Security setup - are we being overly paranoid?

[Smiggy]

Hi all,

Currently running my system behind an SPI router, wireless.
Have Avira Premium, SandboxIE for web browser and Threatfire.

Recently played with HIPs, Prosecurity, EQsecure and just wondered if I was being overly paranoid.

Don't browse irresponsibly, generally if I do my Avira blocks website access if spurious. Usually when looking for keygens etc.

How many of you will admit to becoming 'fiddlers' and 'totally paranoid' when it comes to their security setups?
How many people change their setups after reading a 'good' article about another program that they don't posses?
Just wondered, I used to but I'm currently getting therapy now and think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel at last!

S.

[PiCo]

Well I'm personally a software whore, but you do have a point.

But I think there is a difference between a person that changes protection setups due to curiosity or testing purposes and a person that changes protections setups because he's actually feeling very threatened!

Of course none of us want to get infected, but it's not sth to get paranoid about. PC is hardware, not a living thing :)

PS: Actually I do not see a point in my post, but these were some thought I wanted to express.

[Antarctica]

As for myself I became overly paranoid just after I joined Wilders Security some 5 years ago.:P
I admit that I spent too much money on Security Applications after reading some threads here.:-[ I also play with SSM,ProSecurity and EQSecure.

But now since last year this time is over. I know run my PC with only Kerio 2.5.1 and DefenseWall and I must say that my computer runs much faster than before.

Once in awhile I scan with Dr.Web CureIt and SuperAntispyware but it's always negative.So my paranoid period is now from the past.

[sukarof]

Me too are a recovering security junkie. I have not yet recovered from my addiction to test security software though.
I test them but dont buy them anymore, I always fall back to basic: LUA, SRP, AV and FW always looking for way to drop the AV for good.

[HURST]

I think most of us here at wilders become paranoid after some time. A short time after I joined I read a post (can't remember who wrote it) which described the typical Wilders lifecycle:
(Don't remember it 100%, but it was something like this)

-Member joins Wilders due to an infection or a specific support question in one of the official support sections (like eset)
-Member starts reading about things he never heard before: drive-by downloads, buffer overflow, rootkits, etc...
-Member learns about layers
-Member starts to pile layer over layer looking for 100% security. Tries every new program which detects 999999 intead of 999998 threats.
-At some point computer becomes unstable or very slow.
-Member start wondering if all those layers are needed.
-Uninstall some programs and enjoy a fast computer once again.

I went down that road. I got infected anyways. Layers are not equal to security. They are not a magic thing.
I now live happy and feel safe with my setup.
The key is to take the time to learn HOW MALWARE WORKS, HOW MALWARE CAN INFECT YOU and HOW SECURITY APPS WORK. This way you can build a good setup with minimal overlap and minimal open gaps.

[Doodler]

Interesting thread by the OP. I can relate.

I got infected early this year with a trojan. We think the malware was installed when my wife used my XP pc to print instructions about a web game she was playing. (She's been a Mac user for years and has had zero security problems.)

Prior to the infection I used Windows Firewall and Nod32. That's it. So after spending a week cleaning up the malware, I probably became overly anxious and installed a bunch of security stuff, the worse of which for me was a popular HIPS-based third party firewall. Got tired of that hassle, discovered Sandboxie, and have been happily using that.

Finding the right balance is a personal matter. For me...I like to keep it as simple as possible and yet reasonably effective. So for now, my primary defense is unobtrusive Sandboxie, along with Nod32, SuperAntiSpyware (free version) and Windows Firewall (edit: I'm also behind a router).

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> I think most of us here at wilders become paranoid after some time. <-QUOTE};D ;D ;D Paranoia has always a cause.
{QUOTE-> I can see the light at the end of the tunnel at last! <-QUOTE}
Emphasize tunnel. VPN Tunnel. I suggest for all over-paranoid start analyzing your tcp/udp traffic and look into the ugly tunnel of the internet controlling bot matrix.

