check this out, it checks your computer to see if you can be hacked:

https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

I recently bought a new computer and purchased Windows XP Professional as the operating system, it has a built in firewall, this is one nice system, I would rate it as the best Microsoft OS so far..

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

I tested my computer and it is locked down pretty tight. A good friend of mine is a security expert and he has all sorts of stuff installed in my computer. Here are the results:

Please Stand By. . .

Attempting connection to your computer. . .
Shields UP! is now attempting to contact the Hidden Internet Server within your PC. It is likely that no one has told you that your own personal computer may now be functioning as an Internet Server with neither your knowledge nor your permission. And that it may be serving up all or many of your personal files for reading, writing, modification and even deletion by anyone, anywhere, on the Internet!
Your Internet port 139 does not appear to exist!
One or more ports on this system are operating in FULL STEALTH MODE! Standard Internet behavior requires port connection attempts to be answered with a success or refusal response. Therefore, only an attempt to connect to a nonexistent computer results in no response of either kind. But YOUR computer has DELIBERATELY CHOSEN NOT TO RESPOND (that's very cool!) which represents advanced computer and port stealthing capabilities. A machine configured in this fashion is well hardened to Internet NetBIOS attack and intrusion.
Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer.
All attempts to get any information from your computer have FAILED. (This is very uncommon for a Windows networking-based PC.) Relative to vulnerabilities from Windows networking, this computer appears to be VERY SECURE since it is NOT exposing ANY of its internal NetBIOS networking protocol over the Internet

Port
Service
Status Security Implications

21
FTP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

23
Telnet
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

25
SMTP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

79
Finger
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

80
HTTP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

110
POP3
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

113
IDENT
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.

135
RPC
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

139
Net
BIOS
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

143
IMAP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

443
HTTPS
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

445
MSFT
DS
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

5000
UPnP
Stealth! There is NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER that a port (or even any computer) exists at this IP address!

I got the same... I'm behind a hardware firewall from the netgear router I'm connected to, and I also use XP's firewall and a MacAffee firewall as well as VirusScan. You can never be too safe!

I got the same, but if someone wants to hack you they will firewalls just keep the kids and rookies out. I use smart card technology to encrypt my HD and VPN it works great as long as it never gets lost

rs is right about the firewalls. what happens is that the hackers will try to compromise the firewall and then the rest will be easy. any defense is only as strong as the weakest link and in most cases it is just a simple password on the firewall/router. it is always a good idea to have additional security on your pc.

__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...L/Key_West.gif

Since learning from one of you guys that my computer has likely been "hijacked", I unplug it from the DSL line when I'm not using it. Will that make any real difference?

I haven't yet purchased any programs to scan my computer to see if/where it's been gotten into. I also need to set up a firewall. I went to Comp USA the other day and couldn't tell if any program was better than the rest. After one of the reps paiged someone to come help me and no one showing up five minutes later, I decided they didn't deserve my business and left.

Haven't had time to do anything more since.

for a firewall, get zone alarm. It's good and free for personal use.

stefano,

i think i remember that problem. unfortunately, this is something that a firewall or unplugging your DSL will not prevent because the little "bomb" is smuggled in through a web page. you will need software countermeasures to prevent and eliminate them. here's a free one that helps...

spywareblaster

__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
http://banners.wunderground.com/bann...L/Key_West.gif

also there is Sygate, a free firewall download:

http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10184369.html?tag=lst-0-3

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976