatever kind of argument happened
between you two, based on your difference of opinion on scanning in safe mode
issue, being flip to someone is not the solution.

There are also books out there on 'controlling emotions'.

Thankyou for your wonderful support.

 

[David H. Lipman]

What are you talking about ?

Malke and I have no arguments. In fact we tend to corroborate each other when dealing with
many computer infectors. If anything Malke was qualifying my "simplified" answer.

Based upon your query about AUTOEXEC.BAT ( which clearly indicates you don't understand NT
based Operating systems ) and your very broad question about securing WinXP, I suggested
getting a book.

Malke was kind enough to qualify my answer that some might consider as flippant. However if
I was to be flippant, I would have just replied with - RTFB.

So please, put your gun back in the holster and relax.

Dave
BTW: You're welcome.




| Hi,
|
| Remember me.....answering the" Internet zone changes " Q. By providing that
| link for clean installation , you have provided me the answer I deserve here.
|
| Now where this ' FLIP ' comes from? I know.......
|
| If You two find me as the reason for whatever kind of argument happened
| between you two, based on your difference of opinion on scanning in safe mode
| issue, being flip to someone is not the solution.
|
| There are also books out there on 'controlling emotions'.
|
| Thankyou for your wonderful support.

 

[Malke]

What are you talking about ?

Malke and I have no arguments. In fact we tend to corroborate each
other when dealing with
many computer infectors. If anything Malke was qualifying my
"simplified" answer.

Based upon your query about AUTOEXEC.BAT ( which clearly indicates you
don't understand NT based Operating systems ) and your very broad
question about securing WinXP, I suggested getting a book.

Malke was kind enough to qualify my answer that some might consider as
flippant. However if I was to be flippant, I would have just replied
with - RTFB.

So please, put your gun back in the holster and relax.

Dave
BTW: You're welcome.

Exactly. Beautifully said, Dave.

And Kason, you're really flailing when it comes to security. If you want
to be secure, aside from buying some books which would be A Good Idea,
follow these simple rules:

1. Keep your operating system patched.
2. Run a current version antivirus and keep the definitions updated.
Don't let the subscription lapse.
3. Run a decent firewall.
4. Keep your third-party programs patched, particularly browsers.
5. Don't do file-swapping.
6. Scan for and remove malware regularly with Spybot Search & Destroy
and Ad-aware. Keep those programs current and definitions updated.
7. Don't click on the flashy banners telling you to "Click here to
secure your computer!" when you're on line.
8. Don't open email attachments.
9. If you surf on pr0nsites, don't install their "free viewers".
10. Don't install programs from questionable sources.

If I've forgotten anything, Dave will add to it and I'll be happy that
he did. ;-)

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave,

I was actually replying to Malke's post. I also don't have any hard
feelilngs about your comment.

By the way, we seek advice from you because we don't that much knowledge as
you do, and you don't have to make fun out of it.

Actually I was replying to Malke's message.

I was actually talking about the post in different newsgroup . He was saying
all scans should be done in safe mode. I remember your post somewhere in this
newsgroup stating scanning in safe mode is not effective since most files are
not available in safe mode for a scan.

I thought Malke has talked with you about this issue. So actually he had
talked with different Dave.

I was actually not firing at you( hate violence ....).I don't know why Malke
came here and interpret in a wrong way.

 

[David H. Lipman]

Well, I certainly will indicate Safe Mode scans because it increases the effectiveness of
the scanning process due to the fact that the chance of an infector's File Handle being held
open is low, and the scanner will thus not get an "access denied" type message when trying
to delete or clean the infected file.

Dave




| Hi Dave,
|
| I was actually replying to Malke's post. I also don't have any hard
| feelilngs about your comment.
|
| By the way, we seek advice from you because we don't that much knowledge as
| you do, and you don't have to make fun out of it.
|
| Actually I was replying to Malke's message.
|
| I was actually talking about the post in different newsgroup . He was saying
| all scans should be done in safe mode. I remember your post somewhere in this
| newsgroup stating scanning in safe mode is not effective since most files are
| not available in safe mode for a scan.
|
| I thought Malke has talked with you about this issue. So actually he had
| talked with different Dave.
|
| I was actually not firing at you( hate violence ....).I don't know why Malke
| came here and interpret in a wrong way.
|
|
|
|
| "David H. Lipman" wrote:
|
| > What are you talking about ?
| >
| > Malke and I have no arguments. In fact we tend to corroborate each other when dealing
with
| > many computer infectors. If anything Malke was qualifying my "simplified" answer.
| >
| > Based upon your query about AUTOEXEC.BAT ( which clearly indicates you don't understand
NT
| > based Operating systems ) and your very broad question about securing WinXP, I suggested
| > getting a book.
| >
| > Malke was kind enough to qualify my answer that some might consider as flippant.
However if
| > I was to be flippant, I would have just replied with - RTFB.
| >
| > So please, put your gun back in the holster and relax.
| >
| > Dave
| > BTW: You're welcome.
| >
| >
| >
| >
| > | > | Hi,
| > |
| > | Remember me.....answering the" Internet zone changes " Q. By providing that
| > | link for clean installation , you have provided me the answer I deserve here.
| > |
| > | Now where this ' FLIP ' comes from? I know.......
| > |
| > | If You two find me as the reason for whatever kind of argument happened
| > | between you two, based on your difference of opinion on scanning in safe mode
| > | issue, being flip to someone is not the solution.
| > |
| > | There are also books out there on 'controlling emotions'.
| > |
| > | Thankyou for your wonderful support.
| >
| >
| >

 

[Guest]

Hello Dave,

Thanks for the confirmation on your opinion on scanning in Safe mode.

