Madaline,
My comments and 2¢ on what you asked, I hope you find them helpful. In the
future you might mention your Operating System. You did indicate you have IE
5.5 which means you're using a Win 9x version. :-)
EndItAll: Not familiar with it. I use the Close Program window
(Ctrl+Alt+Del). It only takes a minute or so and the only time I need to
close everything is to run Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter. I simply close
everything except Explorer (with Screensaver set to "None") and the scan and
defrag runs without interruption.
Installing software: I recommend you close all open programs, to include the
firewall and your Internet connection, when installing software to prevent
any interference with the installation. At that point there's no need for
firewall protection. The firewall shouldn't interfere when you run
EasyCleaner or Regedit.
ZoneAlarm and BlackICE Defender: Uninstall (never "delete" a program)
BlackICE before installing ZoneAlarm. I don't have any experience with
Norton, but as far as I know, they're compatable. ZoneAlarm isn't, and
doesn't claim to be, capable of identifying and dealing with computer
viruses. The MailSafe feature in the free edition of ZoneAlarm quarantines
one type file. ZoneAlarm Pro detects 37 types with the option of adding and
editing. When ZoneAlarm quarantines a file, it is simply "alerting" you that
it has identified a potentially dangerous file based on the file extension.
You have the option of opening the file if you choose to do so. You also
have the option to scan and/or delete it.
For some interesting reading on Internet security, I urge you to read about
Steve Gibson's adventures with a Deliberate Denial Of Service (DDOS) attack
at his web site: http://grc.com/dos/grcdos.htm You will be surprised at what
an unconcerned, malicious 13 year old "hacker" can accomplish. It's a
lengthy report and if you choose not to read it in it's entirety, scroll to
near the bottom and read what he says about ZoneAlarm (free edition) and
BlackICE Defender.
Internet Explorer 6: By all means go for it, to include any critical updates
available at Windows Update. IE6, which includes Outlook Express 6, has
several new security features not available in previous versions. I updated
two systems running Millennium the day it was released and have been running
XP Pro since the middle of October and have had no problems with IE6 or OE6.
Backups: A good How-To article is here:
http://www.aarp.org/comptech/learning/howto/howto036.html In addition to
your Quicken data, you should backup "your" data which includes all of the
files and documents that you create, your e-mail, your favorites, your
Internet settings, and all of the photos, graphics, and other personal files
stored on your computer. The Operating System, your programs, drivers, etc.,
can be re-installed from the original disks. You probably have Microsoft
Backup (a Seagate Software product) on your computer
(Start\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\Backup). It has a wizard to walk
you through standard backup procedures. If you have a CD-RW drive, it's
software probably includes a backup utility. I use a second hard drive. In
addition to extra storage space it's excellent for backups, you simply copy
the files to it.
Sven Swanson, Sr.
Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2002 15:14:16 -0500
From: Madaline <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: EndItAll Vs EndItAll2/EasyCleaner/Firewalls/IE 5.5 Vs 6/BackUp
Basics
Happy New Year one and all!! I find myself starting 2002 needing your
assistance in answering a number of questions I have on 'computing'. If you
can help me out, it will improve my 2002 immensely.
Does anyone have an opinion as to whether I should install EndItAll or the
newer version EndItAll2? Has anyone used EndItAll2?
When installing new software or running EasyCleaner or Regedit, must I close
my firewall (BlackICE Defender) first, thereby leaving my computer
temporarily unprotected?
I have read various sites and comparisons of firewalls, and ZoneAlarm is
consistently rated better than BlackICE. Does anyone know if I have to
delete (not just close) BlackICE Defender from my system before I can
download and install ZoneAlarm?
Since ZoneAlarm has email protection, would it conflict with my Norton
AntiVirus 2002 which checks my emails for viruses?
Is there any benefit to downloading Internet Explorer 6, or should I just
stay with version 5.5? Does anyone know of potential problems in version 6
that are not present in version 5.5?
Can someone, please, enlighten me on the basics of doing backups? Are there
specific file names on all computers that should always be backed up? How
does one determine whether a file should be backed up or not? I know
backups are of top priority and importance, but everything that I have read
about them assumes that the person doing the backup has a much better
understanding of the basics than I have. What backup program is best to
use? Other than backing up my Quicken data, I have no idea of where to
begin to do a backup.
Thank you for any assistance you can give.
Madaline Satkiewicz
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