Looking for advice on computer security and "DRM"

[Ships-R-Us]

I am ignorant in areas of "DRM" and privacy concerns regarding our computer security.

I think that if we have a good firewall running, monitor the TCP port that SH5 communicates on, and a good antivirus and malware program that all of our computers should be just fine with respect to any incoming malicious threats in the event some rogue had the ability to infect the Ubisoft server.

I have the free version of "Malwarebytes" and find it can detect things that my "Norton Internet Security" does not detect.

I am hoping that members here can add suggestions and advice on this subject. I believe inside of Subsim there are people that know about this stuff. I am asking for your contributions in order to help us all.

I only ask that we keep this thread on topic.

[AVGWarhawk]

I think you are well protected. Do not forget Windows Defender and always update any holes MS covers up with their update sent out on a regular basis.

[Darkhat]

Yes it's like they ask for viruses on their servers to be distributed throughout to everyone playing uplay! :x

No seriously I think they have good protection but interesting subject to talk about. Anyway I think the the new DRM hears and I think it will be much better :yep: than for example SecuROM, which is really bad, they say it installs malware and only allows you to play the company's games, im many cases EA... :doh:

I think this DRM wil be much better. Those without internet can buy those memory-sticks with internet and have internet everywhere ^^. :rock:

Btw you should consider norton 360 and not only internet security ;)

[The Enigma]

There are two ways of traffic.
Inbound and outbound traffic.
Most built in firewalls in cable modems are default setup to block unwanted inbound traffic.

Outbound traffic is mostly handled/monitored by a software firewall.
What is allowed to go from your PC to the internet is defined by firewall rules.

If you install software which needs to contact a server somewhere on the
web, it can only work properly if you tell your firewall that this app is allowed
to setup such connection.

Connections are using an IP address and a portnumber
Example: HTTP traffic (internet browser) use port 80 to setup a connection.

When I install the new UBI game software you most likely will need to adjust
your firewall (or the firewall may create an automatic rule), or UBI uses a
port which is already set open for outbound traffic.

So you are only allowing traffic streams. There is no rule created for the
content of the traffic.
For trying to discover what UBI will send to their servers you need to analyze
these streams with a packet sniffer like WireShark (UBI is aware of packet
sniffers and will surely have their data scrambled).

Unless you are good in deciphering, I don't think we will ever be sure what
UBI will sent to their servers.

[Ships-R-Us]

DARKHAT: I have 52 days left on my Norton Subscription. What is the difference between NIS and Norton 360?

I think people will be chipping in on the antivirus and firewall that they prefer also..............If you do, please briefly tell why you prefer one brand over the other, as there may be factually based something better. I think this is also on topic.

[AVGWarhawk]

I used Avast and it is free. Damn fine AV. I also have Malewarebytes. I have no issues with intrusions or viruses.

[Heretic]

There's a very handy website called Shields Up where you can test if you have any open ports that leave you vulnerable.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

[Mud]

I used Avast and it is free. Damn fine AV. I also have Malewarebytes. I have no issues with intrusions or viruses.

Avast better than AVG ?
I'm using AVG for years but it was letting a virus through 2 weeks ago so I'm looking for someting different.

Mud

[SteamWake]

With their proposal of keeping your saved games online, and 'constant' internet connection the probability of 'data mining' is quite evident.

No firewall, AV software, port monitoring, will change the fact that they can look at Where you played, when you played, how long you played, did you play from a different ip address?

That with the personal information most likely required to 'register' at uplay can be a gold mine of data when you consider the sheer numbers of people they can 'sample'.

[Thomen]

With their proposal of keeping your saved games online, and 'constant' internet connection the probability of 'data mining' is quite evident.

No firewall, AV software, port monitoring, will change the fact that they can look at Where you played, when you played, how long you played, did you play from a different ip address?

That with the personal information most likely required to 'register' at uplay can be a gold mine of data when you consider the sheer numbers of people they can 'sample'.

Indeed. They also said you do not need to modify your firewall settings for the OSP, which can be good or bad.

