[Milsurplus] RE: Virus Emails

Sat, 6 Sep 2003 14:32:35 -0400

Someone else posted this suggestion and someone else mistakenly put my name
on this quotation - I never pointed out such a thing. As a computer
professional, I'd have never suggested to shut down the computer when the
drive light is blinking for a long time... I'd have lost my reputation a
long time ago with such practices...

73, Meir WF2U

Meir Ben-Dror, CNE, MCSE
MBD Consulting
Computer and Network Services
Landrum, SC 29356
864-895-4025

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Mark Richards
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2003 8:03 AM
To: 'MilSurplus List'
Subject: [Milsurplus] RE: Virus Emails

I advise caution regarding the following:

        >>PS.  As Meir pointed out, if you're not currently 'doing' anything
>>on your computer, but the drive-activity light is blinking-up a
>>storm, SHUTDOWN your system.

That's not always the best advice, although well intentioned.

Windows writes back cache to disk during idle periods and does other spooky
disk things on its own.  Pulling the plug on these operations in progress
could cause more mangling than any worm can.  Generally, the most
destructive operations are already carried out by the time you notice.  If
you're connected to the internet, by all means pull that plug (Ethernet
cable or phone line).  That's the least destructive approach if you're at
all uncertain.

For protection I recommend (for Windows systems):

1) Installing a comprehensive anti-virus product in place which includes
file and activity-triggered scans, anti-script protection, and automatic
updating so it's always current;

2) Installing a hardware router, such as the Linksys BEFSR41, to completely
isolate your ip address from your pc and thereby preventing attacks;

3) Installing a software firewall to prevent unknown applications from
un-commanded or unintended data transfer;

4) Installing a privacy protection tool, such as Ad-Watch, to detect and
prevent "spyware" tools and "Trojans";

and...

5) Gaining at least a rudimentary knowledge of appropriate file-handling
safeguards to prevent the unwanted and potentially-destructive triggering of
various nasty stuff.

I do all of the above and it's worked well.

OR...

Dump your windows system and install linux.  They give away most if not all
of your software and some of the bells and whistles you've come to
appreciate (or loathe), in exchange for a secure, stable, and able O/S.

Mark Richards
Boston