Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Kayman, post: 12415460"] The problem with badly coded 3rd party software, such as ZA, is it can be difficult removing it from the OS completely. Often it can play havoc with the PC. Here is what I would do: Try uninstalling ZA in Add or Remove Programs. --or-- [URL]http://zonealarm.donhoover.net/uninstall.html[/URL] --or-- Revo Uninstaller [URL]http://www.revouninstaller.com/[/URL] Reboot. Then: Activate and utilize the Win XP built-in Firewall; Uncheck *all* Programs and Services under the Exception tab. For the average homeuser, the Windows Firewall in XP does a fantastic job at its core mission and is really all you need if you have an 'real-time' anti-virus program, [another firewall on your router or] other edge protection like SeconfigXP and practise safe-hex. The windows firewall deals with inbound protection and therefore does not give you a false sense of security. Best of all, it doesn't implement lots of nonsense like pretending that outbound traffic needs to be monitored. Windows XP: How to turn on your firewall. [URL]http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/firewall/xp.mspx[/URL] Educational reading: Understanding Windows Firewall. [URL]http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wfintro.mspx[/URL] Using Windows Firewall. [URL]http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx[/URL] At Least This Snake Oil Is Free. [URL]http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2007/07/19/at-least-this-snake-oil-is-free.aspx[/URL] Deconstructing Common Security Myths. [URL]http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2006/05/SecurityMyths/default.aspx[/URL] Scroll down to: "Myth: Host-Based Firewalls Must Filter Outbound Traffic to be Safe." Exploring the windows Firewall. [URL]http://www.microsoft.com/technet/technetmag/issues/2007/06/VistaFirewall/default.aspx[/URL] "Outbound protection is security theater¡Xit¡¦s a gimmick that only gives the impression of improving your security without doing anything that actually does improve your security." In conjunction with WinXP SP2 Firewall use: Seconfig XP 1.0 [URL]http://seconfig.sytes.net/[/URL] ([URL]http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Seconfig-XP-Download-39707.html[/URL]) Seconfig XP is able configure Windows not to use TCP/IP as transport protocol for NetBIOS, SMB and RPC, thus leaving TCP/UDP ports 135, 137-139 and 445 (the most exploited Windows networking weak point) closed. Educational reading for both Vista and XP users: Managing the Windows Vista Firewall [URL]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc510323.aspx[/URL] Routinely practice Safe-Hex. [URL]http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html[/URL] Hundreds Click on 'Click Here to Get Infected' Ad [URL]http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2132447,00.asp[/URL] Good luck :) [/QUOTE]

Verification