Thanks, John. I set it up to ask permission, and quite a few programs
have popped up that I don't have a clue what they are, so I've denied
access and haven't had a problem yet. Guess I'm doing it right :).
After getting those two viruses that took me forever to get rid of
I've switched from E-Z Trust to McAfee, installed Zone Alarm, Spy-Bot,
and the Google program that is supposed to stop pop ups. I'm so
protected I can hardly move LOL!!
Donna
> Donna,
>
> You can redo the Zonealarm setup. Read all of the instructions,
understand
> and follow them fastidiously. You want to set the permissions to pop
up so
> you can select whether to let a program access the Internet or not.
The
> basic setup will work fine. Just be sure to allow access for
programs you
> are familiar with or the Internet may not work right for you. Block
any
> program permission popups that you are not familiar with. If that
causes
> something that you need not to work, you can always allow access in
the
> "Program Control," "Programs" access permissions section.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> J. Dent
>
>
> At 07:59 AM 5/20/2004, you wrote:
> >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
>
> The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
> Mandrake Linux or Red Hat Linux CD sets along
> with the OpenOffice CD... at a great price!!!
> http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml
>
--
CoreComm Webmail.
http://home.core.com
"Hold No Punches.." Rode brings you great shareware/freeware
programs with his honest opinions in this weekly column.
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