1. Computer problem? Tech Support Guy is completely free -- paid for by advertisers and donations. Click here to join today! If you're new to Tech Support Guy, we highly recommend that you visit our Guide for New Members.

How safe am I with just Windows Firewall?

Discussion in 'General Security' started by jmc, Mar 29, 2008.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Advertisement
  1. jmc

    jmc Thread Starter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2002
    Messages:
    390
    I suddenly had problems with ZoneAlarm, and could neither uninstall nor reinstall it. I *think* I've successfully uninstalled it but am now afraid to try reinstalling it. I know Windows Firewall is only one-way, but for now am I safe enough using just that, and no third-party firewall?

    (XP Pro sp2, updated recently)
     
    jmc, Mar 29, 2008
    #1
  3. Noyb

    Noyb Trusted Advisor

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    20,972
    First Name:
    Jay
    I'm not sure yet .. but I have a hunch M$ updates might be hurting ZA ... (which version ??)
    I don't think any AV or Firewall is perfect ...

    Just in Case ... Are you running Acronis True Image to one of those extra JBOD's
    http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/
     
    Noyb, Mar 29, 2008
    #2
  4. jmc

    jmc Thread Starter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2002
    Messages:
    390
    Moot point now, I finally got ZoneAlarm up and running again. And yes, I'm running TrueImage, various backups every day:)

    FYI, I did the full uninstall that ZA suggests, that didn't work by itself, but turning off Spy Sweeper before reinstalling seems to have done the trick this time.

    jmc
     
    jmc, Mar 29, 2008
    #3
  5. Noyb

    Noyb Trusted Advisor

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    20,972
    First Name:
    Jay
    Just Babbling .. But my neighbor is supposedly an expert in this field.
    He even has all the hacker tools ... It's a part of his job to keep up on this stuff.
    What he tells me (has shown me) .. has me totally Paranoid.

    Cutting to the end of this story .. I hope your scheduled ATI backups are Data only, and not the OS.
    Otherwise, You may be backing up a problem you don't know you've acquired .. Till it's too late.

    Anytime I do an ATI OS recovery .. It's a total "Fresh Install" of the OS, installed Programs, and updates only ... That was never exposed to the internet.
    My Data is hiding elsewhere ... not in my OS partition.
     
    Noyb, Mar 29, 2008
    #4
  6. lotuseclat79

    lotuseclat79

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2003
    Messages:
    20,583
    Noyb points out a very good strategy that most installations of Windows do not follow - i.e. create separate partitions for the OS vs Data and installed programs, etc.

    -- Tom
     
    lotuseclat79, Mar 29, 2008
    #5
  7. Noyb

    Noyb Trusted Advisor

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    20,972
    First Name:
    Jay
    Just a quick picture ...
    What doesn't appear, is more JBODs running eSATA (bootable) or USB ... not normally running.
    D is a bootable OS tool (fresh install) ... Data 2 is Primary Data ... Data 1 is first order Data backup.

    Primary (operational) Data and OS are not on the same physical HD
    Don't use ATI scheduled backups ... ATI is not even installed ... use boot CD only.
    Data is Copy n Pasted to backup(s) as acquired or created.

    Maybe I should change my screen name to Paranoid .. You think ??
    I've had to recover many times just because windows got confused for no good reason.
    Can't seem to find any protection from the Bill Gates "Virus"
     

    Attached Files:

    Noyb, Mar 29, 2008
    #6
  8. jmc

    jmc Thread Starter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2002
    Messages:
    390
    yea, I do use separate partitions - OS on one, apps on another, downloads on another, and data on the rest. I even have a swap partition like Linux. OS, swap & apps are on one HD, rest are on different HDs - so not so different from your setup.

    Yes, I do back up the OS, but if I needed to do a reinstall to recover from anything other than a clear hardware failure - I'd start from scratch. I split my backups up based on what I'm backing up - so the OS is in one backup, photos in another, documents in another... like that. And on different backup drives as well.

    When I can afford it, I plan on moving the data off the PC altogether, to a linux-based server, or perhaps a NAS.

    I know a "white-hat" hacker or two myself. Yea, knowing a hacker does make one much more paranoid :)

    jmc
     
    jmc, Mar 29, 2008
    #7
  9. Noyb

    Noyb Trusted Advisor

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    20,972
    First Name:
    Jay
    Once upon a time ..
    I had to revert back to an earlier ATI version, before I found out the IE7 update broke my Scanner.
    Another time .. I backed up 2 ATI versions before I figured out that WMP11 update broke my Sonic Record Now.

    Now that I've played with Vista, I don't think much of the M$ Programmers that have forgot there's a difference in the Definition, Purpose and Display of (Details, Thumbnails and Icons) .. To mention one of many issues.
    Thank Heavens, I could revert back to XP.

    M$ even scares me now.
    I see theres a couple more XP updates waiting on me .. I Hope M$ is holding their breath.
    Every time I see the Ford Commercial about "Powered by M$ .... I have to Wonder ??
    Hackers/Bad Boys seem to be the least of my problems.

    Why Spyware protection ??? ... I just run CCleaner - And never find any.
     
    Noyb, Mar 29, 2008
    #8
  10. jmc

    jmc Thread Starter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2002
    Messages:
    390
    Yea, but is that because there is none - or because CCleaner didn't find what was there? My spyware protection - SpySweeper, Ad Aware, Spybot and sometimes AVG Anti-spyware - usually finds something, especially if I had to use IE to access a site.
     
    jmc, Mar 30, 2008
    #9
  11. Noyb

    Noyb Trusted Advisor

    Joined:
    May 25, 2005
    Messages:
    20,972
    First Name:
    Jay
    It's my thinking, FWIW, that those are just data mining cookies that scare everyone into thinking there's something bad going on ... and they need to run active spyware software.
    CCleaner gets rid of these cookies/temp files very quickly.
    Run CCleaner first .. Then see how much "spyware" you find.
     
    Noyb, Mar 30, 2008
    #10

  12. Sponsor

As Seen On
As Seen On...

Welcome to Tech Support Guy!

Are you looking for the solution to your computer problem? Join our site today to ask your question. This site is completely free -- paid for by advertisers and donations.

If you're not already familiar with forums, watch our Welcome Guide to get started.

Join over 733,556 other people just like you!

Loading...
Similar Threads - safe Windows Firewall
  1. GreggIllinois

    Is Hybrid-analysis.com safe to use?

    GreggIllinois, Nov 14, 2019, in forum: General Security
    Replies:
    0
    Views:
    1,514
    GreggIllinois
    Nov 14, 2019
  2. GreggIllinois

    Solved Is Apache OpenOffice safe?

    GreggIllinois, Sep 27, 2019, in forum: General Security
    Replies:
    4
    Views:
    5,108
    GreggIllinois
    Sep 28, 2019
  3. ilovecats88

    Windows Firewall Inbound/Outbound Rules- Feeling Overwhelmed

    ilovecats88, Feb 3, 2020, in forum: General Security
    Replies:
    22
    Views:
    4,039
    Cookiegal
    Feb 4, 2020
  4. spirittoo

    Would It Help To Pay For Anti Virus? (Moved from Windows 7)

    spirittoo, Feb 1, 2020, in forum: General Security
    Replies:
    10
    Views:
    2,313
    Macboatmaster
    Feb 28, 2020 at 4:16 PM
  5. Alex Ethridge

    Solved Windows Defender Exclusion Problem

    Alex Ethridge, Feb 1, 2020, in forum: General Security
    Replies:
    17
    Views:
    4,171
    Alex Ethridge
    Feb 4, 2020
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Short URL to this thread: https://techguy.org/698203

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice