Nick Ballard wrote:
> Peter Köhlmann wrote:
>
>> http://news.idg.no/cw/art.cfm?id=58E2CC84-1A64-67EA-E459AE31EA733AAE
>>
>> To ensure that a new PC is malware-free, [Kaspersky]
>> recommended that before users connect the machine to the
>> Internet, they install security software, update it by
>> retrieving the latest definition file on another computer,
>> and transferring that update to the new system, then running
>> a full antivirus scan
>>
>> Yes. That sounds so windows-like. Being infected before you
>> turn the computer on...
>
> Only a fully-brainwashed Windows user would consider it normal
> behavior to go around sneakernetting virus definitions
> preemtively, as if the network cable itself had a virus.
>
> Thats' not normal. That's insane.
In a corporate styled network environment, one has a firewall
already in place and some form of virus/spyware scanning in
place, to filter out the baddies.
However, many systems connect directly to the internet,
particularly stand alone laptops used in the field, home systems
and small businesses.
For these Kaspersky's advice is sound, especially with XP. I
attempt to download latest definitions if I have a chance, but if
not, I still install a commercial anti-virus with personal
firewall software first, with LAN cable disconnected or wireless
disabled.
Personal firewall is a must. It closes off unneeded ports. One
wants the latest or at least near latest definitions, to head off
recent threats.
With as much at risk business-wise, this gives added credence to
Linux as a corporate OS. With properly disciplined security
practises in place, its security is considerably greater than
Windows, even Vista.
For most users, the offerings of such suites as StarOffice,
commercial value added variant of OpenOffice and FireFox offer
sufficient functionality for most users, that implementation
would be fairly quick and reasonably painless. The fact that
more and more data base functions are being accessed through a
web browser, even web based office make it more of a mute point,
that just about any appliance would work.
The days of Windows and "FAT" clients are definitely numbered
(pun intended).
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HPT
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