YALD - Yet Another Layer of Defense

[Pigman]

Well, now I've got Adaware, Spybot, F-Prot, AntiVir, SpywareBlaster, and of course HijackThis. But from what I've heard, I also need a firewall. The problem is, I've never used on in my life. What would you guys reccomend? Also, any advice or instructions on how to configure a firewall?

[lonewolf3367]

Zonealarm free is a great beginners Firewall . I've used it and like it. Very easy to set up. And i would recommend you get some kind of Firewall asap!

[ThatSnowGuy]

PM said: "Well, now I've got Adaware, Spybot, F-Prot, AntiVir, SpywareBlaster, and of course HijackThis."



Pigman

is that ALL you have? Well you need MORE!! You don't state your OS....if its XP then you have a firewall (inbound only)...........since you are new to firewalls zone alarm freeware will do for now....later you can change if you like.
A Trojan Scanner suggested........again depends on your os if you are looking for freeware.........personally, I don't suggest the use of A2....others may....
Consider downloading DSOstop...at the wilders freetools page.......an a script detector of your choice also...I use Script Defender.......no knowleged needed to use these very good lil programs....set and forget.
Depends on your OS what other particular programs that could be suggested. Index.dat cleaner...cookie cleaner...=MRUBLASTER...plus one other as backup..........since this is the firewall forum I wont go any further on this topic......

[Pigman]

I'm on Win98.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention that I use FireFox.

As for ZoneAlarm... Well, it seems okay, but those little ad thingies in the control window annoy me a bit, as does my inability to see exactly how it decides what stuff to block. But those are fairly minor issues, I think.

DSOStop... Sounds like a good idea.

Anti-trojan... Is Gladiator finished, or is it still in development? And what about Ewido? Can that work on Win98, or is it limited to Win2000, WinME, etc.?

And Script Defender... What does that do? Is it ActiveX protection? Where can I get it?

[notageek]

Hi pigman. I think Ewido is for win 2k and up. Gladiator is finished. When I say finished I mean it's no longer around. They program is in program heaven. ;)

You can find Script defender here. http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/sdefend.htm

[SnowGuy]

PM

may I respectfully suggest that you not get annoyed but instead use zone alarm.......just until you learn about making rules for rule based firewalls.....you NEED a firewall.......right now.

No, ewido wont work on win98..............script defender blocks the execution of dangerous scripts....(wsh-vbs- jse-) offers real time protection......a must have/use program........has saved more often than any other program.....an can be found at the wilders freetools page..near the bottom of the page I think.....very small program...would not get on the web without it.......really.
yes, I could suggest other firewalls.....but right now the major concern is that you get one as soon as possible.....then go from there......one step at a time PM.......gosh only knows whats on your computer because of not using a firewall.......get one.......an zone alarm DOES tell you alittle of whats trying to connect.....also, in one of your posts you mention having an older computer......try installing MAXMEM......its a small memory manager that releases memory....made by the same people who make script defender.....you will notice an improvement ( also found at wilders freetools page)......another must have on older computers.
install these an get back if you can....perhaps even a new thread..

[snowguy]

MAXMEM IS HERE

http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/maxmem.htm

[snowguy]

here is a link to download Webwasher(a local proxy) that filters junk on the internet NEVER USE AS A SERVER>>NEVER>>> its not as good as proxmo.....but good for a new person....besides I could not find a link for proxmo....lol........

webwasher is free for home use.....am not sure how to set it up with foxfire.....someone will show you if you ask..


http://www.webwasher.com/client/download/private_use/windows/index.html?lang=de_EN

hope this link works,,,,,,

[notageek]

Well here's a few web pages to downlond proxo.
http://www.computercops.biz/postt24306.html

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/proxo.html

[SnowGuy]

NOTA

nice looking out.........PM hasn't posted back.....an I am on my way out.....but I would personally use proxo.....not webwasher...



PIGMAN

seems you disappeared.....time for me to go......take care and good luck.

[Pigman]

No, I haven't disappeared - it was just 12:00 PM where I live, so I decided to get some sleep. And I happen to have ZoneAlarm installed now.

By the way, has anyone ever noticed compatibility issues between ZoneAlarm and AntiVir? Because during the reboot after installation yesterday, my comp went into an infinite loop while AntiVir was loading - an infinitely repeating error message on a blue screen. And this morning, my comp rebooted on startup when AntiVir started loading. Is this just a fluke, or have things like this been noted before?

[Pigman]

I really don't think I need MaxMem. My main problems are more with Temp files than RAM - my C drive's Temp folder keeps getting bloated up to the point that drive C is filled.

[Catwomen]

-{ Quote: "I'm on Win98.

And Script Defender... What does that do? Is it ActiveX protection?" }-

No! Spywareblaster adds activex protection. Script defender does something else.

