Expert: James Filmer - 1/18/2011

Question
QUESTION: hi james,
 i just bought a new pc for everyday use (like banking purposes).  problem is my roommate has this old pc he uses for downloading music, porn, movies, etc. (through torrenting)  i have norton loaded on the new pc but we use the same modem to go online.  i don't want any of his malware spreading to my new pc, so what can i do?  we use the same modem but its not like we're on a network, we connect using an ethernet cable and i always disconnect his malware pc before connecting my pc to the modem and going online.  also i never share any software or equipment with his pc (though i did install norton from his authentic norton installation disc) am i doing enough to make sure the pc's never cross-infect?  because i wouldn't want any malware on my new pc and fall victim to id theft.  thank you!

ANSWER: No problem - you're not sharing the connection at the same time.

However, are you allowed to share that Norton version with another computer? Check with them and let me know.
You could have problems if the license is for only one computer.

Also, do you see yourself wanting to be online with your roommate at the same time?

See http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html and links on Enrgy21.com for some basic security tips as well.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you for your quick response!
the norton is licensed for 3 users.  and my roommate works at night so i'm able to go online by myself.  so i'm safe as long as i make sure to disconnect his computer from the modem and not sharing any software and equipment?  once again i'm not too sure if what we have is a network or not.  and am i 100% safe from malware and id theft?  thank you!

also, p.s. during torrenting (which involves others downloading the torret file from your pc) can others only download the torrent file off your pc or can they access other personal files on your pc as well?  and is your pc only uploading the torrent file or other files as well? and just in case it does, given how my roommate torrents, will this have any effect on my new pc (if the pc's have no connection between them, like i described before) thank you!

Answer
As long as you're not sharing files, software or equipment, you're fine.

Hardening your own computer security (separate from being concerned about his machine) is the only thing you need to stay on top of.

Consider one or more additional antispyware applications like SuperAntispyware, Spybot, Malwarebytes, Ad-Aware and other top rated software.

Keep in mind that not all are 100% compatible with Norton, if you allow any to run in real-time mode monitoring, but things are changing all the time, so you just have to test or research that yourself.

You can find some of the best anti-spyware application on Enrgy21.com.

Regarding BitTorrent and security, are you considering using it? If not, nothing to be concerned about. See http://www.infocarnivore.com/tag/are-torrents-safe/ for more details if you are.