So Apple's increased its market share to 5 then?

WTF? When did people get so goddamn cynical that they'll only believe something if it's told to them by someone with no vested interest in the topic? And what type of Bizarro-World place would it be if that's where we got our information?

Hairdresser: Your transmission needs work...

Gardener: You need to get a Pap smear...

Burger King worker: Ding! Fries are done!

/may have gone off somewhere a bit

I tried their scanner and it gave my Vaio a clean bill of health. Noscript FTW!!!!

FTFA: What you can do to keep your computer safe:

-- Don't keep software on your computer that you don't use. Uninstall it.

-- Disable JavaScript in your browser. It is a vector for many attacks that come from Web sites.

-- Check regularly for software patches.

-- Keep your anti-virus software current.

They left out the easiest one Install LINUX.

I've been laughing at you PeeCee lusers since 1984. Neener neener. :-P

curmudge: FTFA: What you can do to keep your computer safe:

-- Don't keep software on your computer that you don't use. Uninstall it.

-- Disable JavaScript in your browser. It is a vector for many attacks that come from Web sites.

-- Check regularly for software patches.

-- Keep your anti-virus software current.

They left out the easiest one Install LINUX Buy an Apple.

Fixed free of charge for you.

clancifer: Fixed free of charge for you.

So you bought him an Apple?

Can you say: Blatant self-promotion?

I guess my bootlegged XP is vulnerable.

My PC is unhackable because I keep it in a padlocked steel case.

curmudge: FTFA: What you can do to keep your computer safe:

-- Learn how to use it properly

Fixed that for both of you

curmudge

They left out the easiest one Install LINUX.


Where Linux == [Free,Open]BSD, of course.

Is win95 old enough to be safe yet, it seems like after so long all the hacker interest might be played out.

dahmers love zombie: WTF? When did people get so goddamn cynical that they'll only believe something if it's told to them by someone with no vested interest in the topic? And what type of Bizarro-World place would it be if that's where we got our information?


I know it. Ever think that they might just know what they're talking about?

Oh, excuse me, I have to go throw away all my kitchen knives and order the new Ginsu2000, because the guy selling it on the telly told me that all my knives will break and kill me and my family.

I'm a computer tech/IT guy so I know how to secure my system. I use IE and run Windows XP Pro and I use a hardware firewall. NOD32 does it's job the way it should and spyware/malware is never an issue.

No need to run Linux or purchase an Mac. No need to use Firefox or any other browser. Knowing how to keep your system safe goes a long way. I've owned a PC since 1987 and I've never had a virus on any of my computers nor have any of them ever been compromised.

Most people just lack computer smarts but that is fine with me. It keeps me in a job.

When will these knives break and kill? When?!!?

I don't have anything a hacker might want, unless it's a lot of south park episodes, some poorly-filmed amateur prawn, and control over my fark account. oooooo, big score.

That's why I do all my surfing on a TRS-80.

At least my snake oil will grow your hair back and make you a firecracker in the sack.

Englebert Slaptyback: Where Linux == [Free,Open]BSD, of course.

Linux =! BSD
BSD == UNIX

The data was collected this month and comes from 20,000 computer users who used Secunia's tracking tool, Software Inspector, for the first time. The tool runs off Secunia's Web site and tracks which applications on a user's PC are insecure

Well, that's one big hole right there.

I hear the amount is closer to 110%

I had an Apple.

/but i eated it

I used to keep my computer completely offline 24/7. I didn't want a virus, you know? I'd use the computers at the library for all of my Internet needs. Unfortunately, I kept busting my knuckles trying to jerk off under the library's computer desk without getting caught. Plus, there were always these pain in the ass librarians lurking around that would ban you if they caught you trying to rub one out. It's bad enough trying to read Fark there, you know? I'm still too terrified of internet viruses and hackers to use my own computer online. So when I need porn now, I just hide outside my neighbor's window in the bushes at night and jerk off to whatever he downloads. I just wish he'd stop looking at male-male bestiality, you know?

amazing how these things work out that way, huh? Whenever I go to supercuts the expert hairstylist there informs me of cool new products that will thicken my hair and give me a much fuller look and they happen to be selling them there right by the cash register

Downtown Dave: /I have a MacIntosh and I am getting a kick out of this article

So you have a false sense of security?

