If you have "Black Ice" or "Real Secure Internet" firewalls READ THIS NOW!!!!

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 05:12 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...1310_2004mar20

I'm not familiar with either of these products, but this worm will TRASH YOUR PC.

bigboydan · 03-21-2004, 05:18 AM

i was read that before i even seen your post and this one is a total killer one too

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 05:19 AM

Basically, if you have either of these firewall products, this worms exploits some type of vulnerability in them and proceeds to overwrite your hard drive.

Bad, bad deal if you don't have any type of backup for your PC.

Minnow · 03-21-2004, 05:53 AM

TT, the most basic of questions... can you pick up anything malicious just by visiting and browsing around a "bad" website? I have heard this both ways..

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 06:08 AM

Oh yeah.....and you don't even have to go to a website. By having an active internet connection, these "worms" can access your computer.

This is why having a firewall is so important-because it generally blocks all of the ports not specifically opened (with some general exceptions).

Dial up networks are actually the HIGHEST risk when compared to DSL or cable connections, because dsl & cable usually block all of these "worms" by the nature of their configuration.

As far as "hostile" web sites, the possibilities are endless, but a firewall generally won't protect you from much of the crap that they will stick on your machine. A virus scanner and AdAware\Spybot\SpySweeper will be needed to eliminate that crap.

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 04:09 PM

I'll give this one bump in case anyone missed it late last night. Serious shit if you use either of these products.

03-21-2004, 05:28 PM

TT: I have NO idea about firewalls. I have a McAfee Professional 6.0 VirusScan in its origianl box siiting in my lap right now... Will this handle these complications you speak of?

I am a computer geek. I just know how to get what I need.

Your info is appreciated....Just sent you the deluxe "tushie" cushion.

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 05:41 PM

Sporto, that product does have an integrated firewall as part of it, so you should be fine. This is the exception though-MOST virus scanners do NOT have any type of firewall included with them.

If anyone is looking at firewall products, I have had very, very few problems with Norton Internet Security.

03-21-2004, 06:05 PM

Thanks Double T

nfleqbc · 03-21-2004, 07:58 PM

As far as I'm concerned a dedicated used Pentium running Linux/iptables or OpenBSD is the gold standard as far as firewalling goes.

03-21-2004, 08:02 PM

Do new computers automatically have such protection installed?

hockeystl · 03-21-2004, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: sportman
Do new computers automatically have such protection installed?

If you're running XP, it has it's own firewall. Tack on Norton and you should be ok.

IMO, BlackIce is garbage. It wraps itself all around an op system and will bog down performance.

Omni · 03-21-2004, 10:54 PM

So if I am running XP I am fine? Sorry, but I never really understood firewalls. All these products say they have them, but people talk about separate ones that you buy too, so I'm just a little confused.

TTinCO · 03-21-2004, 10:58 PM

Omni....Xp "kinda sorta" has a firewall. I would still use a stand alone one-they do much more, much better.

jlpblade · 03-22-2004, 01:55 AM

xp's firewall only protects against inbound traffic. for more info check: http://grc.com/default.htm