[notageek]

There's programs like Windows washer that will clean out the temp files. Also there are free programs you can find here: http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/system/fwdiskclean.html

And if you have problems with Internet trash piling up you can find stuff to clean it up here: http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/security/fwcookie.html

[Pigman]

I told you already, I don't have those problems! My problem is that, since I installed ZoneAlarm, my computer has been crashing in a different way every time I have started up, and always when AntiVir was loading! I repeat: SINCE I HAVE INSTALLED ZONEALARM, MY COMPUTER HAS CRASHED AND REQUIRED A REBOOT ON EVERY STARTUP!

My question: is this a known compatibility issue, or is it just a matter of RAM?

[ronjor]

Hello Pigman

Zone Alarm can be difficult as far as conflicts go.

they have a forum:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/userForum/userForum_agreement.jsp

[Pigman]

Any other good firewalls for n00bs, then? Or can I solve this problem by removing ZoneAlarm from the startup list and turning it on manually after startup?

[ronjor]

Do a search for Zone Alarm on the bottom of this page for more info.

[Pigman]

After stating in a very obnoxious fashion that it was not only incompatible with AntiVir, but also with Mozilla Firefox and just about everything else on my computer that didn't come with Win98, I was forced to reboot in Safe Mode and uninstall it, uttering various obscenities and criticisms of corporate laziness while doing so.

Now that the offending program is removed, everything is just peachy/ Except for one thing: I don't have a firewall any more. And, from what I've seen, I need one, badly. Like a hermit crab deprived of its shell, I must scuttle as fast as possible to find and equip another one, before some worm makes a meal of my computer. Any suggestions? (I'm currently eyeing Sygate.) And no, they don't have to be totally n00b-oriented, just n00b-compatible. :)

[CrazyM]

-{ Quote: "Any other good firewalls for n00bs, then? Or can I solve this problem by removing ZoneAlarm from the startup list and turning it on manually after startup?" }-

You could try that, or start your AV manually.
The following post discusses start up monitors/utilities:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=5055

If your problems with ZA persist, you may want to try another firewall. Some of the other free offerings:

Kerio Perosnal Firewall v2.15 (http://www.kerio.com/dwn/kpf2-en-win.exe) - direct download link
Outpost Personal Firewall (http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/)
Sygate Personal Firewall (http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm)

Regards,

CrazyM

[SnowGuy]

PIGMAN SAID:
"I really don't think I need MaxMem. My main problems are more with Temp files than RAM - my C drive's Temp folder keeps getting bloated up to the point that drive C is filled."




NOTAGEEK REPLIED:

"There's programs like Windows washer that will clean out the temp files. Also there are free programs you can find here:"

***

PIGMAN

Notageek simply replied to your post....an did so correctly. As RONJOR pointed out there is a Zone Alarm forum...perhaps there you will find someone that will resolve your za issues.

[Pigman]

Forget those problems, now I have newer and bigger one. Despite being completely uninstalled (via its uninstaller, of course), ZoneAlarm continues to hog up RAM at startup, and Firefox-related incompatibility errors continue to occur. Again: ZONEALARM IS TOTALLY UNINSTALLED, BUT IS STILL HOGGING UP RAM AND CAUSING INCOMPATIBILITY ERRORS WITH FIREFOX. Do you guys have any idea what to do about this? How do you get rid of a RAM leak in which the program involved is not only not running, but not even present on the computer? How does one eliminate incompatibility errors when the source of them has already been removed? I am completely clueless. :'(

And by the way: PLEASE, FOR GOD'S SAKE, RESPOND TO THIS POST, NOT MY LAST ONE!!!!!

[ronjor]

Pigman

True vector, a component of Zone Alarm is sometimes hard to remove.

Go to their website for help.

You might consider a router or enable the XP built in firewall in the meantime.

[CrazyM]

http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=inst&message.id=8575 or,

Installation & Uninstallation FAQ (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/zapInstallFAQ.jsp)

Regards,

CrazyM

[TheQuest]

Hi, Pigman

-{ Quote: "And by the way: PLEASE, FOR GOD'S SAKE, RESPOND TO THIS POST, NOT MY LAST ONE!!!!!" }-

I suppose you have STILL not been to ZoneAlarm Forim for help yet? ::)

UNINSTALL SEARCH HELP? ZONE LABS FORUM (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/support/zapInstallFAQ.jsp)

Try and get off your horse? People are trying to HELP YOU.
TheQuest 8)

[Pigman]

According to Windows Explorer and my task manager, neither True Vector (vsmon.exe) or any other remnants of ZoneAlarm (the things in the Internet Logs folder) are there. The program is completely gone - there is not a single trace of it left. And yet, ZoneAlarm is still hogging my rescources! (5% of them, according to what my resource meter said before and after ZoneAlarm installation, and what it is currently saying.) What the hell is going on?

[ronjor]

Are you using XP? If so, do a system restore to a time before you installed Zone Alarm.

[Pigman]

Do you have a thing about replying to second-most-recent posts or something? I already said, all compnents are uninstalled!

And btw, my computer seems to have taken care of this itself. Don't ask what happened; all I can say is that, on the last reboot, my computer found and fixed some sort of registry error, and now the 5% drain on system resources is gone. I have no idea what the hell happened there.

Anyway, I just downloaded Maxmem to make sure crap like this doesn't happen again - and guess what: it actually seems to work! Bizarre!

[TheQuest]

Hi, Pigman

Have you done a Search of you Computer 'ZoneAlarm' and 'Zone Labs'.

To see what it turns up.

Also have a look at this to see if any bit are left:-

Zone Labs Customer Care (http://nh2.nohold.net/noHoldCust25/Prod_1/Articles55646/ManualUninstall.html)

TheQuest 8)

[TheQuest]

Hi, Pigman

-{ Quote: "I already said, all compnents are uninstalled!" }-

A REAL FACT [ACTUALLY!]

Windows UnInstall or Most Program UnInstallers vey rarely UnInsall Properly.

TheQuest 8)

[--!--]

I agree with TheQuest. Pigman keep in mind these are volunteers here helping you out of the kindness of their hearts. You could show alittle appreciation and a bit of common courtesy to them. Otherwise you may not get much help around here. Just a little tip for ya.

[TheQuest]

Hi, --!--

Thank You.

Take Care.
TheQuest 8)

[CrazyM]

Everyone, let's try and keep this on topic:

Firewall recommendations and configuration help.

Regards,

CrazyM

[TheQuest]

Hi, CrazyM

I am duallty admonished.

With Regards.
TheQuest 8)

[Pigman]

Sorry for being rude. I've just been getting a bit too much grief from my computer lately.

It turns out that all the crap I was getting was from a ZoneAlarm/AntiVir incompatibility. So now I have ZoneAlarm back on, and am looking for a different AV.

But if someone here knows of a good, easy-to-use firewall that runs on Win98 and doesn't require much RAM....

[CrazyM]

Earlier in the post I mentioned some of the other free firewalls. You could also look at this page: http://www.wilders.org/firewalls.htm

And this one to get you started for anti-virus:
http://www.wilders.org/anti_viruses.htm

Regards,

CrazyM

[SnowGuy]

PIGMAN

Now...would you care to try this again....if so...

1. you have been surfing the internet for awhile WITHOUT a firewall.

2. You stated in another thread that you had picked up a trojan

3. you have no trojan scanner (you said)

4. you said your c drive is overloaded with temp files

5. you said that your computer runs out of RAM


now this could go on for awhile...but instead....lets try to get some kind of an understanding.....not for my sake or anyone elses....for your sake.

computers rarely mess themselfs up......unless a piece of HARDWARE fails. People mess up computers or installing bad programs mess up computers. THATS WHERE YOU COME INTO THE PICTURE.
There is nothing wrong with Zone Alarm....an if there is a problem using it than chances are there is a problem elsewhere in your OS.....thats where you begin......the starting point. You need a firewall.....everyone else here has one.....its you who does not........an you need these people to help you.
First off..you are a newbies.....with much to learn....me I will always be a newbies cause I am always learning.....I ask questions....an never try to teach the teachers or experts......works for me....
Now..the beginning......gosh only knows what on your harddrive after surfing without a firewall and other protection......all that needs to be completely cleaned........an no...you do not have a choice.....clean it!!
Otherwise you wont have a working computer much longer...hell it does not work properly now. An guess what....zone alarm may be your new firewall before this is over...why, cause you would not know what to do with any other firewall.....alittle honesty from me to you......
Here goes......the outcome hopefully will be you installing a firewall.

1. Clean all your temps.....GET MRUBLASTER....plus ANY other cleaning program........(an READ how to properly config them)

2. Install a trial issue of a trojan scanner (your choice) I use trojan hunter) YOU locate where to download it from.

3. Find and install "NEWDEFRAG" at the wilders FREETOOLS page....its a better defrag than comes with 98.....its safe to install....USE IT!!! its faster .

so....download: a trojan scanner.......a cleaning program(2)......an zone alarm.........INSTALL IN THIS ORDER......1: CLEANER 2: trojan scanner
3: come back here SEEKING HELP to install a firewall (ZA)

also.....go to: Start....RUN......an type: MSCONFIG..........an then look in your start-up to see if true vector is still there.....post back here if it is..of course if it is there UNCHECK IT....but dont try to remove it.(SEE WHAT ELSE IS IN START UP BUT DON"T UNCHECK ANYTHING YOU DON"T KNOW>>>>>>IT WILL CRASH YOUR COMPUTER)

Now Pigman....if you don't w3ant to do any of this and do it just the way its listed.....fine...no problem...its your choice......then you can solve your problems on your own.....fair enough

[SnowGuy]

***My last post was a delayed post.....was under severe attack....no bigie.....***



Pigman......hey..you will be just fine...

