123c5426bef4
tech



Hello Martin - 

TW>>> jsut have too many windows programs that I am VERY
TW>>> comfrotable with and am TOO old to learn New Tricks. And
TW>>> as far as User Account Security just how much does one
TW>>> need when they are the EXCLUSIVE user??? 

ML>> user accounts aren't to protect you from other users...
ML>> they are to protect machine (OS) from you _and_ to protect
ML>> both from hackers on the outside... 

TW>> My feeling is that IF I am so stupid as to shoot myselof i
TW>> nthe Foot I deserve what I get. I DO NOT WANT PROTECTION
TW>> FROM MYSELF. That destroys any learning possabilities and
TW>> turns Computer usage into a Mindless Game. 

MA> I operate as root all the time. I take some very simple
MA> precautions before going on the web. 

MA> I unmount all remote file systems and unused local mounts.
MA> I filter out spam and shove it straight into the garbage
MA> bin. I don't run any web servers but if i did i would just
MA> fire wall them. Like you i am the only one who uses my
MA> machines so no need for any user accounts although i do
MA> have one but only for curiosities sake. 

This may or may not work for more experienced computer users
but, in general, this is bad advice for most computer users. 

MA> I am always fiddling with things that need root privileges
MA> and like you i do not need protecting from myself. If i
MA> screw up it is just a another lesson to be learned. If you
MA> are not hooked up broad band 24/7 then your vulnerability
MA> is minimal and unless you intend becoming an administrator
MA> of a multiuser multiserver environment 

The 'attacks' are scripted and very fast. If your machine
becomes a 'zombie' for some group you become a part of the
problem for _everyone_ using the internet. It is not just your
foot you 'shoot' it involves many other innocent feet. 

MA> i would just enjoy yourself and see if you can get Linux to
MA> do what YOU want it to do. 

I agree with the 'enjoy yourself' part. :-) 

>
>        ,                          ,
>      o/      Charles.Angelich      \o       ,
>       __o/
>     / >          USA, MI           < \   __\__
 

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