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Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ?
From: Abhijeet Jain <abhijeet.ecstatic () gmail com>
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:11:12 -0500
Myth No. 2- Using Firefox does not make you safe! In fact, IE 7/8 is the safest browser when used with Windows Vista because it runs on lower privileges. On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM, Kos <kpo.mail.list () gmail com> wrote:
Ancompuger behind a router/firewall does not make it safe. Vulnerabilities and exploits are not limited to a network level, which is generally what a firewall is used for. Vulnerabilities sent via any protocol used (http, imap, pop, other protocols that may be in use) are not suddenly secure. An example, there are PDFs that will trigger adobe to run, whcih can be exploited easily. Someone can send your father an email with a malicious attatchment, and a firewall isn't going to preven him from clicking and running it. Anti-virus is a good start, but will only go so far. There are phishing sites too. The ways to get owned are countless, regardless of a firewall or not. You should keep the system maintained and up to date (run system updates and applications undated regularly). So no, a firewall will not prevent a computer from being compromised. Other opinions? Kos On Sep 22, 2009, at 11:29 AM, Steven Anders <anderstev () gmail com> wrote:I received great responses and am very grateful to the help from community of this list. Thank you. I have a dumb question: Is a Windows box behind a router safe ? It is my father's PC and the Windows OS was not updated regularly. The Windows box was connected through wire (RJ45) to the router. The router is then connected to the DSL modem. The Windows Box has SP2 installed and the default Windows firewall enabled - and I think was last updated from Windows Update on in 2008. It has AVG anti virus. The PC was never moved anywhere and is always behind the router. The router has default settings, which I believe has no ports open. He never installed any applications or downloads anything off the net - mainly it is used for emails and general web browsing (using Firefox, not IE). I informed him to use Firefox, since IE has so many security issues. My questions are: 1. There are many exploits and vulnerabilities of Windows, but I was wondering if outdated Windows box behind router generally safe ? Since, the Windows box was not updated with the latest updates. I have always thought that having a computer behind the router (since router has firewall) is generally safe, but I would love to hear insights or thoughts. 2. If a Windows box is behind a router, could a botnet be installed to it ? Assuming, the end user does not install/download any applications from the Internet and always use Firefox. Thank you all in advance. steve _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/_______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.grok.org.uk/full-disclosure-charter.html Hosted and sponsored by Secunia - http://secunia.com/
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Current thread:
- Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Steven Anders (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Kos (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Abhijeet Jain (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? yersinia (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Rohit Patnaik (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Brian Anderson (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Dave (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? vulcanius (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Abhijeet Jain (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? Kos (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? john s (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? G. D. Fuego (Sep 22)
- Re: Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ? john s (Sep 22)