From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Sun Nov 30 20:58:11 2008 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Monday, December 1 2008 Volume 01 : Number 2918 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 04:43:43 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Firewall? What's that? 8^) No, really, I guess I'm an oddball on this one. I prefer to NOT use 3rd-party firewalls because they tend to complicate everyday tasks a bit too much. And many of them are overly paranoid and block all kinds of legitimate stuff, making for many additional headaches for the uninitiate. Furthermore, most infections occur because the user intentionally downloaded something, and the bad stuff was either smuggled in with something else, or posing as something else. Since most infections are user-initiated, a firewall is wide open to them anyway. Avast is very good about that; it checks things coming in from the web BEFORE they land on your hard drive. It's a truly excellent piece of software. Windoze XP has a basic firewall included, and most people are behind a hardware firewall anyway (because most internet routers include a hardware firewall) so I prefer to stay with the basic firewall and top-notch reactive/semi-proactive protection rather than go full-bore proactive (heavy software firewall). Then again, neither myself nor any of my clients do top-secret government or aerospace work, either. That would definitely justify the additional grief of the better firewall. Jason - -- john wrote: Spybot is a great tool... been using it for years. Not familiar with Avast, but reviews look good.... I've been fortunate enough to have access to a variety of commercial virus s/w for free... not norton. ;) The registry cleaner looks interesting... have used similar products, again, reviews came up with nothing negative, will try it on my daughter's system. One thing you missed though.. the firewall... Out of all the tools you've listed it is by far the most important one of them all... Almost all of the major issues of recent time could have been prevented with a simple firewall... used to use black ice, but it was purchased and is now called ISS Proventia... zone alarm is or was a free one, but it often interfered with program installs... that is NOT a bad thing, it was doing it's part. I don't know of a good free firewall but would not recommend microsoft for anything... if you know of a good firewall package, let's hear about it... ISS/Black Ice/Proventia has not let me down... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://johnmeister.com/fotomeister - Trust Jesus: http://freegift.com SAVE power, avoid viruses, use LINUX: http://johnmeister.com/tmcp.pdf SAVE fuel, use synthetics: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Fri, 28 Nov 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: # Boy, you guys are sure uplifting when people are having problems with Windoze, # aren't you! This is bad, that is bad, and you're pretty much hosed no matter # what you do. # # Yes, the best thing for performance is a clean installation. But NO, it's not # all that can be done. Yes, everything Microsoft makes these days is cranky, # but NO, it doesn't mean that you're doomed to either use Linux or be totally # miserable. Yes, Norton is terrible, and should be avoided, along with most of # the other big-name PC protection software packages, but NO, that doesn't mean # that you have no options except perpetual infection and suffering. # # I do stuff like this for a living, and happen to know the answer to his # (actually very simple) original question. You should get 3 programs, which # will make your computer 100x better: # # Avast Internet Security (Free for home use, 60-day trial for commercial) # http://www.avast.com/ # # Spybot Search & Destroy (Freeware) # http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html # # Eusing Free Registry Cleaner (Freeware) # http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm # # Uninstall any existing protection software (like Norton Internet Security, # McAfee Internet Security, AVG, Panda, etc.) as these programs are likely a # large part of your poor performance in the first place. Install them in the # order above, and run full, thorough scans with the first 2. Then before you # check for problems with the Eusing cleaner, make a registry backup just in # case. Then scan for anomalies with Eusing, fix, and enjoy the performance # improvements! # # Also, these will definitely give you back full control over your computer (you # mentioned some browser hijacking) but you might have to unload some of the # ridiculousness that the previous owner put on it that runs in the background. # This can include printer toolboxes, support utilities, speed loaders for # quicktime, Acrobat reader, multimedia and picture programs, and instant # messaging programs. # # Finally, you may need more RAM (memory) to bring it up to spec for modern # programs. # # If you need more info, feel free to email me off-list. # # Best wishes! # # Jason # # -- "Jerry Kaidor" wrote: # > Hey Wiard, # > # > I've tried most of these applications (and even had a stab at writing one) # # *** I used to use Norton, in the past few years it's gotten so bloated # that I don't want it on my computer. I do have Norton Ghost running. It # saves a disk image every night. So when something disastrous happens, I # always have a good image from a week or two previous. # # # > Steve # > P.S. Would you consider moving to something like SuSe linux? # # *** I have a Slackware Linux system across the room. On it, I keep ALL # my personal and business files. The desktop XP machine contains ONLY # applications and setup, and possibly some video files I don't really care # about. The Linux box serves all its files via Samba, and as far as the XP # machine is concerned, they're browsable via network neighborhood or direct # mounts. Both of these machines are connected to a gigabit ethernet # switch, so throughput isn't TOO bad. Of course, it still isn't has good # as a local disk. My Motto: "Don't put anything on a Windows PC that you # can't buy at the store". # # The Linux box also runs a fairly paranoid firewall. Both incoming and # outgoing packets are screened. I don't even run a virus checker on my # Windows machine. Nor do I use Windows Firewall. Nor do I install any # Windows updates, ever since MicroBloat thought up WGA ( Windows Genuine # Advantage ). This annoying program constantly tries to phone home to # Bill. My paranoid firewall dumps its packets on the floor. WGA responds # by making my PC blue screen. # # - Jerry Kaidor # # # ____________________________________________________________ # Click for VA loan resources and rate quotes. # http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/PnY6rbuptyO25I8rxgzNRUOda4Fa4xzC6 # yRwZdJjO2s3LKGbj3x11/ # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 04:46:17 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: Re: [db] only remotely diesel related Oh, by the way, be sure to get the latest version of Spybot if you haven't upgraded it in awhile. The 1.6 version includes a nifty little program called "TeaTimer" (why they called it that, I can't imagine) which protects your registry against unauthorized changes. VERY helpful! (Prompts for changes that are neither blacklisted nor whitelisted.) Jason - -- john wrote: Spybot is a great tool... been using it for years. Not familiar with Avast, but reviews look good.... I've been fortunate enough to have access to a variety of commercial virus s/w for free... not norton. ;) The registry cleaner looks interesting... have used similar products, again, reviews came up with nothing negative, will try it on my daughter's system. One thing you missed though.. the firewall... Out of all the tools you've listed it is by far the most important one of them all... Almost all of the major issues of recent time could have been prevented with a simple firewall... used to use black ice, but it was purchased and is now called ISS Proventia... zone alarm is or was a free one, but it often interfered with program installs... that is NOT a bad thing, it was doing it's part. I don't know of a good free firewall but would not recommend microsoft for anything... if you know of a good firewall package, let's hear about it... ISS/Black Ice/Proventia has not let me down... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://johnmeister.com/fotomeister - Trust Jesus: http://freegift.com SAVE power, avoid viruses, use LINUX: http://johnmeister.com/tmcp.pdf SAVE fuel, use synthetics: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Fri, 28 Nov 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: # Boy, you guys are sure uplifting when people are having problems with Windoze, # aren't you! This is bad, that is bad, and you're pretty much hosed no matter # what you do. # # Yes, the best thing for performance is a clean installation. But NO, it's not # all that can be done. Yes, everything Microsoft makes these days is cranky, # but NO, it doesn't mean that you're doomed to either use Linux or be totally # miserable. Yes, Norton is terrible, and should be avoided, along with most of # the other big-name PC protection software packages, but NO, that doesn't mean # that you have no options except perpetual infection and suffering. # # I do stuff like this for a living, and happen to know the answer to his # (actually very simple) original question. You should get 3 programs, which # will make your computer 100x better: # # Avast Internet Security (Free for home use, 60-day trial for commercial) # http://www.avast.com/ # # Spybot Search & Destroy (Freeware) # http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html # # Eusing Free Registry Cleaner (Freeware) # http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm # # Uninstall any existing protection software (like Norton Internet Security, # McAfee Internet Security, AVG, Panda, etc.) as these programs are likely a # large part of your poor performance in the first place. Install them in the # order above, and run full, thorough scans with the first 2. Then before you # check for problems with the Eusing cleaner, make a registry backup just in # case. Then scan for anomalies with Eusing, fix, and enjoy the performance # improvements! # # Also, these will definitely give you back full control over your computer (you # mentioned some browser hijacking) but you might have to unload some of the # ridiculousness that the previous owner put on it that runs in the background. # This can include printer toolboxes, support utilities, speed loaders for # quicktime, Acrobat reader, multimedia and picture programs, and instant # messaging programs. # # Finally, you may need more RAM (memory) to bring it up to spec for modern # programs. # # If you need more info, feel free to email me off-list. # # Best wishes! # # Jason # # -- "Jerry Kaidor" wrote: # > Hey Wiard, # > # > I've tried most of these applications (and even had a stab at writing one) # # *** I used to use Norton, in the past few years it's gotten so bloated # that I don't want it on my computer. I do have Norton Ghost running. It # saves a disk image every night. So when something disastrous happens, I # always have a good image from a week or two previous. # # # > Steve # > P.S. Would you consider