Do you use your Workstation to surf?

[lots]

I use my workstation on the net. In fact I'm typing this from it right now..

With the proper configurations and precautions.. you wont have much to worry about.

[MacRonin]

And even less to worry about if the workstation is running Mac OS X...

;^p

[OC-NightHawk]

And even less to worry about if the workstation is running Mac OS X...

;^p<_< hows that security blanket working for you?

[MadMax]

Absolutely never, precautions or not.

I have a dedicated box of a lower end variety for that. A64 3200+ (socket 754) with 1gb ram, 4 SATA 300gb drives (raid 5) 120gb boot and program drive, 200gb SATA audio drive for my listening pleasure.

that is my little box.

[KayosIII]

Why what could go wrong by browsing the web on my workstation?

[MadMax]

Why what could go wrong by browsing the web on my workstation?

most websites use cookies.

often these are tracking cookies for things like adclick and others. Unless you understand cookie and privacy settings, you can get lost trying to figure out what to set your browser to accept and not accept.

even going to sites I trust, they try to pass spyware cookies to track your habits for the purpose of marketing.

Although my workstations are on my network, they are complete shielded from the Internet.

[Vertizor]

It's not just the cookies, but often a website will use banner ads that aren't even on their own server. They link the ads from the ad provider, so the "good guy" doesn't even know what's in the ad and may very well be giving spyware to his visitors... unknowingly.

[yahoo_959]

Although my workstations are on my network, they are complete shielded from the Internet.
Was gonna say, its probably best to get a cheaper unit for serfing the web and e-mail etc but still to have some access to web content for those OS updates and software updates. Although a permenant connection and mail software esp is a bad idea as it slows your unit down and is pretty unecessary really.

[evanfotis]

Although my workstations are on my network, they are complete shielded from the Internet.

Hi,
can you explain how to shield the networked pc's from internet, allowing access to just one?

Currently, I have a really old one PII 350mhz:eek: for the net-typing on it right now- but my two other machines are connected through the lan, where the switch is connected to my dsl modem so all of the networked pc's can accesss interne and of course get windows/antivirus etc updates.
I rarely use my "workstations" for surfing, due mainly to the high-res which makes reading difficult.
thanks
Evan

[1000101]

<_< hows that security blanket working for you?

awesome! I'll give you a cookie if you can spot any OS X malware/spyware that is installed through the browser.


Anyway back to the topic of the thread; I tend to avoid browsing the web via my main work machines. I tend to stick only to trusted sites and I never check my email from them. Doing all of your browsing from a linux/BSD/OS X based system isn't a bad idea either. Since every spyware author targets windows platforms since they are so numerous.

Browsing from your workstation is generally a bad idea as you never know what sorts of behavior the latest piece of spyware will do. Nothing would suck more than being set back an hour because a bad link from google installed some nasty thing that bluescreens your PC.

[ArtbyBpc]

Looks like I will going with the mini to surf. A cheap investment for surfing and listening to to music. Thanks for the advice!

[DrOnion]

Yup, use it everyday on my work machine. And have for the last 6 years.

I run firefox so I haven't really had a problem with spyware/malware since then. Adaware/spybot s&d are installed also. And firefox Adblock is a great feature to get rid of banner ads.

I also backup everything i do every day on a removable harddrive.

Unless you are surfing pron sites or dark topic places you probably wont have problems with pop ups and stuff anyhow.
No need to get freaked out and start wearing a tinfoil hat.

Couldn't see owning a computer if I couldnt connect to the internet on it.

[MadMax]

Unless you are surfing pron sites or dark topic places you probably wont have problems with pop ups and stuff anyhow.
No need to get freaked out and start wearing a tinfoil hat.


Oh that is soooooooo not accurate.

we had a major hassle cleaning up our receptionists machine and she most certainly did not surf porn or "dark" sites.

[Lorecanth]

Yeah but, in my experiance people with a generally low level of knowledge of the net tend to accumulate more crap. In my opinion using another box just for net access is rather wasteful, not only of a resource but of electricity as well. As with most things, if you're smart enough to ask the question you can usually deal with the answer.

