Hello Anne, Sunday, October 19, 2003, 12:18:33 PM, you wrote:
AW> Quite apart from the time I spend on this, it makes me very angry AW> that she takes every precaution a non-geek can be expected to AW> take, and yet still she suffers this regularly. My suggestions - Remove **ALL** M$ software from the computer, except the OS (as best you can since it's 'all OS'). Especially do not allow access to Outlook or IE. Remove ANY way to launch these. I am VERY interested in security and privacy, and have looked at several apps to make Win systems safe on BOTH counts. For email, the MOST secure app I know of, by far, is TheBat. It does not use ANY Win components, even for HTML. I have never heard of a successful exploit for TB. As to settings, it can be set to simply NOT open certain kinds of attachments, even if someone tries (unless they reconfigure, of course). It can also be set to give BIG, nasty, multiple warnings if someone tries to open a 'baddie'. You'd have to be pretty dense to do it anyway. Even the most rank newbies can understand the plain language of these warnings. I know of no safer email client for Win. The bad news is that it costs $40, but that's it for several years of reliable operation. There are a ton of other features too. A lot of bad stuff comes via the web, especially if you are concerned about privacy. My favorite browser is Opera, again because it uses no Win components. The key to browsing safely and with a bit of privacy is to use a proxy, no matter which browser you use. I favor Proxomitron and DNSkong. Together, they can give an essentially ad-free browsing experience, also blocking almost all the snoops. You can get configuration info, including pre-configured files and many details at http://www.geocities.com/yosponge/ . Put in a firewall. For firewalls, I used to use Zone Alarm, but moved to Kerio. Much better, IMHO. Kerio is going through some upheaveals now, and I would NOT use their latest version. Get version 2.1.4 or 2.1.5. yosponge also has good sets of pre-configured firewall rules for Kerio. You'll be solid as a rock with it. Sygate is also good, if you're a bit nervous about the current status of Kerio. If at all possible, use a small router ahead of the computer, even if there is only one computer. This isolates the OS and improves safety a LOT. If possible, get one with an SI firewall built in. My preferred newsreader is Agent, if you need one. It is also solid as a rock, and has some very nice features. I'm an old-fashioned type who likes to use an app for each thing I do. I dislike this everything-does-everything approach of M$. AW> As to where they come from - I think without exception they have AW> come from people who send their mails through their work account, AW> in local hospitals! Of course. The M$ address book is NOT your friend, and should be BLANK! Empty it if it is not. The above apps have address books separate from the M$ book, and are safe. Just a few ideas... -- rikona mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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