EvC Forum: Computer help?

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Topic: Computer help?

nwr

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Posts: 6412

From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

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Message 280 of 297 (358422)
10-23-2006 10:20 PM

Reply to: Message 279 by Faith
10-23-2006 9:47 PM

Re: Faith/nwr

A little clarification here.

You do not need to have IE open to be connected to the internet. Closing IE just closes your browser. It doesn't close the internet. With DSL you should be connected all the time.

When you open AOL, that temporarily assigns you a different IP address. Your computer still has the SBC address, but you can't do much with it, because Windows will want to use the AOL address for everything. So if you want Iano to be able to connect to your SBC IP address, you do need to close AOL. However, it does not matter at all whether you keep IE open or not.

You might have to also shutdown the Windows firewall. You can find it with

START -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Security Center

(that's from memory - I hope I have it right). If you normally run with PC-Cillin firewall, then it is probably safe to leave the Windows firewall permanently off.

Compassionate conservatism - bringing you a kinder, gentler torture chamber

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	Message 279 by Faith, posted 10-23-2006 9:47 PM		Faith has not replied

nwr

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Posts: 6412

From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

Member Rating: 5.3

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Message 282 of 297 (358431)
10-23-2006 11:43 PM

Reply to: Message 281 by Taz
10-23-2006 11:36 PM

Re: Faith/nwr

gasby (to Faith) writes:

You seem a little paranoid about people getting control of your computer and do some evil thing like take over the world with it. Mind telling us why the suspense?

She should be concerned. This is not paranoia. This is wisdom.

As I write this, there are thousands (perhaps millions) of computers that have been taken over by criminals, and are being used for illegal activities including extortion and identity theft. And I am talking of the computers owned by ordinary end users on cable and dsl connections.

Compassionate conservatism - bringing you a kinder, gentler torture chamber

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	Message 281 by Taz, posted 10-23-2006 11:36 PM		Taz has replied

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	Message 283 by Taz, posted 10-23-2006 11:51 PM		nwr has replied

nwr

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Posts: 6412

From: Geneva, Illinois

Joined: 08-08-2005

Member Rating: 5.3

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Message 285 of 297 (358440)
10-24-2006 12:12 AM

Reply to: Message 283 by Taz
10-23-2006 11:51 PM

Re: Faith/nwr

Then do what I do and don't have anything on your computer that might lead to your demise.

Easier said than done.

In any case, the criminals won't be deterred by that. If they manage to gain a foothold in your computer, they can still use that to attack other people, and to try to steal the identities of other people.

Take a look at the phish tracker. Most of the phish operations are run from ordinary end user computers that are controlled by criminals. It might be a Romanian criminal controlling the computer of a comcast cable user in the USA. Likewise, end user computers that have been taken over are used for setting up porn sites, for illegally selling copyright violating material, and for a host of other crimes. If it happens to your computer, then the FBI will strong evidence that you are guilty of criminal activity, and it will cost you a bunch of time and money to prove that you were not the criminal.

Compassionate conservatism - bringing you a kinder, gentler torture chamber