Brown Jenkems: I used to keep my computer completely offline 24/7. I didn't want a virus, you know? I'd use the computers at the library for all of my Internet needs. Unfortunately, I kept busting my knuckles trying to jerk off under the library's computer desk without getting caught. Plus, there were always these pain in the ass librarians lurking around that would ban you if they caught you trying to rub one out. It's bad enough trying to read Fark there, you know? I'm still too terrified of internet viruses and hackers to use my own computer online. So when I need porn now, I just hide outside my neighbor's window in the bushes at night and jerk off to whatever he downloads. I just wish he'd stop looking at male-male bestiality, you know?

You need a job that gives you computer access. It's like they're paying me to surf for porn and spank it all day long.

Brown Jenkems: I used to keep my computer completely offline 24/7. I didn't want a virus, you know? I'd use the computers at the library for all of my Internet needs. Unfortunately, I kept busting my knuckles trying to jerk off under the library's computer desk without getting caught. Plus, there were always these pain in the ass librarians lurking around that would ban you if they caught you trying to rub one out. It's bad enough trying to read Fark there, you know? I'm still too terrified of internet viruses and hackers to use my own computer online. So when I need porn now, I just hide outside my neighbor's window in the bushes at night and jerk off to whatever he downloads. I just wish he'd stop looking at male-male bestiality, you know?

Jeez. It's free, ain't it?

The Asshole Guy: nor have any of them ever been compromised


That you know of.

25 years of computer/network security experience tells me that if it's connected to a network, it's vulnerable.

Your best bet might be the NSA's chosen Linux distro, Bastille.

curmudge: FTFA: ... -- Disable JavaScript in your browser. It is a vector for many attacks that come from Web sites.

Sure, if you don't want modern websites to work. Who writes this shiat? Disabling JavaScript means no sites like Gmail, Google Maps, etc.

It's entirely possible to keep JavaScript safe. Don't use Internet Explorer unless absolutely necessary, for one.

Je5tEr

Englebert Slaptyback: Where Linux == [Free,Open]BSD, of course.

Linux =! BSD
BSD == UNIX


WOW, REALLY??!? HOLY COW, I HAD NO IDEA!!!

There is no way I could simply have been gently correcting the OP by pointing out that either FreeBSD or OpenBSD would be a better choice than Linux vis a vis security. Nope, no way at all that could be the case.

Oh, and != means "[does] not equal". Make a note of it.

Actually strike that, I think they're calling it SE/Linux now.

The Asshole Guy: I use IE and run Windows XP Pro and I use a hardware firewall.

I currently use Vista/Firefox, I run a decent AV system with automatic updates, I run two different malware/spybot killers on an unregular basis, and I know that if my computer dies on me, it will most probably not be due to a hacker. The latter couple of computer deaths, has been through Windows and their damn service packs. XP SP1 killed my laptop because it downloaded and installed an english version on a Norwegian install, XP SP 2 killed my other box because it was a poorly pirated copy of XP, and I probably have myself to blame for that.

Computers occasionally die, and that's the sole explanation for the existence of backups.

Brown Jenkems: I used to keep my computer completely offline 24/7. I didn't want a virus, you know? I'd use the computers at the library for all of my Internet needs. Unfortunately, I kept busting my knuckles trying to jerk off under the library's computer desk without getting caught. Plus, there were always these pain in the ass librarians lurking around that would ban you if they caught you trying to rub one out. It's bad enough trying to read Fark there, you know? I'm still too terrified of internet viruses and hackers to use my own computer online. So when I need porn now, I just hide outside my neighbor's window in the bushes at night and jerk off to whatever he downloads. I just wish he'd stop looking at male-male bestiality, you know?

Damnit! If I see you outside my window again I'm going to throw a pot of hot water on you!

I just stopped in for the kolaches.

© thanks Downtown Dave

The Asshole Guy: I'm a computer tech/IT guy so I know how to secure my system. I use IE and run Windows XP Pro and I use a hardware firewall. NOD32 does it's job the way it should and spyware/malware is never an issue.
No need to run Linux or purchase an Mac. No need to use Firefox or any other browser. Knowing how to keep your system safe goes a long way. I've owned a PC since 1987 and I've never had a virus on any of my computers nor have any of them ever been compromised.
Most people just lack computer smarts but that is fine with me. It keeps me in a job.