[djohn]

I do not think I fall in the paranoid group but a software junkie for testing on a none test machine.I am currently In rehab and only have a Geswall additiction.:what:

[silver0066]

{QUOTE-> I think most of us here at wilders become paranoid after some time. A short time after I joined I read a post (can't remember who wrote it) which described the typical Wilders lifecycle:
(Don't remember it 100%, but it was something like this)

-Member joins Wilders due to an infection or a specific support question in one of the official support sections (like eset)
-Member starts reading about things he never heard before: drive-by downloads, buffer overflow, rootkits, etc...
-Member learns about layers
-Member starts to pile layer over layer looking for 100% security. Tries every new program which detects 999999 intead of 999998 threats.
-At some point computer becomes unstable or very slow.
-Member start wondering if all those layers are needed.
-Uninstall some programs and enjoy a fast computer once again.

I went down that road. I got infected anyways. Layers are not equal to security. They are not a magic thing.
I now live happy and feel safe with my setup.
The key is to take the time to learn HOW MALWARE WORKS, HOW MALWARE CAN INFECT YOU and HOW SECURITY APPS WORK. This way you can build a good setup with minimal overlap and minimal open gaps. <-QUOTE}The new Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 has a .chm file that is very thorough in explaining all of the different malwares that can infect a computer. It explains how Trojans, Worms, Rootkits, Viruses, etc act on a computer and what damage each can do.

A good way to read it is to download the Trial version, just out in the U.S. today, and use the Chm to PDF Converter program to print out the .chm file as a PDF. It is very interesting and educational reading.

http://www.theta-software.com/

Silver

[dw426]

My personal opinion is that yeah, most are too paranoid about their security setup (even me not long ago). Here's how I see things, and keep in mind this is just an opinion, I think we're worrying about the wrong threats. Now, to keep myself out of trouble, I'm going to refrain from getting into anything outright political, but I believe our privacy is at a huge percentage more threat than our systems are to hacks, data theft, and the other threats we tend to put ahead of other dangers.

How many of you, without doing any tests or doing something extremely risky (and by extreme I mean actively surfing for keygens and such), have not only come across but have been hit by anything other than a typical, easily removed virus/malware if you've been hit at all? How many have truly gotten hit with the baddest of the bad? My assumption is very few overall, perhaps I'm wrong though.

I P2P, simple as that, chide me if you wish, it's all good. During the years of P2P, I've been hit with TONS of viruses, almost always within zip/rar files. Less than 1% were able to actually run, the other 99% of the time, my AV caught it, I opened the file with IZArc (meaning just right-clicked and hit open, not actually double-clicking the file), found the offender, deleted it out (most times this works, sometimes it does not and I delete the entire file), and kept the remaining clean files within, no further issue.

Any actual malware has come from playing on game websites (a lot of ths happens for Shockwave games) and a few porn sites (yep, look at that too). Even then, very few gave me any trouble when up against my SAS. I've yet to see ransomware, MBR killers, diskwipers or big time rootkits. And, all I've been armed with for almost the whole time was Avast Free and Firefox with Noscript and AdBlock Plus. I've added Sandboxie in the last few months and feel even safer than before. I keep Returnil around just in case, but very rarely bother using it.

We worry about all of these hardcore attacks, yet the vast majority of us show no concern where our data goes and to whom when surfing Google, installing software (who among us diligently reads EULA's?), sign up for websites, or turn over our credit card and other personal info to online stores. In recent weeks we've seen the forums lit up with posts about cameras determining our sex and age so they could fire off the "right" ads at us, national ID cards are about to go out in the UK, we have Phorm and NebuAd trying hard to get to us, I just think we're directing our concerns and the majority of our attention to the wrong threats.

I am not advocating we drop our security apps and say "the hell with it", that would be dumb. All I'm advocating is not concentrating on one aspect of the threats against us now and the future. Lots of new laws, regulations and ideas are being passed and thought up, and a lot faster than we might want. I'm personally becoming more afraid of what's being deemed legal than what has always been illegal.

