ZoneAlarm/program-server rights?

[SG1 (Pat)]

If I recall correctly, Langa newsletter said that one should generally never grant a program server rights, in firewall settings...
One program I use - Naviscope, which blocks ads & cookies & javascript etc., - often asks for server rights according to ZoneAlarm and I click "no" and tell ZA to recall that choice.
Yet, if I check on Naviscope activity in ZA, the hand under Naviscope program symbol (i.e., the program acting as a server) - shows and/or there's an X (check-mark) after Naviscope in ZA's program(s) list.
What goes on here - anyone know, please? And do I understand correctly that some programs must function in legitimate-honest capacity as server, in order to work?

Thanks, SG1 (Pat)

P.S. When I log in here to post - re options to stay logged in for "x" amount of time - what do choices mean, exactly? Say, the "stay logged in forever" choice - that for always on type 'net connections?

[Pieter_Arntz]

Hi Pat (SG1),

The time you will choose will determine when the cookie expires.
Forever means that as long as the cookie remains on you computer you will be recognized by the board.

The firewall specialists will certainly be able to help you with your other questions.

But could you please stop posting the same question over and over? ;)

Regards,

Pieter

[root]

Granting server rights to a program allows unsolicited incoming traffic to that program as opposed to replies initiated by your computer browser, email, or whatever.
If you have denied server rights and the program is still working, then keep it blocked.
Maybe someone else knows about this combination as I am not a ZA user, and may be mistaken.

[JimIT]

"If you have denied server rights and the program is still working, then keep it blocked."--sez Root


That's pretty much what the ZA manual says to do. Test and verify that the program operates without giving it server rights. If it does, then it doesn't *need* server rights--and can stay blocked.

[Pretender]

forums?

http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs

[CrazyM]

Hi Pat

Do you recall when you were prompted for server rights if it was for Local, Internet and/or both?

As noted by others it should not require or be allowed server rights (inbound) for Internet. Some programs that perform proxy like functions will sometimes ask or may require server rights for the local system. In ZA this would be Local server or for rule based firewalls this would be similar to loopback/local host rules.

You could set the program options to deny Internet server and ask (?) for Local server and see if you are prompted again. If all works well with both denied, then you can just leave it at that.

Regards,
CrazyM