[GREY WOLF 3]

. Those without internet can buy those memory-sticks with internet and have internet everywhere ^^. :rock:

:rotfl2:Ive got one:damn: cuts off regular speed fast for 15 mins then dail up speed for the next hour, load of crap:down: thats if you can get a signal.

[FIREWALL]

There's a very handy website called Shields Up where you can test if you have any open ports that leave you vulnerable.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Thx Heretic :salute:

[martes86]

That with the personal information most likely required to 'register' at uplay can be a gold mine of data when you consider the sheer numbers of people they can 'sample'.

Then don't give real information. Submission forms can't really check for data authenticity (provided you don't enter a person name like "Sucks BT., DRM" and things like that), unless a credit card is required. You can't sample fake data, and it ain't worth crap.

About security threats, well, if nothing comes in, it's really hard that your PC responds to it in a malicious way. No IN, no OUT. That simple. Of course, it could happen that communications are intercepted, and manipulating those, you can manipulate output communications, but that's even more complicated than it sounds, you'd have to be a very bored hacker to do that.

Anyways, if you want to be totally sure about that (and are paranoid enough), Zone Alarm firewall is the best option to go. It used to block windows folder share traffic in our domestic LAN until I closed it, almost nothing (if not anything) unauthorized will pass, it's a really good wall, from my experience.
AntiVirus, I personally like the way Norton's works. It's quite the system hog, but I find it to be very effective.
Add Spybot: Search & Destroy to the equation, to remove adware and spybots, and you're there. :DL

Cheers :rock:

EDIT: Oh! Avatar change! Lol

[Ships-R-Us]

There's a very handy website called Shields Up where you can test if you have any open ports that leave you vulnerable.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

A TRULY GREAT SITE.........I passed on everything and saved the link for future.........

Thanks to "ALL" for the great input..........CONGRATS MARTES86 on the new avatar. I am taking notes on all this info and can check it out.

I hope all this great advice helps others also. :salute:

[Webster]

I used Avast and it is free. Damn fine AV. I also have Malewarebytes. I have no issues with intrusions or viruses.

agreed, its stopped everything that ever tried getting in and its much better then norton or any of those "pay for" antivirus programs IMO

[Ships-R-Us]

I just learned a bunch from you guys about this port stuff.

I just set up a webcam a few weeks ago so I can check outside the house while away......I just typed in my IP address and it was there. I just discovered the whole world could also.

Also UpNp was enabled, so I just shut it off.

JUST now I went into the router and assigned the outside camera to another port . Now it is private unless I give out the port number. THANK YOU for helping me with this also. I knew nothing about ports before.

Thank the lord I did not have it in the house. :rock:

Thank You for this help you all gave. :salute:

[skwasjer]

If any of you are worried about Ubi mining your habits, then you better disconnect now, throw away your modem and never show your face on the internet again, and while you're at it, your mobile phone too (talk about tracking someone... :shifty:).

What about Microsoft, or your antivirus software, or your adware software, or any other application that you allowed to get automatic updates. What about your browser. What about subsim, or your ISP. What about software you didn't explicitly give permission, but does connect anyway (and you don't have a firewall blocking it). What about S3D's autoupdate feature (YES, I AM YOUR BIG BROTHER :arrgh!:). You don't want to know how much your computer accesses the internet without you even realising.

Seriously, the privacy concern is a bit silly. I read an article somewhere that on average a Dutch person is registered with personal details/information (not via internet!) with some 120 companies, agencies, and authorities. Most we didn't even ask for, and if one sits and thinks about it, most of us won't be able to name more than 30-40 from that list.

Don't get me wrong, I do think privacy in general is something to be wary about (and not every company takes it that serious as it should), but the biggest issue with this DRM system is just the connectivity in itself.

Regarding virusses/trojans being sent back to you by hackers, well, I think you run more risk by visiting torrent sites (not just for (infected) cracks, but for browser vulnerabilities as well) then by buying the game and trusting Ubi's servers to be clean:rotfl2: I'd take the latter.