Solved Belkin -- igNobel contender

10soonerlater

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Best Buy offers this great gadget B2B128 (made in China) by Belkin (California-based) that offers USB 3.0 PC-powered hub and Gigabit Ethernet for the latest ultrabooks that do not have Ethernet ports.

In the manual, and I think it was stated on the box, that the drivers are included with Win 8 and 8.1. IOW, plug and play. Only it didn't play.

Belkin support website offers a driver download. Thankfully it didn't warn away this 8.1 user by telling me I already have it.

Quick as a whistle, the .zip file was downloaded, taking up a little over half of the 4kb block it now owns. There must be a mistake. No driver worth its salt, even if it's compressed, is that small.

The clincher: there was a 2MB .rar file inside the .zip file. Windows OS extracts a .zip file out of the box, not some rare .rar. That was one hell of a compression and Belkin did not offer any utility to decompress the .rar file. I don't even know if Norton can scan a highly compressed file and determine it to be not a risk. Edit: actually, it saw the two zip and rar file and declared the two safe.

This is a time I wish I knew how to and I'm running a virtual sandbox to dump this imp into.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Best Buy offers this great gadget B2B128 (made in China) by Belkin (California-based) that offers USB 3.0 PC-powered hub and Gigabit Ethernet for the latest ultrabooks that do not have Ethernet ports.

In the manual, and I think it was stated on the box, that the drivers are included with Win 8 and 8.1. IOW, plug and play. Only it didn't play.

Belkin support website offers a driver download. Thankfully it didn't warn away this 8.1 user by telling me I already have it.

Quick as a whistle, the .zip file was downloaded, taking up a little over half of the 4kb block it now owns. There must be a mistake. No driver worth its salt, even if it's compressed, is that small.

The clincher: there was a 2MB .rar file inside the .zip file. Windows OS extracts a .zip file out of the box, not some rare .rar. That was one hell of a compression and Belkin did not offer any utility to decompress the .rar file. I don't even know if Norton can scan a highly compressed file and determine it to be not a risk. Edit: actually, it saw the two zip and rar file and declared the two safe.

This is a time I wish I knew how to and I'm running a virtual sandbox to dump this imp into.
sandbox>7 zip(for .rar)>scan with malwarebytes
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Something weird just happened!

I logged off earlier from this forum after posting this new thread. When I returned to this thread as a guest, I noticed the word d6iver and d6ivers were links to a tweakbit.com d6iverupdater. When I logged on to report this, the links disappeared.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
Something weird just happened!

I logged off earlier from this forum after posting this new thread. When I returned to this thread as a guest, I noticed the word d6iver and d6ivers were links to a tweakbit.com d6iverupdater. When I logged on to report this, the links disappeared.
I bet you're using chrome.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Something weird just happened!

I logged off earlier from this forum after posting this new thread. When I returned to this thread as a guest, I noticed the word d6iver and d6ivers were links to a tweakbit.com d6iverupdater. When I logged on to report this, the links disappeared.
I bet you're using chrome.
Chrome has nothing to do with it. The OP either used a Torrent, or bad/malware site.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Somethihing weird just happened!

I logged off earlier from this forum after posting this new thread. When I returned to this thread as a guest, I noticed the word d6iver and d6ivers were links to a tweakbit.com d6iverupdater. When I logged on to report this, the links disappeared.
I bet you're using chrome.
Chrome has nothing to do with it. The OP either used a Torrent, or bad/malware site.

Yep or that annoying ads that convert some words to links automatically.
And that happens in any browser unless it has a ad blocker installed
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel Celeron G530
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2-B3
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S19B150
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Laptop Toshiba 320GB
    PSU
    450W
    Case
    Old one
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Generic
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None
    Other Info
    Netbook Samsung N145 Plus, with Windows 8.1 64 bit and Windows XP SP3, 2GB RAM
I've never had that problem in IE, but even with ADP in Chrome those darn green text underlined flash ads pop up(like on majorgeeks), and if you kill them you have an incomplete sentence because words are missing, that's one of the reasons IE has been my favorite browser, but Chrome 64bit is REALLY fast when the bells and whistles are turned off.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
Something weird just happened!

