Pfipps

Why doesn't recuva just include a file name erasure method?

Personally IE7 with protected mode in Vista is great. However, Firefox offers two things that make me use it more: 1) Can turn off the Harddisk cache 2) Many more extensions.

I recommend The newest version, the previous two "final" releases were too early. Just be sure to put the Defense+ on training mode for awhile, or you get popups just for breathing! Webroot is another good firewall with a decent HIPS component...but it has weird GUI glitches: can't "shift-select" or clear the firewall logs. PC tools firewall is ok, but I'd recommend the other two much more.

I disagree on Defense+. If you put it in training mode for a couple of days, then you shouldn't have a problem.

I just use keepass because it has a password strength tester. I think those password managers are great pieces of free software. You also have Password Safe.

In the other security forums it really doesn't come down to whether to use a firewall or not, but is a "closed" port any worse than a "stealthed" port. Some security experts at Wilders and some guy working for AVIRA thinks that "stealth" is just a marketing gimmick started by people like "security evangelist" Steve Gibson. However, I know that if there are any flaws in the TCP/IP stack, a stealth would block scans trying to take advantage of it...so I am essentially confused and err on the side of at least turning on the Windows firewall...which is really all you need if you are very careful about what you download. But a good antivirus/antispyware I think is still needed for the average user. I also think those HIPS like threatfire are good too. Classical HIPS are just too damn hard, that you end up clicking everything anyway.

When I download a torrent file, I am only sharing that particular file right? I download them to the "my documents" folder, and I wonder if I am sharing the whole folder? I am a little paranoid about a user breaking into my computer through this program in opera. Just in case you need to know, I am trying out the open suse and it is like 4 gigs! so a bittorrent is appropriate for that.

As Chris Pirillo said, "all operating systems suck." The only reason why OSX has less problems is because less people use them. Personally, Steve Jobs rubs me the wrong way, he is too cagey about his stuff. I mean, OSX runs well, but he loves to egg on the mac cult. Linux is supposed to be better, but the same rule applies.

Anybody know how to get around the "advanced reports" bug where you can't clear the entries? It's bugging the hell out of me.

Here's a thought from a person I can't remember. Thesis: Since we continue to virtualize our world, who's to say our "real" world isn't virtualized either? In other words, the "virtual" world is a simulation of our "real" world, and our "real" world is a virtualization of our spirit world. Heavy stuff. Why do I at least give it a grain of salt? Have you heard a person scream while dying in World of Warcraft?

DSA from privacyware is a good (free) alternative that is similar to Mamutu. Webroot firewall has the behavior blocker built in anyway. Oddly, DSA appears to have a firewall built in that is similar to Window's (one way), unless security center thought my webroot firewall was still installed.

Apparently, there is a problem with the signature for firewalls (they haven't been updated ....or something) anyway, firefox needs to be renamed to firefox2.exe, solved my problem anyway...don't quite understand it though. see here: http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.ph...549c878fe11b09d

Who would have known your security and well being would hinge on "Nick Burns, Your Company's Computer Guy," (IT people).

This update is not working for me. 2.0.0.10 didn't work either, but 2.0.0.9 does. I am running comodo firewall and firefox wont even ask to connect.

I wouldn't completely rely on CCleaner's secure deletion. It appears to have some bugs in it. It is probably fixed in the latest release. I just use eraser for highly sensitive files.