Re: I am absolutely STUNNED, thanks to the NG Experts I've discovered a major security hole.

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From: Samual (sam_at_noreply.com)
Date: 01/12/05 

Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 04:13:44 -0000

"Steve Shattuck" <steve@shattuck.net> wrote in message
news:%233ozjbF%23EHA.2180@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> I'm STUNNED and SHOCKED.
>
> A little reading before this could have prevented that.
>
>> I previously thought I am "FINE" with regards to security issues. I have
>> AVG allways fully maintained and believed I was invulnerable to attack, I
>> used spybot and adaware and windows xp firewall.
>
> Anyone that's one the Internet for any amount of time, especially those
> with broadband always-on connections, should understand that viruses and
> spyware are but two of many exposures. Backdoors, which can get installed
> on your system, appear to be pre-approved since they operate from within,
> and this necessitates a good firewallt that protects both in-bound and
> out-bound threats. In fact, we often welcome these programs with open
> arms by installing things like Kaaza, Real Audio and many others.
>
>> Since comming to the group, I have now installed zone alarm and sygate,
>> this lead me to find out some strange activity which upon further
>> investigation lead me to take advise to install online virus scans.
>
> Well, I would want to run both as the operation of two software firewalls
> probably negates of one or the other since they use real-time hooks into
> the OS. In fact I would argue that one software and one hardware firewall
> are the recommended level of protection, not one or the other. Once the
> firewalls are configured, go to www.grc.com and run ShieldsUp to test your
> setup.
>
>> Frankly I thought it was a bit pointless as I knew I already had got the
>> best antivirus definitions from AVG antivirus which is world renowned and
>> its free and easy to update every single day. However, I followed the
>> advice of the experts here such as Vagabond software and the other
>> regulars and low and behold I am amazed that I have found more than one
>> virus on my system.
>
> Are you absolutely sure they are viruses or that they were actually on
> your system? Using an on-line virus checker from some companies is just
> an excuse to sell you a security product you don't need. In fact, the
> biggest abuser just this week agreed to stop alerting people to a security
> problem that doesn't exist to sell their software, and is facing jail time
> for fraud. Second of all, Backdoors, BHO's, Malware, trojans, etc. go way
> beyond the protection of any virus checker.
>
>> Just to show that you can be lulled into a false sense of security. At
>> least I now know I have got a problem now I need to work out how to
>> remove it.
>
> Yes, and you must also remember to update all these programs frequently
> and run them frequently. Think about adding MS's new spyware beta,
> BHODemon and run HijackThis at least once to see the magnatude of you
> systems exposure.
>
>Hi Steve

Reading your post causes more alarm. I will run BHODemon and Hijack this,
the problem is that peopel like me self dont' have the knowledge to
go around checking every single site to make sure we are up to date, we just
want to make one purchase and assume we are safe.

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