zone alarm, will it protect me without locking my internet - Tech Support Forums

Chooco · February 28th, 2002, 01:34 AM

there is a feature on Zone Alarm to have it so you can lock ALL internet usage and you can set which programs can pass through the lock but i find that with WindowsXP it tends to stop all internet activity even when i allow it to pass through the lock

if i keep the lock off will it do any good to run Zone Alarm still?

**RobRich** · February 28th, 2002, 02:08 AM

Use the standard rules based per application rights checking within ZA for configuration. Setting the security level to "high" will stealth ports from NMAP detection (for most part anyway). The Internet Lock is designed to completely lock your computer from the net. This feature is esp valuable for "always on" connections (DSL, cable, etc.) that need added security during times of no usage.

Hope this helps,
Robert Richmond

vass0922 · February 28th, 2002, 02:35 AM

With an always connection it is near mandatory to be on a firewall I'd highly suggest using something

I myself prefer Sygate Personal Firewall, I think the UI is a bit more intuitional? is that a word? can't think of the right word

Chooco · February 28th, 2002, 02:37 AM

whoa dude you got it all wrong. lock does not shut down your internet completely, it allows specified programs to pass through and nothing else. the button that stops internet is the big red STOP button. i push that when i defrag my puter

dragonb · February 28th, 2002, 02:54 AM

sorry, Chooco, they are right. push the stop button and the lock goes on.
If ZA is running, it is blocking stuff, and only allows the programs you say through.(also depends on the security setting)
But, turn lock on and it blocks everything.
Go into the lock setup. You can set it to lock when the screensaver starts, etc.
dragonb

**RobRich** · February 28th, 2002, 03:01 AM

Do not use the Internet lock, use the rules management system!

I have provided beta development support for a variety of firewall produts. Better yet, I have tested, verified, and reported problems to no less than 20 different software vendors in terms of their firewall's protection cababilities.

The Inet lock option with free access for cetain progs is not the way to configure ZA! This would allow free access to ports that the supposedly protected (as you believe) applications actually have free, unfiltered access to! All I can honestly say is that I hope you are not running any MS server product behind such "protection"!

The rules filtering system is there for a reason. Read this past review that I authored concerning software firewalls. Considering my work was checked, verified, and anayzed by both ZA and Sygate reps, I believe I do have some understanding of the processes involved. ZA even implemented fixes to its routine due to the testing involved!

http://www.sysopt.com/reviews/firewall/index.html

Later,
Robert Richmond

Chooco · February 28th, 2002, 03:07 AM

i just took that program out. it bumped my idle speed from 2% CPU usage WHILE RUNNING A WEBSITE AND A CS SERVER to 70%

it lowered my FPS in a game from about 80 to low 40s (my game server has realtime priority, me playing doesn't affect it)

narzy · February 28th, 2002, 03:10 AM

Linksys 4port DSL/Cable router/firewall.

storm2k · February 28th, 2002, 03:11 AM

i agree. the fastest and easiest way to make things work with za is with the rules... it works most smoothly then... and will protect your pc against most nasty things...

also reccomend of course that you run virus protection and that you also download and run ad-aware with the latest reffile...

Chooco · February 28th, 2002, 04:03 AM

i run ad-ware weekly, it won't help this time