Safety on Computers

[copycat]

You trust RealPlayer when it adds many registry entries and always wants to connect to the Internet?

Correction: I have a RealOne Player.
Registry entries don't bother me, as long as they don't make my system unstable, and Win XP is already doing a good job at that all by itself. What wants to connect to the Internet first has to pass my Firewall. I already said the Event Launcher is blocked, the player itself has to ask permission to connect.

[Yonkey]

I personally don't have Real One player installed, cuz it's too bloated IMO.  I also don't find much Real Media-only content anyway, so I have no need for it.  

[Jeysie]

I seldom watch RealMedia stuff, either... I just have an online audio show I really need to finish listening to.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[dew7]

Quicktime and Windows Media Player are much better choices.  Real One player wrecked havoc on my old system and I learned my lesson well.  Hopefully, it will work out for you Copycat.

[copycat]

Quicktime and Windows Media Player are much better choices.

I've got those two too. I don't encounter too much Realmedia-only content too much either, but just in case when I do...

[dew7]

It is all a balancing act between maintaining minimal privacy and having all the programs you want for free and expect them to send nothing to their masters in return.  For instance, I have used instant messaging but I do not plan to use it in the future because of the inherent security risk that it poses to users and corporations. zzzzzzzzz!

[copycat]

For instance, I have used instant messaging but I do not plan to use it in the future because of the inherent security risk that it poses to users and corporations.

Sure IM-ing can cause risks, but IMHO the risk outweighs the gain.
Ack, embedded Windows update just did a short sprint, but it stopped again at 54%.

[Jeysie]

Sure IM-ing can cause risks, but IMHO the risk outweighs the gain.

Er, don't you mean the other way around? The gain outweighs the risk?

Peace & Luv, Liz

[copycat]

Er, don't you mean the other way around? The gain outweighs the risk?

Oops, mix-up, you're right.

[dew7]

Do you mean Win. 95 osr2 lacks the ability to become faster when you format the op. system or that it does not accumulate useless junk or something else?  

[copycat]

Do you mean Win. 95 osr2 lacks the ability to become faster when you format the op. system or that it does not accumulate useless junk or something else?  

My current installation of Win95OSR doesn't seem to be accumulating useless junk. Nor does it appear to be much slower than when I last re-installed. It may not lack the ability, but it sure isn't showing it at the moment.

[dew7]

I guess Windows 95 is way off the hackers list since Microsoft no longer supports this operating system.  Even with 98SE, since it is so old many hackers just tend to ignore it.  They seem to be focused on XP since this operating system comes with many new computers and corporations tend to use it as well.

[copycat]

I guess Windows 95 is way off the hackers list since Microsoft no longer supports this operating system.  Even with 98SE, since it is so old many hackers just tend to ignore it.  They seem to be focused on XP since this operating system comes with many new computers and corporations tend to use it as well.

Winxows95 does not have file-scripting stuff in its OS, by default (Windows Scripting Host, IIRC), so the viruses using that don't work. The newer the (M$) OS, the more complicated, the more easy it is to find security holes to exploit/hack. Linux is also easy to hack, that is, until you configure the firewall.

[dew7]

That is one reason why I did not install the scripting program that helps automate tasks in 98SE.  Copycat do you know if this is this on by default in XP?

[copycat]

Copycat do you know if this is this on by default in XP?

This says it does.

[dew7]

Thanks, Copycat.  I wonder why it is only clearly labeled as an accessory with Windows 98 and 98 SE and not the other operating systems?  

[copycat]

Thanks, Copycat.  I wonder why it is only clearly labeled as an accessory with Windows 98 and 98 SE and not the other operating systems?  

Obviously m$ doesn't see it as anything worthwile mentioning explicitly anymore, like everything that's not new anymore but is included into Win now.

[dew7]

I really appreciate the information on this and will keep this knowledge in my head as I try to force Microsoft to release an updated version of 98SE.  I plan to bring a proposal to the shareholder meeting in November about this and I would appreciate as many stockholders support as possible.  If that fails, then I will bring this to the next level.  I am not one who likes to back down without a fight even if I will crash and burn; the experience of it all will last a lifetime.

[copycat]

I plan to bring a proposal to the shareholder meeting in November about this and I would appreciate as many stockholders support as possible.

AFAIK I'm not a shareholder, and I don't plan to be either, but you have my moral support.

[dew7]

Thanks Copycat!  I am amazed I finally broke through and got Microsoft to respond to my e-mails.  They are a tough company to get a hold of in my opinion.  This was after numerous letters and articles to them to show that I care and existed.  I sent them research that I did on spyware, malware and adware and a week later they put some of the information on their website.  I am not interested in any credit for this; My goal was to let users know how serious a problem it was and I was happy that I was able to make Microsoft more aware of the problem so they could put up a website for everyone.  The Microsoft website also has links to Adaware and Spybot -- Search and Destroy which are two free utilities and they work really well.  Be a little more careful with Spybot because it requires a higher level of expertise to use.  The following information is provided as is and shows no endorsement of these products by Microsoft or any other company.  It is in fact, just my opinion and I take no responsibility if in fact using one of these programs makes a bad situation worse which is highly unlikely.  Have a great day, everyone!