I just read something about firewalls and PC security. Where can I get one and do dialups need them?
thanks
[OP]
Member
I just read something about firewalls and PC security. Where can I get one and do dialups need them?
thanks
Member
Yes, Julie, you should have a firewall even with dialup. I suggest you go to www.zonelabs.com and download their free version of Zonealarm. Works great and is all the protection you need. You should also have the free Spybot and Adware programs installed. These things not only protect you but also those to whom you send emails.
What you do today determines what you can do tomorrow.
Member
firewalls are a necessity(sp?) with any broadband connection - certainly not a bad idea with a dial up. You can download a free software based firewall at:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...sp?lid=pdb_za1
Make sure you download the basic zone alarm - that's the free one.
Software base is not as good as a hardware based firewall - but it's really fine- I use it & haven't had any problems.
You might also want to download adaware at:
http://www.lavasoft.de and / or
spybot at: http://www.safer-networking.org/
these detect / remove adware & spyware which can clog up your computer. These are all free downloads.
God Bless America!
Tom Sweeney BP
Member
Julie - I also recommend Zone Alarm. One thing I would do is read the documentation so that you fully understand what can / needs to be blocked. Many people I know have become frustrated because the firewall blocked things they wanted. A little reading upfront will save you a lot of frustration later.
Waymon...
...My heroes are not athletes, entertainers or politicians;
ALL my heroes wear US Armed Forces uniforms...
Member
Julie - Like the others said Zone Alarm is great. Well worth the money. G o ahead and download the Pro version and pay the yearly subscription ( $39??) I went with the trial and then when I signed up had a lot of problems trying to re-configure.
Godd Luck
Jeff
[OP]
Member
Hey Guys,
thanks for the info. I downloaded the Zonealert and adware and spybot.. Now I hope the creeps will stay out of my puter.
Julie
Administrator
Aaron just sent me an email concerning people using Zone Alarm and vBulletin. It seems that Zone Alarm causes problems when logging in to vBulletin sites.
We have had a lot of people complaining lately about not being able to log in and other problems staying connected to our site. It seems that we may finally have an answer to the problem we have assumed were related to cookies and Internet Explorer.
Disable Zone Alarm before you visit SawMill Creek.
Member
Julie, Zonealarm is a pretty good piece of software, however, there are ways to hack inside...don't ask me how, I have no idea. I had it installed and still got zapped by a "bug". Since then, I've installed a Lynksys Firewall/Router...it looks like a cable modem (which I also have). Since I installed this I have had NO problems at all...but they aren't cheap..about $80. Personally, I wouldn't have my computer connected to the internet for 5 minutes without it...just too many sick people out there anting to create havoc. With dialup you're less likely than I am to recieve a virus or bug, but it is still possible. Go with the ZoneAlarm for now, since it will do you well, just remember that down the road if you change ISP's you may want something a little safer.
Member
I personally would not be connected to the Internet without a firewall of some sort active. At a minimum get a Router / Firewall combo which has NAT (Network Address Translation) built in and the ability to setup non-rout-able IP addresses. This is only part of the answer, but this would "solve" the ZA bug.
BTW Sygate, and Computer Associates have free quality firewalls too...
my .02
Member
A firewall is quite different from a anti virus program.... They work together, but are not the same.Originally Posted by Joe Suelter
Member
You do not have to disable ZA to be on SMC. I use it on all of my machines and SMC works perfectly fine. I would venture a guess that if someone is having problems with vbulletin...they have other issues.
Chris 'Digger' Johnson
"If you work hard enough and long enough to make something "idiot-proof", rest assured that someone will build a better idiot!"
Moderator
Sorry, Keith, but I've been using ZoneAlarm (Pro version) for years and have no problem with this or any other vBulletin sites. The latest versions do have some "high security" "privacy" settings that wreak havock with many web site and those should be turned off, but a firewall of this type is pretty much essential these days...I would not run a machine without it. It's the extra crap that these software vendors pile on that cause the problems, not the underlying product in most cases. McAfee and Norton have the same issues...the "extras" are trouble.
--
The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Member
Once you get your firewall up and running, there are two sites you can use to test it.
http://grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2
http://www.dslreports.com/scan
Both of these will probe your computer to see if it can get by your firewall and report back.
Member
I've been using Zone Alarm for a couple of years now on the XP OS--first the freeware, then the Pro upgrade. No problems at all, either with intruders or SMC
Member
I realize that they are different...I didn't mention anti-virus at all, when referring to the "bug", I meant someone trying to enter my machine from a remote source. Sorry for the confusion.
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