Re: Zone Alarm (free addition) and Netscape dialup accelerater.
- From: "Jason Edwards" <none@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 22:49:20 +0100
"ArtDent" <par@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:jEHJg.1043$v%4.285@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[snip]
On 31-Aug-2006, "Jason Edwards" <none@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Ok so maybe I should assume that they meant it only blocks selected
outgoing
communications based on rules set up by the user.
How would the average Windows user know how to correctly set up the
rules
Google?
A minefield of incomprehensible information to the average Windows user if the
subject is firewall configuration.
Help files within the program?
The last time I looked at the help in ZA it wasn't very helpful. As an example
it would refer to a box for an IP address and say something like "In this box
you enter an IP address".
Yes, I know 'most' or 'average'
users won't, but the answers aren't usually too hard to find, all the
software can do is make it as easily available as possible, without
shoving it in the face of a more advanced user.
Why would personal firewall software want the user to understand it?
If they understood it they might conclude that they don't need it.
and
what would stop malware changing the rules? What would stop malware
making other
changes to the firewall or disabling it completely while making it look
to the
user like it's still working?
I think checksums and maybe 'other' methods, hey, I am not the
programmers, I do not know _all_ the inner workings.
The obvious (to us) is to be careful and knowledgeable while surfing,
checking emails, etc., I'm sure the programmers do all they can, but it
does indeed come down to the users behaviour online.
You don't think that Microsoft should fix Internet Explorer then?
It is after all the major route that malware takes into a home Windows PC,
particularly when Microsoft's implementation of Java is in use.
No matter if they
put brakes on a car, if you fall asleep at the wheel and don't hit them,
you will hit that wall in front of you - same for surfing online even with
a firewall, it is (supposed to be) subservient to the user, if they don't
'use' it correctly it really isn't the softwares 'fault'.
Windows isn't to blame then? It's either the user's fault or incorrect use of
the personal firewal.
What would stop malware using
communication
channels which are not blocked by the firewall?
Program permissions?
Why is the average personal
firewall user not aware of these issues?
Lack of specific education about it?
Whether it is the software coporation(s) that does not shout about any
possible deficiencies (is there any corp. that does?), or just the user
not paying attention to what _is_ reported in the media.
We sure don't hear Microsoft shouting about the deficiencies in Internet
Explorer.
Why are groups like microsoft.public.security.* full of people who, in
many
cases, seem to already have personal firewall software but are still in
a dazed
and confused state about why their computer seems to be possessed?
There are indeed people that should not use computers,
Why? Why can't they have a computer which doesn't fill up with malware after a
few weeks of use?
but until there is
some kind of test (like a drivers test for your drivers license) before
you are allowed to buy one, any schmuck/bozo/moron/whatever with an IQ
under 80, but with the money, can go buy whatever they want.
I'm not sure the car analogy is good one because a properly designed computer
for the average user shouldn't be able to hurt anyone else no matter what the
user does.
Or, even if
they are almost a genius, but know nothing about computers, just that they
want one because everyone else has one.
Perhaps they should have been supplied with one which is secure by default and
doesn't require detailed knowledge to keep it secure.
Instead they get an insecure operating system and some personal bloatware which
claims to make it more secure but is actually designed to do little more than
sell (make money).
This is not the user's fault and it is definitely not something which can be
solved with personal firewall software.
Jason
And all we can do is to try to help if / when we can.
Jason
--
Never raise your hand against a child.
It leaves your groin unprotected.
.
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