Hi Kurt,
Jan Il wrote:
Hi Kurt,
[snip]
there are 3 main things that could be insecure... the
communications link or the two endpoints in the transaction...
the communications link ought to be encrypted, ergo secure from
snooping/tampering... the bank's systems should be secure
(otherwise why are you dealing with that bank?)... that just
leaves the system at the users end... yes, if you're uncertain
about the security of your own system you should probably think
twice about banking online...
I do agree with you, and Duane. And there really should be no
reason one should not be able to utilize the function as a
convenience. But, merely
as
a question, it has been stated both here and in other newsgroups
and
forums,
that there are times when a virus or other type of invader may
be able
to
infect your computer because the proper updates for anti-virus
or other types of scanning programs have not yet been provided.
Thus, at this particular time, even though a user may have all
types of good
protection,
and they are updated as of the last one available, could they
not still
be
infected during this period between the time the virus/other
hits the
ground
and the time a kill can be made available?
is it possible? certainly... and the more one relies soley on
anti-virus software for protection the more probable it will be...
an anti-virus product is more like a safety harness, it shouldn't
be your primary defensive measure but rather a backup in case you
falter in your practice of safe hex & system hardening...
While common sense after Swen
would tell most people not to click on any attachment until it
could be checked for virus or other, how would one protect
against something that could be loaded to or infect their
machine without notice by any AV or
other
because it would not yet recognize it as a foe.
uncommon sense would be not to accept unrequested attachments,
period... or at the very least, not without double checking with
the claimed sender...
Is it possible then to
really be certain of the security of your own system 100% of the
time?
100% certainty is generally not possible, however it is possible
to make the uncertainty vanishingly small...
It
is for this reason that I prefer not to take the chance of doing
any personal business on the net.
you lack confidence in your security measures... in which case the
path you've chosen is probably the right one for you (at this
time)...
What you say makes sense, and I find no fault with it. Perhaps if I
were more confident in the quality of AV programs collectively, and
the practices of the Internet community, I would be less concerned
about using the Internet more freely. But, like any new mouse trap,
the rats soon find a way to steal the cheese no matter what. <g>
Thank you very much for your input and explanations. I really
appreciate it. It does present food for thought. I think I'll
evaluate the new model of up coming mouse traps a bit before taking
the plunge to the pool of on-line business (at this time)... ;-))
Regards,
Jan
--
"hungry people don't stay hungry for long
they get hope from fire and smoke as the weak grow strong
hungry people don't stay hungry for long
they get hope from fire and smoke as they reach for the dawn"
The bottom line here is one doesn't just depend upon an AV or FW etc,
etc. to be the stop all end all solutions and leave it at that.