Spookie
12-05-2003, 05:08 AM
Hello!
Boy, am I glad I was told about your Forums!! You seem to have exactly what I'm looking for; however, I have a few questions regarding "Real Player" and "RealOne Player".......I hope that someone will be able to point me in the right direction.
I don't know if you're familiar with "GRC", (Gibson Research Center....a teriffic web site that's hosted by Steve Gibson).....anyway, his site has several tests: for checking the efficiency of your firewall by probing the different ports; he designs little apps that enable you to safely disable "plug and play", windows messenger; and he does all that he can to supply information on how to be sure that when you're on-line, you are as SAFE as you can be.
Steve also alerts visitors to his site about "dangerous" programs that can compromise your on-line security by posting excellent articles that he has written and thoroughly researched......this brings me to the reason that I'm posting my question, (I'll bet you thought I'd NEVER get to my point!!! ;)
Anyway, the report to which I am referring is one that he did on Real Player and RealOne Player; in it, he reported in great detail the proof of "spyware" being part of this company's media players. I have taken the liberty of providing the URL in case you wanted to read it for yourselves. Here it is:
http://grc.com/downloaders.htm
I am VERY new at using a PC, and I am mostly self-taught.....a very scary combination! Because I am a "newbie", I tend to be extra cautious, especially when it's possible to compromise my security while on-line.
Because of reading the article mentioned above, I ONLY have Windows Media Player and QuickTime Media Player installed on my PC, as I'm concerned about the "spyware" issue with Real Player and RealOne Player. However, I thought that I heard someone on TechTV, (a digital cable TV channel that has all computer/tech-related programs), mention that the OLD VERSION of Real Player is free from "spyware", and is therefore safe to use.
When I went to your sites' list of downloads of Real Player and RealOne Player, there were several versions of them!
Will someone please recommend which version I should download, as I occasionally get a newsletter or visit a web site that only offers Real Player in order to view a news clip or report. I was leaning toward getting Real Player 8, but I wasn't sure if it was the "safest" one to use.
Oh, and BTW, I run SpyBot Search and Destroy every time I start up my PC...you probably use it yourself, as it's a GREAT spyware, browser hi-hacker and other malware removal program, (and it's Free, too!).
I'd GREATLY appreciate any and all recommendations about which old version to download; which version is your personal favorite and why. This will help me make my decision, as I know that I should have Real Player available for the few sites that require it.
I don't know how much info you need about my PC, so I'll give you the basics...if you need to know anything else, just ask!
I have a Dell Dimension 8200
Windows XP-Home, SP-1
OE 6
80 GB hard drive
512 MB RDRAM
broadband connection
I really appreciate your input about this, and I look forward to getting LOTS of opinions!!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Gratefully,
Spookie :)
Boy, am I glad I was told about your Forums!! You seem to have exactly what I'm looking for; however, I have a few questions regarding "Real Player" and "RealOne Player".......I hope that someone will be able to point me in the right direction.
I don't know if you're familiar with "GRC", (Gibson Research Center....a teriffic web site that's hosted by Steve Gibson).....anyway, his site has several tests: for checking the efficiency of your firewall by probing the different ports; he designs little apps that enable you to safely disable "plug and play", windows messenger; and he does all that he can to supply information on how to be sure that when you're on-line, you are as SAFE as you can be.
Steve also alerts visitors to his site about "dangerous" programs that can compromise your on-line security by posting excellent articles that he has written and thoroughly researched......this brings me to the reason that I'm posting my question, (I'll bet you thought I'd NEVER get to my point!!! ;)
Anyway, the report to which I am referring is one that he did on Real Player and RealOne Player; in it, he reported in great detail the proof of "spyware" being part of this company's media players. I have taken the liberty of providing the URL in case you wanted to read it for yourselves. Here it is:
http://grc.com/downloaders.htm
I am VERY new at using a PC, and I am mostly self-taught.....a very scary combination! Because I am a "newbie", I tend to be extra cautious, especially when it's possible to compromise my security while on-line.
Because of reading the article mentioned above, I ONLY have Windows Media Player and QuickTime Media Player installed on my PC, as I'm concerned about the "spyware" issue with Real Player and RealOne Player. However, I thought that I heard someone on TechTV, (a digital cable TV channel that has all computer/tech-related programs), mention that the OLD VERSION of Real Player is free from "spyware", and is therefore safe to use.
When I went to your sites' list of downloads of Real Player and RealOne Player, there were several versions of them!
Will someone please recommend which version I should download, as I occasionally get a newsletter or visit a web site that only offers Real Player in order to view a news clip or report. I was leaning toward getting Real Player 8, but I wasn't sure if it was the "safest" one to use.
Oh, and BTW, I run SpyBot Search and Destroy every time I start up my PC...you probably use it yourself, as it's a GREAT spyware, browser hi-hacker and other malware removal program, (and it's Free, too!).
I'd GREATLY appreciate any and all recommendations about which old version to download; which version is your personal favorite and why. This will help me make my decision, as I know that I should have Real Player available for the few sites that require it.
I don't know how much info you need about my PC, so I'll give you the basics...if you need to know anything else, just ask!
I have a Dell Dimension 8200
Windows XP-Home, SP-1
OE 6
80 GB hard drive
512 MB RDRAM
broadband connection
I really appreciate your input about this, and I look forward to getting LOTS of opinions!!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Gratefully,
Spookie :)