You can't equate a scretaries computer (who might be getting massive amount of junkmail to a company's info email address) to a workstation.

[Beamtracer]

As I write this post on my dual G5 Mac, it's rendering at the same time.

I think it's OK to connect to the net from any machine. A firewall is mandatory though.

Cookies: Most websites send you cookies. CGTalk uses cookies to keep you logged in. I didn't think cookies are a problem for security. I thought they just track your web browsing movements from one site to another.

I didn't think cookies were capable of launching any other apps.

[MadMax]

Yeah but, in my experiance people with a generally low level of knowledge of the net tend to accumulate more crap.


So in other words, the vast majority of users.


You can't equate a scretaries computer (who might be getting massive amount of junkmail to a company's info email address) to a workstation.

Sure I can. Did you even read the previous replies?

It was stated unless you surf porn, you won't have problems anyway. CLEARLY a very reckless and inaccurate thing to tell someone. I provided an example. And unless you are trying to say that anyone using a workstation is smart enough to know better, well, think again. You couldn't be more wrong.

[Hazdaz]

I USED to surf only on my older PC and only use my main PC for work... BUT that gets kind of annoying and as more and more sites use flash and other semi-CPU intensive technologies, I do all my surfing on my main PC now.

I really don't have any issues at all - mostly cuz I run FireFox and have a hardware and software firewall. Honestly those thigns right there will keep your system 95% free of any crap that ya might get from the interweb.
Then ofcourse I run an anti-virus app every night, and run adaware every couple of days. Any more than that, and you are just being paranoid.

Also one thing to keep in mind - more and more programs have automatic updates, so you almost "need" to have internet access to keep your hardware and software up to date (in terms of patches and new releases).

[Beamtracer]

Also one thing to keep in mind - more and more programs have automatic updates, so you almost "need" to have internet access to keep your hardware and software up to date (in terms of patches and new releases).
Good point. Also, some programs' help menus come off the net. If you're not connected then you don't get the help menu.

My Adobe After Effects seems to work this way.

[Coliba]

Although my workstations are on my network, they are complete shielded from the Internet.

So from your internet computer, you can connect to your workstations via this same network?

So if someone installs a trojan on your internet computer, what's stopping them from finding out your network passwords, if you have any, and gaining access to your workstations?

I don't see how this setup is anymore secure.....it can actually be less secure because it gives you an exaggerated sense of security. All this because you're afraid of tracker cookies??

You either have a completely shielded network, a completely separate lan for your workstations, or there is no point in doing what you're doing.

[KayosIII]

most websites use cookies.

often these are tracking cookies for things like adclick and others. Unless you understand cookie and privacy settings, you can get lost trying to figure out what to set your browser to accept and not accept.

even going to sites I trust, they try to pass spyware cookies to track your habits for the purpose of marketing.

Although my workstations are on my network, they are complete shielded from the Internet.

Ok so I am going to get more spam because I visit websites.... How does said spyware work?

[stephen2002]

I surf on my primary mashine all of the time. I even surf with IE. I have yet to recive any malware on my computer as I have both a hardware and software firewall + virus scan.

Yes, I tried FireFox for a while but overall I like IE better. On many sites FireFox just was sluggish rendering the pages.

[evanfotis]

You can always use Maxthon or My IE2 with added tabbed browsing, enhanced customization and the intergrated engine of ie-same favorites etc. It's an inbeween FFirefox and ie.

[Hazdaz]

You can always use Maxthon or My IE2 with added tabbed browsing, enhanced customization and the intergrated engine of ie-same favorites etc. It's an inbeween FFirefox and ie.

Except that (far as I know) those don't do anything for eliminating IE's security flaws.... and thus making it even worse, cuz you might have a false sense of security. Those 'skins' seem to be nothing more than a way to polish a turd.... it's still a turd, just one that looks nicer.

