I used to have Jammer, which worked well, but now I have a new computer with Windows XP and Jammer no longer works. I downloaded the free copy of Outpost Firewall (the first version) and it only caused problems.
First, it deleted a very important pdf-file that somebody had already sent me several days earlier. Then it was impossible to figure out how to change the settings to allow pdf-files.
Then suddenly, it was no longer possible for me to click on the program icon to open it and look at the settings. It asked for my passord for the computer, but since I have it at home, I do not have a password. I could not understand why one minute it let me open it and the next minute it demanded a password. I had
not even logged out inbetween. However, I realized that I have
better things to do than devote an entire working day
to figuring out why it deleted a PDF-file and how to change these
settings.
I long for Jammer, which simply informed me if somebody was trying to break into my computer.
Dear Parinoid,
thank you for your quick reply. The whole thing remains a mystery to me. First of all, concerning the access, it is true that I DID not need a password to get it. However, when I was trying to readin the help informaiton and trying to change the filtering, suddenly something happened and I was no longer able to open Outpost without an access password. I turned off my computer and restarted it, to see if maybe there was just some bug and it went away, but the same problem continued.
Second, concerning the name of the file from the attachment, the name was adls.pdf, so there is no chance that I had saved two files with this name.
Third, it canot be a question of the anti-virus program being out of date, because I just bought a new computer and set it up on Saturday. The computer is furnished with Norton's Anti-virsus, with free updating for the next three-months. Moreover, I had actually received this e-mail on my old computer, so the attachment was not removed when it came through the server.
I must admit that the message that I received is:
OE removed access to the following unsafe attachments in your mail: adsl.pdf.
Thus, it COULD mean that OE is a diffierent program, since I am not sure what the "E" means. However, this would not explain the problem that I suddenly had in accessing Outpost.
IF it were a quesiton of my failingn to unistall jammer in the right fashion, how can we expalin that the program DID work and then suddenly stopped working and started demanding the access code?
I would be thankful for your suggestions.
suren
It would help if you posted a screenshot of the password prompt.
If you got that adsl.pdf in email while Outpost was installed with attachment filter on, you may find the file renamed adsl.pdf.safe
If so, just rename adsl.pdf ( after scanning of course - safe hex :))
Chris
Welcome to the forums, suren,
Sorry to hear that you are having problems with Outpost - but did you properly uninstall Jammer first? It is important that any other firewall product is fully removed otherwise system conflicts can arise - check the V2 FAQ forum and this thread (http://www.outpostfirewall.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7186) for specific instructions on this.
Outpost installation will not delete files. One explanation I can see for your PDF file disappearing would be if you downloaded Outpost's own documentation (also in PDF format) and gave it the same name and folder as your file - in which case it would overwrite it. This would happen with any download and is not a failing in Outpost itself. Another would be if you had a malicious program (virus or trojan) on your system. Can you retrieve your document from the Recycle Bin? Are you running an up-to-date virus scanner?
As for allowing pdf files, could you please explain what exactly you are trying to do here? Outpost restricts network traffic - the only issue I can see involving pdf files is if you are receiving them through email as an attachment (in which case, the Attachment Filter may *rename* certain files - but pdf's are not on the list) or if Adobe Acrobat Reader needs Internet access - possibly to check certificates (do you have files that you have purchased and therefore need a license to read?). In this case, run Outpost in Rules Wizard mode and you should receive a popup any time an application attempts access where you have not already allowed it.
If you downloaded the free version of v1, there is no password function in it. The Pro version will prompt you for a licence key on startup - entering a valid key will, of course, end this behaviour. If you are being asked for a user password, then most likely this will be because Outpost needs to be installed with Administrator access on Win2000/XP systems - if you have not done this you will need to reinstall.
Outpost offers far more power and flexibility in protecting your computer from Internet based attacks - and the latest version deals with a number of vulnerabilities discovered since v1. However it does take time to learn - but this should be a sensible investment for most people.
I must admit that the message that I received is:
OE removed access to the following unsafe attachments in your mail: adsl.pdf.
Thus, it COULD mean that OE is a diffierent program, since I am not sure what the "E" means. However, this would not explain the problem that I suddenly had in accessing Outpost.
"OE" is Outlook Express not Outpost.
You need to change Outlook Express' security options to allow illegal attachments. To do this, start Outlook Express. Click on the "Tools" menu item, then on "Options". Then click on the "Security" tab and *disable* this option under "Virus Protection": "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus". Your attachment should now be available in the message again.
Dear Mark and Paranoid,
thanks for your quick replies. Yes, I figured out myself that
OE must mean Outlook Express and was able to retreive
the file again even before receiving your replies.
But this still cannot explain why I sudenly needed a password for
firewall. Concerning the virus program, I did update it earlier
in the week, but considerin the fact that I have never in my
life received a virus on my own computer before, it would have
been extremely doubtful if I had suddenly received one today.
I would have been especially strange, as I was offline when
Firewall suddenly changed and demanded a password.
This would suggest that your file was renamed by Outlook Express (OE). Try doing a search for adls.* - the extension may have been altered rather than deleted although Outlook does seem to suggest otherwise.
Regarding the anti-virus program - regardless of how new your computer is, the AV supplied will be out-of-date. These things need updating on a weekly basis given the rapid spread of new viruses.
As for the password for Outpost - are you sure you downloaded the free version of v1? The Pro version of v1 and v2 (released yesterday) both offer the option of password protecting your configuration. Indeed, I would suggest using v2 rather than v1 - it does fix a lot of known problems and deals better with some new threats. If you have accidentally set a password (difficult to do, since it demands the old password and then the new one twice) and cannot remember it, then an uninstall/reinstall is the only option I can suggest.
Thread moved to support & troubleshooting forum.
Unfortunately, I do not have a copy of the prompt and I have already uninstalled the program, but later I can try to re-install it and see if the same problem arises.
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