computer security :( forgot to take my prozac)

Hello-
I just would like to say I am new to these forums,and
I have already became a big fan!

I however forgot to take my anti-depressants today
(LOL) and am very sad about the state of computer
security today.

Just as it seems I have a decent grasp of security,
someone burst my bubble(ploink!).
I am an avid reader and net explorer.
I check out most of the security forums and websites
and read books on security.

I use a firewall an av, TDS-3,PE, and WormGuard.
disable Windows services that are not needed
filter e-mail, and configure I.E. disable Java script ect.
Yet is it enough?
I would of thought so,but others on this site with more
experience than I don't seem to think so.

What else can I do? I also know that the vast majority
of users(average user) do not enjoy the work it takes
to go thru all of what it takes to have a secure
computer.

That is what scares me! Most of my friends, people
that I know are very indiffernt to security.
I have set up security for them the best that I know
how.

However I am relativley new to security(It is cool that
my friends think I am a computer genius....lol)
Hey you gotta get your kicks some way.........

I guess what I am saying is how can we ever be safe
when the average user dosent care?
If we were in our own world and not connected to
each other(the joy/the curse of the internet)
everything would be hunky dory(did I actualy use that
term...must take prozac...) but we are.
So we get forwarded e-mails with corny jokes(and
not so corny worms) from our friends, and our wives
husbands(who we have told often don't open that
damn spam please honey) still do.......lol

So what are we to do..........(don't mind me it's
cold and I can't find my slippers.......sigh..)

 

I will say that it is a sad state of affairs that probably less than ten percent of the people using email and surfing the net pay any attention to security at all. Their lack of concern does pose a risk to those of us that do care.
One other avenue you may consider for increased security is to use a safe email program that is not subject to infestation by worms. Some are The Bat, Eudora, Becky, Incredimail, and Poco, which I use and love.
Also you might consider Opera Browser. Probably ninety percent of M$ patches are for IE, and it is a constant battle to keep patched ahead of the exploits.
At this point in time, I do not consider Netscape, Mozilla, or the other non IE engine based browsers as safe as Opera. Soon, I think Mozilla and Phoenix will be fairly bullet proof, but they are still ironing out bugs.
Just my opinion for a little less stress in computing.

 

Howdy Brother

You just hit the correct point of whole system . Other ways you could say: What am I cleaning for my home, others come messing around anyways.
Root is here one of those "tens" you should always listen to besides all "BlueStars" and "RedStars" on this forum. I have got all my best ideas from them, so, excuse me if I teach you wrong way <grin> . omg negative karma cookies hehe.
Ok, seriously....welcome to the mad world of net security. Please do not lose your mind during this neverending battle, instead SMILE.

Have you already looked at your startup what´s cooking there ?

*Ari*

 

It seems you alright by yourself. Go secure the others

Not convinced? Change platform (linux is a wise choice) and start worrying again