Re: Windows XP and infection rate

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

You can solve this dilemma by:

1) Buy an anti-virus utility on CD.
2) Download a "good" free firewall software. Zone Alarm, Kerio and Sygate
are the usual recommended ones, even over SP2's enhanced firewall.
3) Disconnect the PC from the Internet. Remove the wire between the
modem/DSL unit and the wall.
4) During the re-format/re-install, install #1 and #2 before you re-connect
to the Internet.

The four (4) steps above will help to prevent your system from being
"infested". I had one PC get infected the minute I first connected back to
the Internet.


"Paul E Collins" <find_my_real_address@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ddg3jt$fdo$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>I was reading some article that claimed a typical unpatched (pre-SP1)
>Windows XP system is likely to be infected by an exploit within 15 minutes
>of connecting to the Internet.
>
> Suppose I have to format my hard disk and reinstall Windows for some
> reason. How am I supposed to download the *huge* accumulation of megabytes
> of service packs and critical fixes (requiring an Internet connection to
> get them) if the computer is likely to be compromised long before I can
> download and install them?
>
> Hopefully I won't be in this situation, but it seems like rather a
> pressing question!
>
> P.
>
>


.

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