Throwing this computer out the window

[Charlie Tame]

The outbound application control that many software
firewalls have may be useful. However, it really is rather
trivial for some of the better critters to fool/disable this
sort of protection, and one could easily argue that if your
firewall alerts you to suspicious outbound traffic, you're already
owned. Of course, that might enable you to limit/stop the damage.
A better solution might be a real HIPS program. But, if you have
UAC turned on, an AV that does Heuristics/Advanced Heuristics
(like NOD32) then it's really about the same thing. NOD32
does monitor internet/network traffic, by the way, and the newly
released Smart Security Suite from Eset also includes a firewall.

Comodo Firewall 3.0 has HIPS, as does their anti-virus. Their AV
is not Vista ready, however. SSM Free is very popular, I think it
works with Vista... I've not tried it.

Securing your computer should always be taken seriously.
However, I do believe that many of the same folks that sell
security products are also the ones trying to scare everyone
to death. Some users end up with multiple products on
their computers that only lead to other problems.

I've not been infected on any of my machines in years.
Not counting self-inflicted infections while testing.

Have to say you got that exactly right, 100%.

Hey, I just moved house again, 3 times in the last year and 9 times
since 2000 when I first got to the USA I asked for a 10 years lease
(Didn't get it of course) and said the next time they move me out it
will be in a wooden box In all that time I have never had any kind of
infection that I didn't intend (Same as you I guess) but have removed
probably thousands from other machines.

 

[MICHAEL]

Have to say you got that exactly right, 100%.

Hey, I just moved house again, 3 times in the last year and 9 times since 2000 when I first
got to the USA I asked for a 10 years lease (Didn't get it of course) and said the next
time they move me out it will be in a wooden box

Moving is such an aggravating, discombobulating and stressful
time. Fortunately, I haven't pulled up roots since 2000. But, there
was a time in the 90s that I may have come close to what you
have had to deal with.... I'm not moving again unless I can ever afford
to buy me a little something in Folly Beach, SC or some place
at the Outer Banks of NC around Manteo or Wanchese. Of course,
I'll be old and gray by then and may decide I don't want to put
up with either NC's or SC's hurricane dance. Although, being far
inland didn't matter much to Charlotte in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo
knocked the he!! out of this city. Never thought I'd see devastation
like that again..... and then, the ice storm of 2002 did to Charlotte and
NC what the one out in Oklahoma just did. I feel for those folks.
Maybe, the coast isn't so bad.

I hope you have tried to take it easy during this move....
after what you've been through recently. If you lived
close to me, I'd make y'all some dinner and we would
have a few drinks to "unwind" the stress. ;-)

Just be sure to take it easy, Charlie.

In all that time I have never had any kind of infection that I didn't intend (Same as you I
guess) but have removed probably thousands from other machines.

Yes, I like to play critters. "Studying" their behavior in virtual machines
makes it a lot easier, too. Oh, and after using VPC and VMWare
for awhile now, I'm glad you also recommended VirtualBox.
Love it.... it just works.

I've been "volunteered" to clean quite a few machines over the
years. There have been times when I wondered if I ever got
into the wrong career. I've never asked for a dime from friends,
family or neighbors when I've helped them. Might have kept
a dollar or two from going to some tech guy, but I'm sure since
Vista has been out, they have more than they can handle. ;-)
Anyway, computers and technology are hobbies I really enjoy,
don't want mess up with money.

Get some rest, Charlie.


Take care,

Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

Moving is such an aggravating, discombobulating and stressful
time. Fortunately, I haven't pulled up roots since 2000. But, there
was a time in the 90s that I may have come close to what you
have had to deal with.... I'm not moving again unless I can ever afford
to buy me a little something in Folly Beach, SC or some place
at the Outer Banks of NC around Manteo or Wanchese. Of course,
I'll be old and gray by then and may decide I don't want to put
up with either NC's or SC's hurricane dance. Although, being far
inland didn't matter much to Charlotte in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo
knocked the he!! out of this city. Never thought I'd see devastation
like that again..... and then, the ice storm of 2002 did to Charlotte and
NC what the one out in Oklahoma just did. I feel for those folks.
Maybe, the coast isn't so bad.

I hope you have tried to take it easy during this move....
after what you've been through recently. If you lived
close to me, I'd make y'all some dinner and we would
have a few drinks to "unwind" the stress. ;-)

Just be sure to take it easy, Charlie.


Yes, I like to play critters. "Studying" their behavior in virtual
machines
makes it a lot easier, too. Oh, and after using VPC and VMWare
for awhile now, I'm glad you also recommended VirtualBox.
Love it.... it just works.

I've been "volunteered" to clean quite a few machines over the
years. There have been times when I wondered if I ever got
into the wrong career. I've never asked for a dime from friends,
family or neighbors when I've helped them. Might have kept
a dollar or two from going to some tech guy, but I'm sure since
Vista has been out, they have more than they can handle. ;-)
Anyway, computers and technology are hobbies I really enjoy,
don't want mess up with money.

Get some rest, Charlie.


Take care,

Michael

Well it's a long story as to why I've moved but they say it's an ill
wind that blows nobody any good and maybe there is something to that. On
Tuesday they said there'd be an ice storm again around oh, I think 10
pm, so went back to get some food and a nap only to discover the ex-wife
having problems with her car so I got neither food nor rest On the
way back to work - I wanted to camp out here the night instead of having
to drive 35 miles on a sheet of ice - I got a call from one gal that
used to work here and she said to hell with sleeping in the workshop,
you just come around here for tonight, I wanted to see you anyway. Well,
one thing kinda led to another and so here am I with this absolutely
gorgeous 30 year old (And I mean absolutely gorgeous) completely stunned
(I had no idea she even liked me) and if it lasts a week or the rest of
my life it will all be good.

So thanks for the suggestion, but this is much better than rest and if
it kills me they will have real trouble getting the grin off my face.
Just don't tell the ex, she will swear I planned all this, but honest,
it was all a huge surprise and I'm still expecting to wake up Unlike
the ex she actually loves discussing politics, is getting interested in
computers and so I can only hope it lasts.

And sure, we will visit some time when finances permit, I like NC and a
vacation would do no harm.

 

[forty-nine]

Moving is such an aggravating, discombobulating and stressful
time. Fortunately, I haven't pulled up roots since 2000. But, there
was a time in the 90s that I may have come close to what you
have had to deal with.... I'm not moving again unless I can ever afford
to buy me a little something in Folly Beach, SC or some place
at the Outer Banks of NC around Manteo or Wanchese. Of course,
I'll be old and gray by then and may decide I don't want to put
up with either NC's or SC's hurricane dance. Although, being far
inland didn't matter much to Charlotte in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo
knocked the he!! out of this city. Never thought I'd see devastation
like that again..... and then, the ice storm of 2002 did to Charlotte and
NC what the one out in Oklahoma just did. I feel for those folks.
Maybe, the coast isn't so bad.

I hope you have tried to take it easy during this move....
after what you've been through recently. If you lived
close to me, I'd make y'all some dinner and we would
have a few drinks to "unwind" the stress. ;-)

Just be sure to take it easy, Charlie.


Yes, I like to play critters. "Studying" their behavior in virtual
machines
makes it a lot easier, too. Oh, and after using VPC and VMWare
for awhile now, I'm glad you also recommended VirtualBox.
Love it.... it just works.

I've been "volunteered" to clean quite a few machines over the
years. There have been times when I wondered if I ever got
into the wrong career. I've never asked for a dime from friends,
family or neighbors when I've helped them. Might have kept
a dollar or two from going to some tech guy, but I'm sure since
Vista has been out, they have more than they can handle. ;-)
Anyway, computers and technology are hobbies I really enjoy,
don't want mess up with money.

Get some rest, Charlie.


Take care,

Michael

If you move to Folly Beach...Folly Rd is a mess...and stay away from
downtown Charleston...and I-26...and I-526.
Oh hell, just walk here ! : )

 

[MICHAEL]

Well it's a long story as to why I've moved but they say it's an ill wind that blows nobody
any good and maybe there is something to that. On Tuesday they said there'd be an ice storm
again around oh, I think 10 pm, so went back to get some food and a nap only to discover the
ex-wife having problems with her car so I got neither food nor rest On the way back to
work - I wanted to camp out here the night instead of having to drive 35 miles on a sheet of
ice - I got a call from one gal that used to work here and she said to hell with sleeping in
the workshop, you just come around here for tonight, I wanted to see you anyway. Well, one
thing kinda led to another and so here am I with this absolutely gorgeous 30 year old (And I
mean absolutely gorgeous) completely stunned (I had no idea she even liked me) and if it
lasts a week or the rest of my life it will all be good.
So thanks for the suggestion, but this is much better than rest and if it kills me they will
have real trouble getting the grin off my face. Just don't tell the ex, she will swear I
planned all this, but honest, it was all a huge surprise and I'm still expecting to wake up
Unlike the ex she actually loves discussing politics, is getting interested in computers
and so I can only hope it lasts.

And sure, we will visit some time when finances permit, I like NC and a vacation would do no
harm.

Great story, Charlie.... thanks for sharing.

I certainly wish the best for you.

The invitation stands and is sincere.


Take care,

Michael

 

[MICHAEL]

If you move to Folly Beach...Folly Rd is a mess...and stay away from
downtown Charleston...and I-26...and I-526.
Oh hell, just walk here ! : )

I'm very fond of Charleston, my aunt lives there and my grandparents
lived there most of their lives. But, I would never (couldn't afford it) live
in Charleston proper. I keep up with the goings on in the area.
Folly Beach is a special place to me, and even with the changes
happening there, I still love it. I hope it doesn't turn into another
Isle of Palms.... a beautiful place with lots of money and very expensive
properties.


-Michael


-Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

Great story, Charlie.... thanks for sharing.

I certainly wish the best for you.

The invitation stands and is sincere.


Take care,

Michael

Well, thanks again for the invitation and I think she is a bit sick of
Iowa's weather, she originally is from Virginia I think.

At this time I have no computers set up at home and no internet, that is
supposed to be installed tomorrow but I may have to cancel as we
currently have DIA survey in progress and while they are in the building
I cannot leave, but I will probably ask and they may be okay with it.