[Chuck57]

I found Wilders years ago, after being infected the umpteenth time from downloading from Warez. Free software began to appear around that time - or I discovered here that there was a lot of legally free software available. I've been here ever since, and haven't used a warez or similar site in years.

I went through a time when I had my computer so bogged down with security software that I guarantee it was 100% safe. With all the running programs, I didn't have enough memory left to get online.

With the advent of Sandboxie, I've pretty much dropped everything and returned to AVAST antivirus and Superantispyware. Firewall is hardware and I've got Windows firewall enabled on my XP box.

On the Vista laptop, McAfee Security Suite, SAS, and Sandboxie takes care of business. I think the key to it all is Sandboxie rather than the other stuff.

[HURST]

It seems like SandboxIE is the prescription pill for treating paranoia ;D :thumb:

[Doodler]

{QUOTE-> It seems like SandboxIE is the prescription pill for treating paranoia ;D :thumb: <-QUOTE}
Yep...it keeps me off Lithium.;D

[Chuck57]

The only problem I have with Sandboxie is, somewhere in Sandboxie is a setting to let you download large files, and I can't find it no matter what. I downloaded the Norton 2009, for example, minimized the browser and checked the sandbox. It showed empty.

This isn't a sandboxie problem, it's a me being a dumba** problem.

But, yes, I think Sandboxie and similar programs are the answer. I haven't had a single thing, that I didn't want, getting onto my computer since I started using Sandboxie. Nobody should be without Sandboxie, Bufferzone, GESwall, or the rest. I'll add SuperAntiSpyware on the list, as well.

Virtumonde and the rest, no worries here, though I view it and all malware with respectful caution. I'm not dumping my av or SAS.

[Doodler]

{QUOTE-> The only problem I have with Sandboxie is, somewhere in Sandboxie is a setting to let you download large files, and I can't find it no matter what. I downloaded the Norton 2009, for example, minimized the browser and checked the sandbox. It showed empty.

This isn't a sandboxie problem, it's a me being a dumba** problem. <-QUOTE}
Not sure, but you might be referring to File Migration. Right click the Sandboxie icon in the system tray -> right click applicable sandbox -> Sandbox Settings -> File Migration. Also: http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?SandboxSettings#migration

[bellgamin]

Trite but true: "You're not being paranoid if the bast*rds really ARE out to get you." :argh:

[gerardwil]

{QUOTE->

How many of you will admit to becoming 'fiddlers' and 'totally paranoid' when it comes to their security setups?
How many people change their setups after reading a 'good' article about another program that they don't posses?
Just wondered, I used to but I'm currently getting therapy now and think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel at last!

S. <-QUOTE}

Besides my "normal" tools (very very few) it is only for fun running all kinds of security progs. Most of them deleting very soon which means within a day or so. That implies I am not as paranoid as some others with huge lists of running anti-whatever stuff.
Also keep in mind the number of visitors/posters here at Wilders are not related to the amount of real world computer users.
Regarding this you can say we (readers of this) are all very very paranoid, nothing wrong with that if you know you are.

Gerard

[Rmus]

American Heritage Dictionary
{QUOTE-> par·a·noid
adj.
Relating to, characteristic of, or affected with paranoia.

par·a·noi·a
noun
A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur,
often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
Extreme, irrational distrust of others. <-QUOTE}A rather strong characterization!

'Overly' + 'paranoid' seems redundant, for a person either is or isn't, it seems to me.

__________________________________________________________________________

Mention 'computer security' in security forums and 'Security setup' eventually monopolizes the discussion. Why is this?
How often threads become focussed on "which is better!" Mercifully, this forum's administration put a stop to that.

{QUOTE-> How many of you, without doing any tests or doing something extremely risky (and by extreme I mean actively surfing for keygens and such), have not only come across but have been hit by anything other than a typical, easily removed virus/malware if you've been hit at all? How many have truly gotten hit with the baddest of the bad? My assumption is very few overall, perhaps I'm wrong though. <-QUOTE}Someone around here is fond of saying, You have to try hard to get infected.