moving to something like SuSe linux? # # *** I have a Slackware Linux system across the room. On it, I keep ALL # my personal and business files. The desktop XP machine contains ONLY # applications and setup, and possibly some video files I don't really care # about. The Linux box serves all its files via Samba, and as far as the XP # machine is concerned, they're browsable via network neighborhood or direct # mounts. Both of these machines are connected to a gigabit ethernet # switch, so throughput isn't TOO bad. Of course, it still isn't has good # as a local disk. My Motto: "Don't put anything on a Windows PC that you # can't buy at the store". # # The Linux box also runs a fairly paranoid firewall. Both incoming and # outgoing packets are screened. I don't even run a virus checker on my # Windows machine. Nor do I use Windows Firewall. Nor do I install any # Windows updates, ever since MicroBloat thought up WGA ( Windows Genuine # Advantage ). This annoying program constantly tries to phone home to # Bill. My paranoid firewall dumps its packets on the floor. WGA responds # by making my PC blue screen. # # - Jerry Kaidor # # # ____________________________________________________________ # Click for VA loan resources and rate quotes. # http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/PnY6rbuptyO25I8rxgzNRUOda4Fa4xzC6 # yRwZdJjO2s3LKGbj3x11/ # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 04:51:49 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: Re: [db] only remotely diesel related For those who know what you're talking about, that's a great idea. For those who don't (most people) I think SpyBot S&D does something similar, and that way the uninitiate don't have to write any greek. 8^) Besides, I can tell just from your syntax that you're referencing a *IX-based OS, and we were discussing Windoze. (Which, unfortunately, is what most people will always use, since it's widely available, and that's what most commercial software is written for.) Jason - -- "Renaud (Ron) OLGIATI" wrote: On Friday 28 November 2008, my mailbox was graced by a missive from john who wrote: > only remotely diesel related Another point glossed over is that you can greatly speed pages download, and reduce the buggeration factor, by having a /etc/hosts file that point all the www.doubleclick.com and similar to 127.0.0.1 That way the adds are not found, and not downloaded. A search on block "/etc/hosts file" wil lead you to any number of ready-made hosts files. Cheers, Ron. - -- Linux vs. Windows is a no-WIN situation. -- http://www.olgiati-in-paraguay.org -- ____________________________________________________________ Click here to save big on elegant wedding favors for your special day. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/PnY6rbt3SAQW2shPXVJ4ihclX2s9tPPs0 p05pZcCKmobisNOYAVAT/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:57:40 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: [db] only remotely diesel related the ONLY add-on I recommend is a software firewall that isn't microsoft... virus s/w is out of date as soon as it's written... microsoft firewall is subject to attacks due to its inherent underlying philosophy... external firewalls don't usually exist at home and in businesses only block outgoing/incoming traffic and do nothing internally... stopping worms and the spread of viruses on the internal network is the benefit of a firewall like black ice.. sure it complicates a few things, but rather than have a severely compromised internal network, I'd rather deal with a handful of clueless users or forgetful admins. ;) you're not one of those -ofh are you? ;) here's some humor along those lines: http://wagoneers.com/UNIX/HUMOR/syssong.html http://wagoneers.com/UNIX/HUMOR/bonneville-help-desk.html my favorites are 32 and 67... real life horror story created by previous SA... http://wagoneers.com/UNIX/HUMOR/84-sysadmin.html http://wagoneers.com/UNIX/HUMOR/troublereportform.html go 3rd party firewall tools... skip the hardware firewall and virus s/w... ;) ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://johnmeister.com/fotomeister - Trust Jesus: http://freegift.com SAVE power, avoid viruses, use LINUX: http://johnmeister.com/tmcp.pdf SAVE fuel, use synthetics: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Mon, 1 Dec 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: # Firewall? What's that? 8^) # # No, really, I guess I'm an oddball on this one. I prefer to NOT use 3rd-party # firewalls because they tend to complicate everyday tasks a bit too much. And # many of them are overly paranoid and block all kinds of legitimate stuff, # making for many additional headaches for the uninitiate. Furthermore, most # infections occur because the user intentionally downloaded something, and the # bad stuff was either smuggled in with something else, or posing as something # else. Since most infections are user-initiated, a firewall is wide open to # them anyway. Avast is very good about that; it checks things coming in from # the web BEFORE they land on your hard drive. It's a truly excellent piece of # software. # # Windoze XP has a basic firewall included, and most people are behind a # hardware firewall anyway (because most internet routers include a hardware # firewall) so I prefer to stay with the basic firewall and top-notch # reactive/semi-proactive protection rather than go full-bore proactive (heavy # software firewall). Then again, neither myself nor any of my clients do # top-secret government or aerospace work, either. That would definitely justify # the additional grief of the better firewall. # # Jason # # -- john wrote: # Spybot is a great tool... been using