I noticed a couple of nights ago that after being on for hours that I hadn't had any activity in zone alarm for the last 2 hours or more. It had been fairly active before this. Then today I have logged on a couple of times and it hasn't responded to anything. I just took it out of startup, which is not what I really wanted to do, but seems to be working at least at this time. With kids living in the house I would like to get it back in start up. Thanks

Tammy1949: Open the Zone Alarm user interface. In OVERVIEW, click on PREFERENCES, then check "Load Zone Alarm at Startup." Click OK. Solarian

Solarian, I'm sorry, you must have misunderstood me. I have had it is startup alredy and took it out of there twice. Maybe I am feeling a little insecure because it's new to me and I'm not sure if I have it set up right to get the best resaults. I feel that ZoneAlarm should be set up pretty accurately if I am going control the spyware. I would like someone to look it over, Please? Here is a list of what I have in there. I like to know if there are ones that I shouldn’t have in there, what some of them are or if they are even needed. which columns should I put the green check marks in? It has gotten too confusing for me. I have Internet Zone Security set to (high). I have the Trusted Zone Security set to (medium). Here is what is listed in my Zone Alarm Program Control, and is anything here that may cause a problem when I want to update or download, like printer drivers or whatever? (1) Ad-ware 6 core application (2) AOL Instant messenger (3) Backweb-8876480 EXE (4) Connection Manager (5) HbSrv Module (6) Internet Answering Machine (7) Internet Explorer (8) Live update engine COM Module (9) Messenger (10) Microsoft application Error Reporting (11) Microsoft Auto Update (WUAUBOOT EXE) (12) Microsoft Auto Update (WUAUCLT EXE) (13) Microsoft Outlook. (I don’t use this one) (14) Microsoft QMgr (15) Microsoft Word (16) MSMGT EXE (17) Run a DLL as an App (18) Windows Explorer (19) ZoneAlarm

Tammy1949: The only thing I'd question in your list is Backweb-8876480 EXE. I removed all of the Backweb entries found on my computer when I ran Spybot for the first time. As I recall, it's part of Windows that "calls home." As a type of spyware, it's relatively harmless. I just don't like my computer calling ANYBODY unless I want it to. You have Ad-Aware listed. If you're not already, I'd also download and update Spybot. Many times Spybot will find things not found by Ad-Aware--the reverse is also true. Click on Spybot to go there: SPYBOT I'd say you're safe to re-check the rest of the list. My own PC is running many of the same programs. Sincerely, Solarian

I had downloaded As-ware the week before last and I updated it and ran it. The only thing it ever came up with to quarantine is NewDotNet and a few possible hijacking attempts, So I quarantined it, but I haven't deleted anything. Since then I have downloaded SpyBot and ran it and had it fix the things it found. I had also downloaded HiJackThis and ran it I just posted my search log not too far below this post, in case you might want to look at it. I was wondering if I really need the Ad-ware program and what do I need to do with the quarantine items? Should I delete the quarantine items or will that mess up my computer? The Ad-ware program doesnt look like it fixes problems. Or, should I just get rid of this Ad-ware program without deleting anything in the quarantine folders? Or am I confusing you? lol

Tammy: You really should keep Ad-Aware. It's a great companion to Spybot. Make sure you keep both utilities updated for the latest definitions. The quarantined items are simply a place where the deleted entries are kept (like a backup), in case you need to put them back for some reason. I've never had either Ad-Aware or Spybot delete a file that was crucial to the operating system, but anything's possible when dealing with computer software. I saw the review and replies to your HijackThis log. It's your judgement call there. I don't give advice on HijackThis logs for the simple reson that, if I recommend the wrong item to be deleted (a possibility with anyone), I've just compounded that person's computer problems. If you decide to delete the items, play it safe and create a point in System Restore. That way, you can put your PC back to the time before you deleted the items. Incidentally, if a while has passed since you've deleted the items in Ad-Aware's quarantine and have had no problems since, you can delete those stored items. Solarian

Solarian, you said: Incidentally, if a while has passed since you've deleted the items in Ad-Aware's quarantine and have had no problems since, you can delete those stored items. I'm not quite grasping what you are saying here. What do you mean (stored items)? Could you explain this to me a little differently? I'm still new to these things, sorry.