Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:48 pm Post subject: Download Question
I have been having a problem with a downloaded program which the programs support site indicated that I need to re-download the program with my computer security turned off. I hesitate to do this because the program is very large and I only have a dial up connection which would take 4 hours to complete the download. I don't want to leave the computer unprotected for such a long time period. Since most intrusions are thru the specific browser used (I use Firefox), would shutting down the browser during the long download period minimize the security problem caused by shutting down my anti-virus and firewall?
Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 16777097 Location: Portugal
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 10:12 pm Post subject:
Short answer: no, it would not.
You should definitely not disable your computer's firewall unless you have a hardware firewall in front of it (home router) or you know what you are doing and are certain that you have properly configured/disabled any system services that might be listening to connections from the network. Depending on your operating system and how it is configured, if you disable your firewall you may be opening yourself up to being infected by worms and other network-transmitted junk.
As for the antivirus, you may perfectly well disable that temporarily. The AV is only necessary in order to protect you from malicious programs or scripts you might execute, or unwittingly download from the Internet. Just don't browse into any dubious websites or run any unknown programs. If you want to be sure, just close the browser while the AV is off (and don't run any other Internet-related programs, like Thunderbird, Outlook, etc.).
Hi maybe this problem caused by any hardware/software applications connected with your internet connection.There is also a known issue that affects some Windows XP systems that causes program to disconnect by firewall. Solution of this problem is to turned off your windows firewall from security settings.
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