[evanfotis]

As far as I know, Maxthon has advanced security settings, and has never opened any pop up window-whenever I had to run ie, for updates, all sorts of pop ups start filling the screen, and a couple of times tried to install some crap apps.

[Joat]

I use my main workstation on surfing. Altough computers (running microsoft programs) tend to operate a lot more stable without installed firewalls, virusscanners and whatnot, there is some unquestionable benefits of having your workstation connected.
If you install and configure your firewall and virusscanner properly, and keep them up to date, there most probably will not be any problems. If on top of that you scan every file that comes in and stay out of the porn/warez sites and do not open e-mail attachments you didn't request, you can well consider yourself to be on the safe side.
Cookies are text files saved on the computer to store information. They allow web designers to design sites in a way the user can see personalized content and don't have to log in every visit. And they take a lot of load off the webserver. Generally cookies are there to help making our use of the sites easier and more personalized. They can of course be used to gather information of our consuming habits as well. But one thing is absolutely certain: You can not get a virus / spyware to your machine from a cookie. They are text files. Not programs or scripts. They can be written and they can be read. Nothing more.
With the fuss about viruses there is a huge amount of unneccessary paranoia considering them. Using common sense and being careful on things common sense tells you to be, and you should be fine.
Backing up on some removable media is a vital thing no matter if you are online or not. Power surge on electric lines or a fire in your apartment can do more damage to your precious data (and hardware) than a virus ever could.

[alvin777]

Hi, with security being the main concern, the second concern being availability of programs- the best choice for now is OSX on a PowerMac even though I'm using an Athlon 64, Nforce4, XP 64-bit for the three 3D apps . The downside is that Maya of the main 3D apps, is the only one available for now but the upside is it's integrated with the most realistic renderer: Renderman (downside is the price); OS X has the rest of the main apps as well like MS Office and other apps that are better that's not in XP. In the real world what good is speed if unknowingly it is slowed down by spyware, trojans, adware and viruses in the background which no matter what combination of security you install, they still get through. Not to mention the time it takes to maintain them and not to mention the peace of mind of thinking if those malicious programs are in the background.

Anyway, OS X could be something new to work alongside Windows on a network. Having two platforms at most is the best for a balance in compatibility, security, backup machines and OS maintenance.

Overall based on experience on Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and Macs. An OS X machine at this time is signficantly the best I've used by far. OS X Tiger with the widgets and the an advance search furthers that.


God bless,
Alvin
http://www.applecatholic.com

[novadude]

In the real world what good is speed if unknowingly it is slowed down by spyware, trojans, adware and viruses in the background which no matter what combination of security you install, they still get through. Not to mention the time it takes to maintain them and not to mention the peace of mind of thinking if those malicious programs are in the background.

Will you stop spreading this crap around? You haven't made many posts in this forum that haven't had exactly this misinformation in them. Seriously, and hopefully for the last time, Windows takes all of five minutes to secure with free programs that you can download, install, and configure to run unobtrusively in the background without human input before windows update finishes.

[Ryan47]

I dont have a workstation, so i dont know if i am wanted here ;)

But i dont see what the issue is with surfing the web or doing other network related activities is

If you have a good firewall up..in my case, i am undeceided and am not running :O
Then you should be fine

That is in addition to running all the nessacary [sp] precautions..such as securing your browser. In which i use firefox. With several plugins,Adblock for one,spoofstick, and SwitchProxy. PurgeFox also manages Cookies well. But I have yet to Master that app.

Im tired and cant get many thoughts typed out, but for now thats all i have to say. If some one could elaborate on the "conflict" it would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

~RP

And I dont use the windows update feature unless needed. Most a re "critical" fixes for IE, which i barely use, with the exception of one site
And i dont need another M$ malicious spyware remover tool.
Sorry If this post over did it in any sort

[imashination]

Oh that is soooooooo not accurate.

we had a major hassle cleaning up our receptionists machine and she most certainly did not surf porn or "dark" sites.

She claims... ;-)

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