Off-line except for this and work e-mail for a bit

[jjmaccrimmon]

Last night I got a bit of a surprise. As I finished chatting with a new friend and was shutting down for the night, I noticed my CD-r tray was broken. It's been failing for a while so I already had a replacement waiting to be installed. Open the case, remove four screws, change the connections and replace the drive and restart. Simple eh?...

Nope..

When I restarted, Windows XP crashed. The config file for new hardware had been corrupted. Someone using my daughter's account downloaded the sasser worm to the computer. Why do I know this? Because certain youngsters using that account seem to shut off the anti-virus protection to play certain on-line games or download pictures. My registry and install files crashed. I was up till 11:45pm working on checking the system last night, then on the phone to Microsoft support at 6am today. I left Trish talking to the technician when I left for work at 7:25 in order to effect a reload and system save.

On top of that, I probably left my sunglasses BJ's in Burbank yesterday evening following shitty service there. This following stepping on a sharp metal bar while exploring the old LA zoo site for a possible shoot (it went through the shoe and into the foot). Yes, can you tell JJ's not having a good time right now. JJ's not even close to happy at all in fact.

Yes, the next time someone in my immediate family tells me to hook up the wireless LAN so my kids can get on-line (fuck up) with their computer, I'm going to rip them a new arse hole.

Comments

Re: Sasser

[renegade233.livejournal.com]

I don't see how precluding the kids from having their pc on the internet will have any benefit to the security onyour pc. Which is a good tool and a very valuable skill to learn both for social interaction and for homework research as well as entertainment.

As denying access to the next from their pc leaves only your PC with brennas account on it for her to be able to do school work or look up things she wants etc. meaning you leave your pc open to the same things again.

If you put their PC on to the network and make sure its not in the trusted zone for your PC then they will be able to do what ever they like and if the OS goes down then a) they will have to learn to fix it b) just reformat it and start over. Leaving your PC still pristine and unaffected. Obviously John (yes i can say names too :)), if no one else uses your PC you wont ever have to reload anything or get worms etc on it again.

That way they can learn good web discipline. Without experience of these things how are they going to learn whats safe and whats not ?
Web discipline is a skill acquired over time not something magically granted.

Maybe you look at it as more problems but I think it could be turned into a solution for you.

Just my thoughts :) Take them or leave them.

Firefox really is a good browser in case you were interested.

Re: Sasser

[jj-maccrimmon.livejournal.com]

Denying them internet access on their pc versus limiting them to one is the most elementary form of system security. Two systems on-line means maintaining two sets of security software and system profiles. It means that files can be transfered across the (wireless) LAN and potentially allows for multiple infections / issues.

I'll consider the wireless net for them with firewalls between the two computers. My only concern is if they crash their system whether or not I'm going to catch grief about not adequately protecting their PC or what they are exposed to.

I'm going to set up trusted zones and websites for them on the main site and if I set up the LAN, on their PC as well.

Believe it or not, I'm not mad at them or the situation. I don't even mind the suggestions. My biggest problem is that I only have just so much time to do all the required set-up and system mx. I've heard nothing but good things about Firefox. Norton I get free due to the government/employer. Spysweeper was has a tremendous rep and I now have an Install CD for. I've considered Zone Alarm and other security software, but C/Net and PC World haven't been as fond of them.

Re: Sasser

[renegade233.livejournal.com]

Thats good to hear.

I think wireless encryption WEP / WPA is pretty easy to set up and should stop all but the most determined hacker (lets face it nothing is 100%).

And a firewall on each PC should be fine to protect one from the other specially if they are not part of each others trusted network

Just got a bit concerned at the arseholes comment at the bottom of your original posyt .. but i guess youw ere just letting of steam.

Re: Sasser

[jj-maccrimmon.livejournal.com]

My journal is about the only place I can vent now. I can't help that so many people read it. :: Shrug :: This has been a frustrating situation on top of a really bad weekend.

Re: Sasser

[monicap69.livejournal.com]

May this upcoming weekend be good for you!