Stop Christmas-Gift PCs From Feeding Worms

An Anonymous Reader writes "If you recently set up a new PC with Windows XP, or if you had the pleasure to do a 'reinstall from scratch,' you probably found that many XP systems as they are shipped today are not patched against common issues like Blaster. Given that these worms are still going strong, it doesn't take long for a new system to be infected. In particular, if you have to connect it to the Internet to download all the patches. Well, help is in sight. The SANS Institute released a paper entitled Windows XP: Surviving the First Day." (Read on below.) Update: 12/24 17:59 GMT by T : Thanks for reader Bill Curnow for the updated link. Update: 12/24 19:15 GMT by T : Besides the workaround suggested below, Roblimo has a good suggestion on avoiding the first-day-of-Windows altogether.

"With many screen shots, it will walk you through the procedure to enable the XP firewall and downloading the patches without getting infected while doing so. This could be the (free) stocking stuffer that may save Christmas for your folks ;-). Given that its probably to late now to start downloading your favorite Linux distro."

But if you do have the time and bandwidth, and you're stuck on Windows, a nice live-CD distro like Knoppix or Mepis means you can download patches without racing the worms, and install your patches while offline. (And if you have time to download 50MB, you have time to grab Damn Small Linux.)

Re:Bad link.

[Frymaster]

xp.homepc.org not found.

it's been clobbered by blaster.

The title should have been..

[Poilobo]

Our Server: Surviving the Slashdotting

Re:Easy Alternative

[qualico]

Click Start > Network and Dial up connections Right click on your internet connection, choose "DISABLE" Voila! The proper config for any Windows Box!

wormies worry me

[Anonymous Coward]

I had just plugged my joystick into the USB port when it started wildly moving in my hand! Worms infected it I swear!

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

The basis for a TV reality show

[jhines]

Steve B and Bill G install a new Windows PC, without any help, or special privileges, or special help lines.

Now, that is what I call a reality show.

Re:The Easy Way

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude, you got my mom an iMac? Thanks!

Re:wormies worry me

[mustangsal66]

If your 'Joy' stick fits in a USB port, you have bigger problems then the blaster worm.

Use a fucking router?

[tomstdenis]

Most worms are either email, script faults or RPC/fileshare.

So don't read email, visit non-update sites or open your ports below say 1000 to the outside world.

Wow I'm a fucking genius. Since most homes have multiple computers anyways you will want a cheapo 100$ router anyways.

Praise me!

Re:wormies worry me

[NanoGator]

"If your 'Joy' stick fits in a USB port, you have bigger problems then the blaster worm."

The nice thing about flaming somebody over the internet is that you don't have to have a big dick to tell somebody they have a small one.

Re:wormies worry me

[Iffy Bonzoolie]

Dude, they were talking about USB Joysticks... you are coming out of left field with this Penis talk. What's up with that?

-If

Re:Linux CDs for checkout at the local public libr

[Anonymous Coward]

"...but what happens when someone sues or brings an official complaint? You know this will happen, especially in our litigation-centric world."

"I hate being a law student. I keep thinking in terms of liability."

wow... just wow...

Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a rather harrowing look into the mind of a lawyer.

Re:First day?

[hazem]

All I know about Bush is I had a job when Clinton was president.

Come on, Al! Give it up already!

Re:Easy Alternative

[niko9]

No, the proper technique is called a "reach around". You reach around behind the box, unplug the network cable or phone line (I caught a worm over dialup once, that was the most hilarious thing ever), and consider yourself lucky.

So what you're saying is, when your getting screwed by Microsoft, and they don't have the common courtesy to give you a reach around; I should go ahead and give myself one?

Seems like a great idea to me! Thanks ;)

--

Re:Easy Alternative

[Anonymous Coward]

"Kind of like how the French always surrender "

Now thats not true. The French did win the French revolution. Of course that might have been because they were fighting the French but still lets no go around making broad generlizations.

Re:Easy Alternative

[Geek of Tech]

>> Why do people make statements such as this? We all know that mods can be biased, the system is imperfect, and karma really doesn't matter. What does matter is having the ability to state one's opinions/beliefs and being able to defend them.

Well, the only way to ensure not being marked as a troll is to tell the mods to go ahead and mark them as troll.