Changed Program alert

Changed Program alerts warn you that a program that has asked for access permission or server permission before has changed somehow. If you click Yes, the changed program is allowed access. If you click No, the program is denied access.

For detailed information about the contents of the alert box, see the related topic Alert details.

Why these alerts occur

Changed Program alerts can occur if you have updated a program since the last time it access the Internet. However, they can also occur if a hacker has somehow managed to tamper with the program.

What you should do

Click Yes or No in the alert pop-up after asking these questions:

Did you (or, if you're in a business environment, your systems administrator) recently upgrade the program that is asking for permission?
Does it make sense for the program to need permission?

If you can answer "yes" to both question, it's probably safe to click Yes.

Tip If you're not sure, it's safest to answer No. You can always grant permission later by going to the Programs tab. How?

How you can see fewer of these alerts

Changed Program alerts are always displayed because they require a Yes or No response from you. To avoid a large number of Changed Program alerts, avoid unnecessary or repeated program updates.

Glossary

access permission
Access permission allows a program on your computer to initiate communications with another computer. This is distinct from server permission, which allows a program to "listen" for connection requests from other computers. You can give a program access permission for the Trusted Zone, the Internet Zone, or both.

Several common applications may need access permission to operate normally. For example, your browser needs access permission in order to contact your ISP's servers. Your e-mail client (for example, MS Outlook) needs access permission in order to send or receive e-mail.

The following basic options are available for each program:

Allow the program to connect to computers in the Internet Zone / Trusted Zone

Block the program from accessing computers in the Internet Zone / Trusted Zone

Ask whether the program should have access permission (show Repeat Program alert)

Back

server permission
Server permission allows a program on your computer to "listen" for connection requests from other computers, in effect giving those computers the power to initiate communications with yours. This is distinct from access permission, which allows a program to initiate a communications session with another computer.

Several common types of applications, such as chat programs, e-mail clients, and Internet Call Waiting programs, may need server permission to operate properly. Grant server permission only to programs you're sure you trust, and that require it in order to work.

If possible, avoid granting a program server permission for the Internet Zone. If you need to accept incoming connections from only a small number of machines, add those machines to the Trusted Zone, and then allow the program server permission for the Trusted Zone only.

The following basic options are available for each program

Allow the program to listen for connection requests

Block the program from listening for connection requests