Advice Please: Protecting PC From The Internet

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Searcher7

I just had a second WindowsXP(SCSI)PC built that has no modem and will
be used for non-internet related purposes, because I want to keep it
safe from Viruses, adware, trogans.

But since there are things I have to download to my internet pc and
then transfer to this one(via Zip drives), can I get recommendations on
the best way to keep the garbage off my non-internet pc?
Thanks a lot.

Darren
 
I just had a second WindowsXP(SCSI)PC built that has no modem and will
be used for non-internet related purposes, because I want to keep it
safe from Viruses, adware, trogans.

But since there are things I have to download to my internet pc and
then transfer to this one(via Zip drives), can I get recommendations on
the best way to keep the garbage off my non-internet pc?
Thanks a lot.

Darren
Click to expand...

Since you are not booting the zip media, all you have to do
is scan it for viri/trojan/etc/etc. Code must be ran
"somehow" just like any other program. No matter where it
came from, dont' run anything that you're not trusting.

However, if you find the 1st internet-connected PC to be
vulnerable, a good step might be securing it too. Naturally
keeping viri off of the first PC is a better safeguard
against anything ever getting to the second.
 
:
I just had a second WindowsXP(SCSI)PC built that has no modem and will
be used for non-internet related purposes, because I want to keep it
safe from Viruses, adware, trogans.

But since there are things I have to download to my internet pc and
then transfer to this one(via Zip drives), can I get recommendations on
the best way to keep the garbage off my non-internet pc?
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

Don't put any garbage on it. Use a comprehensive virus program.
 
I just had a second WindowsXP(SCSI)PC built that has no modem and will
be used for non-internet related purposes, because I want to keep it
safe from Viruses, adware, trogans.

But since there are things I have to download to my internet pc and
then transfer to this one(via Zip drives), can I get recommendations on
the best way to keep the garbage off my non-internet pc?
Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

If the first PC has a good antivirus, anti adware, etc program which is kept
religiously updated nothing which passes through it should be of concern.
 
Can I get recommendations? And are free apps good enough?

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
****************************************************************
Norm said:
If the first PC has a good antivirus, anti adware, etc program which is kept
religiously updated nothing which passes through it should be of
Click to expand...
concern.
 
Can I get recommendations?

Here is what I use:
Antivirus - I have been using Norton Antivirus for years and have never
had a virus, although it has caught many in my email. In a few weeks,
when my Norton subscription runs out, I'm going to switch to Trend Micro
PC-cillin Internet Security 2005. I'm not switching because of a problem
but because of all the positive comments I've read from people who have
switched and partly because of this c|net article:

Why you should ditch Norton AntiVirus
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3513_7-5554837.html
=============================================
Firewall - I have probably tried them all and the firewall that I have
liked the most and have stuck with is Sygate Personal Firewall. SPF is
free for personal use. I will probably switch over to the firewall that
is included with PC-cillin.
=============================================
spyware protection - I use several. I have a free versions of Internet
Cleanup and Ad-Aware, the newest versions are no longer free.

http://www.lavasoft.com/
http://www.allume.com/win/index.html

Here is another free program, Spybot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

The don't use the adware protection very often. About every 3-6 months I
run them to see if I've picked up any bugs. I rarely pickup anything
because I block most of the junk with my HOSTS file.

For more info on HOSTS files:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/

You will find that their HOSTS file will prevent some websites from
functioning properly (Yahoo, Google, ebay, etc) because those websites
sometimes use ad trackers. You will have to decide if you want to
disable the specific lines in the HOSTS file so those sites work. It's
not a big deal so I comment out certain lines so that Yahoo etc. links
will open when I click them. Mostly what I gain from using the HOSTS
file is it prevents my computer from accessing a known hostile website
(there are many).
=============================================
Lastly, I switched to Mozilla Firefox web browser because I like it
better, it offered pop up protection before IE did and it may be more
secure.
And are free apps good enough?
Click to expand...

Sometimes. I have always used free firewalls and free spyware programs
because I think it is easy enough for a hobbyist to keep them up to
date. When it comes to antivirus programs, I think that takes a certain
committment and so I prefer to pay for my antivirus protection. I know
first hand just how bad a virus can be. I suffered a Chernobyl infection
a number of years ago, one of the nasty variants that only strikes on
the yearly anniversary of Chernobyl. I realized what was happening quick
enough to pull the plug and save my bios but not quick enough to save my
hard drive which was rendered unusable.
 
Can I get recommendations? And are free apps good enough?

Antivir is a free antivirus free for personal use.
It's lightweight and effective, frequently updated.

ZoneAlarm is a free firewall for personal use.

cheers,
Peltio
google on the names to find out more.
 
Peltio said:
Antivir is a free antivirus free for personal use.
It's lightweight and effective, frequently updated.

ZoneAlarm is a free firewall for personal use.

cheers,
Peltio
google on the names to find out more.
Click to expand...

Agree Zonealarm, excellent firewall. However I would go for AVG Antivirus
(also free) from http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php

Buccaneer
 
["Followup-To:" header set to comp.os.ms-windows.misc.]

Can I get recommendations? And are free apps good enough?
Click to expand...

Free apps are probably the best. If you want the ultimate in PC security
while on the internet, download and install OpenBSD. Only *one* remotely
exploitable issue in over ten years. Otherwise, linux is probably a good
second-best, with a much lower learning curve. Windows is far from your
best choice for an internet connected PC. You can secure Windows, but it
can be pretty much a full time job keeping it secure.
 
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