[Aggy]

No one has even turned it on in two years. So I got it going last night and it's a really good machine. Pretty clean, she did not use it a lot. I'd like to update it to be safe to connect to the internet but I want to do that correctly.

It's got Windows XP Professional, SP2 and Symantec Corporate Edition, version 9.0.3.1000, virus definitions 3/25/2006.

I know that I need to get Windows updated to SP3, and update the AV software and definitions. What is the safest way to do this before exposing the machine to attack? I know I can just connect to the net and immediately use Windows update, and download the currect AV edition, and use liveupdate for definitions. Would it be too risky to do that, for the short while before everything is updated? Is there a way to do it by loading stuff onto a mobile media and updating that machine without connecting to the net first? I have tried to search that but what I see all seems to be geared toward updating the actual machine you're connecting.

P.S..... I may have found it... copy a .xdb file to a disk and manually transport it to the other computer:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...nsf&view=docid

If I successfully do this and run a scan and get the AV defs updated, should I be safe enough to connect to the net and then update windows and maybe install the newer verson of the AV?

[stantley]

I would just make sure you have a firewall running before you connect to the internet and since XP SP2 has the build in Windows firewall you could just use that. Symantec might also have a firewall.

Then update to SP3 and update the virus definitions.

[lunarlander]

For a home computer, the biggest risks are downloading, web surfing and direct attacks. Since you are not doing any downloading of files yet, we can cross that off. If you have a firewall running, then direct attacks through your modem is less likely to be successful.

I would download SP3 manually on another PC and then copy it to the machine with a usb stick and install that first.

Then I would connect to the internet and do windows update to get those patches newer than SP3. Don't surf anywhere else.

Then get the antivirus signatures.

Windows patches is more important than AV signatures as it Prevents attacks. AV signatures comes into play After you've been attacked

[AKAJohnDoe]

Condolences on your loss

[Aggy]

Thank you AKAJohnDoe. She was 48; cancer.

To the others, thank you, I don't know if I would have remembered to make sure the firewall was turned on before I connected!!

I have an 80G external storage drive; I downloaded the virus definitions onto that and moved it to the old computer, put them in the symantec folder and opened the Symantec window.... viola! It seems to have installed itself as the definitions are now dated today. I initiated a full system scan which it's doing now, so far nothing found. I would be surprised if it finds a virus, because my sister's husband has not even turned the machine on in over two years, and the definitions were up to date as of the last day he used the machine.

I will attempt to do the same with SP3. Then look at how to connect... I will need either to move the machine to another room or buy a wireless card for it.

[Rich-M]

I would not even worry about the internet. I would take off the corporate Norton and it really is for a server and business environment and is useless for a home user. Besides the major issues today are spyware anyway and not virus for all but the very clueless. I have never seen a corporate version have a firewall either but make sure you do Windows Updates as with at least Sp2, the firewall from Windows is somewhat 2-way.
You can download and install free Avira if you are poor or "cheap" or buy www,eset.com (Nod32) for the best spyware and virus prevention and then download www.superantispyware.com and use it free with manual updating and scanning or schedule all that automatically by buying it for a lifetime fee of $19.99 here:
http://www.superantispyware.com/prod...4-67F43560CCDD

[mrss]

The basic Windows XP without SP1 was open to probes and worms just being connected, but at the SP2 level, and with the XP firewall enabled, if all you do is go to the microsoft update page, you will be more than safe.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by lunarlander

For a home computer, the biggest risks are downloading, web surfing and direct attacks. Since you are not doing any downloading of files yet, we can cross that off. If you have a firewall running, then direct attacks through your modem is less likely to be successful.

I would download SP3 manually on another PC and then copy it to the machine with a usb stick and install that first.

Then I would connect to the internet and do windows update to get those patches newer than SP3. Don't surf anywhere else.

Then get the antivirus signatures.

Windows patches is more important than AV signatures as it Prevents attacks. AV signatures comes into play After you've been attacked

Well said

[perfume]

Dear brett888,
Mr.lunarlander's post is one of those few posts which indicates that he has a really well organized thought structure.It's one one of those few posts, we (at least i),home users really need to remember.
1)Download from a safe site. Scan the download with an anti-virus before installing!
2) Surfing!Don't be naughty! Don't be adventerous on the net!PLAY SAFE!

3) Have a good Anti-Virus program installed,whether it be Nod32(Eset) or Kaspersky 8. Please don't forget to scan at least 4 times a week!

4) Erect a firewall! Everybody on this site recommends"Comodo Firewall Pro"and it's damn good and free too!

5) If you need to download Drivers, go to the manufacturer's website(safest option) and download the one which your system needs.
Best wishes!Thank you Mr.Lunarlander!

My sincere condolences to Aggy!brett,do you think i will last that long?

[matthewdownloads]

1) I just download from anywhere and have fun!
2) Well, yes.
3) I have NO AV at all
4) I hate firewalls; I don't bother wit that either
5) Again, I just download from wherever

I do banking and other things on my computer. Call me crazy if you want, but from my experience AV software slows your computer down horribly. Kaspersky, Norton. The exception is Nod32 which misses certain visuses. I'd rather use my general intelligence and monitor the task window and services etc etc. I also reformat about once every 6 months.

Firewalls annoy my cos they block all games and you don't realise until you close the game why it wasn't working. Or they minimise the game right through.

Anyway, the point of this rant is that I don't use anything; I never have problems. I'm certain this laptop is clean right now and you certainly shouldn't worry. Just use your intelligence. From my experience, around 95% of dodgey keygen websites will infect you. Keep everything LEGAL, and use your intelligence, and you'll be fine.

[aka Brett]

Originally Posted by perfume

Dear brett888,
Mr.lunarlander's post is one of those few posts which indicates that he has a really well organized thought structure.It's one one of those few posts, we (at least i),home users really need to remember.
1)Download from a safe site. Scan the download with an anti-virus before installing!
2) Surfing!Don't be naughty! Don't be adventerous on the net!PLAY SAFE!

3) Have a good Anti-Virus program installed,whether it be Nod32(Eset) or Kaspersky 8. Please don't forget to scan at least 4 times a week!

4) Erect a firewall! Everybody on this site recommends"Comodo Firewall Pro"and it's damn good and free too!

5) If you need to download Drivers, go to the manufacturer's website(safest option) and download the one which your system needs.
Best wishes!Thank you Mr.Lunarlander!

My sincere condolences to Aggy!brett,do you think i will last that long?

yes

[Aggy]

Thank you for all these wonderful replies. I haven't had a chance to download SP3 yet, had out of town people all week, hope to get it done directly and post the successful results.

[perfume]

Mr.Matthewdownloads,
I personally think you are sending out a wrong message to all the viewers here, as far as not having an ANTI-VIRUS installation.Regarding the rest,it's a free country,play the game as you like!

[matthewdownloads]

Yeah... to be honest, if you're deciding if you need an anti-virus, or are considering not bothering, then you should get one. If you don't have one you have to be VERY alert for anything dodgey on your machine. If you can avoid one though, the benefits are huge. However, the benefits of having one if you do get hit by a nasty virus by far outweigh any slowdown you might get.

[hrlow2]

to matthewdownloads
No AV?
No Firewall?
Go anywhere and download anything?
I'll be watching for you to be posting in the malware section before long.