it for years. # # Not familiar with Avast, but reviews look good.... I've been fortunate # enough # to have access to a variety of commercial virus s/w for free... not norton. # ;) # # The registry cleaner looks interesting... have used similar products, again, # reviews came up with nothing negative, will try it on my daughter's system. # # One thing you missed though.. the firewall... Out of all the tools you've # listed # it is by far the most important one of them all... Almost all of the major # issues of # recent time could have been prevented with a simple firewall... used to use # black ice, but it was purchased and is now called ISS Proventia... zone alarm # is # or was a free one, but it often interfered with program installs... that is # NOT # a bad thing, it was doing it's part. # # I don't know of a good free firewall but would not recommend microsoft for # anything... # # if you know of a good firewall package, let's hear about it... ISS/Black # Ice/Proventia has # not let me down... # # john # ----- # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # http://johnmeister.com/fotomeister - Trust Jesus: http://freegift.com # SAVE power, avoid viruses, use LINUX: http://johnmeister.com/tmcp.pdf # SAVE fuel, use synthetics: http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # # # On Fri, 28 Nov 2008, jasonbassett-at-juno.com wrote: # # # Boy, you guys are sure uplifting when people are having problems with # Windoze, # # aren't you! This is bad, that is bad, and you're pretty much hosed no # matter # # what you do. # # # # Yes, the best thing for performance is a clean installation. But NO, it's # not # # all that can be done. Yes, everything Microsoft makes these days is # cranky, # # but NO, it doesn't mean that you're doomed to either use Linux or be # totally # # miserable. Yes, Norton is terrible, and should be avoided, along with most # of # # the other big-name PC protection software packages, but NO, that doesn't # mean # # that you have no options except perpetual infection and suffering. # # # # I do stuff like this for a living, and happen to know the answer to his # # (actually very simple) original question. You should get 3 programs, which # # will make your computer 100x better: # # # # Avast Internet Security (Free for home use, 60-day trial for commercial) # # http://www.avast.com/ # # # # Spybot Search & Destroy (Freeware) # # http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html # # # # Eusing Free Registry Cleaner (Freeware) # # http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm # # # # Uninstall any existing protection software (like Norton Internet Security, # # McAfee Internet Security, AVG, Panda, etc.) as these programs are likely a # # large part of your poor performance in the first place. Install them in # the # # order above, and run full, thorough scans with the first 2. Then before # you # # check for problems with the Eusing cleaner, make a registry backup just in # # case. Then scan for anomalies with Eusing, fix, and enjoy the performance # # improvements! # # # # Also, these will definitely give you back full control over your computer # (you # # mentioned some browser hijacking) but you might have to unload some of the # # ridiculousness that the previous owner put on it that runs in the # background. # # This can include printer toolboxes, support utilities, speed loaders for # # quicktime, Acrobat reader, multimedia and picture programs, and instant # # messaging programs. # # # # Finally, you may need more RAM (memory) to bring it up to spec for modern # # programs. # # # # If you need more info, feel free to email me off-list. # # # # Best wishes! # # # # Jason # # # # -- "Jerry Kaidor" wrote: # # > Hey Wiard, # # > # # > I've tried most of these applications (and even had a stab at writing # one) # # # # *** I used to use Norton, in the past few years it's gotten so bloated # # that I don't want it on my computer. I do have Norton Ghost running. It # # saves a disk image every night. So when something disastrous happens, I # # always have a good image from a week or two previous. # # # # # # > Steve # # > P.S. Would you consider moving to something like SuSe linux? # # # # *** I have a Slackware Linux system across the room. On it, I keep ALL # # my personal and business files. The desktop XP machine contains ONLY # # applications and setup, and possibly some video files I don't really care # # about. The Linux box serves all its files via Samba, and as far as the XP # # machine is concerned, they're browsable via network neighborhood or direct # # mounts. Both of these machines are connected to a gigabit ethernet # # switch, so throughput isn't TOO bad. Of course, it still isn't has good # # as a local disk. My Motto: "Don't put anything on a Windows PC that you # # can't buy at the store". # # # # The Linux box also runs a fairly paranoid firewall. Both incoming and # # outgoing packets are screened. I don't even run a virus checker on my # # Windows machine. Nor do I use Windows Firewall. Nor do I install any # # Windows updates, ever since MicroBloat thought up WGA ( Windows Genuine # # Advantage ). This annoying program constantly tries to phone home to # # Bill. My paranoid firewall dumps its packets on the floor. WGA responds # # by making my PC blue screen. # # # # - Jerry Kaidor # # # # # # ____________________________________________________________ # # Click for VA loan resources and rate quotes. # # # http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/PnY6rbuptyO25I8rxgzNRUOda4Fa4xzC6 # # yRwZdJjO2s3LKGbj3x11/ # # # ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2918 **********************************