Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Getback on August 15, 2008, 03:27:36 PM
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About a month ago I deleted ZoneAlarm firewall. I did so because one of the processes, vsmon.exe I believe, was using a ton of resources. Since then I am no longer getting any spyware on my gaming computer. I mean nada, zilch. My other compute is getting about 100 cases of spyware every two weeks. What happened there? In all fairness I use the other computer to surf the web. Which is mainly this forum and pay my bills. My theory is that ZoneAlarm is so popular that it has been successfully compromised in some manner.
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So you're using just a hardware firewall right now? How are you detecting spyware (adaware, spybot)? I'm confused on what you're saying. With ZoneAlarm, you were a magnet for spyware being installed on your computer and without it you're not detecting any? I'm not sure why spyware would only attack if it detected ZoneAlarm. I would think an unprotected PC would be a lot easier than a somewhat protected one.
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Only thing I am saying is after deleting it I'm not getting any spyware. I think my router acts as a firewall too. It may be that I'm doing things differently like using the other computer for surfing. I don't know. I may download Comodo sometime just to feel safer.
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Your router will have a firewall built into it. So basically, you're doubling up your condom when your using a software firewall too. It's debatable if Hardware is better than Software, or vise versa. Doubling your firewalls may help more, but may cause more annoyances.
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Hmm are you not getting any spyware or just being gleefully unaware of it after removing the fw? :salute
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What do you use your gaming computer for? AH only, mostly CD or DVD games. I have 2 comps on my network, 1 has vista and no spyware software, my gamer, and 1 with XP that the kids and wife use, with adaware and it finds much spyware. I'm sure if I put a spyware progam in my gamer and forum checker, it would report a lot of it. But I feel that the spyware programs are spyware and I have nothing to hide. Let them count my kills. He He. IE is spyware, firefox is too, but a bit better. All browsers report usage, get the google tool bar and you send your IP to the world. My solution is to delete history, temp files, and cookies weekly, run defrag weekly, and just keep an eye on your computer. Stay away from browsing too much with the gaming computer and you should be fine. ZoneAlarm is a pain it the butt, I recommend it never to be installed. Be sure to do a search for all of the pieces of ZA and delete them. It will still run in the background if you use the uninstall option. It's like a virus that you asked for.
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Hmm are you not getting any spyware or just being gleefully unaware of it after removing the fw? :salute
I've ran adaware 2x over the last two weeks and no spyware.