Server Program alert
Server Program alerts enable you to set server permission for a program on your computer.
Why these alerts occur
Server Program alerts occur when a program on your computer wants server permission for either the Internet Zone or Trusted Zone, and that program has not already received server permission from you. A program is acting as a server when it is open to receive connection requests from other computers. Several common types of applications, such as chat and e-mail programs may need to act as servers to operate properly. However, some hacker programs act as servers to receive for instructions from their creators.
Relatively few programs on your computer will require server permission. Some common types of programs that do are:
If you are using the types of programs described above that require server permission to operate properly, grant permission before you start using the program. See Granting a program permission to act as a server .
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If your browser does not have permission to access the Internet, you will be re-
routed to the online help. To access SmartDefense Advisor, give your browser
permission to access the Internet. See Granting a program permission to access
the Internet .
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What you should do
Before responding to the Server Program alert, consider the following:
- Did you just launch a program or process that would reasonably require permission? If so, it's probably safe to click Allow. If not, continue.
- Do you recognize the name of the program in the alert pop-up, and if so, does it make sense for the program to need permission? If so, it's probably safe to click Allow.
- Click the More Info button in the alert box. This submits your alert information (for example, the name of the program and the address it was trying to reach) to SmartDefense Advisor, which then displays a Web page with information about the alert and the program. Use the SmartDefense Advisor information to help you decide if it's safe to answer Allow. For more information, see Using SmartDefense Advisor and Hacker ID .
- If you are still not certain that the program is legitimate and needs server permission, it is safest to click Deny. If it becomes necessary, you can give the program server permission later by using the Programs panel. See Granting a program permission to act as a server .
How to see fewer of these alerts
If you are using the types of programs described above that require server permission to operate properly, use the Programs panel in ZoneAlarm security software to grant permission before you start using the program. If you're seeing many server program alerts, you may want to download and run an anti-virus or anti-spyware tool as an added precaution.
