Jump to content

security questions & comodo firewall


Recommended Posts

Guest Samantha
Posted

Hi,

 

I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual boot

because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net because

I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do this

for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

 

I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block

(like windows update) while still able to surf?

 

Thanks for any help,

Samantha

  • Replies 9
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Popular Days

Guest Gary S. Terhune
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a 98 advisor.) If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and how often and if there are any problems with it, then you should understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need to know what hardware you're using, also. Just like we need to have that info in many cases before we can diagnose your problem. No personal info is transmitted.

 

You can stop Automatic Updates easily. Then you can choose whether or not to go to Windows Updates and when. In fact, you can safely refuse MS any call-back or automatic update functions. They are all optional.

 

Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one at a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS (most of them, anyway.)

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Samantha" <none> wrote in message news:46cc4c78$0$6486$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> Hi,

>

> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual boot

> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net because

> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do this

> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>

> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block

> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>

> Thanks for any help,

> Samantha

>

>

Guest Samantha
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

"Gary S. Terhune"

WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a

98 advisor.)

 

You're right, XP is more secure but at least with 98, I had full

control of the OS. It doesn't undo changes that I make in the

registry or other places like XP does. It's a hassle to replace

somthing as simple as Notepad with Metapad even though it can be

done. They should release a tech version for advanced users rather

than have a dummy-proof OS for everyone. Sorry for the gripping but

I feel better. :)

 

"Gary S. Terhune"

If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and how

often and if there are any problems with it, then you should

understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need

to know what hardware you're using, also.

 

OK. I understand their reasoning but I guess I have a problem with

it since they didn't operate that way with 98. They relied on users

offering hardware info rather than *just taking it* and that's what

bugs me. It's like someone going through my home without my

permission. I rather not allow any info out to the net if that be

the case. I turned off Auto-update in Services. Are there any other

services or components that I need to disable or block (by firewall)

that sends info?

 

"Gary S. Terhune"

Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one at

a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to

be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS

(most of them, anyway.)

 

Oh, joy!! You just made my day, Gary. I want to crawl back in bed!

LOL

Thanks for your reply.

 

"Samantha"

> Hi,

>

> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual

boot

> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net

because

> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do

this

> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>

> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block

> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>

> Thanks for any help,

> Samantha

>

>

Guest Gary S. Terhune
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

I understand. The idiot-proofing never ends, <s>. That's why I'm not using Vista yet. No patience to learn the workarounds. I'm sure there are ways to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Consider posting here with specific, limited goals (not just a general "how do I turn all of this off?")

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Samantha" <none> wrote in message news:46cc68d9$0$16462$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a

> 98 advisor.)

>

> You're right, XP is more secure but at least with 98, I had full

> control of the OS. It doesn't undo changes that I make in the

> registry or other places like XP does. It's a hassle to replace

> somthing as simple as Notepad with Metapad even though it can be

> done. They should release a tech version for advanced users rather

> than have a dummy-proof OS for everyone. Sorry for the gripping but

> I feel better. :)

>

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and how

> often and if there are any problems with it, then you should

> understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need

> to know what hardware you're using, also.

>

> OK. I understand their reasoning but I guess I have a problem with

> it since they didn't operate that way with 98. They relied on users

> offering hardware info rather than *just taking it* and that's what

> bugs me. It's like someone going through my home without my

> permission. I rather not allow any info out to the net if that be

> the case. I turned off Auto-update in Services. Are there any other

> services or components that I need to disable or block (by firewall)

> that sends info?

>

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one at

> a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to

> be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS

> (most of them, anyway.)

>

> Oh, joy!! You just made my day, Gary. I want to crawl back in bed!

> LOL

> Thanks for your reply.

>

> "Samantha"

>> Hi,

>>

>> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual

> boot

>> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net

> because

>> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

>> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

>> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

>> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

>

>> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do

> this

>> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>>

>> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

>> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block

>> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>>

>> Thanks for any help,

>> Samantha

>>

>>

>

>

Guest Samantha
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

"Gary S. Terhune"

I understand. The idiot-proofing never ends, <s>. That's why I'm not

using Vista yet. No patience to learn the workarounds. I'm sure

there are ways to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Consider

posting here with specific, limited goals (not just a general "how

do I turn all of this off?")