I logged off earlier from this forum after posting this new thread. When I returned to this thread as a guest, I noticed the word d6iver and d6ivers were links to a tweakbit.com d6iverupdater. When I logged on to report this, the links disappeared.
I bet you're using chrome.

I've never had that problem in IE, but even with ADP in Chrome those darn green text underlined flash ads pop up(like on majorgeeks), and if you kill them you have an incomplete sentence because words are missing, that's one of the reasons IE has been my favorite browser, but Chrome 64bit is REALLY fast when the bells and whistles are turned off.
That's the ads I talked about. They are done by the website, not Chrome (I don't use IE but they happen on any other browser too, ff Safari...)
I use Adblock (not plus) and I haven't saw them again.
That also explains why they appear when logged off and not logged in

Yep Chrome + 64 bit + adblock + hardware acceleration + the latest dev or beta release = fastest thing ever



BTW Ialways have a VM with win xp and completely isolated as a sandbox. with a snapshot so if it gets infected I can revert to a clean state without reinstall
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel Celeron G530
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2-B3
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S19B150
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Laptop Toshiba 320GB
    PSU
    450W
    Case
    Old one
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Generic
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None
    Other Info
    Netbook Samsung N145 Plus, with Windows 8.1 64 bit and Windows XP SP3, 2GB RAM
Oh well electricity, ISPs and servers cost money, need to pay for them somehow...On my favorite sites(like here) I always keep my adblocker off set IE to allow ads too. (Hooray for Designer Media Ltd:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
I block ads due to flash is used for most of them. They slow down my computer unacceptably making scrolling choppy and eating RAM. When they drop flash in ads I will unlock them. Not all we can get a super powerful computer
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel Celeron G530
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2-B3
    Memory
    6GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S19B150
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Laptop Toshiba 320GB
    PSU
    450W
    Case
    Old one
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Generic
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None
    Other Info
    Netbook Samsung N145 Plus, with Windows 8.1 64 bit and Windows XP SP3, 2GB RAM
I block ads due to flash is used for most of them. They slow down my computer unacceptably making scrolling choppy and eating RAM. When they drop flash in ads I will unlock them. Not all we can get a super powerful computer

Like I said only for favorite(trusted)sites do I leave it off, every where else I block what I can, not only does it make page loading faster, but also safer. Flash, like Java, is still one of those necessary evils that are getting slowly fazed out, But knowing gov't agencies(except FBI, CIA and co) they'll still be needed to get stuff done(probably on purpose so "Sauron" can keep his burning eye on us).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
The gist of it is: this forum hijacked my word to advertise to guests of forum sponsors. Should a guest get bitten by a hijacked link via my hijacked word, I may get impugned, thinking I created the link.

I never noticed the 'hijacking' before; I was surprised by it. And I was afraid it was on my end, the browser.

I suppose the .rar driver issue can be solved by me decompressing it and move on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
If you thought Belkin was bad, you should see what happened to me with Linksys WUSB54G_V4 WiFi USB adapter. They don't have any drivers on their site, luckily W8.1 recognized it immediately and installed basic MS drivers so it can work. It was supposed to come with a CD with other utilities to expand it's capabilities but I didn't get it because it was used and previous owner lost it. When I tried to get those utilities from them (Linksys) they asked for more money than that adapter was worth. Needless to say eve the word Lynksys is banned from my dictionary.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
Cliff S said:
Like I said only for favorite(trusted)sites do I leave it off, every where else I block what I can
That may sound like a good plan, but it is not. You are assuming your favorite trusted sites have not been, and cannot be hacked. That's a risky assumption! The recent Home Depot, Target, Sony, Xbox, PlayStation, etc. hacks have made it so you should assume you favorite and trusted sites have been hacked and you need to protect your computer (and its users) from compromise.

If you follow (and IMO, everyone should) the Department of Homeland Security's US-CERT Cyber Security Bulletin Vulnerability Summaries, as well as other independent security sources such as NSS Labs, you will find that IE is, and has been for some time, the most secure browser when it comes to Socially Engineered Malware. This is significant because "socially engineered malware" is the most successful and prolific method of malware distribution and includes extremely well written ads that entice users to "click" on those unsolicited links.

