Gates talks on security issues

[NeonWizard]

SYDNEY, Australia--Bill Gates' security message is taking a page out of Robert Frost: Good firewalls make good neighbors.

At a news conference here Monday, Microsoft's chairman said computer systems must become more secure and must be at least as reliable as essential physical infrastructure like electricity and water systems. "That absolutely has to be done," he said.

The main solution to the problem, Gates said, is to isolate people who are trying to send out malicious code.

Gates said one-third of customers have never had problems with security attacks because they have firewalls in place. But for the other 70 percent of the customers, he said, the process of protecting themselves had been "clearly not automatic enough."

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[nellie2]

I agree firewalls are a must and keeping your security updates up to date is a must.

But we give our web browsers access to the net through our firewalls... otherwise we wouldn't be able to get on line... and it is through the browsers that our systems get compromised time and time again!!! :(

[Scarecrow Man]

Not just browsers, but many other internet programs which viruses and malware 'piggyback' on. I have found people with Zone Alarm, the program that monitors almost every packet sent and recieved, but they have many viruses. "How can that happen?" they ask me, and all I can say is, "You let it in."

Take care in browsing, know what your getting yourself into. Know what your installing, and keep your information YOURS. It's a scary world out there, but with a little knowledge, and a bit of time, you can be safe and still enjoy the benifits. :D

[catgate]

But for the other 70 percent of the customers, he said, the process of protecting themselves had been "clearly not automatic enough."

There speaks a man of experience. He has spent more time protecting himself that Bush and Blair put together. (Although they are going to have to get some more practice in soon.)

[r4may]

But for the other 70 percent of the customers, he said, the process of protecting themselves had been "clearly not automatic enough.

But Gates aims his products at 'none computer literate' customers and then he expects them to know about all the dangers of the NET: A lot of them don't even know what a firewall is :ph34r: :ph34r:

[Ash]

Windows gives newbies the impression that everything is simple and wizards do your work for you. Well, they don't, and we need blaring red and yellow notices to be plastered over monitors with catchphrases like "UPDATE ANTI VIRUS" and "INSTALL FIREWALL" with FAQ's whereever you look.

Okay, maybe not, but awareness needs to be raised somehow because even when CNN and the BBC put virus stories out, a month later, people will sit down and moan they have a virus and blame the computer.

[catgate]

A lot of them don't even know what a firewall is

Many of them think it is a stucture against which CEOs are stood, after being blindfolded, in order to get their "come uppance"!

[Scarecrow Man]

Windows gives newbies the impression that everything is simple and wizards do your work for you. Well, they don't, and we need blaring red and yellow notices to be plastered over monitors with catchphrases like "UPDATE ANTI VIRUS" and "INSTALL FIREWALL" with FAQ's whereever you look.

Okay, maybe not, but awareness needs to be raised somehow because even when CNN and the BBC put virus stories out, a month later, people will sit down and moan they have a virus and blame the computer.

Windows XP SP2 almost does that... There are many notices about protection such as not having your firewall on, or not having all the latest updates for your anti-virus.

One thing I could never understand is why people blame the computer for doing things.

Computers ARE NOT LIVING THINGS. They can only do what you TELL THEM TO. :whistling:

[catgate]

Computers ARE NOT LIVING THINGS. They can only do what you TELL THEM TO.

Since most of what they do is down to the machine code fed in by Bills lads would you like to rephrase the above??? :rolleyes:

[Scarecrow Man]

Yea, I was thinking that exact same thing right after I posted...

I will rephrase it

Computers are not living things. They only do what the program(er) tells them to do. :D But my previous statement IS true to some extent :)

[expertec]

Computers always do what they are told, just not always what you want.

[Scarecrow Man]

Computers always do what they are told, just not always what you want.

That's what I was trying to say. :D