The implication seems to be that with a basic understanding of computers and how malware gets onto the computer, one doesn't need an elaborate security setup.

Instead of reacting with trepidation at each new threat, taking the time to understand what it is and its attack vector might reveal a solution already at hand.

A good example was the LOVE-LETTER-FOR-YOU.TXT.vbs virus which propagated by email.

From SecurityPortal.Com, 25 October 2000
{QUOTE-> The VBS.Loveletter virus now has over 40 variants, with more making their appearance every week." <-QUOTE}From BBC World News, 8 June 2000
{QUOTE-> The ILOVEYOU virus "is believed to have affected at least 45 million computer users." <-QUOTE}From ICSA.Net, 23 October 2000,"2000 Computer Virus Prevalence Survey":
{QUOTE-> The reported damage estimate from the "LoveLetter" virus is as much as $10 Billion. <-QUOTE}On a number of forums, a "tweak" was recommended: change the default action for the file type .vbs to EDIT so that clicking on a .vbs file would result in it opening in Notepad.

There was much concern that the multiple variants would result in AV not catching the latest. This and the "tweak" overshadowed discussion about email policies and attachments.

Because of the success of the recent Storm emails and similar enticements, it's evident that the lesson of that experience has fallen on deaf ears. A recent one. The file is a trojan dropper:

201972
_____________________________________________

You can carry this example over to downloading in general, or as some say, What do you choose to download?

A security setup complements a sound security strategy.
Taken together, there is no reason for paranoia or any such thing to manifest itself.

I'm always reminded of Bruce Schneier's remark in his book, Beyond Fear:

{QUOTE-> Talking About Security Can Lead To Anxiety, Panic, And Dread...
Or Cool Assessments, Common Sense And Practical Planning... <-QUOTE}


---

[Rasheed187]

Well, I´m not totally paranoid, I know that my current tools can´t protect against a lot of exotic attacks, but I know that it´s not likely I will ever face them in real life. I almost never install/run any new software (which is the most dangerous thing) on my machine anymore, and 99% of all drive by attacks will probably be stopped by HIPS/SRP. But I think it´s fun and assuring to know that malware can´t touch your system, that´s why I keep hoping for better, more powerful security tools, and like I said a while back, at the moment I´m not seeing any true innovation.

[Long View]

If I lived in Yarmouth I'd be par (tickularly) anoid as well - as I don't run
any security software I have nothing to worry about

[emperordarius]

Lol, I initially started with Kaspersky 6 + Spyware Doctor + SAS + Ad Aware + spybot + Spyware blaster + Spyware guard + SpyCatcher... a terrible mess that screwed up my pc.

Then I got KIS 2009 + SAS + Ewido + Windows Defender + Spybot.

Now I only got KIS 2009 + SAS + Ewido and I'm running fine and extremely light, without being less protected.

Now, back to topic, your setup seems quite good. Threatfire should usually cover what Avira misses. You should also use SAS and occasional scans with Cure it and/or AVP Tool.

[jmonge]

{QUOTE-> If I lived in Yarmouth I'd be par (tickularly) aniod as well - as I don't run
any security software I have nothing to worry about <-QUOTE}
do you mean you are not even running a windows firewall????

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> do you mean you are not even running a windows firewall???? <-QUOTE}

No - Netgear Firewall router but no software Firewall

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> How many have truly gotten hit with the baddest of the bad? My assumption is very few overall, perhaps I'm wrong though.
<-QUOTE}You don´t know how present this is to all of us, start analyzing your little tcp/udp packets but only if your nerves are strong enough to look into this abyss of control and test field. It looks like we are beta testers or guinea pigs of a huge internet matrix. The price you pay for internet and globalization is total surveillance even disclosure of your virtual life. You can be as smart and clever it won´t be enough to protect yourself against this all seeing and all bypassing tunnel. Call me total paranoid but I am rather seen as insane then accepting this beast of surveillance that seems to change nearly all routers into zombies.

