Windows XP Home virus protection safety?

[Powerstroke2000]

My question is regarding when a computer is running after being booted up, and is sitting with the main screen which shows our family member names, but have not actually clicked on any of the icons to actually choose one of these names.
I notice when I click on my name, Windows XP sets my "settings" and there the desktop sits for me to use. While this is happening, I see that my Norton Anti-Virus program also comes to life going through its initialization.

What I'm wondering, since Norton only initializes at this time, is my computer not safe from virus/trojans/adware while sitting in the mode where just our family names are shown? Should we all be concerned with this issue?

Apparently WinXP has a security feature, which comes up on my own computer as well, telling me my computer is NOT safe, as my Anti-Virus program is initializing...but disappears once that initialization has finished, which then shows Norton as being "enabled".

How safe are we with this issue?

Thanks..

Dale

[EzyStvy]

If this is the only pc in the house then you are safe.

If this is the only pc in the house and you are connect to broadband without a Firewall you could be a risk. (small risk)

If you are on a network there are viruses that could get to this machine. But, if you scan the other pc's etc I wouldn't worry about it when it's just sitting there.

[Powerstroke2000]

Yes, two computers networked, with a hardware firewalled router, and both running WinXP with SP2 and Norton Anti-Virus updated consistantly.

I realize you can't ever feel too safe, which is why I posted the question. It seems these days we need several "stacked" programs to make it as difficult as possible for intruders these days.

Thanks..

Dale

[macko72]

Well yours comp is secure 'cos windows opens network connections after he loads your settings!!!

[Statica]

Actually, the network connections are open at the welcome screen. (don't believe me? Test it out if you want: boot computer A on LAN and leave at welcome screen - you will be able to access the network shares from Computer B on LAN). This is true not just of Windows but most good networkable OS'
Regarding the question, most good antivirus suites load up as a service - a service is different from an autostarting program in that it is a core set of programs that need to load during OS initialization. While, the front end (or interface) to your antivirus will load up for you when you login to your account, the protection service will have started up well in advanced.
* How to check whether your antivirus suite uses services - go to START > RUN > services.msc take a look at the start up services, you should find antivirus protection services.

Secondly, a virus infection is different from a hack or an exploit in that a virus will not usually (I say usually, for most case scenarios, remember that some virii have to ability to search and infect other computers on a LAN) actively try to get into your computer from an external source - say from the web. For example, a virus on my computer, or my web server will not try to search its way to you to infect your files - it needs you to interact with the code, either download or run it through your email etc etc. Hence running all the bells and whistles of proection is not really necessary when your computer is not in use - waiting at the welcome screen.
On the other hand, as EzyStvy mentioned, at the welcome screen, you are just as prone to getting attacked if you do not run a firewall - simply because, your network connections are active.
Again, these can be avoided by using a full time firewall - like a router. Or if you have a software firewall - like zone alarm, you should know that most good software firewall programs load up their protection files as services.

[Powerstroke2000]

Thanks! I do have router with firewall protection, but should a person also have an additional software firewall? I believe WinMX has some kind of firewall built into it doesn't it?

I tried the "services.msc" and yes, Norton does should up in the list.

Of course there are times, such as when using one of the P2P programs, that asks to disconnect any firewall program, of which I WON'T do, yet find it still seems to work fine by not doing so.

I appreciate your thoughts, and having had been "hacked" in the past, and having lost a hard drive because of it, I tend to have such questions as I started this thread with, and I'm glad there are folks like yourselves with the abilities to help those of us without those same skills.

Again, much appreciated! Thank you.

Dale

[Statica]

Usually, a software firewall on top of a hardware firewall (a router) is considered overkill (or running the standard Windows firewall is enough). Of course it is also usual, that in the interests of security you not be running programs that are used largely to download illegal content off the internet (WinMX, and P2P programs). Honestly, risk management involves protecting yourself from calculable risks - by using such programs you leave yourself open to unimaginable exploits. So I dont think there is anyone on this or any board who will be able to tell you that installing yada-yada firewall and yada-yada antivirus will make you perfectly safe.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by EzyStvy If this is the only pc in the house and you are connect to broadband without a Firewall you could be a risk. (small risk)

No, there's a BIG risk there. I have seen multiple computers that have been running unfirewalled, even for a short time, and get completely hosed with serious viruses and spyware. Even on dial-up this is a problem; last summer my grandmother's freshly-reformatted machine got the Blaster worm after I connected to the internet to go to Windows Update. Luckily she was running Norton already and it got rid of it after it rebooted her computer, but I turned on the firewall right away after that. A firewall is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you can run on your computer if you don't have a router -- even more important than virus protection.