Freebie of the Week 20/03/2006

[Humbled]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

This weeks free program is Zone Alarm

Publishers comments:

'ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The application control allows you to decide which applications can and cannot use the Internet. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet. Version 6.1.737 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

Note:ZoneAlarm is free for individual and not-for-profit charitable entity use (excluding governmental entities and educational institutions).'

Download it here:

www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html

[farid s]

will this download not disturb any existing firewall or pretection we may have already installed, or do we have to disable that if we are to use this free download ?

[Humbled]

I think you should disable the current firewall.

[nizamuddin]

moyeen said:

I think you should disable the current firewall.

But arent two firewalls better than one ?

[Naveed Ashrafi]

2 firewalls are not better than one as they all do the same thing which is monitor incoming and outgoing traffic via the ports available through your modem.

Windows' own firewall works only but one way ie monitors incoming traffic only. Monitoring outgoing traffic as doubly important as spyware/malware operate through this operation.

Its the blocking of unsolicted packets both in and out the ports that keep your pc secure.

Hackers send out queries to potential open ports on a modem. If the packet receives confirmation that the port is open then the hacker gets into your pc and takes over it. one sign of this is your bandwith of your internet. If its unusually slow then someone has hacked into your pc and uses your internet connection for themself.

A firewall will place all ports on 'stealth' ie someone sends a packet to an ip address via a port and the firewall blocks the packets from responding thus making the hacker think the port is blocked though it may be open.

Simply put it a firewall makes your pc invisible to others.