Author Topic: Aces High and firewall software (Read 302 times)

beet1e · « **on:** May 31, 2004, 05:57:51 AM »

Until very recently, I had been using Norton/Symantec Anti Virus 2003 for virus protection, and Zone Alarm Pro as a firewall. I lost faith in Norton as the 2003 version let in a virus which disabled by ADSL connection (had to recover the entire HDD from a backup) the 2001 version let in a virus (possibly boot sector) which completely crippled my system and made one of the HDDs unusable - had to trash it. Took me 5 days to get out of that mess.

I've since discovered PC-Cillin from http://www.trendmicro.com which was actually bundled with my Asus A7N8X-DLX motherboard CD. I think it is much better, and has detected viruses which NAV had missed. I've since upgraded to the 2004 version - Trend Micro Internet Security. Both products have their own firewall, but I preferred the Zone Alarm firewall, so disabled the TM firewall.

However, the latest versions of Zone Alarm and Trend Micro are mutually exclusive. Each product cannot be installed until the other is uninstalled. So I have had to go with the Trend Micro firewall.

The way it works with the settings I have selected is to use a popup window to ask if it's OK for a program to access the internet on a particular port. But Aces High suppresses popup windows from other applications. If I do nothing, I get "not receiving response, switching from UDP to TCP". I can get around this by pressing alt+tab. I can then see the popup window and click OK. The thing is that AH seems to start up with a different port each time, so I have to do this procedure every time I log into AH.

Is there a way to allow popup windows from other apps in AH?
Any other suggestions?

Jayclark · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2004, 10:29:26 AM »

Hmm, I don't see why it is using a different port each time. I use Sygate Personal Firewall and once I alt-tab and the check remember my selection and click permit it never pops back up. Are you having it to remember your selection? If not it will pop up each time.

beet1e · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:54:38 AM »

I've downgraded the security level from HIGH to MEDIUM. That's fixed it. The TM firewall is not as configurable as Zone Alarm. Oh well...

Thanks anyway.

FOGOLD · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2004, 11:58:59 AM »

I use the very same product and think it is excellent. Configuring the firewall is tricky, but the products have NEVER let me down yet.

I hate Norton. I had uninstaller once and it takes posession of your PC.

Ghosth · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2004, 03:26:21 PM »

Port # changes depending on how many online when you join.

At least thats my understanding of it.

Talk to skuzzy for specifics, he is the MAN!

FOGOLD · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2004, 06:17:48 PM »

Skuzzy says disable ALL firewall and AV before playing AH. I don't do this because I don't trust you can't be attacked while playing AH. Also you will eventually foget to turn it all on again and go and surf some after playing. I got the Blaster worm that way ( forgot to turn AV/Firewall on after an AH session).

Jayclark · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2004, 06:48:03 PM »

I used to disable also when playing Ace High, but then I got the Sasser worm. Ever since then it is always up and running.