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Re: Hi again Dave (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
Hi Cyndi!
I'm glad to be of service! (He can make the cheque payable to... :-P)
CaptainNotAboveAcceptingMoneyOffYoungPeople
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Aug 10 '04
2:32 pm PDT
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Hi again Dave (Reply to this comment)
by CyndiA
My son has to do a report on Internet safety for school. He is using your essay as a source, and he'll make sure to give you credit. THANKS!
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Aug 09 '04
5:05 pm PDT
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Replies... (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
.... sorry all, I've really been strapped for time lately so I haven't got time to reply to everyone personally. But just wanted to say thanks for the comments and I'm glad if this has indeed helped some of you! Thanks also to the other suggestions - I've tried Zonelabs firewall and Spybot, but my system (XP and AOL...) didn't like them. However that's not to say they're not good programs in their own right. AOL Boradband users should note that they can download McAfee's Personal Firewall for FREE (http://channels.aolsvc.co.uk/techmob/) and AOL also have their own adware detector for free download.
Thanks again everyone and sorry I haven't time at the moment to reply to your messages individually!
CaptainD
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Jul 12 '04
1:41 pm PDT
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Re: Very comprehensive... (Reply to this comment)
by dizzybint
Ah yes, the lovely messenger service. For a really detailed look at all of the so-called "services" that come with Windows the following is a very good site. This guy details what is safe to turn off and what isn't.
http://www.blackviper.com/
Caroline
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Jul 09 '04
12:01 pm PDT
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Thanks to CaptainD! (Reply to this comment)
by pnutmom
hey Dave, someone on that message board wanted me to pass along the following:
thank you for taking the time to share and
please thank captainD!; really good info.!
So thanks! :)
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Jul 09 '04
11:21 am PDT
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Very comprehensive... (Reply to this comment)
by Gr8ful
and easy to understand for all levels of computer savvy.
Another thing you can do to block pop-ups is to turn of the messenger service. This is not the "Windows Messneger" but a message service designed for Windows NT and left over into XP. It allows people to send a pop-up message that looks like a system message to hundreds of computers at once.
To turn off this service, right click on "My Computer" and choose "Manage".
Click on the "Services and Applications" in the list.
Double click on "Services" in the window to the right.
Scroll down until you see "Messenger".
Click on "Messenger" to highlight it and click on "Stop Service" in the upper left corner of the window.
Now, right click on "Service" and choose properties.
Change the Start-up type to "disabled" and click "Apply" then "OK".
That's it. Now you won't receive any more of those pop-ups that look like a Windows alert.
Gr8ful :-)
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Jul 08 '04
10:26 am PDT
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Thanks CaptainD (Reply to this comment)
by artemisadorned
I copied this info so I wouldn't forget it and to pass it on to my computer "semi-savvy" friends.
Great advice and I love the price!
Linda
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Jul 07 '04
5:43 pm PDT
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Re: Re: OMG.................... (Reply to this comment)
by spiderkid
Great article Captsafety!
I've done a few of the things on your list, but have also learnt a few more valuable hints from it as well. (Esp the cookie permission settings).
I agree with Caroline that the free firewall called Zone Alarm available from www.zonelabs.com is excellent. It's quick and easy to install and you'd be amazed at just how many 'hits' you get as it tells you who it's blocking from accessing your computer. Scary stuff!
And as she pointed out it also monitors outgoing trafic too. It's especially important for anyone with a high speed connection like broadband to get a decent firewall in place.
I've emailed this article to my folks as I do worry about their naive forays into the tangled web of t'internet. Their current concept of 'protecting their computer' is putting a dust cover over it at night..........
=-@
Tom
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Jul 07 '04
4:21 am PDT
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Re: OMG.................... (Reply to this comment)
by dizzybint
Hi Dani,
Also, Caroline: you mentioned something about a free firewall? If you are running Win2k, you have a firewall you can set up. Go to your Network connections and click on properties. Go to Advanced tab and there is an internet connection firewall that you can set up and enable.
The problem with the built in Windows firewall as it stands right now (until they release Service Pack 2 later this year) is that while it stops incoming rogue connections it does nothing about out-going ones. Therefore if you end up with a trojan or worm on the computer that wants to connect to the internet you won't know it's doing it. A good firewall will alert you to this fact so you can prevent it from happening. Supposedly SP2 will take care of this but even when they release it, I'll be waiting a while before installing it so I can read about any possible bugs and problems with it.
