Re: Is a Windows 98se computer more, or less, of a security threat with IE 5.5 (unused) & Firefox, or with IE 6.0 & latest updates (unused) & Firefox?

On Thu, 13 Jul 2006 21:26:53 +0100, "Noel Paton"
<NoelDPspamless@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Being interviewed on TV only means that you are known by TV people - not
that you know what you're talking about!! - there are any number of pundits
who have no clue about PC Security with a very High TV profile. (BTW - I
don't claim to know diddly about networked PC security, and I've never
appeared on TV - yet<g>)

As soon as a single PC on ANY network gets infected, the security of the
whole network should be reviewed, and tested as a priority. The infected
machine should be physically removed from the network until such time as you
are satisfied (either by cleaning, replacement, or reformat/reinstall) that
the machine is clean, "and that the rest of the network is also clean* (it's
that last bit that many network admins fall down on)

You're talking about 30-40 PC's then - and I'm certain that 9x machines used
to be able to be 'push' updated, because I used to work in an environment
where it happened! (although I was never allowed behind the scenes enough to
find out what actually went on.... ) you're in an environment where SBS
would be the logical solution, rather than a full Win2k3 server, and where
the role of admin should be at least being considered as a full-time job for
someone (or at a minimum, as a part of someone's job-spec) - I'll ping a few
people I know and see if I can get some serious answers for you.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Thanks again Noel.

I just mentioned the tv thing to show the MSCE was respected.
I certainly respect this person and they have a lot of experience with
networks. Still, the more opinions I get the better. Not everyone
agrees on stuff.

I'll look into SBS vs Win2k3. We may need Win2k3 in order to run a
custom made database we use.

Let know know what others are saying about Win98se these days &
security issues.

Has Microsoft offically dropped Windows Updates for Win98? Last time
they mentioned doing this, it was delayed. Win98 is still widely in
use. Win95 on the other hand is very rare.

Basically i'd like our company, who is in a struggling industry, to be
in the same position as other small companies dealing with these
issues.

Are we all forced into replacing all our older machines because
Microsoft says we have to, even if they are well above our needs?
Any word on someone else besides Microsoft releasing updates for
Win98?

How much of a risk are we really at? We have decent anti-virus
software, and the Internet connection has a decent Cisco Firewall
protecting the network.

Is it necessary to have full-time IT staff for a small company just
to deal with security issues from the Internet or is another
affordable solution available?

What percentage of my time should I be spending on security updates?

How much time would I save with "push" updates vs manual?
Backing up data is one of the most time consuming parts of this.
Is a product available, that is Win98 & XP Pro compatible to add some
type of backup storage hard drive, networkable via IP address, that I
can use a utility program to specify which data folders on which
client machines get backed up, at the touch of a button? We use
Veritas Backup Exec 8 for backing up the server nightly, but i'm
concerned about the data on the local hard drives, and i'd prefer to
keep it local.

Thanks for any info. Just trying to play it safe with in reason.

.

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