A frequently-asked query:
I’ve been a Desktop Support Technician for quite a while and have worked on multiple home user computers as well as in a corporate network setting. I’ve worked on so many systems infected with all sorts of malicious software designed to gather information from all sorts of programs, so I know how these programs work and how hard they are to detect and remove (especcially kernel-mode rootkits).
Knowing these security risks I follow this rule, If I even suspect I have been infected with malware, (asides from tracking cookies) I reformat. I backup my data and perform a deep format of the hard disk and reinstall the system. I keep a slip streamed cd of Windows XP with most of the current security updates, and as soon as I re-install I download the rest and add it to a new slipstreamed compilation. Once I’ve done that, I change all passwords to all my accounts for sites ranging from gmail to my bank. I also change the user names and passwords for all devices on my network including Modems, Routers, NAS devices, and Workstations. I run a 16 character minimum alphanumeric password with both upper and lowercase characters and I even include special characters like ‘+’, ‘*’, ‘!’, ‘@’, ‘$’, etc… I also run XP in ‘Limited User’ Account and use different passwords for each account.
I know what people can do with infected machines, and it goes beyond stealing passwords. They can install software, delete personal files, send illicit or threatening emails using my computer; They can even host sites on my computer and steal bandwidth to stream data and can use the bandwidth to perform DDOS attacks.
I don’t take this stuff lightly, but my Wife says I take it too far and I make it too hard on her to remember all of these passwords. She doesn’t seem too keen on learning how to use PasswordSafe either.
Did any other fellow security minded people have trouble getting their spouse to understand them? How did you get your spouse on board with your home network security procedures (assuming you did)?
I have been thinking about setting up a SAMBA server to create a windows Domain, so I can edit the Group Policy to force password resets and other good security measures, but am afraid she will think I am forcing my security standards on her.
Please help!
You can run macs but you are still affected by the SSL security flaw that has yet to be patched, I do LOVE linux but my wife refuses to use that too because she likes to play WOW.We did take calculated risks, and my wife wound up getting her WOW account stolen by a keylogger, so maybe now she will be more paranoid, but I am still thinking she should reformat being that she may have a kernel-loaded keylogger that might already be undetectable by our antivirus.
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Paranoid, no. Overly careful, maybe. No matter how safe you make your computer, you can’t make the person you do business with be as safe. A company my wife did business with (bought hardware) had their system compromised & her credit card info stolen. A college I graduated from had their system compromised, I had my credit card info stolen from them (had bought alumni stuff). It’s not always just the personal computer that has problems.
Yes, you are being paranoid. Doesn’t make you wrong though. What I don’t understand is that if you know about security, and you know about windows and you want a safe and secure enviroment, why are you not using linux. I appreciate that vista has made great improvements to security, but linux is the way to go for safe computing.
Everything is a calculated risk. When you cross the road or go shopping, you are taking calculated risks. Do you not go shopping for fear of being caught in a bomb blast? As you are more than aware, by taking reasonable steps and not visiting dodgy sites, your chances of being infected or hacked are so slim that it would appear that you are over-reacting to a supposed threat.
I have never taken these extreme steps and because of my job, I have visited some less than savoury sites. My bank account is untouched and I don’t have any malware or viruses.
I take it you shred or burn all mail before you put it in the bin as the chances of identity theft is more likely by persons going through your rubbish then by online threats.
I agree with your wife. Everything you’re talking about is OVERKILL. I’ve been using a Mac computer since 1992 and NEVER had a virus, adware, malware or any other kind of crap that loves WinBlows. Easy solution, get yourself a Mac. Macs may eventually Macs may suffer from the same woes the WinTel machines, but until then and forever I will always use a Mac.
your over kill and taking it a bit to far
here a program that will help you alot
Get deep freeze it will freeze computer so that way if did have anything that is bad all you have to do is restart computer its gone unlike reformat the computer
good Idea would to put program on one computer use that computer for just stuffingweb paying bills because you can’t save stuff on the computer when deep freezes running on that computer.
link that will talk about it more http://www.faronics.com/html/deepfreeze.asp