Simon, very interesting you would say Spybot is easier to use. I use it too along with the other stuff I mentioned and while I find it easy, I've had others tell me it's more confusing than Ad-aware. I like to use both since what may be missed by one program will be found by the other.
Have a safe day!
Caroline
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Jul 06 '04
7:51 am PDT
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Good advice . . . (Reply to this comment)
by ed_grover
I already have #3, 4 & 5 in action, but will do the "nasty" to third party cookies at once. Thanks for this information.
Ed
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Jul 06 '04
7:01 am PDT
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... (Reply to this comment)
by slarter
...
Spybot Search & Destroy is another great one that roots out spyware. It's also easier to use, and takes far less time to scan your drive than Ad-Aware.
Cheers!
Simon
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Jul 06 '04
5:40 am PDT
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Re: Re: Very good (Reply to this comment)
by dizzybint
I do quite a lot of reading on spyware and computer related security issues, it's an area that really interests me. There's a number of great web sites if you're interested, spywareinfo.com (they have a free newsletter I love,) tomcoyote.com and merijn.org are three good ones. I have tons of links if anyone's interested.
spyware's becomming an even bigger menace than viruses these days!
Absolutely right! Most people know to guard themselves from virii but spyware is only now becoming better known.
Here's another good article on the issue too: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1458&page=1
Oh I am such a nerd, but as you said, a craaaazy nerd.
Caroline x
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Jul 05 '04
3:12 pm PDT
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Re: Great review! (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
Hey Cyndi!
I agree about the pop-up ads - I hate the damn things. I was just reading today about a new form that copies a virus onto your hard drive when you click on the CLOSE WINDOW icon - nasty, huh?
I couldn't believe the sites that were trying to put cookies onto my computer when I changed my preferences to PROMPT - I just kept thinking, "but I'm not even ON this site!!"
I don't know about you, but I'm not happy that eps has added pop-ups. It makes the whole site feel tacky (and will we get IS off any sales made through them?!?!?) But like you, I think the vast majority of people would never buy from them.
Thanks for the comment! :-D
CaptainD
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Jul 05 '04
1:33 pm PDT
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Re: Hey Dave! (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
Hey PNut!
By all means link to me - you already know I'm a link-slut! :-P
I hope some of them do find it useful - spyware's becomming an even bigger menace than viruses these days!
Thanks,
CaptainD
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Jul 05 '04
1:32 pm PDT
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Re: Very good (Reply to this comment)
by captaind
Thanks Caroline!
I might have to try some of those programs you mentioned and will maybe update this later.
Dave x
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Jul 05 '04
1:27 pm PDT
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Hey Dave! (Reply to this comment)
by pnutmom
I didn't think you'd mind if I did this (after all, it's more outside hits for you), so I posted your link to this article on a message board I'm a member of. A lot of the people have been complaining recently about spyware, etc and how to get rid of it, so this will probably be "VH" to them!
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Jul 05 '04
1:02 pm PDT
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Great review! (Reply to this comment)
by CyndiA
I will go check some of these out.
I tried Google ad block, and I didn't like it. It blocked things like Care2 email links that pop up in a second window and Mystery Shopping that come up in a second window. I could copy the link for email to see the links like the alerts here at EP, but I could not see the assignments to sign up for shops or to report back after a shop. In addition, it didn't really block a lot of the ads. I think Google ran me some ads and also know that they are tracking stuff for Froogle to sell items to onliners.
The software that is also free that I used to block ads is AdAware. It was been pretty good. I had to unblock a few sites in order to shop online, and I think some of those sites added sale pop ups. That includes Epinions in that group that is putting ads up on my computer.
I do NOT buy anything from a pop up ad period. Even if I want the item, I just don't do it. If they don't sell by forcing those pop ups, then perhaps they will try something else less intrusive.
Thanks again for the sites here. I have been working to lock down my computer lately. You're right about those cookies. I use prompt, and it's amazing how many people are trying to get in the computer.
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Jul 05 '04
10:54 am PDT
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Very good (Reply to this comment)
by dizzybint
I use a number of the programs and tips you mention. One more would have been a free firewall - Zonealarm has a great one that is recommended by many experts. There's a couple of other freebies I use too, Spyware Blaster and Spyware Guard.
Great tips Dave, presented in a clear, comprehensive way.
Caroline x
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Jul 05 '04
9:13 am PDT
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