Question:
Right here goes - please forgive the lack of techie knowledge...
Running:
Window inc SP2, IE for Web, MS Office (legit), MSN, Norman & Zone Alarm Pro
Questions:
Any hints for optimising the settings on ZAP? - i.e. secure but "easy" browsing
ZAP does not recognise Norman as Anti virus software?
MSN crashes when I close it - comes up with "error message" which I report
Suspect this has got something to do with a "conflict" with Outlook as I only use this for my "proper" E-mail account - MSN/hotmail for junk/chatting
Oh final thing - have restored ZAP to default settings today - can no longer get my photobucket to open properly, nor will the extra smiles open here!
Would I be "better off" with alternative/more anti whatever stuff? - Don't mind spending money - but want "hassle free" browsing
Cheers in advance!
Oh last bit of info BB conection is via Blueyonder...apparently it's a 2mb connection....any way to "see" how fast it is?
Answers:
YOu certainyl would be a lot better off moving away from Zone Alarm, it is unbelivably complciated to setup.
Try Agnitum Outpost Firewall or Kerio Personal Firewall! (Both not free)
Antivirus wise try AVG Free (which is free)
TO check your speed try:
1. Very nifty but is in the US so will a *bit inaccurate*
2.
Make sure you are not suing your bb connection whislt trying these out.
Answers:
I'm amazed that you've been advised to remove Zonealarm Pro! This is a top firewall!!! Not only that, but this is a paid for version. Why would you uninstall very good paid for firewall, for a not so good free firewall? (the advanced functions on Zonealarm Pro are far superior to any of the free versions out there) This is not good advice!
Look in Program Control, then the Programs tab to see which permissions you've got set for individual programs. If the specific programs that you are having problems with are 'allowed' with Zonealarm, then I would suggest this program isn't causing the problems.
Answers:
I'm amazed that you've been advised to remove Zonealarm Pro! This is a top firewall!!! Not only that, but this is a paid for version. Why would you uninstall very good paid for firewall, for a not so good free firewall? This is not good advice!
I said, and agree ZoneAlarm is good. Was just recommending a firewall I prefer. I've always found ZoneAlarm a little clunky.
Having said that, didn't notice at first, but yes if it's the paid for Pro version he may as well get his money's worth of usage from it.
Answers:
I'm amazed that you've been advised to remove Zonealarm Pro! This is a top firewall!!! Not only that, but this is a paid for version. Why would you uninstall very good paid for firewall, for a not so good free firewall? (the advanced functions on Zonealarm Pro are far superior to any of the free versions out there) This is not good advice!
Look in Program Control, then the Programs tab to see which permissions you've got set for individual programs. If the specific programs that you are having problems with are 'allowed' with Zonealarm, then I would suggest this program isn't causing the problems.
Cheer "chap" (in a non-gender specific way)!
Must admit this is my "gut" instinct too.
It's currently at default settings (having scared the life out of myself earlier - but that's another story!)
Any hints as to how to make it "easier" yet still be safe?
Currenty virtually everything is blocked - including the "extra smileies" on this this site!
Answers:
Cheer "chap" (in a non-gender specific way)!
Must admit this is my "gut" instinct too.
It's currently at default settings (having scared the life out of myself earlier - but that's another story!)
Any hints as to how to make it "easier" yet still be safe?
Currenty virtually everything is blocked - including the "extra smileies" on this this site!
I would go through your program control settings to see what you've got blocked, and whether it is a program you need to use on the net. Generally,any programs you use on the net, you can set to allow (left click on the permission and select allow). There are normally very few programs need server access for the net (block these normally).
On the firewall settings. Set your internet security as high, and set your trusted zone at medium. This is pretty standard settings for Zonealarm.
Go through these first, then see if you are still having problems with any programs.
Answers:
YOu certainyl would be a lot better off moving away from Zone Alarm, it is unbelivably complciated to setup.
