Broadband Tech > Security > Security > Hacking.....seriously, how easy is it to get hacked?

Hacking.....seriously, how easy is it to get hacked?

reply to djr777

Re: Hacking.....seriously, how easy is it to get hacked?

reply to djr777
Yeah, mac and linux are just as easy, get a router, that will be a better reassurance than use linux or a mac.

reply to djr777
There is "easy" and there is "likely"... Use an OS that is LESS LIKELY to be compromised AND use a router.

reply to djr777

reply to TearAbite
Can linux be installed on a separate HD where I could switch between XP and Linux on boot up. If I was to try it, that would be an easier way.

I have not looked into Linux before but it might be kinda fun to learn something new.

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...there will be an answer. let it be

YES - you can dual-boot Linux and Windows, conversely, you can get a Mac and dual-boot OSX and Windows.. Although you can dual-boot on your current hardware w/linux for free.

reply to djr777
Yes, you can dual boot linux/windows.

reply to DarkSithPro
I know there are different levels of being hacked but these sights may Highjack my computer for DOS attacks but as far as actually viewing my info, that step is a little further down the line isn't it?
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...there will be an answer. let it be

But not every trojan unlocks your entire computer...right?
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...there will be an answer. let it be

I've been working on my nephews computer with about a zillion trojans on it. I feel fairly safe on mine but if i can improve my system i will. I also would like to help him avoid these problems.
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...there will be an answer. let it be

reply to djr777
It's pretty simple, only use the admin account to install software, use common sense on what your doing like avoid pron/cracks, and as said things like Firefox with noscript work very well for frontline protection when it's 3rd party addons which are the source of the problems. Also using an anti-malware to just scan for known malware is a simple precaution as there are free ones available which work just as well, if not better than the paid programs.

Once a system has been compromised I have trouble trusting it at all, but then again I don't have these problems on my system, it's the people who click yes to everything, along with run everything as an admin are the main problems.

There is a big difference between getting hacked, that is somebody gaining remote entry into your computer, and social engineering from the users actions, however there are the rarer occations where they exploit software on your computer like flash which only really work if the browser is running as an admin. In reality with how most computers are networked it's very hard to actually hack people these days, so it's coming down to what the user lets run on their pc.
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reply to TearAbite
It's also a good idea to make sure all installed software is up-to-date. Secunia's PSI (Personal Software Inspector) does that nicely. If there's an insecure version of a program, it'll let you know - so you can either update it, or uninstall it if it's not needed. A fair number of "drive by downloads" are aimed at third-party items like Acrobat Reader, Flash, QuickTime, etc.

reply to djr777
If you are behind a router and you login as a limited user, then the risk is small.