But this is NOT about which browser is best, faster, most compatible or resource thrifty. This is only about combatting socially engineered malware distribution methods. But even IE will let some ads through so I always use (and keep enabled) Adblock PLUS for IE.

THAT SAID, the user is ALWAYS the weakest link in security. ANY of the mainstream browsers will keep you safe IF you the user keep Windows fully updated, you use a decent anti-malware solution and firewall and keep them updated, and you avoid risky behavior like participating in illegal filesharing via Torrents or P2P sites, and you are not "click-happy" on unsolicited downloads, links, and attachments.

In other words, regardless your browser of choice you still must do all the same things to keep you and other users of your computer safe.

While I accept that program developers need to feed and shelter their families too - especially with free programs and services, it is still up to us users to ensure only what we want installed is installed. So another important step is for users to ALWAYS choose the custom install option when installing ANY program to opt-out of any of those ad-filled extras we don't want, or need on our systems. And it is up to us to avoid the desire, no matter how inviting and enticing, to click on unsolicited links.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Sorry I used my "tin foil hat" to wrap my Christmas turkey's legs so they'd get crispy. The last group of people I listen to on computer security is the US Gov't. The CIA FBI etc are part of homeland sec. Especially when the idiots them selves get hacked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
    CPU
    Intel Core i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
    Memory
    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 ROG Strix O24G, 24576 MB GDDR6X
    Sound Card
    (1) HD Webcam C270 (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ BL2711U(4K) and a hp 27vx(1080p)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX1000i High Performance ATX Power Supply 80+ Platinum
    Case
    hanteks Enthoo Pro TG
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB TT Premium-Edition 360mm and 3 Corsair blue LED fans
    Keyboard
    Trust GTX THURA
    Mouse
    Trust GTX 148
    Internet Speed
    25+/5+ (+usually faster)
    Browser
    Edge; Chrome; IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender of course & Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit as a
    Other Info
    Router: FRITZ!Box 7590 AX V2
    Sound system: SHARP HT-SBW460 Dolby Atmos Soundbar
    Webcam: Logitech BRIO ULTRA HD PRO WEBCAM 4K webcam with HDR
The last group of people I listen to on computer security is the US Gov't. The CIA FBI etc are part of homeland sec. Especially when the idiots them selves get hacked.
Ah! So you are smarter than them! I see. :think:

I say the fact they get hacked proves my point - and that is, any site can be hacked.

Since you are the expert here, what is the first group of people you listen too on security?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I for one, listen to myself only and risks I take are my only but when large organizations we all depend on for one thing or other take risks we can all suffer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I for one, listen to myself only
Only? Wow! I've been working IT security professionally for government, corporate, small business, and personal networks and computers since the early 70s and no way would I assume I, or any 1 person, is the sole source for security information.

but when large organizations we all depend on for one thing or other take risks we can all suffer.
I agree 100%. But it is not just them taking risks - some are just down right negligent. They fail to force regular admin password changes. They fail to remove log-in credentials from terminated employees. They fail to keep systems patched and updated. They fail to keep sensitive information isolated from public exposure and on and on... .

BTW, since some discard Homeland Security's US-CERT Summaries without even bothering to determine what they are, I will explain briefly. The vulnerabilities noted in the summaries are those reported by the product makers and other security agencies. These vulnerabilities are NOT discovered or created by anyone in the CIA (???) or FBI, or HS.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I do take information in but not with a grain of salt, but whole ton of it. You can never know what, who or whose interests are behind it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I do take information in but not with a grain of salt, but whole ton of it. You can never know what, who or whose interests are behind it.
Ah! Now that make sense. And you are absolutely correct about "hidden agendas". In fact, that is what socially engineered malware distribution methods rely on.

Take the anti-malware industry itself, for example. What financial incentive do Kaspersky, Norton, McAfee, Avira, Avast, and the other anti-malware product developers have to rid the world of malware?

Answer: None whatsoever! That will put them out of business.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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