MSE News: All web users urged to run anti virus check

Marty_J

Just while we're on the topic of Mac viruses, MacHeist are offering a free copy of Intego's VirusBarrier X5 including 6 months of definition updates.

Electron_2

MSE_Guy wrote: »

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"Hackers are thought to be targeting web users by implanting a computer virus that records which sites you visit ..."

Read the full story:
All web users urged to run anti virus check

Hmmm, the Official MSE Article has now been removed:exclamati:exclamati:exclamati

[Deleted User]

Leopard wrote: »

I believe davidmt83 uses a Mac. In which case, he would be totally unconcerned by all of it.

By the way, if this malware of which you speak corrupts spelling I think you may have contracted it.

I'm afraid I don't Leopard... I've run many things but not Mac OS yet.

bankslayer

Paul_Herring wrote: »

Perhaps you should re-read that post of mine you quoted where the users concerned had no problems whatsoever with Linux, but had difficulties with Windows.

No 'confusion' as you term it (whatever that is,) just general problems with the operating system.

You seem to have this opinion that 'newbie' users can't use Linux, when they're perfectly able to, (when not being lead to believe they're being asked to do something difficult that isn't.)

I don't doubt for a minute that plenty of people have problems with Windows and few with Linux; as I said, Windows creates all sorts of problems, not just the security related issues.

However, the main barrier to moving away from Windows (apart from people being brainwashed) is not the process of getting to grips with Mac OS or Linux Desktop which are excellent, but the need to get used to something different, regardless of how much better it is.

If you study usability and HCI, you will know that most people are comfortable with what they are used to, but have a real problem adjusting to something new or different. You might find that your own direct experiences may not be typical.

To summarise - my original post was in response to the MSE news item about malware. While it is sensible advice to encourage people to update their antivirus, stay up to date with patches, etc. the crux of my comment was that media reporting on this subject only talks about applying yet more bandaid to Windows and fails to point out that it might be worth seriously considering a move away from the source of the problem: there are some great alternatives to Windows which offer vastly better security.

Anyone who is concerned about PC security should think long and hard about whether they really need to be using Windows. If you must stick with it, keep applying the bandaid and definitely don't use Internet Explorer to browse with.

Slopalongplacidly

I have had this very problem this weekend with Windows. I was on this site when it disappeared, with a popup security alert telling me I had no firewall. I went into Control Panel/Security and there it implied I did have a Firewall. As a precaution I ran an AVG virus scan which took twice as long but revealed nothing. I ran updates on Windows but the next day I have not one, but two Trojan Horses and have deleted them, thereby losing registry files. A real nightmare, and on my work computer too.

Leopard

Marty J,

Marty_J wrote: »

Just while we're on the topic of Mac viruses, MacHeist are offering a free copy of Intego's VirusBarrier X5 including 6 months of definition updates.

For that exemplary and impressive penance, you have most thoroughly earned divine absolution for your earlier heretical transgressions.

:A




davidmt83,

Deleted_User wrote: »

I'm afraid I don't Leopard... I've run many things but not Mac OS yet.

Profound apologies. I hope sincerely that Father (or even Mother?) Christmas will be generous to you this year and that you have a large, Mac-sized sock to hang prominently on your fireplace.

:xmassmile

asininity

I tend to find new/novice users find linux easier to get used to than experienced windows users.

@leopard

Will you stop going on about spelling it dont matter for !!!!:D

Plus the netbook linux users dont need to makhac them, they can just make linux look exactly like osx far easier.

Marty_J

asininity wrote: »

Plus the netbook linux users dont need to makhac them, they can just make linux look exactly like osx far easier.

They just can't make it as simple to use unfortunately, despite years and years of trying.

Still, 10 out of 10 for effort though.

[Deleted User]

bankslayer wrote: »

Anyone who is concerned about PC security should think long and hard about whether they really need to be using Windows. If you must stick with it, keep applying the bandaid and definitely don't use Internet Explorer to browse with.

Why not? If you're running Windows Vista or Windows 7 with UAC enabled then Internet Explorer (and Google Chrome) are the most secure browsers for the entire platform because they have been designed around the Mandatory Integrity Levels that was introduced in Windows Vista which prevent processes from gaining write access to system folders other than what they require to operate (Temporary Internet Files/History/Cookies etc), and the processes are prevented from elevating to a higher integrity level which mitigates the potential for damage that can be done.

asininity

Marty_J wrote: »

They just can't make it as simple to use unfortunately, despite years and years of trying.

Still, 10 out of 10 for effort though.

Thats probably because it wasn't started with that in mind, neither did I say it was???

But as you say OSX is for simple people with lots of money!