 

Yeah, I heard vista is even worse. I'll jump to ReactOS (hopefully

they'll be ready by then) or linux before I use vista. I wish I

could post more specific questions but I don't know what to look for

so I'm not sure what to ask. Can you point me to a website to get me

started so I can be more specific as you suggested?

 

 

"Samantha"

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a

> 98 advisor.)

>

> You're right, XP is more secure but at least with 98, I had full

> control of the OS. It doesn't undo changes that I make in the

> registry or other places like XP does. It's a hassle to replace

> somthing as simple as Notepad with Metapad even though it can be

> done. They should release a tech version for advanced users rather

> than have a dummy-proof OS for everyone. Sorry for the gripping

but

> I feel better. :)

>

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and

how

> often and if there are any problems with it, then you should

> understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need

> to know what hardware you're using, also.

>

> OK. I understand their reasoning but I guess I have a problem with

> it since they didn't operate that way with 98. They relied on

users

> offering hardware info rather than *just taking it* and that's

what

> bugs me. It's like someone going through my home without my

> permission. I rather not allow any info out to the net if that be

> the case. I turned off Auto-update in Services. Are there any

other

> services or components that I need to disable or block (by

firewall)

> that sends info?

>

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one

at

> a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to

> be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS

> (most of them, anyway.)

>

> Oh, joy!! You just made my day, Gary. I want to crawl back in bed!

> LOL

> Thanks for your reply.

>

> "Samantha"

>> Hi,

>>

>> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual

> boot

>> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net

> because

>> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

>> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

>> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

>> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

>

>> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do

> this

>> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>>

>> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

>> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely

block

>> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>>

>> Thanks for any help,

>> Samantha

>>

>>

>

>

Guest Gary S. Terhune
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

Your general question is still too general, and I don't specifically know of

a site that deals with it. As to your specific question about Comodo, you'd

have to ask about each one (unless Comodo has a reference.) And there's

always Google.

 

When it comes to Windows Updates (I presume you're talking about Automatic

Updates -- wouldn't want to block the Windows Updates site or the controls

that allow it to run) -- all you have to do is turn off Automatic Updates.

Other phone-home aspects in apps can almost always be disabled, but how

depends on the app. If Comodo lets you log internet traffic, you can tell

from that which items are trying to access the internet and deal with them

one by one.

 

As for getting Updates without using Windows Updates... Try this:

http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=windows%20xp

 

That site requires an Active-X installation, so if it loses the search term,

all I used was Windows XP.) Note that it found more than 1000. Probably

includes all languages. What I do it use Windows Updates to determine which

I need and then get just those. I certainly don't try to second-guess WU as

to what to install and what not to install.

 

Not sure if I covered all you bases... What else?

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Samantha" <none> wrote in message

news:46cc7e08$0$18991$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> I understand. The idiot-proofing never ends, <s>. That's why I'm not

> using Vista yet. No patience to learn the workarounds. I'm sure

> there are ways to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Consider

> posting here with specific, limited goals (not just a general "how

> do I turn all of this off?")

>

> Yeah, I heard vista is even worse. I'll jump to ReactOS (hopefully

> they'll be ready by then) or linux before I use vista. I wish I

> could post more specific questions but I don't know what to look for

> so I'm not sure what to ask. Can you point me to a website to get me

> started so I can be more specific as you suggested?

>

>

> "Samantha"

>> "Gary S. Terhune"

>> WinXP is significantly more secure than Win98 (and I'm primarily a

>> 98 advisor.)

>>

>> You're right, XP is more secure but at least with 98, I had full

>> control of the OS. It doesn't undo changes that I make in the

>> registry or other places like XP does. It's a hassle to replace

>> somthing as simple as Notepad with Metapad even though it can be

>> done. They should release a tech version for advanced users rather

>> than have a dummy-proof OS for everyone. Sorry for the gripping

> but

>> I feel better. :)

>>

>> "Gary S. Terhune"

>> If you have no problem with MS knowing what software you run and

> how

>> often and if there are any problems with it, then you should

>> understand that for much of that data to make any sense, they need

>> to know what hardware you're using, also.

>>

>> OK. I understand their reasoning but I guess I have a problem with

>> it since they didn't operate that way with 98. They relied on

> users

>> offering hardware info rather than *just taking it* and that's

> what

>> bugs me. It's like someone going through my home without my

>> permission. I rather not allow any info out to the net if that be

>> the case. I turned off Auto-update in Services. Are there any

> other

>> services or components that I need to disable or block (by

> firewall)

>> that sends info?