Try Agnitum Outpost Firewall or Kerio Personal Firewall! (Both not free)
Antivirus wise try AVG Free (which is free)
TO check your speed try:
1. Very nifty but is in the US so will a *bit inaccurate*
2.
Make sure you are not suing your bb connection whislt trying these out.
Thanks for that!
ZAP - I bought it last year on the recommendation of my old companies IT manager - said it was very good - hence my question re "optimising" the settings - it either "kills" everything or to my novice eyes is wide open - i.e firewall nearly off
You suggest two other firewall's - any chance on you coming down on one side or the other? or are trials available before I spend £££
The speed thing - what I wanted to know was how fast is my BB connection really....not sure how I can do that withwhilst not using it?
Please bare with me!
Answers:
You suggest two other firewall's - any chance on you coming down on one side or the other? or are trials available before I spend £££
Kerio Personal Firewall is free. I don't think Outpost is.
Stick with ZoneAlarm. Maybe re-install it and start afresh if you're having problems.
Answers:
Sorry Wolfman........I wasn't on about your post.
Answers:
Ok. Here's a few tips that may help:
Browser: Change from IE. It can be ok, but you need to know what you're doing. (my preference) or work out of the box and are much less prone to spyware etc... Both are free.
Firewall: ZoneAlarm is good, I however prefer not to use it. I find Kerio Personal Firewall lighter on my system resources and a little easier to understand. It's Free.
Anti-Virus: Norton is ok, reasonable detection rate and it does get more bad press than it deserves. There are better though. One of the best around is Nod32 (£25), or you could go for a free av, such as AVG.
Anti-Spyware: You didn't mention if you were running any anti-spyware or not. I'm guessing something has probably got through IE. AdAware and Spybot are two free options, although very average by today's standards. Counterspy is a good buy (won a PC Pro lab test) and only costs £10-12.
Messenger: I'm no fan of MSN. If you want a decent alternative look up Trillian. It's skinnable and much cleaner looking. There are loads of cool plugins too. It's free, and there is also a paid for Pro version. The free one is more than adequate.
Email: Outlook is good, but often overkill for the average user. It's more business orientated I find. Try Thunderbird, it's very good and free. Alternatively, if you go for the Opera browser, it comes with an inbuilt mail client. That'd be my choice, much lighter than anything else and all built into one.
Answers:
Ok. Here's a few tips that may help:
Browser: Change from IE. It can be ok, but you need to know what you're doing. (my preference) or work out of the box and are much less prone to spyware etc... Both are free.
Firewall: ZoneAlarm is good, I however prefer not to use it. I find Kerio Personal Firewall lighter on my system resources and a little easier to understand. It's Free.
Anti-Virus: Norton is ok, reasonable detection rate and it does get more bad press than it deserves. There are better though. One of the best around is Nod32 (£25), or you could go for a free av, such as AVG.
Anti-Spyware: You didn't mention if you were running any anti-spyware or not. I'm guessing something has probably got through IE. AdAware and Spybot are two free options, although very average by today's standards. Counterspy is a good buy (won a PC Pro lab test) and only costs £10-12.
Messenger: I'm no fan of MSN. If you want a decent alternative look up Trillian. It's skinnable and much cleaner looking. There are loads of cool plugins too. It's free, and there is also a paid for Pro version. The free one is more than adequate.
Email: Outlook is good, but often overkill for the average user. It's more business orientated I find. Try Thunderbird, it's very good and free. Alternatively, if you go for the Opera browser, it comes with an inbuilt mail client. That'd be my choice, much lighter than anything else and all built into one.
Again thanks for your quick response!
Questions (cause I've always got more of these than answers)
Browser: I like to stick with IE cause I do a lot of online banking - last time I tried Firefox I had issues with both FD & Egg sites - not good
Firewall: Well I've paid for it - should I really think about changing? Or is it a case of I need to learn (be told!) how to use it properly
No specific anti-spyware - although ZAP runs daily and tells me that it's deleted a load of stuff (is that the same?!) - shows level of IT knowledge!
