pop up killer

[CharleyO]

   
   
While all those browser suggestions are good ones, just remember this:

As the other browsers become more popular, ways will be found to compromise them ... just as IE has been.      

[rosso_acido]

This may be a valid point, but since Mozilla and Firefox, for instance, are open-source (therefore making it easier to spot and fix their vulnerabilities in a short time) and not commercial products, I believe there is little chance they may be of great interest to any serious hackers or malware distributing companies.

R.

[bob3160]

Hi CharleyO,

I believe there is little chance they may be of great interest to any serious hackers or malware distributing companies.

That all depends on how popular they become.

[rosso_acido]

Hi bob3160

I'm not CharleyO, I'm rosso_acido (it was my post you quoted).

That all depends on how popular they become.

This is also a valid point. Although I think that until they do become serious targets for malware mongers, we lose nothing if we profit from their greater security - at least for now.

Best, R.

[bob3160]

rosso_acido
Sorry about the misquote. I've just finished installing XP SP2 so for right now at least, IE base browsers should be ok again IMHO

[DavidR]

This may be a valid point, but since Mozilla and Firefox, for instance, are open-source (therefore making it easier to spot and fix their vulnerabilities in a short time) and not commercial products

There are those who would counter that by saying that because they are open source, that when vulnerabilities are found, exploits are more likely to also be created to catch those who don't update regularly.

Whatever your choice, exercise caution and common sence, keep your browser up to date.

[bob3160]

Correct DavidR
I think that's something we have been preaching  to all who listen.
It's important to keep all your processes up to date.
Including Programs and the OS. It's also important to keep your drivers up to date.

[rosso_acido]

rosso_acido
Sorry about the misquote.

It's OK.

Whatever your choice, exercise caution and common sence, keep your browser up to date.

It's important to keep all your processes up to date.
Including Programs and the OS. It's also important to keep your drivers up to date.

Exactly. This is the most effective measure against malware attacks, and it's neither something abstract nor unattainable, but depends on how well informed and conscientious everyone is.

I've just finished installing XP SP2 so for right now at least, IE base browsers should be ok again IMHO

This means you're a lucky person on broadband, right? We of the poor lousy dialup had better order the (free) SP2 CD promised by M$...

Really, what size exactly is the SP2? I've been told on another forum it's about 80MB (at least)? :'(

BS (aka R.)

[DavidR]

This means you're a lucky person on broadband, right?  We of the poor lousy dialup had better order the (free) SP2 CD promised by M$...

There's no way I'm trying to do the upgrade via a dial-up charging along at 5KB per sec. I would suggest that you find a friend with broadband, get them to download what is/was being cassed the network update version and burn it on to a CD for you. That is likely to be quicker than getting the free CD from MS.

Really, what size exactly is the SP2? I've been told on another forum it's about 80MB (at least)?

It much depends on which method/version you download. There is an Express version that only downloads and installs the components that you need. This is suposedly to assist those with dial-up, it's varies from about 70MB and up. This is usualy done via windows update, I think you also need to have upgraded the v4.windowsupdate to v5 to do it this way.

The network version (full) is I believe 266MB.

[rosso_acido]

Thanks so much for providing the info and advice, DavidR.

I've heard something about v5 that - well, not exactly worried me, but made me think twice about upgrading to it... It's supposed to be so helpful in downloading the updates that it totally automates the process for you, so that you have no choice at all in downloading/installing the updates manually, at your ease.

Still, that's just what I read in someone else's post on another forum, and I guess I'll have to take his word for it. I don't believe in conspiracy theories but I'm a bit reserved towards such exaggerated "helpfulness", especially when it comes from M$.

Anyway, thanks again for the useful info.

Best,
R. (aka BS)

[DavidR]

As far as I am aware there are three update options in v5 of windows update.
1. notify only.
2. download automatically but prompt before installing.
3. full automatic.

Option 1 is better suited to us dial-up users.

[rosso_acido]

1. notify only.
...
Option 1 is better suited to us dial-up users.

Ah! Thank you, thank you.

Now this does sound like an option.

R.

[bob3160]

DavidR
There's one more option.
You can turn it off. ( Wich is a bad idea IMHO )
I picked the same option you did. Still like to make up my own mind before it get's installed. We know there have been some instances where it was prudent to wait a few days.

[DavidR]

DavidR
There's one more option.
You can turn it off. ( Wich is a bad idea IMHO )

Which is pretty much why I didn't mention it as an option. I too hate programs doing things without my control or at least knowledge.