Re: [Full-disclosure] Dumb question: Is Windows box behind a router safe ?

[Abhijeet Jain <abhijeet.ecstatic@xxxxxxxxx>]

Myth No. 2- Using Firefox does not make you safe! In fact, IE 7/8 is the
safest browser when used with Windows Vista because it runs on lower
privileges.

On Tue, Sep 22, 2009 at 1:57 PM, Kos <kpo.mail.list@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Ancompuger behind a router/firewall does not make it safe.
> Vulnerabilities and exploits are not limited to a network level, which
> is generally what a firewall is used for. Vulnerabilities sent via any
> protocol used (http, imap, pop, other protocols that may be in use)
> are not suddenly secure.
>
> An example, there are PDFs that will trigger adobe to run, whcih can
> be exploited easily.
> Someone can send your father an email with a malicious attatchment,
> and a firewall isn't going to preven him from clicking and running it.
> Anti-virus is a good start, but will only go so far.
> There are phishing sites too.
> The ways to get owned are countless, regardless of a firewall or not.
>
> You should keep the system maintained and up to date (run system
> updates and applications undated regularly).
>
> So no, a firewall will not prevent a computer from being compromised.
>
> Other opinions?
>
> Kos
>
> On Sep 22, 2009, at 11:29 AM, Steven Anders <anderstev@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > I received great responses and am very grateful to the help from
> > community of this list. Thank you.
> >
> >
> > I have a dumb question: Is a Windows box behind a router safe ?
> >
> > It is my father's PC and the Windows OS was not updated regularly.
> > The Windows box was connected through wire (RJ45) to the router. The
> > router is then connected to the DSL modem.
> > The Windows Box has SP2 installed and the default Windows firewall
> > enabled - and I think was last updated from Windows Update on in
> > 2008. It has AVG anti virus.
> > The PC was never moved anywhere and is always behind the router. The
> > router has default settings, which I believe has no ports open.
> >
> > He never installed any applications or downloads anything off the
> > net - mainly it is used for emails and general web browsing (using
> > Firefox, not IE). I informed him to use Firefox, since IE has so
> > many security issues.
> >
> >
> > My questions are:
> >
> > 1.  There are many exploits and vulnerabilities of Windows, but I
> > was wondering if outdated Windows box behind router generally
> > safe ?  Since, the Windows box was not updated with the latest
> > updates.
> >
> > I have always thought that having a computer behind the router
> > (since router has firewall) is generally safe, but I would love to
> > hear insights or thoughts.
> >
> >
> > 2. If a Windows box is behind a router, could a botnet be installed
> > to it ? Assuming, the end user does not install/download any
> > applications from the Internet and always use Firefox.
> >
> >
> > Thank you all in advance.
> > steve
> >
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