Hi John,
When you say *Zone Alarm is iron clad protection (if set up properly)
*, can you elaborate on that? I just installed Zone Alarm last night,
and now I'm wondering if I have it set up properly. Any suggestions
would be appreciated.
Thanks
Donna
> Ann,
>
> I'll give you the short version. For all practical purposes
protecting your
> computer with Zone Alarm will keep out all intruders. You can prove
it to
> yourself by getting a intrusion monitor (Black Ice or other). Before
Zone
> Alarm is installed the typical computer user will get many attempts
by
> hackers to penetrate the user's computer (of which some my
succeed). After
> Zone alarm is installed Black Ice will report no attempts. Zone
Alarm is
> iron clad protection (if set up properly). Of course a router
(hardware)
> can provide the same or slightly better protection at a cost.
>
> RoboForm is also a great program. It's information handling protects
your
> passwords and other critical information from prying eyes. No need
to do
> all that you are doing. Read the information on protection of your
personal
> data on the RoboForm web site.
>
> As far as getting stuff off your computer goes, if someone extremely
> talented has targeted your computer and is willing to devote
considerable
> effort to the task, then yes it is possible - but not probable!
>
> So don't worry too much any more. It is far more dangerous to put
credit
> card receipts or personal information in the trash without shredding.
>
> Good luck with your security.
>
> J. Dent
>
>
> At 01:02 PM 5/19/2004, you wrote:
> >Help! You knowlegeable, generous gurus out there! I read and read
and I
> >still have a failure in comprehension about the safety of files and
> >current memory on my computer..
> >
> >I very rarely get any spam any longer (IHateSpam and OE configured
> >rules). I have a Linksys Router that I use as a hardware
firewall. I
> >also run the free version of ZoneAlarm (I run SpyBot, Ad-Aware, and
> >SpyBlaster too). I went to a site (that I can no longer find) that
> >checked my PC out and said my ports were "stealthed" - but I don't
know
> >whether they are stealthed by ZoneAlarm or the hardware firewall.
And I
> >don't know if that is enough - or exactly what that may NOT protect
me against.
> >
> >I use RoboForm and I'm concerned that while I have it open (the
only way
> >it is of any use to me is to keep it open) that "crackers" could
read or
> >websites could suck down my passwords and credit card numbers,
> >etc. because the files are accessible without further password
entry
> >whenever roboform is "open" (i.e. usable)
> >
> >I don't know how this all works. I'm driving myself crazy with long
> >horrible passwords to RoboForm and to a data file that I keep on my
> >computer, both of which I access many times a day. I also encrypt
all of
> >the records I scan in and I password my Quicken data file.
Everything
> >that I encrypt, I also encrypt it's backup. My backups are on a
second
> >hard drive. Can someone breaking into my computer also "see" that
second
> >hard drive? What about the CD-Rom drive?
> >
> >Am I driving myself crazy for nothing? Would I be in danger of
someone
> >getting my critical information if I didn't password all my files so
> >strongly? What exactly do my firewalls do (and NOT do) and are
there
> >other ways (perhaps from websites) that information could be stolen
from
> >my PC if I don't wrap it up so tight that its a bummer to try to use
> >it? What about data in the clipboard or temporary internet files or
> >cookies (I don't ask sites to "remember" my passwords since I got
> >Roboform? I also "hid" my Roboform data files in an abnormal
place, but
> >I noticed that if you bring up Roboform (can't hide the program),
the
> >"Options" say flat out where this folder is.
> >
> >What can someone do on my computer? Can they use "search"? Can
they use
> >it the same way I do? If I am using the computer, can I see what is
> >happening? Does it help that I turn off the computer at night,
when I'm
> >not using it? I don't reallly KNOW EXACTLY what CAN be done
by "crackers"
> >or websites and HOW? I'm very confused.
> >
> >Can I safely assume that my firewalls are keeping thieves out of my
> >computer and not worry about passwording every file that contains
anything
> >important? If not, do passwords REALLY need to be 14 alpha-numeric
> >characters with upper and lower case and special characters? It
gets
> >exhausting.
> >
> >Thank you so much for being so generous with your time to help
dumbbells
> >like me.
> >
> >-Ann Fennell
> >
> > Do you want to signoff PCSOFT or just change to
> > Digest mode - visit our web site:
> > http://freepctech.com/pcsoft.shtml
>
> The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech
> support at our newest website:
> http://freepctech.com
>
--
CoreComm Webmail.
http://home.core.com
The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech
support at our newest website:
http://freepctech.com
|
