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
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