Since you have said that I will certainly appreciate if you answer this
question as well.

Do you think that it is also better to uninstall ANY program in Safe Mode
,applying the same principle that you have given for scanning in Safe Mode.

kason

 

[David H. Lipman]

The principle does not equate.

Many infectors deliberately embed themselves deeply into an OS so they can NOT be deleted
under normal circumstances. some simple malware will allow you to go to Add/Remove Software
in the Control Panel and remove them. However, not all and many may make you think that
this removed them when they are not in fact removed.

Therefore malware (bad software) has to be prevented from loading so they can be removed by
"other" means such as the use of malware removal scanners. When you boot into Safe Mode you
are in a more simple version of the OS such that many programs will not be started. If the
program was not started (running) then its file handle will not be in use and the file(s)
can be removed.

When you use the Add/Remove Software applet in the Control Panel would be used with normal
software. Normal software would have no problem in being removed and thus would not have to
be done in Safe mode.

Dave




| Hello Dave,
|
| Thanks for the confirmation on your opinion on scanning in Safe mode.
|
| Since you have said that I will certainly appreciate if you answer this
| question as well.
|
| Do you think that it is also better to uninstall ANY program in Safe Mode
| ,applying the same principle that you have given for scanning in Safe Mode.
|
| kason
|
|
|
| "David H. Lipman" wrote:
|
| > Well, I certainly will indicate Safe Mode scans because it increases the effectiveness
of
| > the scanning process due to the fact that the chance of an infector's File Handle being
held
| > open is low, and the scanner will thus not get an "access denied" type message when
trying
| > to delete or clean the infected file.
| >
| > Dave
| >
| >
| >
| >
| > | > | Hi Dave,
| > |
| > | I was actually replying to Malke's post. I also don't have any hard
| > | feelilngs about your comment.
| > |
| > | By the way, we seek advice from you because we don't that much knowledge as
| > | you do, and you don't have to make fun out of it.
| > |
| > | Actually I was replying to Malke's message.
| > |
| > | I was actually talking about the post in different newsgroup . He was saying
| > | all scans should be done in safe mode. I remember your post somewhere in this
| > | newsgroup stating scanning in safe mode is not effective since most files are
| > | not available in safe mode for a scan.
| > |
| > | I thought Malke has talked with you about this issue. So actually he had
| > | talked with different Dave.
| > |
| > | I was actually not firing at you( hate violence ....).I don't know why Malke
| > | came here and interpret in a wrong way.
| > |
| > |
| > |
| > |
| > | "David H. Lipman" wrote:
| > |
| > | > What are you talking about ?
| > | >
| > | > Malke and I have no arguments. In fact we tend to corroborate each other when
dealing
| > with
| > | > many computer infectors. If anything Malke was qualifying my "simplified" answer.
| > | >
| > | > Based upon your query about AUTOEXEC.BAT ( which clearly indicates you don't
understand
| > NT
| > | > based Operating systems ) and your very broad question about securing WinXP, I
suggested
| > | > getting a book.
| > | >
| > | > Malke was kind enough to qualify my answer that some might consider as flippant.
| > However if
| > | > I was to be flippant, I would have just replied with - RTFB.
| > | >
| > | > So please, put your gun back in the holster and relax.
| > | >
| > | > Dave
| > | > BTW: You're welcome.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | > | > | > | Hi,
| > | > |
| > | > | Remember me.....answering the" Internet zone changes " Q. By providing that
| > | > | link for clean installation , you have provided me the answer I deserve here.
| > | > |
| > | > | Now where this ' FLIP ' comes from? I know.......
| > | > |
| > | > | If You two find me as the reason for whatever kind of argument happened
| > | > | between you two, based on your difference of opinion on scanning in safe mode
| > | > | issue, being flip to someone is not the solution.
| > | > |
| > | > | There are also books out there on 'controlling emotions'.
| > | > |
| > | > | Thankyou for your wonderful support.
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| >
| >
| >

 

[null]

And Kason, you're really flailing when it comes to security. If you want
to be secure, aside from buying some books which would be A Good Idea,
follow these simple rules:

1. Keep your operating system patched.
2. Run a current version antivirus and keep the definitions updated.
Don't let the subscription lapse.
3. Run a decent firewall.
4. Keep your third-party programs patched, particularly browsers.
5. Don't do file-swapping.
6. Scan for and remove malware regularly with Spybot Search & Destroy
and Ad-aware. Keep those programs current and definitions updated.
7. Don't click on the flashy banners telling you to "Click here to
secure your computer!" when you're on line.
8. Don't open email attachments.
9. If you surf on pr0nsites, don't install their "free viewers".
10. Don't install programs from questionable sources.

If I've forgotten anything, Dave will add to it and I'll be happy that
he did. ;-)

Malke

A few other ideas for security:

For normal daily tasks, don't login with an account that has
Administrator privileges. Use strong passwords, and make a password
reset disk:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305478&Product=winxp

--
The reader should exercise normal caution and backup the Registry and
data files regularly, and especially before making any changes to their
PC, as well as performing regular virus and spyware scans. I am not
liable for problems or mishaps that occur from the reader using advice
posted here. No warranty, express or implied, is given with the posting
of this message.

 

[Malke]

A few other ideas for security:

For normal daily tasks, don't login with an account that has
Administrator privileges. Use strong passwords, and make a password
reset disk:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305478&Product=winxp

Good ones, Null!

Malke