"Dan" wrote in message
...
1. I would suggest using a wired connection with ethernet and a NAT address
within your router. You can go to grc.com and check the Shields Up test to
see if over 1000 ports are stealthed with green setting.

Without going back to check, IIRC the GRC port test checks 1500 ports. If the user
has no router and does not use a sufficient third party firewall it means nothing.
If they do have a router incorporated into their network, it also means squat if they
fail to change the default un/pw provided with the router. In todays cat and mouse
battle with the way hackers have progressed, one of the first lines of defense is to
change the default un/pw of any router utilized in a network.


2. I would suggest making sure your Windows 98 Second Edition and its
associated updates are fully up to date and would suggest using the security
cd if you have it although you will have to edit the *.inf as PCR has
suggested to show to some programs that it is indeed 98 Second Edition. You
will need to use the Windows update site after that. I cannot endorse the
use of non-approproved Microsoft update packs and they may or may not work
but use them at your own risk and make sure your PC is backed up fully before
installing one of course.

IMHO the security update CD is not the way to go other than the rare exception
after a clean install. If a user has a reasonably fast connection on the net,
downloading and installing the updates will be much quicker than any read/write from
a CD.


3. I would suggest using an antivirus program like AVG antivirus that has
worked well for me and my dad or Avast that many users here seem to like but
I did not care for its interface.

Again, IMHO AVG is crap, Avast is subliminal. Either way, both apps will sooner
than later be integrated into a suite and no longer support 98.


4. I would suggest using anti-spyware programs and the ones I particularly
like for 98 Second Edition are SpywareBlaster and Spybot Search and Destroy.
Please make sure you get them from their main sites or a fairly safe
alternative like majorgeeks.com website. I do not care for Adaware any more
because of false positives in the past. Another one is CWShredder if you
need it and HiJack This but with HiJackThis make sure experts help you and
just don't go willy nilly and delete potentially good and needed stuff on
your machine.

Without knowing your exact situation I will venture to guess that the Adaware
false/positives had to do with cookies and/or MRU's. Adaware has always been a good
compliment to SB S&D and visa versa, each one identifying something the other didn't.


5. I would suggest using Mozilla Firefox version 2.0.0.8 or its latest
version for better browser security and safety over Internet Explorer.
Mozilla Firefox supports 256 bit cipher strength in Windows 98 that Microsoft
only supports 256 bit cipher strength in Vista with Internet Explorer
currently. Internet Explorer also has Active X vulnerabilites that are
targetted frequently. The same goes for you Apple users and Linux users as
well. Safari for Apple only has a maximum encryption of 128 bit so it is
lacking as well. I have discovered that 128 bit encryption can be hacked in
15 minutes or less with 2 or 3 Craig Supercomputers working on the encryption
strength cipher and that is why the industry is way behind on this. Bank of
America and Citicards continue to use only 128 bit encryption and Bank of
America does not seem to care but at least Citicards said they are working on
implementing Mozilla Firefox with 256 bit encryption. The safest way is to
post information on an off-line computer of course but industry standards are
lacking compared to the latest threats available on-line to break computer
encryption.

Personally IMHO again, your PC and/or network are only as secure as one makes it.
It makes no difference on which browser a user deploys when it comes to online sites,
the difference in security has to do with the administrator of that site and how well
they lock it down.


6. Please practice safe browsing methods and do not open email attachments
until you are sure they are safe. Be aware of the many phising scams out
there and especially ones that claim to be from Microsoft or someone or other
wanting information or money because it is not what it claims to be
especially if it sounds to good to be true. Contact the business from their
main number from the telephone book or the back of your bank or from your
business card. Information can help if you get stuck as well. Please also
block html code as a default precaution and only view when you are sure it is
safe. You can read in plain text and send in plain text and that is fairly
safe.

Browsing the net and emails are two separate entities. Aside from that it should
be stated that "No Email" should ever be opened if the sender is unknown to the
reciever.


7. Please be aware that information you post on the Internet is available
for everyone to view so just remember how much information you are willing to
freely give the public about yourself.

Not 100% true depending on how one reads into the statement and the way I read it's
completely false.


8. Please be careful about social-networking sites like MySpace and/or
Facebook and others that could data mine your information. Heck, a website
which was one I enjoyed posting at which was tsl-game.com had its forum
hacked this summer with 9-11 propaganda posted. Here is the weblink if any
are interested in reading about it:

http://www.tsl-game.com/forum/index.php?topic=6115.0

9. Please be careful who you trust especially if you are younger than 21
because there are a lot of terrible people out there that ruthlessly prey
upon weak and innocent children and hurt women also so the Internet has
become a tool to try and force some people in bad situations to be monitored
so much that they are like slaves.

10. A final word is to be careful what you download because if it is free
games, wallpaper, software, music, etc. then you could be getting more than
you bargain for originally and it is not worth it. You could be opening your
machine up to spyware, adware, trojans, viruses, identity theft, etc. and
lawsuits from the music or other industries against you and please do things
legally.

The end of my 10 comments that are good general computer tips with Windows
98 Second Edition in the front of my mind thus I had no reason to mention
things like Windows Defender that is not supported on 98 Second Edition. If
you check out the secunia.com website and do your research you will see how
much safer Mozilla Firefox is than all versions of Internet Explorer and how
98 Second Edition is safer currently than XP Home and Professional.
Fortunately, Vista is secure but has automatic issues, backwards
compatibility issues and other issues because it is too new. Have a nice day.

XP Pro is by far more secure than 98/SE, again, it's up to the user/admin to lock
the system(s) down.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375