Zone Alarm Programs

[lars]

The following are programs I have listed in Zone Alarm. Please advise me, when convienant, on whether any should be removed. Also, which one's would you recommend to "allow server"? Thanks for your help in advance, and I apologize for the lengthy post.

AOL Instant Messenger
Config Manager Device Installer Launcher
Distributed COM Services
Firewall Leak Test Utility
HW Media Manager
Internet Explorer
Live Update Engine COM Module
Microsoft AutoUpdate
Microsoft Out of Box Experience
Microsoft HTML Help Executable
Morpheus
Motive Support Tuner (exportable)
MSN Messenger Service
Norton Antivirus Utilities
NSL. EXE
Outlook Express
Run a DLL as an App
Rx Monitor for 9x
SETUP_ WM. EXE
Symantec Net Detect
Taupdate
UPGRADE. EXE
Windows Explorer
Win MX Application
WM PLAYER. EXE
Yahoo Auto Updater
Yahoo Messenger
Y Server Module
Zone Alarm

Please excuse my ignorance concerning my very limited knowledge on this subject. I use Windows Me, and IE 5.5. Thanks again for your time and help! :)

[Matt615]

It really all depends on what you want to be able to access the internet. Most of those dont need to have servers allowed. The Firewall Leak test utility shouldnt be allowed to access anything. AOL instant messenger will need to be able to act as a server if you want to send people files through it. Same with morpheus and WinMX. If you want people to be able to download off of you then it needs to have the server allowed. I have RunDLL as an app disabled all the way as I dont know what it is and I dont need it for anything. As for the rest you will have to wait for someone else to answer.

[lars]

Thanks for your reply, Matt. Help anyone else? Thanks!:)

[blebs]

Just to add what to Matt said, when you allow something such as AOL AIM or whatever, only allow server rights for that session. Don't leave them have permanent, all the time, server rights. As long as server side is enabled, you're leaving a door open to exposure and the last thing you want is someone taking control of your computer.;)

These are the ones that I can identify that need "On occassion" server rights.

AOL Instant Messenger
Morpheus
MSN Messenger Service
Win MX Application
Yahoo Messenger

I don't know what this one is, but the name implies that it needs server rights. Y Server Module

[cobra25]

then Rundll thingie is what is used when you go to Windows Update....

at least it always asks permission for that one when i run windows update...

The rest is up to you.... i usually remove all the programs i don't know right away... if they ever need to access the net they'll just ask again anyway.

[ncswimmer]

I believe the y server module is the thing for yahoo messenger that checks to see if you have the latest version. Try setting it to ask every time and then using the update feature. If it asks for permission, that's what it is.