Windows Spam and Firewalls

[a]

In summary: the problem is that by default my PC is open
to someone remotely getting control of my drive and being
able to do anything they want to it, purely because of
the failings of XP.

Nothing that anyone's said here negates that fact.

Other people's [Use a firewall] response is irrational as
99% of people who use a PC don't even know what a
firewall is, let alone know how to configure it.

Contrary to what techies here might think, people who
know how to configure the nuts and bolts of every aspect
of the comms on their pc are in the tiny minority -
normal people just don't have the time to deal with such
things as that's considered the job of the people who
make/maintain the software and hardware.

Most people just want to plug the computer in, and go.

Most people don't want to spend days configuring and fine-
tuning their PC/OS, and they assume that it comes off the
shelf with at least some form of default protection.

Most people assume that when they buy a pc and use XP,
that microsoft would/should not by default allow other
people to gain access to their PC as soon as they plug it
into a phone socket.

Besides which, the XP firewall doesn't work properly.

Does anybody here understand/appreciate my argument, or
is everybody on the planet supposed to have a degree in
comms ?

[Daffydd Powys]

Hi,
I have just had a very frustrating and lengthy conversation (Me Yelling)
with my ISP
about this same subject, ie my monthly limit is 5gb (Cable) starting on the
first of every month, last month we reached our limit by the 10th of the
month despite the fact that i haven't used the PC for 8 of those days, i
dont use p2p or have any unattended downloads, i have a hardware firewall,
and for a bit of overkill have turned on the XP firewall.
Despite all of this, since yesterday according to my ISP i have used 720MB,
NO WAY, all bar 2 hrs my PC has been switched off, (I used to leave it on)
and i certainly havent downloaded this amount, their explanation is that
it's nothing to do with them, it's me, my OS, XP isn't secure, plus im an
idiot,and prove otherwise.
I am considering changing ISP's, but would still like to get to the bottom
of this.
Q; Is it possible to hijack a cable modem.
or my account.

--
Regard's
David Powys
Distractions.Computer Solutions
Ph 61 02 9589 0603
Mobile 0403912166
"Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced"

"a" > wrote in message
...
> In summary: the problem is that by default my PC is open
> to someone remotely getting control of my drive and being
> able to do anything they want to it, purely because of
> the failings of XP.
>
> Nothing that anyone's said here negates that fact.
>
> Other people's [Use a firewall] response is irrational as
> 99% of people who use a PC don't even know what a
> firewall is, let alone know how to configure it.
>
> Contrary to what techies here might think, people who
> know how to configure the nuts and bolts of every aspect
> of the comms on their pc are in the tiny minority -
> normal people just don't have the time to deal with such
> things as that's considered the job of the people who
> make/maintain the software and hardware.
>
> Most people just want to plug the computer in, and go.
>
> Most people don't want to spend days configuring and fine-
> tuning their PC/OS, and they assume that it comes off the
> shelf with at least some form of default protection.
>
> Most people assume that when they buy a pc and use XP,
> that microsoft would/should not by default allow other
> people to gain access to their PC as soon as they plug it
> into a phone socket.
>
> Besides which, the XP firewall doesn't work properly.
>
> Does anybody here understand/appreciate my argument, or
> is everybody on the planet supposed to have a degree in
> comms ?

[Patrick Hallihan]

Comments inline...

"a" > wrote in message
...
> In summary: the problem is that by default my PC is open
> to someone remotely getting control of my drive and being
> able to do anything they want to it, purely because of
> the failings of XP.
>
> Nothing that anyone's said here negates that fact.

FALSE. Nothing inherent in XP allows what you say. As for your efforts to
pinpoint XP, I run several Windows and *nix systems and _all_ require
constant attention to patches and updates. Granted the Windows ones might
be at slightly higher risk, but that's because Microsoft's success and the
wide adoption of their OS's has painted a giant bullseye on them for
hackers.

> Other people's [Use a firewall] response is irrational as
> 99% of people who use a PC don't even know what a
> firewall is, let alone know how to configure it.

> Contrary to what techies here might think, people who
> know how to configure the nuts and bolts of every aspect
> of the comms on their pc are in the tiny minority -
> normal people just don't have the time to deal with such
> things as that's considered the job of the people who
> make/maintain the software and hardware.

We understand it. We make money because we know the nuts and bolts. I'd
really prefer that this stuff didn't become common knowledge because then
it'd get pretty hard for computer geeks to get work...

> Most people just want to plug the computer in, and go.
>
> Most people don't want to spend days configuring and fine-
> tuning their PC/OS, and they assume that it comes off the
> shelf with at least some form of default protection.

True, but most people would also balk at pay 4 to 5 times as much for their
computers. What does that have to do with anything? Microsoft is a
_business_ with limited resources. Almost every product produced by _any_
company in the world has shortcomings. Scheduling of resources to introduce
improvements is done based on what is going to allow the business to make
more money. Internet access is not a _right_, it's a service, or commodity
(we'll let the economists argue that one). You get what you pay for. You
aren't "entitled" to anything. If you aren't willing to put the effort into
learning how to use it properly or to pay to have someone help you use it
properly, then you must accept the risk of the way you choose to use it.
What you're asking for is like buying a Saturn coupe and racing it on the
highway, and expecting it to provide the same protection as a
top-of-the-line Lexus.

> Most people assume that when they buy a pc and use XP,
> that microsoft would/should not by default allow other
> people to gain access to their PC as soon as they plug it
> into a phone socket.
>
> Besides which, the XP firewall doesn't work properly.
>
> Does anybody here understand/appreciate my argument, or
> is everybody on the planet supposed to have a degree in
> comms ?

I understand your argument. I appreciate your concerns, but you must
understand that it's _YOUR_ responsibility to use technology properly. You
can't expect the world (Microsoft, your ISP, etc.) to take care of
protecting you. There are plenty of people that will work to protect you,
but you might have to pay them. Actually, this newsgroup provides a great
deal of FREE advise that you've mostly dismissed amidst your anti-Microsoft
ranting. You can't expect all the good of the Internet without also
accepting that it comes with risks. If you have specific concerns, then ask
specific questions, but this thread has wasted many people's time already.

Regards,
Patrick Hallihan
MCSE, MCDBA