I must add that you do not necessarily need to install a firewall, free or not. I installed the Zone Alarm firewall [after visiting http://www.grc.com/ ] because I wanted to learn about it, to explain to others. It works fine, shields are up, and there seem to be no problems with my computer from it. I am now debating whether I want to upgrade it to the latest version, which, for some users, has caused them to have to reinstall all their stuff [this may be because they did not follow manufacturer instructions, found on the website but not clearly explained in the Zone Alarm Help or readme files], and others [who presumably know the proper means of upgrading] have noted further slowdowns in computer performance. Firewalls are cool, have valid uses, and getting one for free is definitely exciting, but adding anything to your computer may cause slowdowns and problems -- I suggest a more conservative tack. I recommend you start with https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2, working your way through all the parts of his discussion 2-12. I would strongly recommend you do what is recommended at 5: Network Bondage http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm You can find other Internet sites which say Gibson [of http://www.grc.com/ fame] is "full of it" generally, and that his bondage recommendations are excessive. [Gibson does a fine job of explaining difficult subjects simply, and that irritates some others who cannot do this particular type of education. The tendency then is for some others to belittle the person, or pick on minor imperfections, while obscuring the concepts...] I have not found anybody who states that these Network Bondage recommendations are wrong or dangerous. So, following his instructions, as applicable, can be a free method of making your computer much safer against attack, without slowing it down in any way, or adding external software. I recommend you note this from 7: Personal Firewalls that Really Work! http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm ------ You need a Personal Internet Firewall if: A. Your computer's files need to be accessed remotely across the Internet. B. You are operating any sort of Internet server such as Personal Web Server. C. You use any sort of Internet-based remote control or remote access program such as PC Anywhere, Laplink, or Wingate. D. You want to properly and safely monitor your Internet connection for intrusion attempts. E. You want to preemptively protect yourself from compromise by "inside the wall" Trojan horse programs like NetBus and Back Orifice. ----- The only possible "ifs" which apply to the typical standalone computer are D and E [imho]. D will not be needed if there is nothing which can be attacked on the computer [doing 7 will largely close this opening off...]. [Of course, there is no such thing as theoretically perfect security -- even if you have a firewall installed. We are talking here about good enough for practical purposes.] E happens if you downloaded some trojan program previously, and it decides to, or is requested from outside, to "phone home." If you download all sorts of miscellaneous software, get software from others on disk, have a jealous Significant Other who likes to install spy programs, get on the bad side of the FBI, install what is referred to as "spyware" [containing phone home programs as a condition of using the "free" program], you may benefit from the warnings and controls a good firewall, such as Zone Alarm [or if you want to spend money, there is always Norton] can offer. There are trojan sniffing programs available which can be used to detect trojans already installed on your computer [without having to have a firewall installed], though I know nothing about them or their use. Ad-Aware, see www.lavasoftUSA.com, is free and available for detection and elimination of most known spyware programs, and does not load down your computer when it is not scanning. Otherwise, a standalone user [and likely many networked users, although I don't know enough about networks to write authoritatively on this subject] can get enough protection from following the instructions at http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm and need not install a firewall. So, I bristle when someone makes a blanket suggestion that everyone "should" run a firewall, or, for that matter, that "everyone" should run realtime antiviral software [I "acted in haste" to install firewall and antiviral software on my machine, and now can "repent at leisure" those decisions.]. For every choice, there are benefits and detriments, known and unknown. Find out as much as you can about something before mucking with your computer. And if you know more than I currently do about this topic, feel free to share it -- this is how we can all learn. thepccat On Sun, 26 Aug 2001 20:09:32 -0400 rsgilmore@xxxxxxxx writes: [...] > Note: security item -- while you're mucking about in those network > protocols, look for the NetBUI boxes; MS turns that connectoid on by > default, and your single at-home machine doesn't need it... it's a > Trojan favorite. > Read=all=about=it at http://www.grc.com/ and take the "test", then > go > get the free ZoneAlarm firewall. > > R Scott Gilmore Saginaw MI USA ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. To unsubscribe, send a message to listar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe juno_accmail" in the body or subject. OR visit http://freelists.dhs.org ~*~