[PROROOTECT]

MindGuard Home Page : http://zapatopi.net/mindguard/

THEM : YES . YOU and ME : NO ...

Thanks , PROROOTECT :shifty: :shifty: :shifty: :argh:

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> MindGuard Home Page : http://zapatopi.net/mindguard/

THEM : YES . YOU and ME : NO ... <-QUOTE}Cool ;D ;D You always find extraordinary things PROROOTECT, ever tried it? ;D

[emperordarius]

{QUOTE-> Cool ;D ;D You always find extraordinary things PROROOTECT, ever tried it? ;D <-QUOTE}

Lol I think he tried it and that thing made him part of a brain-controlled Botnet that spams that link everywhere;D ;D ;D

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> Lol I think he tried it and that thing made him part of a brain-controlled Botnet that spams that link everywhere <-QUOTE}
{QUOTE-> With MindGuard, you can rest assured that your most valuable possession -- your mind -- is safe from the nefarious tinkering of evil-doers. <-QUOTE};D ;D
{QUOTE-> Use Linux, because THEY don't want you to <-QUOTE}Lol why he didn´t make it for windows, probably the author thinks that windows is the ultimate brainwasher.
There we got it:
{QUOTE-> Many popular operating system platforms -- most notably Windows and Macintosh -- are in fact created by agents of mind control. As such, these platforms tend to include subsystems that not only produce mind control, but also defeat anti-psychotronic software such as MindGuard. In order for MindGuard to run successfully on these platforms, their psychotronic subsystems must be circumvented. <-QUOTE}
{QUOTE-> What is this "Linux" of which you speak & how do I install it on my Dell?

Linux is an operating system like Microsoft Windows. Unlike Windows, Linux doesn't contain the hidden mind-control software known as Direct Retro-Memetics (DRM), which are designed to implant engrams into your brain much like how a retrovirus plants its DNA into a cell's nucleus. <-QUOTE}Amazing.

[Osaban]

The moment you start being aware of computer vulnerabilities, which means somebody might violate a certain cyber space that you see as belonging to you, things will never be the same on the internet. It's similar to personality changes that people undergo whenever they drive a car: The personal computer and the car become extensions of their own egos.

I used to really enjoy the internet when I wasn't aware of its potential dangers, I wasn't thinking about security as much as one doesn't think about security when you turn your TV on or making a phone call. If you are a Wilder's member with 30 + security applications or a minimalist like Longview (with the very basic hardware firewall and imaging program), you are still a member of a security forum which deals with internet vulnerabilities.

My level of paranoia on the internet somewhat changed as I'm no longer interested in avoiding a head on collision with malware and try to investigate what's what. If I suspect something is fishy, I just choose how to restore my system to a known secure state, and that's that. Call it a layered recovery strategy rather than layered defense. I'm still a paranoid.

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> The personal computer and the car become extensions of their own egos. <-QUOTE}Well expressed.
{QUOTE-> I just choose how to restore my system to a known secure state, and that's that. <-QUOTE}According to this strong paranoid mindcontrol story there is no secure state. The system could be leaky by default.;D
Remember the actual and future strategy is a encapsulation of your OS combined with a parasitic virus that acts as kind of global bot-chat-spy control system.

[Peter2150]

{QUOTE-> MindGuard Home Page : http://zapatopi.net/mindguard/

THEM : YES . YOU and ME : NO ...

Thanks , PROROOTECT :shifty: :shifty: :shifty: :argh: <-QUOTE}

If a joke, cute. Otherwise utter and total nonsense.

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> If a joke, cute. Otherwise utter and total nonsense. <-QUOTE}Maybe, maybe not. This is a non verifiable sphere unfortunately humans have no sensor to check that. But probably it is already extreme paranoid.;D Subsystem as mindcontroller nice idea, I had never found this thought myself.

[PROROOTECT]

Hello everybody,
Cheer , SystemJunkie , Emperordarius , Peter125 , Osaban and others : you have the sense of humor !!!

