[machv]

Why do so many of the programs I use want to act as internet servers? I recently used f-Secure's (under the pseudonym Shaw secure) internet shield. Is it OK for me to allow these programs e.g., messenger, all my games that have multiplayer options, mpcstar, office, and the list goes on, to act as internet servers?. So far I haven't let these programs do that and I haven't had any ill effects while running them. However Shaw Secure's antivirus isn't as good as Antivir from Avira. Recently I had Shaw Secure hacked and disabled prompting me to reinstall Antivir and I lost the ability to use the internet shield, leaving me to assume I'm an internet server again against my will. Does anyone know of a free program and or cheap one that I can get that allows me to choose whether or not to let these programs act as servers? If there isn't or it's too expensive how can I manually do the same? I am running Windows 7 Ultimate, and have Windows Defender and use Windows Firewall. Thank You

[machv]

if i put this question in the wrong spot can you please tell me where to move it. thanks

[Augie65]

That means that the software program wants to connect to somewhere. It could be like your
anti-virus program wanting to connect so that it can automatically download updates.
All software that requests server rights are not innocent. You should be aware of which ones
you want to connect. This is usually through your firewall program. Hope this has helped
you.

[machv]

er a little bit. i got seperate messages one for connecting to the internet and another one for acting as an internet server. what's the difference?

[Elvandil]

Very little internet-related is going to work without your allowing servers. Basically, it means that your computer "serves" files or data to others. That is what happens when you send a file over messenger or even a message.

There is no problem with letting known programs act as servers. But if something unknown asks, and especially if it is located in a strange place, it could be a trojan sending data to its master.

[machv]

ok thanks. i'll remember that

[pcatrocity]

ZoneAlarm has always worked good for me. I like having full control over which programs are allowed to access the internet. As well as when my browser is allowed to act as a server.
I do a lot of surfing the internet without my browser acting as a server and then, wham a popout from Zonealarm asking permission for browser to act as a server. I just found a bad site.
I either close that window or just click Deny as many times as needed. Eventually, when all the malware is denied, I get to view the page, without my browser acting as a server.
On the other hand, if I choose to update a program or windows "I'm not surprised and allow the browser to act as a server.
I've tried many firewalls and always return to Zone Alarm.

[redoak]

"I've tried many browsers and always return to Zone Alarm."

"ZA" is not a browser. Originally it was just a firewall, but now other security applications may be included.

{redoak}

[pcatrocity]

Thanks for catching that Redoak. I corrected it.
That line was just ending after I corrected all the errors the team of Wacom + Windows Tablet PC made.
I use my own handwriting on Wacom and it gets transferred to text.
I just cannot teach it to type "browsers" instead of "trousers"
I'm not LOL

[redoak]

One of my responsibilities as a college Registrar was to proofread catalog copy!

{redoak}