[bcab] Re: Computer security

This is interesting but what is Nat? it suggests a Wireless connection is more secure as it doesn't expose you directly to the internet. I thought from the BBC programmes like Click on the Wireless connection was high risk. I have not had 1 bit of Spam since I changed from Freeserve to Zen, that is amazing, however I have not made any purchase at all. My argument with Bt Open Reach is due to my phone lines being waterlogged Zen could watch my phone line collapsing, the technical boys, how do they do this and they could tell the quality of the line no point in being within a mile of the BT Exchange as I am if the cables are rotting. also re my bandwidth being 8 Andrew knows I cannot using up anything like the amount of usage Zen are logging up I paid a bit more to tide me over until the end of the month, I am not sure up about uploading and downloading and since I am not downloading any Music or maybe only trying to listen again to a radio programme how is it calculated. It is mainly the 2 lists BcAb is heavy traffic and Jaws and friends and trying to download some patches for K 11 the latter I could do on desktop but not on laptop how do I know the size of a downloaded patch? sorry also what is Java Ps. I ddo notdo not have Messenger either windows messenger or Msm I keep it at bay with some difficulty. As tristram will have gone home can anyone person who can assist answer a point or 2 dorothy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tristram Llewellyn" <tris-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 3:01 PM
Subject: [bcab] Re: Computer security
I believe that a problem with this article is that it implies that the user should rely on software rather than attempt to modify their own behaviour. Software can never be 100 percent accurate at identifying threats whilst some simple changes in one's use of a machine will greatly decrease one's dependance on software intervention and exposure to risks in the first place.
Although of course there seems to be an almost daily list of security risks (sepecially Windows) it should be noted that many of these do get fixed before most users experience the result of the exploits. The numnber of exploits are due to the sheer size of the target that Windows users presents to the hacker, the reverse could easily have been true if the world had gone Apple OS.
For example the fixes made in XP Service pack two and the turning on of the Windows Firewall have vastly reduced the incidences of Internet worms simply because they cannot invade the system anymore, those that are still kicking about are running around unpatched and non updated systems. It is now well understood that an unpatched Windows XP connected with a modem directly to the internet for even a short period of time will catch many worms straight away. A patched and updated system will probably catch no worms whatever.
Today the nature of the risk assuming you have a patched system is rather different and comes from the code you are willing to have or let run on your PC via the websites you visit rather than stray worms. Websites now can make use of a bewildering array of technologies which can improve the experience of the experience for their users by making things more convenient but at the price of security, there is a very definite trade off here. The problem is that all this convenience often involves running ActiveX controls or Javascript or some other kind of site scripting technology.
Running code from any site is risky therefore it is important you sort out the genuine ones from the malicious ones that either want to steal your personal details or stick spyware on your PC. Because software can usually only respond to a specific threat you should not wholey rely on the software catching that threat. Many power users run with minimal or no anti-virus software but because they can understand where the threat comes from and they take specific precautions they can seemingly avoid these issues. At best it may be worth thinking of your anti-virus or anti-spyware software as a second line of defence rather than first line and relying on it without question one's own security provisions and judgement. Here are a few ideas.
a.. Do not open any attachments in emails. Attachments can be a risk that you are exposed to, if the email is unsolicited and has an attachment it almost certainly is something trying to enter the system maliciously. b.. Do not follow links in unsolicited emails to websites you don't know, especially in HTML even if they look convincing. Emails requiring you to log from banks for example are almost certainly phishing scams. HTML is particularly risky because the link can be disguised. If an unsolicited email invites you to unsubscribe from their list, do not use their link, it will just identify you as a valid email address for their spam. c.. Use your computer behind a router, a router will give some protection against being exposed fully to the internet because it uses NAT so that your computers I/P address is not directly exposed to the internet. d.. Keep up with the updates on Windows this is how security holes will get fixed. There are now fewer worms out their because many of the type of security holes they used to go through are closed eg. Windows XP Service pack 2 which included the Windows Firewall. Notice there was no anti-virus or firewall in that list, you may still need these but they are a second line of defence. The best way of fighting spam and viruses and similar attacks is to make sure these never reach you PC at all. 

Regards.

Tristram Llewellyn
Sight and Sound Technology
Technical Support
www.sightandsound.co.uk
----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Crisp 
 To: bcab@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
 Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 10:51 AM
 Subject: [bcab] Computer security


 Hi

 Have a read of the following BBC article and look at the Government web
 site. A good test of accessability.
 There is a lot of useful information for those who don't know and some for
 those who do.

 BBC article about internet security

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/technology/6472723.stm


 Get safe on line.

 http://www.getsafeonline.org/


 Kind regards

 Charles Crisp

 See our holiday home website:
 www.thecrisps.co.uk/french-house <http://www.thecrisps.co.uk/french-house>
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