can I feel safe with windows 7!?

[nabman]

hi!

not long ago a friend of mine who unlike me does profess a lot of computer knowledge told me that if someone has my ip address they can gain full access to my computer with relative ease while other knowledgeable people have told me it is very hard, it still bothered me and I havent quite been able to shake this since an ip address is not exactly hard to see, heck anyone I have ever send an email to has it!

I am sure this noob question has been asked many times and I did try searching but I will try asking this anyway hopefully someone will answer.

I am running a clean install of windows 7 pro 64bit with microsoft security essential and sitting behind a router. I dont run any suspicious programs like cracked games or such, I dont think i surf into suspicious websites, I do keep my os/av uptodate and I have UAC turned on to max.

so my question is can someone just using my ip address hack into my computer? and if so how easy is it? I mean is it enough that some script kiddy ( term? ) downloads some hack tools and starts hacking ( sorry I really am clueless I know! ) or would the person require some really impressive hacking skills/hardware that is very rare?

also is there a way I can make my windows more secure?

 

[kodi]

I am running a clean install of windows 7 pro 64bit with microsoft security essential and sitting behind a router. I dont run any suspicious programs like cracked games or such, I dont think i surf into suspicious websites, I do keep my os/av uptodate and I have UAC turned on to max.

You are doing all the right thing so i would not worry about getting infected.

 

[Jacee]

In this link, scroll down to see Dan Wagner's advice Can someone hack my computer through my IP address? [Solved] - Security Answers

 

[nabman]

Thank you both for replying, well I did read Dan Wagners advice and from what I can see there are two things he pointed out where I fail

1. I do tend to leave my computer turned on quite a lot, I will from now on use the Lock function when i leave my desktop or is it safer to simply turn my computer off?

2. I dont use a third party firewall as I was told before that windows firewall is very solid in win7? also I was told that third party software sometimes come with their own security holes something that might not happen with ms own product since they prob know the OS better? Also it is my understanding that the isps usually block suspicious open ports that are not blocked by default by windows firewall? but then again i am not exactly an expert and could be wrong so do you think ms firewall is not enough and if so could you explain in newbi terms why?

 

[DocBrown]

A router can also add an extra layer of protection

 

[hackerman1]

A router can also add an extra layer of protection

look at nabman´s first post above: "I am running a clean install of windows 7 pro 64bit with microsoft security essential and sitting behind a router."

 

[nabman]

thank you yes as hackerman1 points out I am sitting behind a router provided by my ISP, a router that they claim is very secure and has its own security ( whatever that means! ) so that point should be covered.

 

[thathagat]

so my question is can someone just using my ip address hack into my computer?

simply by knowing your ip..........hogwash..........

I am sitting behind a router provided by my ISP, a router that they claim is very secure and has its own security ( whatever that means! ) so that point should be covered.

a router with nat/spi firewall is excellent for inbound protection....but does little for outbound connections

also is there a way I can make my windows more secure?

apply all updates/have a good av/practice safe surf/use second opinion scanners/disable remote access...and still if you dread the ip stuff go for a reputed VPN....but mind you that has its own implications

 

[CarlTR6]

thank you yes as hackerman1 points out I am sitting behind a router provided by my ISP, a router that they claim is very secure and has its own security ( whatever that means! ) so that point should be covered.

That means there is a hardware firewall built into the router. A hardware firewall is much more secure than a software firewall. Remember, nothing is 100% secure. You can test your firewall's effectiveness at this link: **Home of Gibson Research Corporation**. Click on Shields Up and follow the instructions.

 

[Jacee]

Thank you both for replying, well I did read Dan Wagners advice and from what I can see there are two things he pointed out where I fail

1. I do tend to leave my computer turned on quite a lot, I will from now on use the Lock function when i leave my desktop or is it safer to simply turn my computer off?

Just turn if off when not in use ... especially over night and when you're on vacation.

 

[CarlTR6]

You can use the Sleep function which locks it and saves electricity. The sleep function keeps the memory alive and holds things as you left them.

 

[nabman]

simply by knowing your ip..........hogwash..........

Alright that is very reasuring to hear =) so I guess they would need to infect me with a virus somehow to get access and its not just a matter of trying hard enough to connect.

a router with nat/spi firewall is excellent for inbound protection....but does little for outbound connections

Outbound connections are not then disabled by default from ms firewall, well in my mind outbound sounds like connections coming from my computer meaning if i got infected and the spyware/virus would use hole to send signals back? well I will use google to try and find out exactly what it means anyway thnx for pointing this out.

apply all updates/have a good av/practice safe surf/use second opinion scanners/disable remote access...and still if you dread the ip stuff go for a reputed VPN....but mind you that has its own implications

yes I do keep up to date and surf "safe" I have all scripts disabled in opera forexample which i was told helps, could be wrong. I am not to sure about those VPNs, besides I am more concerned with keeping people who already have my ip address out.

Thank you for all the great pointers has given me some insight.

------------

That means there is a hardware firewall built into the router. A hardware firewall is much more secure than a software firewall. Remember, nothing is 100% secure. You can test your firewall's effectiveness at this link: **Home of Gibson Research Corporation**. Click on Shields Up and follow the instructions.

thank you, I will try this test =)

------------

as for putting my computer to sleep well I cant because everytime I do that my microsoft mouse keeps on disconnecting every 5 seconds :/ so I will do as Jacee suggested and simply turn it off.

 

[Layback Bear]

I believe in layered protection. I know of no reason you can't use a router, MSE, and Windows 7 built in firewall at the same time. I also recommend and use Shields up. My computer is stealth except ping. I have no idea how to stop it and be on line at the same time. Don't forget to check out Malwarebyts Anti Malware and Super Anti Spyware, both free. I use them both to check and see if anything slipped by my security. I call this method (Layered Protection)
MAM and SAS free are on demand. You have to tell them to update and to run scans. Until you do they just sit there and do nothing.

 

[nabman]

I did the gibson research firewall test and passed all the test it could not detect any "holes" or get any info back from my comp so 10/10 on that test, kind of feels reasuring even if it might only check for the most known problems.

I believe in layered protection. I know of no reason you can't use a router, MSE, and Windows 7 built in firewall at the same time. I also recommend and use Shields up. My computer is stealth except ping. I have no idea how to stop it and be on line at the same time. Don't forget to check out Malwarebyts Anti Malware and Super Anti Spyware, both free. I use them both to check and see if anything slipped by my security. I call this method (Layered Protection)
MAM and SAS free are on demand. You have to tell them to update and to run scans. Until you do they just sit there and do nothing.

thank you i will check out MAM and SAS I see what you mean by layered protection makes sense to not put all your eggs in one basket.

all in all I feel safe enough with these measures this combined with the fact that I dont really surf into "suspicious" websites other than the occasional googling for denise richards in bikini! and do not install cracked software.. and if someone wants to spend a lot of time and effort and access my computer only to sort through a clutter of nonsense and Star Trek stuff I have gathered over the year well I guess they are welcome lol but they should just try emailing me!

I just have a question though and would appreciate any answer as I have tried googling and still not sure, does quick format really "clean" your harddrive of malware and such I mean does it even clear bootsectors?

 

[thathagat]

hi..........try this to see what all is revealed.........
anonymous-surfing

and run the good old pc flank tests too for reassurance

PC Flank's tests

 

[CarlTR6]

Without scripts enabled, I passed both with flying colors. With scripts enabled, I was not anonymous. My internal IP addressed showed. However, it is dynamic so that is no worry. NoScript blocks Java scripts unless I specifically allow scripts for a site.