Dave, Recently I upgraded to cable modem on one of my computers. I'm running XP on this one. I remembered from some time back others (particularly breeze) talking about zonealarm, and it being a firewall. Problem was, when I had downloaded and installed it way back then, on a regular dial-up modem line, it was causing problems. So I deleted it off that computer. I wanted to put it on this one because I've heard that people can get into your system. So, last night, with breezes help, I d/l'ed it, installed it, and guess its working. In the ALERT menu, I've got half a dozen alerts from people who have tried to access my computer, or something like that. Not even sure what that means, also in the PROGRAMS menu, it lists several different programs that I use that access the internet. There were two I was unsure of. One in Generic Hos Process for Win32 Service, the other "Services and Controller app". Well, I told breeze I do not recognize them, and she told me to block them (with the X's). I did. However, I started having trouble accessing certain websites (like yahoo mail) so I had to allow "Generic Host Process for Win32 Service". So I guess that's okay. The other only I changed from "x" to "?" which makes it ask me if it should allow it internet access, because certain things need that too, but not as many as the Host Process thing. Whew. I know this is alot. If you have a direct connect, can you tell me if I'm doing this all right? Thanks
Ignore those alerts...they ARE protecting you, but are most likely scanners and the like just "searching" for valid IP's (maybe for attacks) and the firewall is just telling you it blocked another one...and another one...etc. I disable the "SHOW POPUP" alerts because I know it is working and I do not need to know each thwarted "attack". Those 2 programs are needed for your browser to communicate with the WWWeb. I give them access and check the box for them to remember the settings. Delete them from the list, and when ZA asks you again just make the changes to allow service and check the box to remember it. The ? marks mean "Ask me everytime this application needs access", some programs I like to be asked and others I want to just use the connection (those are the check marks) and still others I block access (those are the X's). Everything should return to normal after you reboot. -Peace, Dave
Dave, I have a question. What is Client Foundation? And why does it want access to the internet? Thanks
LOL, nave he was afraid to install ZA (sorry to laugh at you mind). I convinced him it wouldn't break his puter, so he did it, but he didn't understand why some things were asking for permission to access the internet. I am on dialup, he is on cable, so he had stuff I didn't have, trying to run - something about host access, and all that. I told him to uncheck it, and not allow anthing to act as server or host - stuff like that. I told him to talk to you about it.
breeze, Couldn't you just laugh on the inside? LOL BTW, Everything except that client foundation thing seems to be working good. I keep getting alerts though. I wish people would stop trying to hack me, I really don't have anything worth taking. LOL
Some of them want your info, some of them just mess with you, and everyone... click on the box and bring up the options, and uncheck the "show alerts" thingy. Then you don't see them. Or, if you want to see them, but don't want them interfering, leave the first one up - just move it off to the side out of your way. didn't know you were so popular, did you?
That must be some kind of program you have on your machine that need to access the Internet. If you are sure you have no viruses (run a thorough virus scan) then you can allow these programs to access the Internet and select the "remember this next time" check box. After you have gotten Zone Alarm running without these bothersome "can I access the Internet" messages popping up....you should NOT see them at all, (that is, if you do NOT install any new programs). If you DO see these messages (again after you have the initial programs set in Zone Alarm) then you should say "NO" and investigate what program is trying to access the Internet (maybe a virus). ---------------------- So to recap: Update your virus program, run a complete virus scan, then do normal "daily-use" things (access the Internet, get email etc). Each program that asks "Can I access the Internet?" select "YES" you can access the Internet. Select "REMEMBER NEXT TIME" checkbox, so it does not ask you again and again....after you are satisfied that all your normal "daily-use" programs have been run, and are functional, if a message pops up next week, asking you "can I access the Internet", you should be suspect of WHAT program is asking, say "NO", and investigate. -Peace, Dave
One other thing. I never allow my email client or browser to access the internet without notifying me. That way if my ZA suddenly asks me if my email client can access the internet and I didn't try checking my email I know I probably have a worm. Further you can tell if you have certain types of netbusing if you get browser activity you haven't initiated. That's less prevalent with the newer types of backdoors but the old virus's never die. Make sure if you are on the internet you run a virus scanner and keep it updated. I have mine set to run every night at 2 am.
You know, I run virus scanner every day also, and keep it updated, run ZA, and when I went to Trend Micro site and ran theirs (housecall), it found a virus in a program I had downloaded and never run. It was in a screensaver a friend had sent me, LOL. However, my point is supposed to be that some of the new ones disable Norton and McAfee, and it might pay to run a different one sometimes. McAfee had never found this one that Housecall found.
Dave, will do. Now I just need to d/l an anti-virus program, and run through the steps. Also, none of those "can I do this" messages are popping up now. breeze, I've already turned that feature off where the pop up comes up every time someone scans or tries to access me. It got to be annoying after a while Now it just logs itself under "alerts". Thanks again
Ooooooooooh you don't run an anti-virus program?? Get one now. That is risky, even on dialup. What do you think those folks who are scanning and probing your ports are up to? Of course some of them are normal things, but some of them are not. Go to the trend micro site and scan before you download, if you haven't already. Like I said, some of the new trojans disable the standard anti-virus programs. Tell him, Nave....
breeze, I don't know why they keep scanning me or whatever they're doing, I don't have anything worth their while anyways. Don't cha think they just might be stopping by to say hello? What is the trend micro site, a virus program scanner? Do you have to pay for all of them these days? Or are any freebies?
This is a freebie. YOu download a little gizmo thing and it scans your puter for viruses. Hang on, I'll get the URL, and i will find you a free virus program you can use, if you don't want to buy one. Maybe some of the techies have recommendations for free virus scanners.
free antivirus with free updates http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_downl.htm?session=bd6c705da7d6c7d77806bea6f20caf64
Re: free antivirus with free updates Should I run/download all three? The first one is running right now. So far everythings cool
