A quick question! Whenever I try abny network activity, both my firewalls (Tiy and ZA) ask me for permition, even when I try to create a rule(so next time it doesn't ask) it just forgets and asks again! I tried housecall virus scan BUT whenever it goes to start, IE just closes, do you think I might have a virus? MattC

should only have one antivirus and one firewall software per computer. I recomend Norton

yes....you have the dreaded paranoid virus check yourself with Norton

OK Peter, smartass! I checked myself with Norton and AVG! and nothing was detected, but as I'm sure you know (cos you seem to know everything)!!! not all AV's pick up EVERY virus! SO I was asking advice and thought maybe someone had experienced the same, obviously you haven't so thanks fo rthe advice! MattC

MattC, I do the paranoid appraoch in Anti-Virus etc... Here is my plan... 1) update you antivirus software and run a full scan of your system. if you do not have a antivirus program... go to Grisoft.com AVG and download this very good free anti virus program. 100% detection rate of AVG Anti-Virus System is continuously certified by independent ICSA laboratories 2) use a software firewall... if you don't have one.. download the free version of Zonealarm from: ZoneLabs.Com The award-winning personal firewall automatically blocks dangerous Internet threats - known and unknown - guarding your PC from hackers and data thieves. ZoneAlarm provides the basic protection individuals need to secure their PC and keep their valuable information private. this will prevent anyone from accessing your computer. 3) go to Majorgeek.com AD_AWARE or LSFileServ Ad_AWARE and download their free program called ad-aware. this will remove any spy-ware that is on your system. Ad-aware is a free multi spyware removal utility that scans your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware and scumware components and lets you remove them safely. It is updated frequently. 4) go to: Finjan.Com Surfinguard Pro and down load SurfinGuardŽ Pro 5.7 - Beta. SurfinGuardŽ Pro protects PC users from new, unknown Internet threats by monitoring and containing the behavior of downloaded progams and active content. SurfinGuard Pro runs active content (e.g., executables, ActiveX, scripts, Windows scripting files and Java) in a protected "sandbox" called the Safe Zone that automatically blocks potentially hostile actions. 5) go to Lockdowncorp.com SWAT-IT download a program called Swat-it. It will remove trojans and bots. Swat It is a Completely FREE program that scans your files for Trojans, Worms, Bots and other Hacker programs. Swat It can detect and remove over 3000 different Trojan programs plus variants. 6) go to: Diamondcs.Com TDS download TDS Ver 3.21. It is a trial for a Trojan finder and removal tool. The worlds most comprehensive anti-trojan system just got even better! There are several anti-trojan systems in existance, but none can even be compared to TDS. There are other programs that maybe better, but I have tested these and they all work together... and do a great job at protecting. Tank863

I recently had a case of Z/A Pro forgetting what was and was not allowed to access the internet. Here is the reply from ZA Tech Support: There may be a problem with your TrueVector service. ZoneAlarm is dependent on its TrueVector service to function properly. You may need to refresh the files associated with this service, especially: - if your Program permissions change by themselves - if you are experiencing password problems, this is the ONLY way to remove a password - after updating your ZoneAlarm software and are experiencing difficulties - after a networking or OS/MSOffice change (including patches and Service Packs). If the Configure panel is displaying TrueVector driver as loaded and ZoneAlarm is still not functioning properly, it is possible that some files have become corrupt. To repair this problem, please follow these steps. Please note that this will remove your program permissions and Local Zone settings (so you may want to make note of them), but re-establishing them is a simple process; you will be prompted again for program access for all the applications that you use to access the local network or Internet. 1. If you are running Windows 95, 98, ME, XP or 2000, reboot your system into either Safe Mode. The method is determined by your OS but normally either pressing F8 at the beep, or holding the control key during bootup works. For more information on rebooting in Safe Mode, click Start, then Help. Click the Search tab, and type in "Safe Mode". Double-click "Start Windows in Safe Mode" for the instructions. NOTE - Do NOT start ZA/ZAP while in Safe Mode, or you will not be able to make the changes necessary. 2. Open the Internet Logs directory (in 95/98/ME this will be "c:\windows\internet logs", in NT and 2000 it will be c:\winnt\internet logs, in Windows XP it could be either of these folders). If you need to keep a copy of old alerts, copy the ZAlog.txt file to another location first - then delete ALL files in this folder. 3. Empty your Recycle Bin. 4. Reboot your system. If you are running Windows NT and cannot delete these files, try the following from an Administrative account: (If you do not know how to do something, click Start, Help for more information) - Search for vsmon.exe and rename the file. REMEMBER what you changed it to! - Shut down ZA/ZAP. It doesn't matter if there's a password on it or not. - Reboot. - Delete the files referenced in step 2 above. - Change the renamed file back to vsmon.exe

I thought i was paranoid...