Yes , there is no security there are only different degrees of insecurity ? Yes ?..:blink:

[Long View]

{QUOTE-> . The price you pay for internet and globalization is total surveillance even disclosure of your virtual life. <-QUOTE}


So what ? even if someone else is looking in on this conversation why should any of us care ? Paperport loads in 4 seconds, Word works, Outlook collects my mail. The rest is a load of bull. If George Bush wants to see where I have been surfing today he is welcome. To be balanced and fair the same offer goes out to Osama binliner and all the other nutters in the world. Now if one of these madmen were to try and kill me then I might get just a little par-annoyed.

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> So what ? even if someone else is looking in on this conversation why should any of us care ? Paperport loads in 4 seconds, Word works, Outlook collects my mail. The rest is a load of bull. If George Bush wants to see where I have been surfing today he is welcome. To be balanced and fair the same offer goes out to Osama binliner and all the other nutters in the world. Now if one of these madmen were to try and kill me then I might get just a little par-annoyed. <-QUOTE}Very good statement Long View! A great attitude! You are right. Matchless example for serenity.

[jmonge]

{QUOTE-> So what ? even if someone else is looking in on this conversation why should any of us care ? Paperport loads in 4 seconds, Word works, Outlook collects my mail. The rest is a load of bull. If George Bush wants to see where I have been surfing today he is welcome. To be balanced and fair the same offer goes out to Osama binliner and all the other nutters in the world. Now if one of these madmen were to try and kill me then I might get just a little par-annoyed. <-QUOTE}
hey i advice you to have a baseball bat behind the door just in case;D

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> So what ? even if someone else is looking in on this conversation why should any of us care ? Paperport loads in 4 seconds, Word works, Outlook collects my mail. The rest is a load of bull. If George Bush wants to see where I have been surfing today he is welcome. To be balanced and fair the same offer goes out to Osama binliner and all the other nutters in the world. Now if one of these madmen were to try and kill me then I might get just a little par-annoyed. <-QUOTE}

:thumb: :thumb: The massive walls already collapse due to their own weight ! LOL ;D

[CraigM31]

Before I found this forum I didn't realize how much of a "hobby" internet security could be! Very interesting! As for being paranoid I am still in that stage ;D After a couple of BIG MISTAKES I have now realized that my biggest enemy is myself!:argh: :wacko:

[EASTER]

Are we being overly paranoid? Depends on who the "we" is.

Most if not all seasoned Wilder's members have finally settled in to enjoy the massive trasitions to not only compliment their AV/AS of choice combo, but some have even turned exclusively to those new innovations like Sandboxes, ISR's, Virtual Machines, HIPS, DW, etc. and now thanks to such a concerted & equally aggressive effort on the part of security developers, it's finally reaped the dividends in return customers/users have been expecting for their investments in comparison to what they used to rely on alone, minus plenty of side effects like critical bug issues.

I said all that to mention this, malware "had" been on a long mostly unabated roll for many years due to their consistent reversing of the intelligence in AV's which is always been, and still is, a basic protection strategy irregardless of whatever firewall they run.

IMO, the strongest DEFENSE is finally arrived in such overwhelming numbers at one time of multiple security schemes against intrusive & malicious malware referring again above to just some of what is hit the scene in the past couple years.

So in essence, the more choices available, and different approaches now available, eliminates plenty of the paranoia factor which is been a reality, and still is for those not informed or well enough equipped.

But the tools are here now, it's up to the user to find or discover their way to them like following a map to safety thru a storm of waiting obstacles.

