need to add title here

Stahl's Reporter's Notebook

March 26, 2009 1:21 PM

Lesley Stahl previews her report on computer viruses that propagate on the Internet and infect PCs, which enable their creators to learn the information they need to electronically rob bank accounts.

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by masonshe March 31, 2009 1:13 PM EDT
I agree with delafield. It seems rediculus that so many companies continue to use a computer on their network that is so easily infected by viruses. Open source is too easy to hack in a computer ridden society. Systes like unix are inexpensive and safer.
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by delafield44 March 29, 2009 6:21 PM EDT
First, it is the MICROSOFT operating system that gets infected. Apple's Mac OS X is NOT being infected at this time. Also, LINUX is not being infected either. More people should try these other operating systems. Dell sells LINUX computers to consumers, for example, for those who dare try something different than Microsoft.

Further, it is not the "web" that is infected or the "Internet." Is the MICROSOFT operating system that is getting infected. I a bit tired of hearing that we need a new network or that the network is infected when the problem is with the computers attached to the network, not the network itself. I hope CBS reports as such because their title is misleading. Yes, we could use some more secure internet protocols and the like for some things, but this will not solve the problem of weak, closed source operating systems, such as Microsoft's operating systems.

It should be pretty clear to many that open-source operating systems (such as LINUX) are more secure than closed-source ones (like Microsoft's).

Regards, Delafield
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by Simone55 March 29, 2009 4:33 PM EDT
so what ARE those free virus scanning software programs?
I use Spy bot was told it is not "current."

any ideas?
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by winsleuth March 29, 2009 3:50 PM EDT
It all depends on where you go on the net. If you just go to all the howdy doody type sites and Never accept anything that is free, and if you are lucky you will maybe never get a virus or spyware. Dare go outside these strict boundaries and without protected you are scr**ed. I have consulted for 19 years and never found a PC that didnt have some critters running around. Not all "end of days" variety but most slowing down performance at a minimum. Even with a hardware router firewall, ZoneAlarm, Avast! AV, CounterSpy and Cloudmark Desktop, I still get hit occassionally and by some very nasty Trojans and the like. Mainstream media may not explain it well (Stahl) but it isnt any joke.
W@S4T
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by omnomnomnomnom March 29, 2009 12:31 AM EDT
I very much agree with dudeboy and is witty comment. It's true that computer viruses are overhypted which 60 minutes is only adding to. I myself have never been infected with a computer virus even though I do not have anti-virus software or a firewall......
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by dudeboy1 March 27, 2009 4:49 PM EDT
I like Lesley Stahl. CBS News is my news source. That said, here is my comment: Consumers spend a lot of money each year for virus software. The fear of infection is justified by claims of potential damage virus's can cause. We hear those claims mostly from the companies who sell virus protection software. I can't quantify the existance of viruses. I'm not one to believe that they don't exist, but for years I paid for virus scanning software. Either there were none to "catch" on my machine, or the software missed them and they never detonated.
Recently I learned about software (FREE for home users) that is very through and keeps my machine safe. Anyone can download it from the internet.
So if you pay for virus prevention/scanning software, I suppose you might be helping to support the economy. But don't ask me whose. Certainly not your own.
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