Rant about IT Security

[msfn-guest_again]

i find computer "security" to be such a HILARIOUS topic...

i work for a cutting-edge hybrid-electric auto supplier and even the "engineers" and IT department are often "clueless" on computer 'security'...

and even more clueless when it comes to computer "speed and efficiency"...

 

i have two "primary" computers and four "secondary" computers...

one primary is running Windows Server 2003 x64, the other primary runs Win XP x64...

both primary PCs have 8GB RAM and multiple cores...

all four secondary PCs run Win XP x86...

all secondary PCs are 4GB RAM and single-core processors...

 

all SIX have BETWEEN FOURTEEN AND NINETEEN "processes" running after startup via Task Manager -> Processes...

all SIX have a full boot time (not exiting sleep or hibernation, but a full boot) of LESS THAN FORTY SECONDS (a couple even under TWENTY)...

(and that INCLUDES the THREE seconds for the BIOS to default to WinXP on my triple-boot laptop that also has seldom-used Win7 and Win10 LTSB...)

 

80% of our production PCs at work run WinXP...

BUT the d@mn IT Department (half a globe away, mind you!) is clueless about OS Optimization of any kind...

every d@mn one of our machines takes SIX TO EIGHT MINUTES for a full boot !!!

they all run from SIXTY EIGHT to UPWARDS OF NINETY "processes" !!!

 

Java Quick Start and Java Update processes on a PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT PC with NO access to outside world and NO Java-dependent applications ???

Microsoft Security Essentials and McAfee on a PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT PC with NO access to outside world ???

(don't get me started on the number of "processes" tied SOLELY to McAfee !!!)

 

i haven't ran any "anti-virus" products for DECADES (used to, until I "wised up")...

i don't even WASTE MY TIME with POSReady updates anymore on my beloved XP !!!

i do SLIPSTREAM some post-EOL patches and update/reinstall from slipstreamed media every 9-12 months or so...

 

i find it EXTREMELY exhilarating when a McAfee virus definition update FALSELY flags a PRODUCTION SOFTWARE .dll...

and PRODUCTION is grinded to a hault for HOURS...

exhilarating in an "i told you so" fashion...

 

i find it EXTREMELY exhilarating when an "engineer" says something like "it's slow because it's on Win XP"...

i reply "no, it's slow because you're running a 486 dx2 on a 66 MHz bus", which i say to 'exaggerate' to these "smart engineers"...

and only get a "deer in the headlights" expression returned so i have to add, "i run WinXP on an i7 at home and boot in THIRTY SECONDS"...

(yes, i do admit that the Epson Robot Controller software would add MAYBE ten more seconds to that...)

 

i find it EXTREMELY exhilarating when the COMPANY POLICY is (was!) to run Firefox...

and the ONLY time i've EVER been hit with a VIRUS was AT WORK while running Firefox and McAfee and behind the company "firewall"...

 

 

et cetera...