Microsoft plugs Windows worm holes

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You are arguing probabilities not certainties.

Yup, never claimed otherwise. If past performance is any indication though, the probabilities are in my favour.

Mozilla/firefox also has had vunerabilities.

Of course it is although lack of ActiveX support makes it less of a target. Also, NoScript is very useful.

A drive-by doesn't require a site at all.

Considering that 99% of drive-bys rely on ActiveX buffer overflows and restricted sites aren't allowed to active ActiveX controls, this has a very high probability of protecting you from drive-bys.

Restricted rights account won't stop a kernel level flaw, as in the last network driver attack.

Nope, and more importantly, restricted rights accounts don't protect the very files that are most difficult to recover: your personal files. System bits can always be re-installed, personal files can't. It isn't the security panacea that many make it out to be but it is yet another layer of defense which was the main point in my post.

NAT is not a firewall and in itself is pretty weak protection. I assume you meant firewall?

Yes and no. NAT itself isn't a firewall but many NAT routers nowadays come with firewall functionality. However, it serves its purpose which is to block access to ports on your local computer. Since there is a huge category of nasty exploits that have relied on having remote access to your ports, a NAT router alone offers good protection. I have to go back to your point about probability: my system isn't impenetrable but for the effort and skill required, it has a high probability of protecting you.

Other attacks are barely hindered.

Like what? If you tell me, maybe I can protect myself against them with another minute's worth of configuration.

Posted by: NonZealot   Posted on: 11/15/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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