security questions & comodo firewall

[Samantha]

Hi,

I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual boot
because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net because
I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info
about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can
understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my
own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone
put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do this
for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of
components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block
(like windows update) while still able to surf?

Thanks for any help,
Samantha

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a 98 advisor.) If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and how often and if there are any problems with it, then you should understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need to know what hardware you're using, also. Just like we need to have that info in many cases before we can diagnose your problem. No personal info is transmitted.

You can stop Automatic Updates easily. Then you can choose whether or not to go to Windows Updates and when. In fact, you can safely refuse MS any call-back or automatic update functions. They are all optional.

Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one at a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS (most of them, anyway.)

 

[Samantha]

"Gary S. Terhune"
WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a
98 advisor.)

You're right, XP is more secure but at least with 98, I had full
control of the OS. It doesn't undo changes that I make in the
registry or other places like XP does. It's a hassle to replace
somthing as simple as Notepad with Metapad even though it can be
done. They should release a tech version for advanced users rather
than have a dummy-proof OS for everyone. Sorry for the gripping but
I feel better.

"Gary S. Terhune"
If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and how
often and if there are any problems with it, then you should
understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need
to know what hardware you're using, also.

OK. I understand their reasoning but I guess I have a problem with
it since they didn't operate that way with 98. They relied on users
offering hardware info rather than *just taking it* and that's what
bugs me. It's like someone going through my home without my
permission. I rather not allow any info out to the net if that be
the case. I turned off Auto-update in Services. Are there any other
services or components that I need to disable or block (by firewall)
that sends info?

"Gary S. Terhune"
Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one at
a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to
be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS
(most of them, anyway.)

Oh, joy!! You just made my day, Gary. I want to crawl back in bed!
LOL
Thanks for your reply.

"Samantha"

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

I understand. The idiot-proofing never ends, <s>. That's why I'm not using Vista yet. No patience to learn the workarounds. I'm sure there are ways to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Consider posting here with specific, limited goals (not just a general "how do I turn all of this off?")

 

[Samantha]

"Gary S. Terhune"
I understand. The idiot-proofing never ends, <s>. That's why I'm not
using Vista yet. No patience to learn the workarounds. I'm sure
there are ways to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Consider
posting here with specific, limited goals (not just a general "how
do I turn all of this off?")

Yeah, I heard vista is even worse. I'll jump to ReactOS (hopefully
they'll be ready by then) or linux before I use vista. I wish I
could post more specific questions but I don't know what to look for
so I'm not sure what to ask. Can you point me to a website to get me
started so I can be more specific as you suggested?


"Samantha"

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

Your general question is still too general, and I don't specifically know of
a site that deals with it. As to your specific question about Comodo, you'd
have to ask about each one (unless Comodo has a reference.) And there's
always Google.

When it comes to Windows Updates (I presume you're talking about Automatic
Updates -- wouldn't want to block the Windows Updates site or the controls
that allow it to run) -- all you have to do is turn off Automatic Updates.
Other phone-home aspects in apps can almost always be disabled, but how
depends on the app. If Comodo lets you log internet traffic, you can tell
from that which items are trying to access the internet and deal with them
one by one.

As for getting Updates without using Windows Updates... Try this:
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=windows xp

That site requires an Active-X installation, so if it loses the search term,
all I used was Windows XP.) Note that it found more than 1000. Probably
includes all languages. What I do it use Windows Updates to determine which
I need and then get just those. I certainly don't try to second-guess WU as
to what to install and what not to install.

Not sure if I covered all you bases... What else?

 

[smlunatick]

Hi,

I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual boot
because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net because
I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info
about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can
understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my
own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone
put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do this
for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of
components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block
(like windows update) while still able to surf?

Thanks for any help,
Samantha

In responce to the Comodo firewall, I would like to state the
following:

1) Very complete and complex to set up correctly.

2) With my previous experience, Comodo "integrates" too much within
Windows XP. I tried their Version 2, after removing my Zone Alarm
Free. It required that I "reset" the Windows WMI repository folder
(this controls Security Center.) This "resetted" my anti-virus
setting (need to re-install it) and some screwed up the Windows
Updates. I had a "he!!" of a time to reset these settings, after
dropping Comodo FW from my system. Zone Alarm Free is just 'right' so
minimum setting controls for the casual XP users.

 

[Samantha]

"Gary S. Terhune"
|Not sure if I covered all you bases... What else?

*snicker*. You have been very patient and kind in answering my
(probably annoying) questions. Thank you for your input and time,
it's appreciated.

I'm going to research so I can learn to ask the right questions.

Samantha

 

[Samantha]

"smlunatick"
| On Aug 22, 10:47 am, "Samantha" <none> wrote:
| > Hi,
| >
| > I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual
boot
| > because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net
because
| > I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers
info
| > about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can
| > understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is
my
| > own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS?
Someone
| > put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do
this
| > for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.
| >
| > I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of
| > components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely
block
| > (like windows update) while still able to surf?
| >
| > Thanks for any help,
| > Samantha
|
| In responce to the Comodo firewall, I would like to state the
| following:
|
| 1) Very complete and complex to set up correctly.
|
| 2) With my previous experience, Comodo "integrates" too much
within
| Windows XP. I tried their Version 2, after removing my Zone Alarm
| Free. It required that I "reset" the Windows WMI repository
folder
| (this controls Security Center.) This "resetted" my anti-virus
| setting (need to re-install it) and some screwed up the Windows
| Updates. I had a "he!!" of a time to reset these settings, after
| dropping Comodo FW from my system. Zone Alarm Free is just
'right' so minimum setting controls for the casual XP users.

The reason you went back to ZA is one of the reasons why I left it.
I like feature-rich programs that allow you to tweak them. Also, ZA
failed the leak test while Comodo passed. That's the main reason for
switching. It's a bummer because I did like that firewall. Thanks
for giving me heads-up on possible issues that I may have to
resolve.

Samantha

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

You're questions aren't nearly as annoying to me as your problems are to
you, <s>. Have fun researching.