Re: KB918419 failure? Check your antispy program for BHO blocking.


"Stewart" <noemail@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:sqdjb25i2rbr3imiu19juo3c0b8hu4iite@xxxxxxxxxx
"Noel Paton" wrote:
Frequently, the problems discussed in these
newsgroups are the result of
1) inept programming by AV companies (Norton, particularly),
2) mis-set firewall rules, either by default or by user,
3) incompatibility of software

In the first two cases, the easiest thing to do is to
temporarily remove the obstruction. In all cases,
a fully-patched system is extremely unlikely to be
attacked in the short period during which third-party
firewalls are down (providing the Windows firewall
is enabled, as recommended). (snip)


And yet, it has been at exactly those times, software installations,
that I've been hit with the only three viruses experienced in recent
years. The first time was with a brand new PC, the first time on the
internet to activate and update Windows, and update the two programs
installed. The second and third time was during the installation of
programs (Trainz and a freeware program).


Your problem there was twofold
1) going onto the internet with an unpatched machine with no firewall - Windows XP is highly vulnerable out-of-the-box, unless sp2 is installed, and/or the firewall active.
2) Installing anything from an untrusted source without running it through a virus-scanner first.


The new PC did not yet have anti-virus software installed. I thought,
just like you, nothing really bad could happen in just the few moments
needed to activate and update.

NEVER begin installing third-party programs on a machine until all updating is done, and an anti-virus in place!

The two programs virtually demanded AV
software be turned off (especially dire warnings if not done).


Common practice for malware - but there's no reason not to scan the programs with an AV scanner before the install, at least!

Since that last time, I don't turn AV off no matter what. And,
considering I've had at least one incident since where AV software
blocked a virus during a commercial program installation, I think it
was a wise policy to adopt. Luckily, I not had a single program fail
to install properly with AV software turned on.

I trust that yuo complained to the manufactures of the commercial program? - Did they confirm the virus, or was it a false-positive from the AV? (not uncommon - expecially if the program was for some kind of surveillance application)


(snip) Norton was/is a particular case in mind,
where in Win9x it was almost impossible for many
to update to IE6SP1 with Norton running. - the
solutions was to install while in Safe Mode, or rip
Norton out, and install IE then (my preferred
solution<g>), and then install a decent AV. (snip)


Interesting you would be so down on Norton. From a users perspective,
I've used Norton AV for well over a decade without any problems. I
started using it in the 80's on a Mac and since on various PC's - a
lot of computers over those years. There may be better AV software
available, but I'm familiar with Norton, it has served me well, and
nothing negative has yet happened with it to cause me to seek an
alternative.


If it works for you, then fine - for many it is the kiss of death.


Caution is good - paranoia is counter-productive.


Well, if my caution has reached the point of paranoia, then it is
paranoia brought by experience. I've seen how quickly a virus can be
delivered. I've seen the damage that can be done by a virus. I know
the time it takes to repair that damge. I know the value of the data
on my computer, the data on the four computers owned in my household,
how often all that is backed up, and what might be lost. I feel I've
saved myself a lot of time and grief by drawing the firmest line I
could possibly draw in the sand against virus infection.


Just becuase you're paraoid, it doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you! :)
More seriously, though, it's important to ensure the security of your data (as you have done), but as I said earlier, unless you are already infected with something, it's extremely unlikely that anything can hijack your link to Windows Updates in such a way as to begin an infection - it would require an almost impossible set of circumstances to obtain.

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

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

.

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