Comments on: “Storm”

By: Stephen R

Stephen R — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:16:45 +0000

So… where the heck are we supposed to find the giant condoms that fit over our iMacs?

(Though they have been making “keyboard condoms” for years now. Is that enough protection, Mr. Fry?)

By: Dolly Williams

Dolly Williams — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:20:14 +0000

Dolly Williams…

Good work….

By: Antivirus free downloads

Antivirus free downloads — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:32:33 +0000

AVG download…

…

By: JulesLt

JulesLt — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:32:31 +0000

A little delayed, as for some reason I’d not correctly set up the RSS feed for the blog.

Firstly, I’d like to say hats off to Mr.Fry for avoiding any mention of the Mac in his article, because it would have been both a distraction from the piece, and perhaps also detracted from the message (‘ooh, look, it’s one of those Mac users banging on about how secure the Mac is again’).

Also because there have been Mac and Linux systems that have been found in botnets. How, you may ask?

Well, while your basic operating system may be secure, there are a number of programs you can install that can make that irrelevant – for instance, if you’re running a web server or database exposed to the Internet, you have a piece of software that’s (a) sitting their listening to requests from the Internet (b) capable of running programs (not native Windows or OS X programs, but programs nonetheless. Some d/b and web servers can, for instance, send email).

Now luckily, this is software that domestic users are currently unlikely to run. It’s also unfair to blame the operating system in this case, but it does show that using OS X or Linux does not proof you against such things entirely.

By: Hyeraim

Hyeraim — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:12:34 +0000

It may be a very strange thing that I’ve gotten only a few keylogger or spyware kind of things. I bought a router ADSL-modem for my internet connection five years ago, and never have I been sorry for paying a so much more for it back then. A hardware firewall is truly the best defence against hijacking. Perhaps I might give an example: using a condom is the greatest defence against STD:s and unwanted pregnancy. Using only a foam or magic is a great way to get STD:s and children.

A router with hardware firewall should be your condom, a software firewall is always up you. You will get what you want. And the children in this case are the zombie spam servers; but it’s not as bad as it seems, as long as you’re protected atleast with a software firewall; it does the job more than well.

By: Minty

Minty — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:41:44 +0000

Dear Mr Fry, this is my first ever entry so I wish to get a few things out of the way first. Just the usual stuff. I’ve been a fan too long to remember how long and I will always be very fond of Jeeves and Wooster and Lord Melchet (sp?). Then again who isn’t? This is a wonderful website you have yourself here especially your own personal contributions via this blog. Love it, don’t stop I could read you forever. Also as someone who loves words I want to thank you for giving us ‘Blessay’. I find that such an endearing and memorable word.
My partner is also a gadget freak, more so computers these days. I was wondering what your views on Vista may be? We haven’t actually used it yet though my other half as usual is dissing it before he’s even tried it saying its worse than XP. Take care

Safe travels

Hugs xxx

By: snow

snow — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:22:04 +0000

hello…

wonderful post…

By: John Steed

John Steed — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:37:21 +0000

Essentially one feels as though the average computer user (such as myself) is more or less the equivalent of a toddler left home alone with a bottle of bleach, a box of matches, exposed power points and a boiling pot on the stove.

By: slinkoff

slinkoff — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 22:47:38 +0000

in my opinion the threat of viruses is vastly overrated, i don’t even bother with AV anymore, it’s a real killer on performance, even the smaller footprint software like AVG or nod32. It only takes a bit of common sense to recognise spam and to not open any strange attachments.

I haven’t had a virus since sometime in the 90s and nobody i know has either so running something that scans every file each time I access it is a relatively pointless use of my system’s resources.

Even if I was infected, it really isn’t that bad I could install AV software and clean it, restore my system from a backup (system restore/ghost image) or worst case, reinstall the OS, doesn’t take as long as you think and a good opportunity for a spring clean.

The problems that people do experience are really that of spyware embedded in some dodgy shareware downloaded from somewhere less than reliable or by allowing a website to install something. The solution? Don’t install anything but the minimum you need (flash, quicktime alternative, real alternative etc.) and then refuse everything else. Do a spyware can every month or so if you’re really paranoid and if you have other members of your household who are think that Smiley Central is cool then give them a Limited computer account and explore system policies to lock them down even more!

By: Ralph Corderoy

Ralph Corderoy — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:55:42 +0000

For those unfortunates using Microsoft Windows XP, have a look at AVG’s free anti-virus offerings. They’re widely recognised to be high quality and unobtrusive compared with competitors that are forever asking you to upgrade to a non-free version. http://free.grisoft.com/ Note, I’ve no connection with AVG, I’m just trying to provide some advice to those that may not know how to protect themselves.