SP2 crap

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 04:37 AM

Hello, how do I get rid of that annoying security crap in the time box?, it's a red shield thing, and now it's downloading updates. I want to remove it completely, it opens little windows at the bottom when I start my PC up as well.

**Atodini** · October 27th, 2005, 06:23 AM

Hi Viki,

That annoying little red shield is telling you that your security is poor - no antivirus, firewall off or whatever the pop-up box tells you. If all your settings are up to date it will go away and not trouble you again.

Norton & Macafee have patches for the earlier versions that you must download to work properly with the security centre. The latest versions are fine.

The latest version of AVG works fine with it.

If you prefer not to run antivirus it will nag the hell out of you til you do!!

It CAN be turned of in control panel\security centre but I don't advise that you do turn it off!

John

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 06:36 AM

I don't need a firewall, I have a router. I also don't need an a-v. I turned off all the settings, including auto update in the control panel, but it's still there, and it still makes silly annoying windows. Isn't there any way to just remove it? Also, that pop-up blocker that comes with SP2, that's annoying, because it blocks all the downloads, it also keeps coming back on when I turn it off. Like with MSN, I can just delete all that from program files, and then it's gone. I hate those things, they get on my nerves

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 07:23 AM

There's another thing I could use some help with. Is there any way of blocking a PC from downloading anything? I don't mean like web pages, but downloads. Just to stop others from downloading and installing things.

**BOB IROC** · October 27th, 2005, 09:08 AM

The actual service can be stopped by typing services.msc in the run under start menu. The service is called security center. Stop the service and disable it if you do not want it to run.

**Ferrit** · October 27th, 2005, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Viki

I don't need a firewall, I have a router. I also don't need an a-v. I turned off all the settings, including auto update in the control panel, but it's still there, and it still makes silly annoying windows. Isn't there any way to just remove it? Also, that pop-up blocker that comes with SP2, that's annoying, because it blocks all the downloads, it also keeps coming back on when I turn it off. Like with MSN, I can just delete all that from program files, and then it's gone. I hate those things, they get on my nerves

You dont need AV?
Really

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 04:08 PM

No, I don't tend to have problems with viruses. Since most of them come from things I don't use, like google porn images, chat rooms, IRC, instant messaging programs, shareware p2p programs, etc. I am an aware, and careful user.

**BOB IROC** · October 27th, 2005, 04:17 PM

Yeah, but many studies have shown that even if your computer is just connected to the internet a virus can sneak through even without downloading anything or browsing to any pages. I personally think you are not too bright if you are on the internet without some form of antivirus protection. I don't care how aware or careful you may think you are. I mean you couldn't even figure out how to stop the security center service. Forgive me if that sounds rude, but I have run into countless people who think they know enough about computers and just end up making things worse.

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 04:47 PM

I never get viruses, I do a periodic install of AVG every so often just to check, but it's never been necessary. I only use my PC for a few things, one: Recording, two: Internet shopping, three: eBay, four: odd game or two. That pretty much does it, it works for me. Anyway, I stopped the security centre bit in services, but the red shield thing is still there, and opening little windows at the bottom. Did I miss something?

**Ferrit** · October 27th, 2005, 05:43 PM

Then I suggest you dont know about rootkits.
And none of the actions you listed are nessecary to have a rootkit installed
Just the things you do normally.
And when you do get infected with a virus you wont know and you will help spread them
Oh and by the way the red shield isnt hard to remove double click it left side change the way windows alerts me uncheck all ok done

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 08:55 PM

It's done, but the other part of the message is slightly mind boggling.

**Atodini** · October 27th, 2005, 09:43 PM

Hi Viki,

What Ferrit was referring to is that without anti-virus software installed & running, you are a godsend to a bunch of **sholes out there who will be able to spread their viruses / spyware from your machine - you won't know a thing about it until you find yourself blacklisted by your isp....

A rootkit is a routine which can be secretly placed on a computer which allows a hacker unrestricted and covert use of it to do what he/she wants - and YOU get the blame.

It doesn't matter what sites you do or dont visit, as long as you're connected to the net you can be found (there are tools for sniffing out unprotected computers). This is getting quite common these days thanks to broadband connections.

It's an unfortunate fact of life that effective anti-virus software is as essential to a computer user as the seat belt in their car.

AND please don't think that because you're behind a router that you are safe, you're not. believe me. Anybody capable enough to write and distribute viruses will have little difficulty penetrating this defence, particularly as everybody ever seems to use the default admin password & settings on their router. Yes, a hardware firewall is better than a software one but still not impenetrable. With XP you have the facility to use both, so why not just do it?

Only yesterday I repaired a machine infected in this way..... this one was sending out batches of a particularly nasty e-mail virus to all & sundry from a hidden account. The computer is a 3-month old E-machine that was (as appears normal these days) supplied with only basic anti-virus protection - in this case an expired 30 day free trial (of e-trust)!!!

The user's isp (NTL) actually telephoned her and told her to disconnect her computer and get it mended or she would be blacklisted - they also offered her a free anti-virus support, which I thought was a nice touch (though she decided to purchase NIS (against my advice!!)) which I installed after I had rebuilt it. Had to backup, format & reinstall on this one, it was so bad. (She did actually try to install NIS herself, but found, in fact, that she could not install anything as she no longer had any admin rights to do so!

I dont in fact dislike Norton Internet Security by the way - it's just a terrible resource hog - Here I just just go with Norton Antivirus without all the bells & whistles which come with NIS or Systemworks!

Give it some serious thought please

John

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 10:13 PM

Since you say that, I guess I can leave AVG on, it doesn't normally bother me I suppose. btw, what do I type into the dos thing to get my ip thing? I guess I should change my admin and password stuff on my router.

**Viki** · October 27th, 2005, 10:18 PM

It's okay, done it. Thansk for your help.

**Ferrit** · October 28th, 2005, 01:51 AM

Hehehe default login and password on the router. avg HEHEHE
I think in time, what we need to see is a list of approved antiviruses and mandatory checking that it is in fact working before your allowed on the internet.
People who dont use antivirus are clearly a huge risk.