internet security

[bob999]

Hi everyone ,

I have webwasher , avg , zone alarm , pinup stopper and script sentry . Plus browser changes.

I was thinking of getting a proxy server ....is this recommended ? since I asked a few people and they said that it slows your connection down , and are liable to crash sometimes. if yes , then which one is the best / simplest to use and configure.

Is there any way of preventing isps from keeping logs on our internet connection ? I know in uk they are thinking of getting isps to hold onto peoples web page viewing for up to 7 years and i think , not sure , that patriot act in usa is trying something along the same lines.

second, windows updates .... recommended by all i know but in your experience is it worth it ? i feel that patches themselves are bugged and i dont trust ms .

third is there any additional software you feel i should have to increase security ?

thanks !

[mnosteele52]

I think you are paranoid:rolleyes:. What are you tryng to hide? If "Big Brother" really wants to know what you are doing, he's gonna find out no matter what you do.:p

[bob999]

I have nothing to hide ...I just value my privacy .

[mnosteele52]

We all value that bob999, but to me there is a limit on what to worry about... to be honest the only fool proof way of protecting your privacy is just stay off the net.... and that's not an option. In my opinion the best firewall/privacy protection software is Norton's Internet Security, check it out it has alot of customizable features that you are looking for, good luck.

:) :D

[Dakota]

mnosteele52 is correct there Bob. If yer that paranoid get a hardware firewall or even a router, but nothing, read NOTHING in impenetrable.

Another suggestion is to not keep highly personal information on your HD. Store it on a CD-RW, ZIP or even floppy disk. You're only 'safe' if not connected to the Net at all. Anytime you're connected there is a risk. All we can do is minimize the risk and raise the bar very high to make it too much of a hassle for a 'hacker' to break in to our systems. Most 'hackers' have no desire whatsoever to break into someone's personal PC.

[Ken]

Hey Bob, Welcome to SpeedGuide! :)

You don't mention what OS/browser that you are using... Depending on that, you may be able to tighten up a little more, but all in all, you appear to be covered! :)

Proxy's, yes, it depends, but they do have a habit of using cached pages, slowing you down and causing errors. Of course, most browser problems are caused by browser add ons...

I don't know of much that you can do about ISP's having your info...Like the others said, not connecting to the net is the only sure way... If would seem unfeasible to store all info on everyone accessing the net. They perhaps use robots or crawlers to look for key words and such...

Enjoy the boards,
Ken

[Croc]

You are more likely to have some ScriptKiddie try to use your system for a DDOS attack on his target and you are already covered fairly well for that.
As far as MS goes, I have all the patches they issue for my OS and so far haven't caught anything bad because of them.

Hiding your IP is not an option. Without that showing, the sites you go to would not be able to find you to interact. A proxy is a "middle man" and traceable for those who want to know.

Can you imagine the storage space required to hold the information on all internet users surfing habits? I think that 7 years would be way overguesstimated. In fact it would be lucky to be 7 days.

My suggestion: Kick back, keep your intimate details off the HD, carry out some regular cleaning with the tools you already have and have some fun with it. Life's too short.;)

Welcome to SG bob999.

Croc.

[bob999]

Just a small point...

the seven years for holding onto internet users logs ( ie all web pages visited ) is unfortunately true. This is what the Uk government wants isps to do.

At the moment , isps hold onto this data for a small amount of time but in the future this will change.

Also I do realise that if someone really wants to enter my computer then they can do so but I'm still going to try and make it as hard as possible !

And you are all right of course . The only true safe computer is one that is not connected to the internet.

[thesuperstar]

go to www.fileamor.net

[terrymase]

Try IPCOP. It is based on the Linux kernal and it is free. Runs on a old machine with a 500 MB HDD. Very easy to install and manage. Try, I know you will like it.
http://www.ipcop.com

[Norm]

Again, thanks for the tip.

[Boston_Bob]

If you REALLY dont want your ISP tracking you then get a shell account somewhere that uses OpenSSH. Then tunnel all your traffic over an encrypted link using an SSH client to your shell account. It will act like an encrypted proxy. The only connections in your ISP's logs will be over port 22 to the shell acounts IP.

But I have to agree with what most people are saying, is it really worth it?