The Dangers of the Internet

[Star Cannon]

Lets face it folks: the surfing internet is as dangerous as giving the FBI your full name.
There are crackers (I.E: evil hackers) everywhere; spyware in so many websites and utilities it'll make a computer geek madder-than-hell; and so many newbies for crackers to exploit; and the dumb-asses in Washington have no intention of protecting online privacy.

:rant: The spyware and add ware. The little 'nuisances' that plague us. Literally! If the anti-spyware/addware sells extremely well, naturally it'd give a hint to politicians that we want our computer privacy protected.

They are not going to help us protect our privacy unless we become like squeaky wells and :mad: YELL about it.

So, what do you all think? I myself think that spyware and add ware should be banned from every website and every computer guranteed protection from such ILLEGAL and ILLEGITIMATE intrusions. Is any one with me here? :nerd:

[Division56]

I just use Foxfire. I don't have a single one of those problems with it.

*blinks*

[file cabinet]

I personally don't have issues with it but that's because the only person that uses my computer is me.. if any computer illiterate fuck used my computer then welll.. maybe I would have the foresight to create a guest user that they could use which wouldn't do any harm to the computer.

[file cabinet]

I just use Foxfire. I don't have a single one of those problems with it.

*blinks*

although it is still possible.. they're out there although you still have to click 'ok' to install something that's illegimate and it's easier to wipe the slate clean with firefox but not with IE.

[spirilis]

Use Mozilla on Linux. SpamAssassin to filter out spam from your email. I have used some variant of UNIX as my primary desktop OS ever since I first got online, and I use the internet in a veil of blissful ignorance of all the nasty sh*t (especially spyware/adware/viruses/etc.) you're talking about.

[Claverhouse]

Quite so; even with Firefox on Windows98SE I've been remarkably lucky ( including some tools, natch ): however, once in a while a trusted acquaintance can slip something in an email that could cause alarm. I've heard of it happening.


Claverhouse :ph34r:

But so long as one is careful, and plays the game straightly, one should get through any disaster
There's a breathless hush in the Close to-night --
Ten to make and the match to win --
A bumping pitch and a blinding light,
An hour to play and the last man in.
And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"
Sir Henry Newbolt --- Vitaï Lampada

[Hunter]

I've been using firefox since it was firebird. I've yet to have any real problem with spyware, adware or virii...even when I used IE. That ZoneAlarm firewall really helps...

[file cabinet]

I have heard sygate and kerio firewalls are 'better' then zonealarm.. but really.. they're all flawed. oh well.

[Avengardh]

I just wonder what it will all come down to, will they really try and control the net?? It just seems impossible to me without actually invading you privacy in order to get rid of those who are trying to get into your comp.

The cloud was an unknown place and had so many possibilities once it was "discovered", there's no way it can be put on restrictions without the possibility of breaking them, just like in real life.

~*Aven*~

[Melody]

I agree with Avengardh.

I use Internet Explorer. I am all right because I get things from Sourceforge.net or download.com (which identifies spyware) or a similarly trustable place.

I use IE. I don't visit retarded sites.

[HackerX]

I have heard sygate and kerio firewalls are 'better' then zonealarm.. but really.. they're all flawed. oh well.

None of them work properly after install.. I personally run kerio with a custom ruleset. That and windows starts a lot of unnecessary services which can be dangerous. (RPC and uPnP comes to mind)

[Claverhouse]

The last two issues of Zonealarm are badly flawed. Wait until they've sorted it out. On the other hand, you really can dispense with a firewall half the time, depends where you go, and whether you care if someone's investigating your hard drives. I don't really have any confidential information on mine.

For a proper firewall though, make one from an old 486 etc. with a tiny HD and Linux on it dedicated to that sole task. ( & presumably a very small power unit unless you adore noise and like paying for electricity ).


Claverhouse :ph34r: