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Under normal circumstances I wouldn’t call antivirus and firewall software, or spyware blockers a desktop security software, but Zone Alarm’s Extreme Security is the exception. First I wouldn’t go anywhere on the net without virus protection, and great virus protection at that, and second, I wouldn’t even think about installing a single program on my computer whether from the internet or out of the box without a superb firewall software installed. Zone Alarm is rated number 1 in the world for Firewall protection! If you’ve never understood anything about firewalls, then at least walk away knowing it’s one true function is to stop outgoing and incoming connections from happening without YOUR permission. Why is that important? Why would I call that desktop security software? It’s simple. Most programs now days are coded to, on occasion, send information back to the creator. Most of the time it’s to check if you need an update, other times to make sure you are not using pirated software. In these cases, that’s all fine and acceptable.
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But using this very same principle a criminal or hacker can steal information right off your computer and you would never even know it! Here’s how…You download a program, yes even a very useful program or widget. You then give it permission to check for updates. When you do this, you are giving your program permission to call home to the creator of the software. So the criminal or hacker was clever enough to create a useful program, and you use it. But in the background, while you think it’s just checking for updates, it’s sending information to the creator of the software. Any Information it can find and collect! In principle it’s a good idea NOT to give any program the right to check for updates on it’s own. Just check manually by going to the website, and use your firewall protection to stop some/any program from calling out. I have many programs, some I trust and they can call home, but others I’m not sure about, so I never allow them to check for updates.
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The other great thing about Extreme Security is it comes with ForceField! Pretty much the single coolest browser protection there is. When you start up your browser, any browser, it puts a virtual bubble/shield around it, and acts like a clone of your browser. So all attempts at hacking your computer through your browser’s vulnerabilities, and there are a vast amount of vulnerabilities, will be stopped dead in their tracks. All attacks hit the clone, and not your actual browser. When you’re finished being on the internet, simply close your browser and the shield along with all the malicious code goes bye bye in the trash, and immediately erased. Starting your browser back up simply creates a new shield! Incredible product. Here is a Force Field comes with Extreme Security, but it’s also available as a stand alone program as well. |
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