Ping Malke

[Daave]

Malke, I looked at your .pdf about too much security.

Out of curiosity, since these days it seems that non-viral malware seems
to be more prevalent than ordinary viruses, why do you recommend against
real-time spyware protection?

In my experience, since I like to use the freeware apps, there doesn't
seem to be a lot of options anyway for real-time. Plus, I am
conservative in my surfing habits, etc. Plus, I do run manual scans. But
I can see why real-time protection might be necessary for the "unwashed
masses." Thoughts?

 

[Alias]

Malke, I looked at your .pdf about too much security.

Out of curiosity, since these days it seems that non-viral malware seems
to be more prevalent than ordinary viruses, why do you recommend against
real-time spyware protection?

In my experience, since I like to use the freeware apps, there doesn't
seem to be a lot of options anyway for real-time. Plus, I am
conservative in my surfing habits, etc. Plus, I do run manual scans. But
I can see why real-time protection might be necessary for the "unwashed
masses." Thoughts?

Spywareblaster
Spybot, Search and Destroy
Spywareguard.

All free.

Another option is to dual boot with Linux Ubuntu that is virtually
immune from viruses and other malware. Get it at www.ubuntu.com and stop
worrying about where you go on the Internet.

Alias

 

[Malke]

Malke, I looked at your .pdf about too much security.

Out of curiosity, since these days it seems that non-viral malware seems
to be more prevalent than ordinary viruses, why do you recommend against
real-time spyware protection?

In my experience, since I like to use the freeware apps, there doesn't
seem to be a lot of options anyway for real-time. Plus, I am
conservative in my surfing habits, etc. Plus, I do run manual scans. But
I can see why real-time protection might be necessary for the "unwashed
masses." Thoughts?

I just don't like a lot of stuff running resident. With Vista, you have
Windows Defender built in which is fine. I don't care for Defender that
much but since it's part of Vista, people might as well keep it. I like
MBAM. If you pay for it, then it will run in the background. The important
thing is to keep your OS, browser, vulnerable apps like Adobe Reader and
Java updated and practice Safe Hex.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Spywareblaster
Spybot, Search and Destroy
Spywareguard.

All free.

Another option is to dual boot with Linux Ubuntu that is virtually
immune from viruses and other malware. Get it at www.ubuntu.com and stop
worrying about where you go on the Internet.

Alias

I use OS/2, completely free from virii/malware on my IBM NetVista
PIII. I am thinking of dual booting Ubuntu. My wife, however, needs
XP, so I spend an hour every other day downloading updates to all the
anti-malware software installed on her machine. That gets to be a
pain after a while!

 

[Alias]

I use OS/2, completely free from virii/malware on my IBM NetVista
PIII. I am thinking of dual booting Ubuntu. My wife, however, needs
XP, so I spend an hour every other day downloading updates to all the
anti-malware software installed on her machine. That gets to be a
pain after a while!

I hear ya! It's nice to have all the updates for everything installed on
the computer in one place.

Alias

 

[John]

I was hoping to see a reply like the following:

Reply from Malke: bytes=32 time<25ms TTL=128
Reply from Malke: bytes=32 time<25ms TTL=128
Reply from Malke: bytes=32 time<24ms TTL=128
Reply from Malke: bytes=32 time<25ms TTL=128

but I guess you drop ping packets

 

[Guest]

It's time to trash that 2400 baud modem and get something quicker.

Do you mean like the 3Com NIC/DSL that I have running at the present
time with my OS/2 machine with a router? I even run WFWG 3.11 on a
PS/2 with DSL, really fast on an old 486. Also, iMac G4. Why do you
assume that I am running an antique modem? Just another wise-ass
comment?

 

[Jonathan Harker]

I use OS/2, completely free from virii/malware on my IBM NetVista
PIII. I am thinking of dual booting Ubuntu. My wife, however, needs
XP, so I spend an hour every other day downloading updates to all the
anti-malware software installed on her machine. That gets to be a
pain after a while!

It's time to trash that 2400 baud modem and get something quicker.

 

[Jonathan Harker]

Do you mean like the 3Com NIC/DSL that I have running at the present
time with my OS/2 machine with a router? I even run WFWG 3.11 on a
PS/2 with DSL, really fast on an old 486. Also, iMac G4. Why do you
assume that I am running an antique modem? Just another wise-ass
comment?

Your comment about it taking "an hour every other day" to download
anti-malware updates indicates that you either:

1) use a slow modem
2) were grossly exaggerating

I chose to not question your credibility. That was obviously not the
correct choice.