>>

>> "Gary S. Terhune"

>> Sorry to say that you will need to install those 100 Updates one

> at

>> a time or in batches until early next year when SP3 is supposed to

>> be released. Nobody is happy about that, not even the folks at MS

>> (most of them, anyway.)

>>

>> Oh, joy!! You just made my day, Gary. I want to crawl back in bed!

>> LOL

>> Thanks for your reply.

>>

>> "Samantha"

>>> Hi,

>>>

>>> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual

>> boot

>>> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net

>> because

>>> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

>>> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

>>> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

>>> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

>>

>>> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do

>> this

>>> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>>>

>>> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

>>> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely

> block

>>> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>>>

>>> Thanks for any help,

>>> Samantha

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

Guest smlunatick
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

On Aug 22, 10:47 am, "Samantha" <none> wrote:

> Hi,

>

> I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual boot

> because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net because

> I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers info

> about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

> understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is my

> own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS? Someone

> put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do this

> for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

>

> I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

> components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely block

> (like windows update) while still able to surf?

>

> Thanks for any help,

> Samantha

 

In responce to the Comodo firewall, I would like to state the

following:

 

1) Very complete and complex to set up correctly.

 

2) With my previous experience, Comodo "integrates" too much within

Windows XP. I tried their Version 2, after removing my Zone Alarm

Free. It required that I "reset" the Windows WMI repository folder

(this controls Security Center.) This "resetted" my anti-virus

setting (need to re-install it) and some screwed up the Windows

Updates. I had a "he!!" of a time to reset these settings, after

dropping Comodo FW from my system. Zone Alarm Free is just 'right' so

minimum setting controls for the casual XP users.

Guest Samantha
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

"Gary S. Terhune"

|Not sure if I covered all you bases... What else?

 

*snicker*. You have been very patient and kind in answering my

(probably annoying) questions. Thank you for your input and time,

it's appreciated.

 

I'm going to research so I can learn to ask the right questions. ;)

 

Samantha

Guest Samantha
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

"smlunatick"

| On Aug 22, 10:47 am, "Samantha" <none> wrote:

| > Hi,

| >

| > I just upgraded my cpu and mb and I can't setup a win98\xp dual

boot

| > because of no drivers for 98. I never allowed xp on the net

because

| > I didn't trust it. I think I read somewhere, that it gathers

info

| > about the hardware and software, then sends it to MS. I can

| > understand this with 'only' their software but the hardware is

my

| > own business. Is there a way to safely surf with this OS?

Someone

| > put all the security patches together for win98 - did anyone do

this

| > for xp? There's like 100 patches to manually download.

| >

| > I installed Comodo Firewall and noticed that there are a lot of

| > components listed to access the net.What ones can you safely

block

| > (like windows update) while still able to surf?

| >

| > Thanks for any help,

| > Samantha

|

| In responce to the Comodo firewall, I would like to state the

| following:

|

| 1) Very complete and complex to set up correctly.

|

| 2) With my previous experience, Comodo "integrates" too much

within

| Windows XP. I tried their Version 2, after removing my Zone Alarm

| Free. It required that I "reset" the Windows WMI repository

folder

| (this controls Security Center.) This "resetted" my anti-virus

| setting (need to re-install it) and some screwed up the Windows

| Updates. I had a "he!!" of a time to reset these settings, after

| dropping Comodo FW from my system. Zone Alarm Free is just

'right' so minimum setting controls for the casual XP users.

 

The reason you went back to ZA is one of the reasons why I left it.

I like feature-rich programs that allow you to tweak them. Also, ZA

failed the leak test while Comodo passed. That's the main reason for

switching. It's a bummer because I did like that firewall. Thanks

for giving me heads-up on possible issues that I may have to

resolve.

 

Samantha

Guest Gary S. Terhune
Posted

Re: security questions & comodo firewall

 

You're questions aren't nearly as annoying to me as your problems are to

you, <s>. Have fun researching.

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

 

"Samantha" <none> wrote in message

news:46cca4ad$0$16486$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...

> "Gary S. Terhune"

> |Not sure if I covered all you bases... What else?

>

> *snicker*. You have been very patient and kind in answering my

> (probably annoying) questions. Thank you for your input and time,

> it's appreciated.

>

> I'm going to research so I can learn to ask the right questions. ;)

>

> Samantha

>

>


×
×
  • Create New...