Security Survey!

[ret801]

Hey guys, help me with my homework !
I am taking CIT 160 and for my first assignment I am to ask 5 family members, friends ,strangers etc 5 security questions which i will have to investigate further and write a report on, so I came to daniweb! please answer and read my questions and i will boost your reputation, I only need 5 people but if i already get 5 and you feel like posting feel free!
what i need from you, your first name & last initial.
please try not to answer with yes or no questions

have fun!

here are my questions:

1. How important do you consider computer security?

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
i. When was the last time you updated this software?
ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?

g.have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?

anyone who answers will get reputation points & positive feedback from me , thanks!

:)

[joehms22]

Hey, hope you still need this; I love seeing security stuff around:

Joseph L. (if you need anything else and you can message me)

1. How important do you consider computer security?
I am actually a security enthusiast, so information security is incredibly important, especially with so many institutions operating with sensitive data online.

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
No, I use a built-in firewall (on linux) but all of my Windows systems do have AV software.

3. When was the last time you updated this software?
As soon as it is needed.

4. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?
Linux, never. Windows, weekly.

3. Which operating system do you consider most secure?
I consider BeOS most secure, BSD second, then Linux, Mac, and Windows (Windows 8 goes above Mac); Android and IOS are neither secure nor insecure. Generally I consider none of them secure, but the "more" secure ones are only that way because there aren't enough people that use them to warrant good hackers to attack them.

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
Never.

5. Have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?
I have a different password for every site, and I stay away from malware (until I play with it on my isolated testing machines).

[Rashakil Fol]

1. How important do you consider computer security?

That depends on the situation. For TI-83+ calculators, not important. For normal computer systems it's basically a question of how much personal information is on the system, or what machinery it's hooked up to, or how much money you lose if it goes down.

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?

No.

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?

Of mainstream OSes, Windows. By the way joehms22's list is nonsense. He uses a definition of "security" that is not what the word actually means. BeOS is the most insecure OS in his list. (He merely listed the OSes in increasing order of popularity. Way to go.)

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?

No, I pick random passwords.

g.have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?

No. Generally no.

[zychos]

Well considering I am in Grad School for Security I love the stuff.

1. How important do you consider computer security?
Depending on what you use your interactive device/machine for it varies. However, I consider it very important.

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
Yes
i. When was the last time you updated this software?
Today
ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?
Sunday
3. which operating system do you consider most secure?

Loaded question. Microsoft tends to get destroyed but they are the biggest target since they corner the corporate market. Linux is open sourced which could mean there vulnerabilities are known however many work to fix them. Mac Os has vulnerabilities but since they aren't in the corporate sector they aren't exploited in great numbers.
So while they all have vulnerabilities I like the open-source forum that has more people trying to help fix them.
4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
No
g.have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?
Yes

[ret801]

Thank you all for your replies!

[jbennet]

1. How important do you consider computer security?

Quite. Basically, I know that so long as I am not an idiot (i.e. download crap from warez sites etc....) I will be fine.

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
Yes.
i. When was the last time you updated this software? - Today, Monthly Schedule
ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system - Monthly

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?
Up-to date windows (*Not* XP). But mostly common sense is whats important.

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
Sort of. I make good passwords out of easy to remember stuff. i.e. "L0lympic5_2012" - "london olympics 2012 will" be my clue to remembering it

g.have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?

Yes. I have been.

[zeroliken]

1. How important do you consider computer security?
Quite a high priority based from experience and news

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software? yes

i. When was the last time you updated this software?
it automatically updates whenever an update is available

ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?
Last week, I do it monthly

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?
I'd say windows because of the frequent updates

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
not really

5. have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?
no, i'm always careful whenever I use my accounts in public

[DJSAN10]

1. How important do you consider computer security?
Very important

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
On windows, Yes I do.

i. When was the last time you updated this software?
Automatic updation

ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?
Last month

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?
Would prefer Linux distros over Windows

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
Yes but always a weird combination of 2 3 of them that makes sense to me ;)

5. have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?
Never till date. Have not considered any extra precautions as such but I don't give away my email id easily to websites that seem hazardous to me (usually those which have some free / lucrative offers , I avoid them until very sure)

[WaltP]

1. How important do you consider computer security?
Quite important

2. Do you use Anti‐virus/Anti‐spyware software?
i. When was the last time you updated this software?
ii. When was the last time you complete a full scan of your system?
This month.

3. which operating system do you consider most secure?
Don't know enough systems. Windows seems to be least secure.
And based on the hacking scuttlebutt, none seem to be secure.

I also note that only the PC market seems to be listed in these answers. I am including all OS flavors from IBM, SUN, DEC, etc... This is where most of the severe hacking comes from.

4. Do you use names, dates, or cities as your password?
No

g.have you been a victim of identity theft? if not do you take extra precautions so you do not?
No. Not really, just common sense.