Nick Gordon wrote:
> Though I regard this topic as utterly off topic, it is a topic that
> should have everyones attention now and then. I am on the cable to, but
> (though it is no excuse, still a reason) since i am on a mac i have no
> virus protection and no firewall turned on.
It is off topic, but worth reminding everybody once in a while.
>> From a user of a machine that needs no extra firewall (it's built in),
>>and does not bother with virus protection because there is no need with
>>my machine.
>>
>
> You make it sound as if it is turned on by default, but thats not true,
> is it?
OS 9 it is turned on automatically, just the way the OS is designed. OS
X leaves a couple ports open that could be hacked and have to be closed
manually. A hacker who trys to locate my machine checking for ports
won't even get a reply. It will be as if there is no machine there. My
machine responds only to querys that it's expecting.
In OS X, if you have windows file sharing turned on you have a port
open. Probably if you are using the personal web serving too.
It's fun to run a mac on one of the online security checkers designed
for windows. Nearly always gets very high marks. Except those that test
your browser. I have java, active X and cookies all enabled. Not a big
problem with a mac running netscape, but a security risk if it's a
windows machine running IE. My understanding is that it's a way that a
outsider can access all the spy files microsoft is keeping on you. As
well as mess with the contents of your HD or install a virus.
> I am bothered more often lately by Spam. I notice a difference a when
> a mail comes from a windows user and a mac user.
> That's why I post this mail.
>
> From the mails I recieve on this topic 'virus' the one from Evert
> (sorry Evert) is read in as spam whereas the mails from Charles and
> Walter are not.
> Evert I is on Windows and Charles and Walter are on a Mac. I don't
> think it is anything bad, I just noticed the difference and I haven't
> figured out what to think of it.
It's probably which emailer we use. I use Netscape 7. Spam catching is a
case of looking for certain key things. It could also be that Evert used
some word that set off your spam catcher.
My unwanted mail is split between windows viruses mailing everybody and
spam (which is mostly porn or get rich quick). My ISP provides a spam
catcher at their level and that catches some of the spam. On a slow day
I may see only a few virus emails come in, on some days it can be dozens.
Walt
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