[Znod]

Hi Gang:

All is great with me, but I did get a tad burned out on Visa ramblings. I'm not back yet (maybe when SP1 comes out), but still think of VB. I have a few developments to share.

Not too long ago I finally received the right computer from Gateway--FX530XT Overclocked--Raid 0--two 10k Raptors. I had some problems right away trying to use a third Raptor 10k. The upshot is that I installed Ultimate 64-bit as a Raid 0. The result was, of course, an even more peppy machine (I typically get 1,680-1,730 or so on the Passmark Performance Test for 64-bit). Overall the machine is great (still have a 10 in reliability).

I am getting a new HP laptop (more info later). And, I started thinking about security again. On my current laptop, I use ZoneAlarm (free--works great) and SpyDoctor (with AV). Anyway, I stared thinking about the safest way to surf, etc. (although I almost never get infected). So, here's what I did on my desktop. Eventually, I disabled all security on the (real) machine, except that I sit behind an apparently impenetrable router firewall and I use UAC (which, at this point, almost never bothers me).

Here's how I am dealing with security. I installed MS Virtual PC 2007 and then Ultimate 32-bit (because I may want to test some programs not good with 64-bit). All I have installed on the 32-bit VM is Firefox, Acrobat Reader, Avast! (home-free), my old version of Ad-Aware (with real-time scanning), and one of our printers. I leave all the protection available from these programs on and all Vista protection, including UAC off. So, everything that gets to my real machine, from online, has to go through all the protection available from my VM first. It all works like a charm. One side effect is that that my first Passmark score after turning everything off became my best--1,734--with many processes running and with "Best Appearance" selected.

I'd love to hear any thoughts on what I am doing security wise and whether you might end up trying the same thing. It's all very easy to do. I'll be checking back.

Happy All Holidays to All,

Znod