 

[Guest]

Your comment about it taking "an hour every other day" to download
anti-malware updates indicates that you either:

1) use a slow modem
2) were grossly exaggerating

I chose to not question your credibility. That was obviously not the
correct choice.

I boot up my wife's machine every day. I then go to the following
sites: MalWareBytes/SpywareBlaster/Microsoft Update/Avast Virus
Updater/Lavasoft Adaware/ and some other stuff that seems to be
updating on a constant basis. Total time might not be a full hour
from boot up to closing, but it sure feels like it! I just get sick
and tired of constantly going to all these sites just to stay one step
ahead of the bad guys, after a while it gets tiresome. Then there is
the Clean Old Files/Defragment Routine on the C:\ drive, etc. I just
wish that her XP would just work without all those "anti" ware
programs that keep me hopping. My iMac/WfWG/OS/2 boxes don't require
any attention other than turning them on!

 

[Jonathan Harker]

I boot up my wife's machine every day. I then go to the following
sites: MalWareBytes/SpywareBlaster/Microsoft Update/Avast Virus
Updater/Lavasoft Adaware/ and some other stuff that seems to be
updating on a constant basis.

1) Your wife can't learn to do that?
2) Daily updates are hardly necessary - especially Windows/Microsoft
update. MS updates on a predictable schedule, and her machine can be
configured to notify when updates are available.

Face it: you're an obsessive-compulsive when it comes to computers and
you LOVE doing all of that.

Don't even try to deny it.

 

[Daave]

I just don't like a lot of stuff running resident. With Vista, you
have
Windows Defender built in which is fine. I don't care for Defender
that
much but since it's part of Vista, people might as well keep it. I
like
MBAM. If you pay for it, then it will run in the background. The
important
thing is to keep your OS, browser, vulnerable apps like Adobe Reader
and
Java updated and practice Safe Hex.

You're preaching to the choir!

My question has more to do with the majority of PC users, who are not
careful.

 

[Guest]

1) Your wife can't learn to do that?
2) Daily updates are hardly necessary - especially Windows/Microsoft
update. MS updates on a predictable schedule, and her machine can be
configured to notify when updates are available.

Face it: you're an obsessive-compulsive when it comes to computers and
you LOVE doing all of that.

Don't even try to deny it.

I am retired, disabled, and am home all the time, so it falls to me to
"mess" with all of our computers. I guess you could say that I am
"addicted" to computers, having built most of my own and collect old
IBM PS/2's, and have the iMac for photos and music, and then there is
my wife's IBM P4 that she uses for her at home work. I "play" with
the old WfWG PS/2 just to play old DOS games, mostly stuff like Panzer
General, etc. It just seems that with all those bad guys out there,
people seem to be afraid of being behind the curve on their computer
protection. Maybe you are right, since retired, it is something to
do! However, I use my OS/2 machine for all my web business, having
not to worry about any "updates" as it is updated as far as it is
going to go(with eCS, the new OS/2 that I run, it is being maintained
and updated with new components, but what virus writer in his right
mind would even waste time with an OS/2 virus!
I think, that by definition, all of the people on these computer
groups, be they Windows, Linux, or other systems, are to a degree in
LOVE with computing. I have been doing this since 1990 and it does
really improve your quality of life!

 

[HeyBub]

Another option is to dual boot with Linux Ubuntu that is virtually
immune from viruses and other malware. Get it at www.ubuntu.com and
stop worrying about where you go on the Internet.

I agree. And it makes sense.

Thieves would rather attempt to steal a Cadillac than a dented little red
wagon with only three wheels.

Kidnappers would infinitely prefer the one of Daddy Warbucks' children than
an orphan from Malawi (unless the miscreant is Madonna).

 

[Alias]

I agree. And it makes sense.

You really agree? I don't think so:

Thieves would rather attempt to steal a Cadillac than a dented little red
wagon with only three wheels.

No, the Conflicker people want to control you computer and there's
nothing easier than a Windows machine, what with over 10 MILLION in the
net bot and counting. No net bot wants to steal Windows. They want to
use YOUR Windows install to make obscene amounts of money. How long have
you been this ill informed?

Kidnappers would infinitely prefer the one of Daddy Warbucks' children than
an orphan from Malawi (unless the miscreant is Madonna).

Um, she's buying not kidnapping. Got any more lame analogies that you
think are cute and clever?

Alias

 

[Mike Torello]

I agree. And it makes sense.

Thieves would rather attempt to steal a Cadillac than a dented little red
wagon with only three wheels.

Kidnappers would infinitely prefer the one of Daddy Warbucks' children than
an orphan from Malawi (unless the miscreant is Madonna).

BWWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!