i would like to about the important security feature of xp

[sandypeter111]

hello all! let me know about important system security feature of xp

 

[Joan Archer]

Exactly what is it that you want to know, try posting back with details of
the machine you are using and just what it is about it that you don't
understand.

 

[philo]

hello all! let me know about important system security feature of xp.

Xp has no "important" security features.

The best security feature is common sense
and a good virus checker.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

hello all! let me know about important system security feature of xp.

That would be a knowledgeable and pro-active user, just as it would be
for *any* operating system.

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Unknown]

Common sense negates the need for a virus checker.

 

[VanguardLH]

hello all! let me know about important system security feature of xp.

Visit your local library. They have lots of Dummies books.

 

[philo]

Common sense negates the need for a virus checker.

Though the most important tool is common sense...
a virus checker is good insurance

 

[Unknown]

Backup is the insurance. Virus checker is just a trouble maker.

 

[philo]

Backup is the insurance. Virus checker is just a trouble maker.

Still need a virus checker

I'd hate to have an infected backup


No matter how cautious one is...surprises can happen

 

[Unknown]

Not so! I haven't ever installed a virus checker. Haven't ever had a virus.
AND, I might add, I never have had a problem
installing, updating, searching etc.etc.

 

[Ken Blake]

Not so! I haven't ever installed a virus checker. Haven't ever had a
virus.

That's like saying thaht you drive your car without wearing a seatbelt. and
you haven't ever been hurt in an accident.

You've been playing with fire, and you've been lucky.

 

[Unknown]

You're trying to compare apples and oranges. Seat belts and virus checkers
are far apart.
First off, how do you get a virus? I am not playing with fire. I backup my
system. I never had to restore from my backup.
There is also system restore and the firewall.
Why don't you back up your system, delete all virus programs and see how
good your system runs.

 

[Bruce Hagen]

My machine runs fine with Avast. Now if you're talking about a resource hog
like Norton, that's a different story. As lucky as you've been, I hope you
play the lottery. <w>

 

[philo]

My machine runs fine with Avast. Now if you're talking about a resource hog
like Norton, that's a different story. As lucky as you've been, I hope you
play the lottery. <w>

Yes I also use Avast...it is really a great application.

No matter how careful one is...a virus checker is a very necessary "safety
net"

 

[Ken Blake]

You're trying to compare apples and oranges. Seat belts and virus checkers
are far apart.
First off, how do you get a virus? I am not playing with fire. I backup my
system. I never had to restore from my backup.
There is also system restore and the firewall.
Why don't you back up your system, delete all virus programs and see how
good your system runs.

I also back up all my systems, and have never had an anti-virus warn me of a
problem, except as an error on its part. Nevertheless, I recognize that
virus problems *can* occur, regardless of how careful I try to be. There is
no way way you can guarantee perfect protection no matter what you do, but
no matter how careful you are, you can drastically reduce the risk by
running an anti-virus program. Therefore if you spurn that layer of
protection and don't use an anti-virus, you are playing with fire.

My view is that what you are doing is foolhardy.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

You're trying to compare apples and oranges. Seat belts and virus checkers
are far apart.
First off, how do you get a virus? I am not playing with fire. I backup my
system. I never had to restore from my backup.
There is also system restore and the firewall.
Why don't you back up your system, delete all virus programs and see how
good your system runs.

Windows System restore is useless in the event of a virus infection, as is
the firewall..



--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Unknown]

We have differing opinions. Backing up is the only good protection. Backing
up has always been done even before the days of viruses. There are all kinds
of problems with virus checkers. Just read these newsgroups. How many have
gotten a virus even with their virus checker? How many have had update
problems due to their virus checkers? How many systems run slow due to their
virus checkers? Think. How many were hurt by Norton? Virus checkers are as
good as registry cleaners. Of course if you want to click on everything in
site, by all means run virus checkers. Why haven't I ever gotten a virus?.
BUT, backup.

 

[Unknown]

One of the reasons I backup.

Windows System restore is useless in the event of a virus infection, as is
the firewall..



--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

We have differing opinions. Backing up is the only good protection.
Backing up has always been done even before the days of viruses. There are
all kinds of problems with virus checkers. Just read these newsgroups. How
many have gotten a virus even with their virus checker? How many have had
update problems due to their virus checkers? How many systems run slow due
to their virus checkers? Think. How many were hurt by Norton? Virus
checkers are as good as registry cleaners. Of course if you want to click
on everything in site, by all means run virus checkers. Why haven't I ever
gotten a virus?.
BUT, backup.

Backups were/are made in case of accidental erasure as much as anything. The
average user has no back up device, no back up software and no back up
policy.

Also, many average users use the term virus for any kind of infection, be it
a virus, Trojan or worm, and are not using the correct program to deal with
the problems.


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Ken Blake]

We have differing opinions.

Yes, we have *very* different opinions.

Backing up is the only good protection. Backing up has always been done
even before the days of viruses.

Certainly. Backing up is a very important thing to do, since it protects you
against all sorts of problems. Viruses are only not the only thing backing
up provides protection against, it's not even the most important.

There are all kinds of problems with virus checkers.

Although no anti-virus program si, or even can be, perfect, what problems
occur has a great deal to do with which anti-virus program is used. They are
not equally good--not by a long shot.

Just read these newsgroups.

Yes, I read them almost every day.

How many have gotten a virus even with their virus checker? How many have
had update problems due to their virus checkers? How many systems run slow
due to their virus checkers? Think. How many were hurt by Norton?

Yes, the problems you talk about often *do* occur. But how common they are
has a great deal to do with *which* anti-virus is run. The two biggest
sellers and most common anti-virus programs are Norton and McAfee. And they
are the two *worst* anti-virus prgram, and often are the cause of such
problems.

But looking at reports of problems with Norton and McAfee and then ascribing
those problems to *all* anti-virus programs is wrong and foolhardy. I use
NOD32 and don't have any of those problems.

Virus checkers are as good as registry cleaners.

My view is that statement is completely wrong. Even if the registry cleaner
was perfect and never caused problem, what it does would not be useful. But
anti-virus programs that detect and stop viruses are extremely useful, even
if they are not perfect.

Of course if you want to click on everything in site, by all means run
virus checkers. Why haven't I ever gotten a virus?.

Because you've been very careful. Being careful is very good, and simply
relying on software to protect you is unwise, since none of the software is
perfect. I recommend the same thing you do here: everyone should be careful.

But using just care and no software is foolhardy. I also try to be as
careful as I can, but I recognize first, that I don't know *everything*, and
second, that my abilities to be careful vary all the time. There are days
and times when you are tired, had a bad day at work, had a fight with
someone, have a headache, etc. In any of those situations it's extremely
likely that your level of care goes down and risks increase. That's one of
the reasons that even a knowledgeable person should not rely solely on care,
but also use one of the better anti-virus programs available.

BUT, backup.

Regarding that sentence, we agree completely. Backing up provides important
protection against many possible problems. But regarding your view that
backing up completely protects you against viruses, we disagree completely.

How often do you backup, and how many generations of backup do you keep? If
a virus doesn't cause you any detectable symptoms for a while (and many
viruses are like that), by the time you realize you are infected, you may no
longer have a backup of what you need.

I'll repeat what I said earlier. What you are doing is foolhardy. It's like
driving a car without wearing a seatbelt. You haven't been killed or hurt
because of the absemce of the seatbelt, but you may be killed or hurt
tomorrow.