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Most Home PC Users Lack Security
Ant writes "CNET News.com and MSNBC report that a survey of home personal computer (P.C.) users found 81 percent lacked at least one of three critical types of security. However, the number of consumers using firewalls and updated antivirus software is improving, according to a report released Wednesday. The vast majority of consumers surveyed were found to lack at least one of three types of critical security--a firewall, updated antivirus software or anti-spyware protection, according to a report by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance. Of this group, 56 percent had no antivirus software, or had not updated it within a week, while 44 percent did not have a firewall properly configured, according to the report. Meanwhile, 38 percent of survey respondents lacked spyware protection..."
Whatya mean? I got my blanket right here...
Be a real patriot: Question authority. Think for yourself. Formulate your own conclusions.
I thought most of us slashdotters were taking care of our home PCs... and mom's... and dad's... and grandma's...
Personal Computer? So that's what PC means. Go figure
A no-bid contract has been awarded to Haliburton to develop and distribute software to combat "Internet insurgency." Company spokesman I.P. Freely says we should expect to see finished products sometime in 2017, but that the Department of Homeland Security has been commissioned to prevent further discussion on this matter, as "Osama Bin Laden might be listening."
Did they include the people using Norton/Symantec stuff in the protected or unprotected category?
lol no its not a virus
In other news, the sky is blue and it has been discovered that a long line of Popes have been Catholic
boy, won't you be pissed when you log in later and discover that your computer has already posted to /.
If you think imaginary property and real property are the same, when does your house become public domain?
I wonder how many people open the front door to their house when the doorbell rings?
I don't. I just replaced my doorbell with one that plays a nice pretty version of Westminster Chimes. I want to get my money's worth out of it. I don't answer the door in order to get a chance to hear it again several seconds later.
The nice thing about this doorbell is that it's protected from the "Rapid Button Pusher"(tm). It won't respond to a ring attempt again until it's done playing the first tune.
Amazing... now who was surveyed? Are Linux and Mac users concerned by the survey? Or they aren't worthy of the title "home PC users"?
Everyone knows that "PC" == "Windows". Duh.
Ydco co
I guess that's why I could quit my IT job and bring in twice the dough removing spyware from people's computers. Now I'm going to say something extremely controversial that many of you people here will not like. The cause of 97% of these spyware infections is surfing internet pr0n. It's true. We don't like to admit it, but somehow we just lose our regular reasoning senses when we start "surfing w/ one hand" if you know what I mean. You probably wouldn't click on that suspicious looking link, but damnit, you've never seen that done with a barnyard chicken before and you're curious! Additionally, no one is going to talk because no one wants to admit that they accidently installed a keylogger when they clicked on a link to "dirty lesbians lick each other's brown-rings". Therefore, all of our spyware becomes our dirty little secret of personal computing insecurity. Therefore, I say, ban ALL internet pr0n and the problem will take care of itself!
Look at you correcting made-up words. Slang nazi.
I routinely dredge out the Symantec and Mcafee cancers from my customers machines after I finish removing all the spyware and viruses.
C. "But I need a firewall!"
U. "No. You have a router."
C. "But I need the Anti-Adware/Spyware/Hacker/Spam/Terra/Flash-Flood protection!"
U. "No. I installed a plain antivirus program and Firefox."
C. "But what if I get worms from my compu-- Hey, how come the start menu opens when I click it now? I usually click it, make a martini, and by the time I come back I my popup blockers are going at it with the poker game. You should see them go! Sometimes Norton gets into too! They're all popping up and beating the shit out of each other like it's the octagon or something!"
U. "Yes. I got rid of all that."
C. "You're the worst computer guy ever! What the hell's the point of it now!"
U. "..."
I think that for the average user who isn't willing to make a commitment to these things
Tell me about it.
For security and performance reasons for my car I had to do a number of things. I have replaced the default engine with a more powerful one. I have installed bulletproof glass. I have reinforced the undercarriage and roof and and doors to curtail an assault. I have runflat tires. The air intake extends 6 feet off the ground in case of flooding. I take it weekly back to the 3rd party "fixer upper" guy to make sure everything is still in tact. I always travel in the middle of a six car convoy to buffer myself from the front and behind. And I surely reinforced the firewall between the engine and the interior of the car.
I don't have to wear a bulletproof vest because of these precautions, and I have never been shot that I know of.
I think that for the average driver who isn't willing to make a commitment to these things, legalistic use of armor is necessary, but the study incorrectly assumes that "no armor" = "dead".
Oh, BTW, for security on my computers I just plug my Mac into the wall and either use a wired or wireless network connection. After all I go through traveling from point A to B, why would I screw around with my computer?