This.
I love insecure PCs: I have my own business going to homes and fixing them, and 70% of new customers come my way because of malware.

The newest trend is infections that are not traceable to (severe) user stupidity: someone does an innocent Google search, or visits a previously safe Web site, and gets attacked by a Swiss Army-knife exploit: an ad or image tries every recent Windows/Java/Flash/ActiveX/QuickTime/RealPlayer vulnerability until it finds a hole, and then floods in without interference from the security software because it's three hours old.

Thanks for the house in the suburbs, Microsoft!

Je5tEr

Your best bet might be the NSA's chosen Linux distro, Bastille.


Bastille is a tool for hardening a Linux system; it is not a distro unto itself.

Englebert Slaptyback: Je5tEr

Englebert Slaptyback: Where Linux == [Free,Open]BSD, of course.

Linux =! BSD
BSD == UNIX


WOW, REALLY??!? HOLY COW, I HAD NO IDEA!!!

There is no way I could simply have been gently correcting the OP by pointing out that either FreeBSD or OpenBSD would be a better choice than Linux vis a vis security. Nope, no way at all that could be the case.

Oh, and != means "[does] not equal". Make a note of it.

Correcting the OP by implying that (Free/Open)BSD is Linux isn't actually correct, not everyone here is a computer expert. All systems have exploits. Including Linux and UNIX's (like OS-X).

And yes my typing good.

isn't good, isn't

sigh....

Je5tEr

Actually strike that, I think they're calling it SE/Linux now.


SELinux is a set of kernel/policy/etc mods that can be applied to most Linux distributions. This is not a distro unto itself, either, which is made clear on these pages:

http://www.nsa.gov/selinux/code/download-stable.cfm
http://selinux.sourceforge.net/

You should stop now; it's obvious you have no clue.

Ubuntu FTW.

I'd buy a mac but I lack the overweening arrogance to be part of their user community.

No OS is secure if your browser (and related junk) runs with root/administrator privileges.

I have seen the foolish taking root. - Job 5:3

Je5tEr: Actually strike that, I think they're calling it SE/Linux now.

They are, and no thanks.
Because there's no way the NSA wouldn't code a backdoor into the system somewhere.

Je5tEr: The Asshole Guy: nor have any of them ever been compromised


That you know of.

25 years of computer/network security experience tells me that if it's connected to a network, it's vulnerable.

Your best bet might be the NSA's chosen Linux distro, Bastille.

There is no such thing as a secure system. I am fully aware of this but I am 100% certain none of my computers have ever been compromised. If you ping my IP you will not get a responce. Again, nothing is 100% secure but I'm not going to ditch IE or XP pro.

You setup any box if the user is a moran you will have a problem. Thankfully Mac OS balances out its users by being for the most part a solid OS. Although some of it is security though obscurity. They have had security patches in the past, so the OS can have holes, and unlike the commercials say it most certainly does not just always work.
People working on exploits go for the bigger school of fish.

/so did you like paying too much for a status symbol?

Englebert Slaptyback: Je5tEr

Your best bet might be the NSA's chosen Linux distro, Bastille.


Bastille is a tool for hardening a Linux system; it is not a distro unto itself.

Yeah I used to know one of the dev's for it, NSA's distro is SE/Linux ("Security Enhanced", how secure exactly? who can say?) as I corrected.

FTFA: What you can do to keep your computer safe:

-- Don't keep software on your computer that you don't use. Uninstall it.
Tried that-the only software I have and don't use is quicktime-uninstalled it and now itunes refuses to work(nice bloatware Apple)

They left out the easiest one Buy an Apple.

gee I had a computer running win 98, no security on it-2 years no viruses, spyware, adware etc.
Let my sister "borrow" it for a week while her mac was down, got it back loaded to the gills, with viruses, adware, and spyware, PLUS she deleted 30% of the .exe files and the windows directory.

so yeah I'll agree that people too stupid to use a PC intelligently should get a Mac

I'll take my 21 critical vulnerability patches on WINXP over the 243 in Mac OSX thank you very much.
SOURCE

http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758 (new window)

The Asshole Guy

I've owned a PC since 1987 and I've never had a virus on any of my computers nor have any of them ever been compromised.

That's what the viruses infecting your system want you to think.

The Asshole Guy: If you ping my IP you will not get a responce.

How about nmap -p0