How to choose a firewall - cookbook

You are absolutely right. Inexperienced computer users should be criticized to show them where they are making misleading or inaccurate statements.

Correct. I'm sorry but I actually haven't read anything what mrsteel wrote primarily because its too long . So I just said hmmm excellent work. Didn't know some of it was a little ... wrong.

 

I think that this thread should be moved to some general discussion section of Wilders forums.

What I see here is just discussion and opinions of security strategy.

The original thread title was "How to choose a firewall - cookbook" and this cookbook is not just about firewall - it is about security at large. So is misleading.

So either it should be moved or the OP will edit the cookbook to what it supposed to be - firewalls.

As a general security cookbook or even the part about firewalls - I can say is at list poor and the subject is inadequately or unsatisfactorily developed.

regards
Feniks

 

Hello,

To answer some of your points:

1. Let's put cracks aside. As to porn, the fake xyz are for everything, not just porn. Still, they are used to entice people to try to get to what seems to be in high demand - nudity and such, something that people apparently are not able to get so easily in real life. But if one day bread becomes scarce or such, you'll get fake codecs for bread, too.

2. I browse many other sites that the ones you mentioned and still never get infections through the browser. Maybe it's not the site you go to, maybe it's the browser? And finally, why should I restrict myself to just X% of the internet, I want to enjoy it all!

3. Oh, I agree with you on this one. Computing should be licensed, just like driving.

Finally, bad things on the web are like bad things in life. Drugs, if you will. If you don't go searching for them, the chances are you won't find them.

Mrk

 

It seems you have a preoccupation with this. Making a judgement about porn or piracy, and making a judgement about the kinds of sites where you have historically been more likely to encounter malware are not the same thing, even though you may disagree with the advice.

This remark reminds me of Mayor Rizzo's famous quote: "The streets are safe in Philadelphia -- it's only the people that make them unsafe."

 

Fake codecs were merely an example, and the latest malware fad that most people might have heard of. And since you acknowledge that porn is indeed used to entice people to download malware, then it only makes all the more sense to avoid porn sites, from the standpoint of computer security.

Exactly. It's good to see that you realize the fallacy of your earlier argument. To reiterate, not the whole of the internet is bad for computer security, only a part of it is - namely (for the purpose of the discussion in this topic) porn and warez sites.

Many people with the proper expertise practise skydiving and rock climbing without injuring themselves. I have no doubt that these activities are very enjoyable, and do not insist that people with the proper know-how refrain themselves from it, but to claim that such activities are perfectly safe and encourage the masses to take up those sports is neither correct nor responsible.

In the minds of people less familiar with computer security, this would be a very foolish thought indeed.

This is where you rack up points on the ridiculousness meter again. Nothing bad will happen to you in life if you don't want it to? Foolishness at best.

 

Hello,

As always, you have won.
The irrationality of my arguments has been exposed.

Still:

Taboo / fear have always been the no.1 reason for slowing down of technology / innovation / fun. No amount of doomsday articles all over the web will convince me otherwise.

Just like Americans / Russians were convinced that they would nuke each other flat, for 40 years ... in hind sight, were all the "duck & cover" movies really needed? No. But they kept the people in check - and when they tell you to buy duct tape you'll run to the nearest shop. The same goes with the web. It is obvious that you need anti-virus. Internet is dangerous. My my. If we're there, why not accuse all the Russians and Chinese of being hackers, it only stands to logic.

I'll probably fast for a day or two, since my impure thoughts about p2p / porn seem to have affected gentle souls.

Now, I'm bowing ungracefully out of this and such futile argument in the future. I'll stick to my little box of performance - others can stick to their arrays of anti-virii, anti-spyware, anti-cookie, and general anti-fear, awaiting the doomsday.

Cheers,
Mrk

 

First I admire your humility, not many can say like that. That is sign of real wisdom and inteligence. Second - by observing Solcrofts "logic" I have doubts that he understand your point. Let see this example:

Quote:Originally Posted by Mrkvonic
Finally, bad things on the web are like bad things in life. Drugs, if you will. If you don't go searching for them, the chances are you won't find them.

Answer by solcroft:
This is where you rack up points on the ridiculousness meter again. Nothing bad will happen to you in life if you don't want it to? Foolishness at best.

I like that.

Do not resign from your attempt to share what you learn, many can benefit from that even if it is not perfect yet. But better than nothing. And you can make it better and better.