Attached Link: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020208/ap_on_hi_te/computer_security_5

I don't use BI. I have found it somewhat wanting after some testing about a year ago. However, I know from threads that quite a few of you do. If you are one of them, read this and get the patch. Take care and be well. casamerica P.S. - Just in case, for some reason, the link does not come through: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020208/ap_on_hi_te/computer_security_5

Wow! Thasa no good.

I don't use BI but, hey gang, if you do .....

Better READ and HEED!

Especially in this day and age.

Thanks, casa for the heads-up.

no cheers, (for this one)
dr geep <-----------------(gonna lock the barn door ... RIGHT NOW!)
;=[

Attached Link: http://grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm

If you had been there you probably knew before ;-).

Puntomaus, I visit Steve's website at least once a week. I especially enjoy the remarks BI's makers have made about Mr. Gibson. Gee, I guess now we know why so many people listen to what he says. Like I said, I do not use BlackIce. After a series of tests last year and based on what I read from Steve, I found it very lacking. But I try not to get in contests over which program is better than that one and so on and so on. I've met people who will not blink an eye if you call their spouse uglier than a squashed toad, but if you question their choice of firewall or anti-virus program they will call you out for pistols at ten paces. ;-) But when the company itself admits that they have a security hole that is as large and leaves a user's system as vulnerable as this one, well, I thought I'd better take my chances and post it here for those who do use BI. And thanks for bringing up Steve's site. It is a must visit for anyone with a PC and a modem. Take care and be well. casamerica

It's called a router. Get one. My DSL modem goes through a Netgear RT314 router which both neatly splits the line into four and disguises the actual Ethernet address of my computer. The only bad side effect is that I can't run Yahoo Messenger for more than a few minutes before YM disconnects. I don't know how much BlackIce costs, but most 4-port routers these days should cost about $150 and their installation is painless.

What is another good firewall program?

Attached Link: http://www.psionic.com/abacus/portsentry/

LOL - I use my Linux box ( w/ a combo of ipchains, iptables, portsentry, and tripwire) as my main firewall/router at home. And yeah, I'm a faithful reader of GRC.com... he's been called a kook by most of the industry, but the man just makes too much sense not to pay attention to him. for the *ixers among us, Portsentry (linked above) is the best thing since sliced bread for intrusion detection (it even launches retaliatory scripts if you want it to), and it's free. /P

casamerica, my posting was not against you. Ummm, sometimes it would be better I could post in german that it comes around the way it was intended :-)
I like visting Steve's site too and I read about some interesting things I did not know before.

I am using the firewall Steve is recommending on his site, have another programm for scanning my mail and I think I am pretty safe (or save?) on my site. However the safest PC is one without internet access but I prefere no risk no fun.

Naah, not really ;-)

Attached Link: http://zonelabs.com/

Hmmm...I feel left out of the crowd :( No one mentioned ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs! It's free and probably one of the best firewalls available. Did I mention that it is free? zonelabs.com

Oh yes, I mentioned it, but the information was coded: I am using the firewall Steve is recommending on his site this means translated: I am using Zone Alarm :-).

PC World magazine reccommends Zone Alarm...I use it too...and love it!

Penguinisto: hmmmm....retaliatory scripts huh? I like that...when I do my new machine (Dual Linux/WIN2K) I'll investigate further... heh heh heh Payback for all the "sub 7 trojan" probes I get when connected here!

hehe - yeah... I set mine to do an IP discover and send a small net send (Windows' version of wall) text message that reads: "Nice try, butthead - try again" It must drive 'em nuts ;) /P

1)My Windows box has had it's Outlook riped out. 2)Trojans suck. 3)ZoneAlarm rocks! 4)Thanks Penguinisto my Linux box loves you! It needed Portsentry. I was poking around Source Forge looking for something just like that. :) :) :) 5) The Steve Gibson dude knows his stuff.

Yes I would have to agree that a router is the way to go for security, but I also use norton internet security as overkill i suppose. Read too many odd things about zone alarm, like the unability to remove it safely. I do not like hacking my registry to be able to use my computer. If yo get a subseven attack with Norton I.S. then it tells you where it is coming from....I then Like to repeat ping the offender...tie up his nic card for awile.

I use zonealarm and have installed and reinstalled several times without any problems (knocking on wood here) I can't use Norton anything on my computer, totally screws up my system. And who was it that said PC's are all alike? I think they have their own preferences myself LOL!!

I stopped using Norton Security when I discovered it would spontaniously disable itself every few days & stay disabled (without any visible indication or allerts) until I de-installed & re-installed all my Norton products (Security & Systemworks). After 4 go-rounds with this foolishness, I ditched Norton's Security & went with ZoneAlarm. - Turning off all Systemworks background processes eliminated several other bizarre problems, too.

casamerica, my posting was not against you. Ummm, sometimes it would be better I could post in german that it comes around the way it was intended :-)<<< Wasn't taken that way, Puntomaus. No problem. And your English is very good. Heck, what I mean doesn't come across half the time and English is my native language. ;-) I was really glad that you mentioned Gibson's site. It hadn't even occurred to me to mention it. An excellent resource that the "Powers That Be" in the industry seem to hate. I like that. ;-) Again, thanks for bringing it up so that others can check it out. Take care and be well. casamerica.