Blaster Worm Alert

[SKD_Tech]

Man whoever made this was purdy smart! I accuse Setarip (nah just kidding if you see this)

[khp]

Originally posted by chickeneater
dude... I got checked with norton, and it didn't find anything...

Just because Norton doesn't find a virus doesn't mean that the virus isn't there. It just means that none of the viruses norton knows are on your system.

Q: What guarantee do you have that norton is able to detect this virus or any other upcomming virus ?

A: None whatsoever.

Antivirus programs are practically completly useless, when it comes to defending againt attacks like this. A virus like the blasterworm can go global in a matter of minutes, while it may take days before a antivirus update for norton, enables you to detect the virus.

Only a firewall can provide any kind of protection against such attacks. And indeed a properly configured firewall does protect against the blaster worm.

This of course doesn't mean that, a firewall will protect against any kind of attack. Viruses that spread via www pages or email, will walk right through a firewall. Ofcourse virusses like that tend spread alot slower than worms like the blaster worm, since they require the user of the target machine to view the page or email, for example the 'I love you virus' took a few hours to become a global problem (still way too fast for antivirus programs to be of significant use).
The best defence against such attacks, is to avoid using the most commonly used internet tools, IE, Outlook Express, etc.

Supposedly, the "latest" version of the MSBLASTER worm prevents M$'s patch from installing, leaving a complete format as the only option of disinfecting a system.

If such a beast exists a new fix should be avaliable in a matter of days. Suggesting that people should format their harddrives is just plain silly. Please don't spread fud like this.

[Batman]

I have not suggested anyone format their drives. I have seen reports of this problem, and I thought it would be useful to let board members know of it, it is far from "fud".

[admin]

A firewall is a must - make sure you get one that supports both incoming and outgoing scans and blocking, like ZoneAlarm (free version available : FREE ZoneAlarm )

[MPS]

A firewall is a must...

i heard some good opinions about McAfee Firewall too (link)

[Batman]

Another free and good firewall

http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf/spf_ov.htm

[shiny#3]

the best firewall (freeware ) is outpost (imho), though
zonealarm is not a bad choice either

[NobbyNobbs]

Personaly I run an old 486 with Smoothwall as my firewall, then I do not have any Microsoft programs directly connected to the Internet.
As most Viruses/Worms, etc.- are aimed at Microsoft OS'es, or programs, I prefer a Linux firewall solution.

[UncasMS]

i agree with shiny#3

i'm more than pleased with outpost

[Livewire]

I am not much of a supporter of microsoft and I feel sorry for all those who deem it as a necessity. I also teem with joy for every hacker that comes up with these wonderfully programmed small and effective programs to proove that a multi-trillion dollar software industry (MS) is incapable and unwilling to design thier operating system in a responsible manner. Consumers have balked about these things since the age of Windoze 3.11.
I also feel sad that I too am one of these blokes with this poor problem of conforming to a product that is bent on telling consumers what they do and don't want in an operating system.

In short: Way to go worms, viruses and trojans. My day has been complicated with frustration and dissapointment as a result of my ignorance and stupidity. Hmmm Linux.... wonder if that is gonna work.

[chickeneater]

I can't have a fulltime full on real firewall because it closes my internet connection, for some reason. norton still keeps my internet, but other things like ad blockers and stuff like that kill the internet

[khp]

Originally posted by chickeneater
I can't have a fulltime full on real firewall because it closes my internet connection, for some reason. norton still keeps my internet, but other things like ad blockers and stuff like that kill the internet

Ehh, that is purely a matter of configuring the firewall. I don't know about outpost, but in zonealarm, you get a popup window everytime an unknow program tries to access the internet, you can then tell the firewall, to always, or just this once, deny or grant the program access. As far as I'am concerned this feature is absolutly essential, since it provides a very effective protection against backdoors and datamining viruses.

Could it be that you have the 'Windows Internet connection firewall' or some norton firewall enabled ?, which will naturally conflict with any other software firewall. IMHO Zonealarm would be a much better choice than either the Windows firewall or anything norton might provide.

Edit: OK I'll admit that, I might be a bit biased against Norton, primarily because it's a nonfree product. And I very much prefer using free solutions whenever possible.
In this case I'am pretty sure that there are free solutions that are at least as good as any nonfree solution.

[chickeneater]

hehe... I got norton 2003 pro from a friend. it was like free

[SKD_Tech]

I just use Mcafee and it works fine for me. I have a hardware Firewall in my external modem. Please no comments about Mcafee vs. Norton no one cares