A couple of points. First, Win98 is incapable of loading anything as a service, firewall or not. ZA is like any other application and can't start until the startup folder is processed, which is after the user logs in. So if you have users logging into your 9x box instead of booting into Windows directly, you are vulnerable while the PC is sitting there.
Second, if anyone is really interested, this was already discussed on this list back in December of 2001. ZA does not load as a service anyway, not even under NT or 2K. I don't know if this was ever fixed. Most quality personal firewalls in Windows have the ability to load as a service if the OS supports it (NT, 2K, XP). Other than that, you are right. If a user is concerned about this, they are best served by getting a hardware firewall. Kevin -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 8:23 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: security question The risk is technically there...however, the amount of time that the PC is open, it is functionally impossible for someone to do anything to you. Zone Alarm loads almost immediately after the IP stack goes active. The TrueVector service that ZA uses is the guts of the firewall to my understanding and that starts as a service well before the login screen and desktop appear. The anti-virus software really doesn't protect you until you start downloading email or surfing the web. So no worry there. If you are still worried about this, I'd suggest you get a broadband router for your cable/dsl connection. I've had good luck with Linksys. Netgear also makes a very nice unit. The broadband router will sit between your PC and your ISP and has a firewall built into it. Leave Zone Alarm and your AV software running. Its like using contraceptives. You can never have enough. :) Hope that helps Craig "Enquiries" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 07/11/2002 04:21:27 PM Please respond to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc: (bcc: Craig Brauckmiller/LEK) Subject: security question Dear All I have been wondering for quite some time since I got broadband a few weeks ago whether the followign is a security risk: the time between opening up the pc and the anti-virus and firewall to boot up takes about 2 minutes in total... Is there a small security risk within those two minutes as the pc is virtually open to the internet? I have noticed that as soon as my firewall is finally finished booting up it does give out "denied access"? Or is there something there that actually protects the pc until the firewall and anti-virus load? If not what can one do to protect one's pc? windows 98SE - mcafee anti-virus - zonealarm firewall thanks in advance Thaque