[SnowGuy]

PIGMAN

Below is a link to a small program that will clean lots of junk .....its not for win2k or XP...........works great on win98.... no install....its safe.

http://www.fsm.nl/ward/index.html


If you are beginning to wonder what some of what I am posting has to do with Firewalls.......easy.......YOU DONT INSTALL PROGRAMS ON AN OS THAT MAY BE CORRUPTED OR FULL TO THE POINT OF CRASHING......

[SnowGuy]

PIGMAN

now that you have re-installed ZA...forget this:


"also.....go to: Start....RUN......an type: MSCONFIG..........an then look in your start-up to see if true vector is still there.....post back here if it is..of course if it is there UNCHECK IT....but dont try to remove ""


You now need true vector......so just let it alone. Sorry about having to post delayed......the problem resolved....

[SnowGuy]

**note**

I am beginning to feel alittle weak (that surgery thingy...normal) but don't think I can continue offering pigman help........no doubt others will finish this up..............

[sig]

SnowGuy...after reading this and the other now locked thread, I've been wondering if the PC in question is actually clean and doesn't have something else going on with it causing problems. That temp file thing is weird and I have to wonder if something else is at work here causing problems.

Not that ZA never causes problems on a user's PC, but I've used ZA for years without such problems. And certainly no conflicts with Firefox. (I can't imagine how ZAF would conflict with Firefox.) I was just using my old PII 250 laptop with W98 and a whopping 64 meg memory and I've run ZA on it for years without any problem. ZA's still what I recommend for a basic firewall to most newbies.

Pigman: don't know what the state of your PC is, but rather than not running any firewall at all (and assuming you're on a stand alone PC...not networked with an XP box) I'd go here and follow Gibson's instructions to unbind NetBIOS from TCP/IP. This procedure will close your NetBIOS ports. As long as you're not running any programs as services/servers that hold ports open, you should have all ports closed once you unbind NetBIOS from TCP/IP. At present, with a default 9x install, if you have no firewall these ports are open and are in effect open doors into your PC. So I do recommend the unbinding operation to at least protect against intrusion through the NetBIOS ports. http://grc.com/su-bondage.htm

To first see if you have open ports run the common ports and services ports scans here at shields up: https://grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

If you do the unbinding that should at least offer some protection against unsolicited inbound connections when/if youi're not using a firewall. (What I liked about W98 ;) ) It does nothing for outbound monitoring but it's certainly better than having the netBIOS ports open on the net without a firewall. This is not a substitute for a firewall with inbound and outbond monitoring and blocking, but it's a basic thing to do that can increase your security if you aren't using a firewall or you have any reason to disable it when you're online.

I don't know what you've done previously to ensure your PC is not already compromised. But I'd run some of the free AV scans and download a trial version of TDS, update it from the site and then run a scan to see if anything is already on your PC. One place I'm aware of that has links to free scanners is this FAQ at BBR which is why I use it: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/8428
(My apologies if there's a similar sort of help thread here at Wilders that I've missed.)

[SnowGuy]

SIG

greetings my firend......most definitely I agree with your opinion.....its not ZA or the anti virus program........sounds like a corrupt OS......pigman may need to run filechecker..etc...............hopefully pigman gets newdefrag also............




PIGMAN

now this is kinda like it is.......SIG is good.......damn good! an if Sig gives advice TAKE IT.........no questions.....just follow instructions an you will be just fine. Hey, I am saying it straight......

[Pigman]

I already said that I'd solved the problem with ZA/Firefox. PLEASE READ THE MOST RECENT POSTS.

The ZA/Firefox problem was caused by the conflict between ZA and AntiVir. I have uninstalled AntiVir, and reinstalled ZA. I am not getting any more problems. The question now is what AV to use. (I still have F-Prot, but I need resident protection. Perhaps it's time to dish out some dough for NOD32.)

As for TDS-3, yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

I scanned with Trend Micro's Housecall recently, and didn't find anything at all.

[snowbound]

Pigman,

This is the other firewalls forum.

If u have AV questions feel free to open a new thread in other anti-virus software forum.

Thanks.

snowbound

[sig]

Pigman: I have read your posts. Given your evident ability to correctly diagnose problems on your pc and your further apparent propensity to be ill mannered toward those who attempt to assist you or provide you with advice, I'll happily refrain from reading any more of your posts. 'Ta.

[Pigman]

Apologies for rude behavior. Please feel free to ignore any of my future posts.