EASTER

[Ohmy]

I'm paranoid in another way.
I don't install tons of security softwares,
but I am too obsessed in making the lightest security setup
with least softwares.
In other words, I'm in to being naked. :o

[twl845]

I started frequenting Wilders a few years ago and immediately started to learn things about security. Over time I have discovered apps I didn't know existed or didn't know much about and tried them. My best discovery so far is FD-ISR. Need I say more? I remember back when I only knew about Norton and McAfee. Thank God for the boys at Wilders. My box is now lean and mean. 8)

[steve161]

I was a happy naive computer user who happened to stumble across Wilders when my Norton trial on my first computer ran out and I was looking for alternatives. Soon enough, I installed a FW with outbound protection and was shocked into reality. All these programs sending info back home. It was like that Rowdy Roddy Piper movie "They Live". Sampled almost every program that came along. Occasionally bsd'd but no infections whatsoever. Have since made the ultimate security move, installed linux. I have returned to my mundane existence.

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> I'm paranoid in another way.
I don't install tons of security softwares,
but I am too obsessed in making the lightest security setup
with least softwares.
In other words, I'm in to being naked. :o <-QUOTE}

Note that being naked is not equal to being without protection IMO.

[boonie]

I went the common route here:
Got infected, found Wilder's and Castle Cops
After reading X number of posts started loading on apps
Computer then had no malware, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Decided to focus on computing habits/avoiding malware/system knowledge
Shed many apps, run 2 behind router
Can no longer finish my eggs before computer boots
If I ever get tempted, I look at my old receipts :o

[Ohmy]

{QUOTE-> Note that being naked is not equal to being without protection IMO. <-QUOTE}

I'm sure I know what you mean. ;)

[The Hammer]

{QUOTE-> Note that being naked is not equal to being without protection IMO. <-QUOTE}Interesting idea that you should expand upon.

[Long View]

To me being naked means NOT running programs that slow me down. So no AV no hips etc. am I without protection ? No. (1) Hardware Firewall (2) FF Noscripts
(3) mail collected by a company that checks mail and attachments before sending to me (4) check with secunia to see if correctly patched (5) Safe sender list in outlook...... (6) all drives secured by Shadow Protect if surfing to unknown places (7) Shadow Protect system images - just in case

[Huupi]

{QUOTE-> Interesting idea that you should expand upon. <-QUOTE}

Nothing special,common sense,Long View prtetty much summed it up.For me to replace scanning resident stuff gradually with virtualisation/imaging is the way to go (already though).

[PROROOTECT]

APPENDIX FOR MY PSYCHOANALYSIS

YES , Ohmy , YES : I like to be naked , me too ! :argh:
In fact it is about my Windows ANOREXIC ...
But I am a fanatic of some softwares , sometimes it is very difficult to say goodbye has my binary childern ...

PS. Recently (!) I succeeded in to know , how cause a drop in the use memory of explorer.exe which assembles ... Now , after the restarting of PC , available memory of my Windows is be situated at the extraordinary level few 808700 KB .
Before - it was already not badly : 795300 KB ...

I have Windows XP SP2 , 1 GB of RAM , 19 processes in Windows Task Manager - and 30 softwares to optimize and make safe Windows ... It's all! And I am not paranoiac .

You can see my recent acquisitions in the thread : Your NEW BEST Free softwares ... of 10 August 2008. Soon I would show my recent configuration in the thread : What is your security setup ... Coming Soon! ... to get ready ...

Cheers and Regards , PROROOTECT:thumb:

[PROROOTECT]

... Thread in Forum : Software & services :
Your NEW BEST Free Softwares Anti-Malware and Windows cleaners ...:argh:

Better want for a profitable reading - and ACTIVE participation !

Thank you Long View:thumb: , Thank you for all with the good will ...:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[SystemJunkie]

{QUOTE-> Computer then had no malware, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Decided to focus on computing habits/avoiding malware/system knowledge
Shed many apps, run 2 behind router <-QUOTE}Interesting a very good idea to use two routers I should try that too. Yes CFS people forget to secure first themselves.;D

[trjam]

It doesnt take as much as some think. There are tons of good products here that will keep you safe. The worst malware remains the "Enter" key.;)

[vijayind]

I so agree 'trjam'. I am usually very non-paranoid guy ... But I am a beta junkie due to which my system gets repeatedly trashed and I keep switching sides.

Since the beta season is usually May-Sept, I manage to be normal during the off-season !!