Re: sending a file to an xp machine?

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***** charles wrote:

I am the OP and I had a very special reason for the original post. I was
wondering
if anyone from the Internet could "insert" a file into my computer without
me knowing
about it in a standard install of XP Home assuming that my connection was
24/7 like
my DSL line. With no extra software to potect my computer, how vulnerable
am I?
One big assumption is that the Administrator password is not set which is
the standard
in a regular install. Since networking is a vital part of this senerio, I
thought this would
be the appropriate place for this question.

What would have been *appropriate* would have been for you to give complete
details about your question so all these good people wouldn't have had to
waste lots of time guessing.

Please review at least some of the information at these links for future
postings so we can avoid this sort of thing again.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question
http://users.tpg.com.au/bzyhjr/liszt.htm - How Not to Get Technical Help on
Usenet
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Yes of course you can get malware from the Internet if your computer is not
properly protected. If by "no extra software" you mean no antivirus
program, you are particularly vulnerable, particularly if you are not
behind a router.

If you are talking about a computer that is just *sitting* there and not
running any programs and is behind a router, then it's pretty safe because
you're not *using* it. Start using it in that shape and all bets are off.

All talk about antivirus and firewalls aside, the single biggest factor in
whether you get infected is YOU. If the end user doesn't practice "Safe
Hex", no amount of security software will protect him.

Here are various sites that will show you how to stay safe and answer your
questions about security in depth. Additionally, as you continue to
research this on your own, use Google to find even more security-related
sites that may go into the detail you want.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/
https://www.mysecurecyberspace.com/
http://www.getnetwise.org/
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldron/archive/2006/02/05/82584.aspx - MVP
Harry Waldron - The Family PC - How to stay safe on the Internet

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

.

Relevant Pages

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