MSN - well if these guys on this site would stop using it I'd be fine! (LOL), no seriously I'm just thinking about the error message - if someone can tell me how to post the exact details of it then I can do so
Outlook - yip I've used it for years so very comfortable with it - would rather not change.
Hope that helps you to help me even more!
Answers:
Wolfman & Rex are helping you on this so I'll try not to confuse by saying yet something different.
All I will say is nads may have problems with setting up Zone Alarm Pro (there will always be people with problems) but, like the others here, I have that same firewall and have absolutely no problems with it at all.
As you suggest it may be worth your while investing a little time to familiarise yourself with its workings. Once set up to your own likes ZAP will hold your preferences and look after you well.
Oh yes .... and don't foget to install other free stuff like SpyWareBlaster, SpywareGuard, Microsoft Antispyware and Spybot S&D (activate the TeaTimer "real time" protection in S&D as well). Keep them all updated too. Some folk forget that.....
Best of luck.
Answers:
It did get me going a bit when I read Norman antivirus. This program does not have the best reputation.
Answers:
It did get me going a bit when I read Norman antivirus. This program does not have the best reputation.
Ok, so I guess I ought to stop being tight and Scottish!
Nod32 - worth having?
Not that i'm doubting the recomendation - would just like to have a number of opinions before spending any brass!
thanks again for the replies!
Answers:
It did get me going a bit when I read Norman antivirus. This program does not have the best reputation.
As it's been mentioned I'll have to go with Rex on this one.
Norman can be very complicated to use for the home user (unless you like tweaking every aspect of your protection manually!!), it's rather expensive and slower than even Norton (which is another antivirus product I don't advocate).
Also I believe Norman won't remove e-mail viruses before they hityour inbox and there's no freephone support.
All comments are mine alone and I guess it's possible some or all of these might have improved over time. You'd need to check the precise detail.
nod32 .... I don't use it myself but I have to say I've only heard good things about it.
Answers:
All I will say is nads may have problems with setting up Zone Alarm Pro (there will always be people with problems)
thanks for that! The reason I sugegsted to move from ZAP is because dell wanted something easier to configure, having used ZAP and Outpost, I know Outpost is far simpler to configure and pinpoint problems in, more powerful... and less memory hungry 9but probably not as other firewalls)... this is all imho
Answers:
Wolfman & Rex are helping you on this so I'll try not to confuse by saying yet something different.
All I will say is nads may have problems with setting up Zone Alarm Pro (there will always be people with problems) but, like the others here, I have that same firewall and have absolutely no problems with it at all.
As you suggest it may be worth your while investing a little time to familiarise yourself with its workings. Once set up to your own likes ZAP will hold your preferences and look after you well.
Oh yes .... and don't foget to install other free stuff like SpyWareBlaster, SpywareGuard, Microsoft Antispyware and Spybot S&D (activate the TeaTimer "real time" protection in S&D as well). Keep them all updated too. Some folk forget that.....
Best of luck.
thanks for that!
I'vehighlighted the specific paragraph.....will these not conflict with each other/existing stuff?
I'm trying to create a secure yet usable setup - so any help is appreaciated!
Answers:
thanks for that!
I'vehighlighted the specific paragraph.....will these not conflict with each other/existing stuff?
No.
They will add to your protection.
Me ... I have ZAP, AVG antivirus and all that lot you highlighted. No problems.
Answers:
Ok. Here's a few tips that may help:
Anti-Virus: Norton is ok, reasonable detection rate and it does get more bad press than it deserves. There are better though. One of the best around is Nod32 (£25), or you could go for a free av, such as AVG.
Just re-read this and realised that I'd made the same mistake that you had (no offence intended)
I'm running NORMAN not NORTON
does this shed any light?
Answers:
cheers worlfman, didnt realised kerio was free, might have to try it, outpost is very funny with activesync.