How you guys protect your computers?

[radio1_mike]

I would not be w/o Spyware Blaster either-- great program..!

[Siliconjunkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pphalan

I have found that RobRich knows what hes talking about, if he doesnt know he will research it.
spyblaster is one of the programs on my system I like it because there has been a massive drop in adware my scanners pick up.

ok, you are allowed to have an opinion. As am I.

[MoJoe]

Max security? Oh. I just don't use IE.

[jmichna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul9

does no-one else use one of the simplest internet security tools?
the hosts file!

Yeah... but then you'd need to keep on your toes... constantly updating that HOSTS file.

Maybe you've come across a reference HOSTS file DB that we could share?

[Siliconjunkie]

HOSTS files are a half-@$$ crutch in place of a firewall.

Takes anyone with half a lick of sense about 1.2 seconds to get around a hosts file, simply change the name it is using or just use an IP.

It is superficial security at best. More of a warm fuzzy feeling than anything.

[jmichna]

SJ...
I think his intent was to use the HOSTS file to direct any unwanted/malevolent domain names or IP addresses to 127.0.0.1

e.g.
spam.com 127.0.0.1

I agree, however, that it is a lame effort at best... but I did want to see what he would respond with.

[Siliconjunkie]

I understand what it does.

So lets say that my malware keylogger sends the data to hideout.badguys.net so, you put an entry of hideout.badguys.net 127.0.0.1

For a moment you have foiled my evil plan.

So, I change it to goto lair.badguys.net (same IP as hideout) and your hosts file entry now means nothing.

Or, better yet, I don't use names and point it to 111.111.111.111 and now your hosts file is completely useless.

But, if you used a proper firewall, you could either block all traffic to a given port(s) or to the ip address/network.

This is why the HOSTS file does not really provide any real security beyond a warm fuzzy feeling. It is trivial to bypass.

[jmichna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siliconjunkie

...This is why the HOSTS file does not really provide any real security beyond a warm fuzzy feeling. It is trivial to bypass.

I agree.

[elmers]

Kasperski AV
Kerio Firewall
Adaware
Opera

Altho I never-ever get any virii or spyware

[gigahertz205]

i use a firewall built-in to my router, and i use norton anti-virus and pc-cillin 2002.