First, something for anybod that connects to the Internet via DSL or a cable modem. You should have a firewall on your personal computer. Fortunately, an excellent one, Zone Alarm, is free and ewsy to install. You can find it at http://zonealarm.com/ you can also read why you should have one.

Another site that everybody that uses a Windows based PC should check out, is Gibson Research Corp. at http://grc.com/ Several security issues are covered and you can have your PC tested to reveal many vulnerabilities (and why you need a firewall).

You can also learn how data is being transmitted from your computer anytime you download a program with Netscape or AOL, among others, and other data.

Remember, it's not paranoia if they really are watching. They are, and they're not about to tell you. Like choosing a good host, it's up to us to educate ourselves.

Its not only scary to see what info is being collected, but shameful. Our privacy is being invaded without our knowledge or consent.

Spread the word.

Uh, who exactly besides random scanners do you suppose are trying to monitor your connection or trying to find an open port on your system? I'm all for personal firewalls (and would recommend BlackICE Defender as well as ZoneAlarm, both of which we have installed on our network here), but I think FUD about possible monitoring of traffic on your connection is uncalled for.

If you're concerned about what various programs you download are sending back to the mothership, ZoneAlarm is quite good at blocking applications except those you specify, and The Cleaner (http://www.moosoft.com, free eval for 30 days) will examine your system for possible trojans and clean them from your system.

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Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

Yep, I've read it. And yep, most people generally have some sort of spyware on their system (although not any of ours on the home network, as we keep them clean). And yep, it's intrusive and annoying. I like OptOut for the things that it can do, and I always recommend that people get ZoneAlarm, if only because it watches outbound traffic as well, and will block suspicious traffic, such as spyware, trojans, etc. (BlackICE watches it, but doesn't warn you about it - it's better at inbound). But I really think there is more danger for people downloading trojans onto their systems that would deliver outbound payloads, or virus-bombs that they activate, either intentionally or not. Having certain demographic data sent back to the mothership pales in comparison to losing data on your system, in whole or in part.

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Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

Read the information on the site and see for yourself. Chances are high that that most Windows users connected to the Internet have spyware on their computers. See Opt Out at grc.com

I sure am glad I use linux on my main desktop. No viruses or spyware. :)

Before you start to get panicky, just install packet filtering on your DSL/Cable modem.

This doesn't just affect MS Operating Systems, it affects all.

Surely this is obvious? You wouldn't put your network on the net without using some sort of packet filtering? Why wouldn't you also put it on an always on connection to your PC?

Packet filtering is important.

For me, it's not a major concern as I can't get DSL or Cable(even TV).

Yes, certain things are worse than others. However, the point is for people to be more alert on the idea of security overall, and what they can do aboput it (much of it for free). Some intrusions are simply invasive while others are calamitous. It makes sense to stop all of them by being aware.

Elsewhere, I read a statement from someone that boiled down to: if, given all of the things that have been happening over the past couple of months, people are not taking steps to protect their systems, they get what they deserve. I disagree with that, of course. Many people may be more aware now of the security issues they face by having an always-on connection (or even a dialup connection, for stuff like Aureate). The trick is getting them to pay attention and making the consequences of a failure to protect their systems something they can understand without technical jargon or end-of-the-world, panicky type pronouncements.

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Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

I agree, and there was nothing in what I said that was "end-of-the-world, panicky type pronouncements." We all saw that last year and earlier with the Y2K non-event when all kinds of ridiculous predictions were made by people who had no understanding whatsoever of the problem. I was so disgusted that I called a few local radio and tv stations and set them straight, commenting ont he poor quality of their reporting since it was obviously so uninformed.

Notice that since the year began, there have been no announcements of major events attributable to y2k.

I wasn't referring specifically to your post with regard to the hype that people tend to give things. It was simply a general comment on the media circus-like, sound bite time in which we live.

Did you ever read any of Gary North's writings about Y2K? Talk about dire consequences - and no one has heard very much from him since Y2K became a non-event...

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Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

[This message has been edited by Annette (edited 07-17-2000).]

Annette,

I wasn't sure if you were implying it or not (though I leaned towards not), hence my equally ambiguous reply (on that point). :-)

I don't recall Gary North's writings, and I get the impression he was a y2k doom and gloomer. All of them have been very quiet now that they have been proven fools.

You see the same principle (making statements about something one doesn't understand) over and over in many things, especially computers.

I like to understand how things work. It helps knowing what is possible and what isn't, even when seemingly reputable people spout it. Of course, I don't consider most news people reputable. They would rather spread what's popular than what's true. The y2k non event and the beginning of the next millenium (next January 1) are perfect examples. The first is technical, but the second is simple arithmetic, and they still misreported it.

Heck no - you and I are generally on the same wavelength on things. :)

Gary North was one of the loudest voices about all the crap that was going to happen as a result of the clock rollover (and even included things completely unrelated to Y2K - an example: one bank not cashing a check drawn up on another bank, which he called impending doom for some reason).

Ah well - think of it. The number of people who speak without thinking and without any attempt to gain knowledge will always outnumber those who don't.

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Annette
Hosting Matters, Inc.
http://www.hostmatters.com

Originally posted by Annette:
Heck no - you and I are generally on the same wavelength on things. :)

Absolutely. It was one of the reasons I leaned towards not.

As much as I enjoy intelligent discourse (and humorous banter), I abhor mindless prattle and tune much of it out. However, one cannot escape it completely. Idiots are everywhere and they are legion.

The number of people who speak without thinking and without any attempt to gain knowledge will always outnumber those who don't.

Alas, all too true. Some people just like to hear themselves talk (and the Internet equivalents in writing).