firewall?

[nolaces]

hiya all
please can someone help me, in very simple terms as im a little useless when it comes to computers! round a firewall problem?
how do i lift it to use a site im in please?
thanks for any help offered

[ACtheTROLL]

it's not your firewall - it's more lkely to be your browser
(this isn't strictly accurate .... but it should give you an idea of what's going on)

each type of program (that accesses the net) uses a particular port - which allows that type of data through
your web browser uses port 80 for web pages
the clock in windows sets itself through port 123
and if you buy something - your secure link is over port 8080.

so if you need to visit AB and the BBC - you use port 80
explorer, firefox, netscape all "look" through the same "hole in the wall" - and if you close it ... nothing can surf

as security gets more complicated .... your firewall might take on the job of blocking sites ... but it's an add on
it's just as likely to be your virus scanner .... or your browser

and I think that's the most likely
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Website-From-t he-Restricted-Site-List-in-Internet-Explorer.

if not ... come back with a list of your security progs

[ChuckFickens]

AC, maybe I'm wrong......

isn't port 8080 normally proxy servers and 443 is secure?

[nolaces]

thanks for explaing that ac, much appreciated, thank you!
however, in this instance i think it might be a firewall because at the bottom of the screen when im in the site it shows a globe with a brick wall infront of it.....

[ACtheTROLL]

Nolaces
I think you'll find that that's the icon for windows firewall
and (I'm not sure about this) I wonder if it doubles the "protecting" icon (I can't turn mine on because of my real firewall)

either way - if you are using the windows firewall it works on ports - vista is more sophisticated - and extends the blocking to programs as well as ports - but that's still not going to stop you looking at a particular site

UNLESS (this has just dawned on me) if the website uses a remote counter that reqests personal info from your machine it would be seen as unscolicited packets (a favourite with download sites)

but look here
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US /help/230d8c47-ee63-47e1-a1f6-a1d38b07dbee1033 .mspx

have you looked in the security/privacy settings?
(see the first link)
if you trust the site - drop the level in stages and see if that lets you in

chuck - you are absolutely right
(i did say not strictly true ;)
8080 is (as you know) alternative http - (it's the example we generally use to - explain it - no one usually knows enough to question it (me included!).... lol - I should have known better)

what's the site / version of windos / virus scanner?

[ACtheTROLL]

Nolaces
I think you'll find that that's the icon for windows firewall
and (I'm not sure about this) I wonder if it doubles the "protecting" icon (I can't turn mine on because of my real firewall)

either way - if you are using the windows firewall it works on ports - vista is more sophisticated - and extends the blocking to programs as well as ports - but that's still not going to stop you looking at a particular site

UNLESS (this has just dawned on me) if the website uses a remote counter that requests personal info from your machine it would be seen as unsolicited packets (a favourite with download sites)

but look here
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US /help/230d8c47-ee63-47e1-a1f6-a1d38b07dbee1033 .mspx

have you looked in the security/privacy settings?
(see the first link)
if you trust the site - drop the level in stages and see if that lets you in

chuck - you are absolutely right
(i did say not strictly true ;)
8080 is (as you know) alternative http - (it's the example we generally use to - explain it - no one usually knows enough to question it (me included!).... lol - I should have known better)

what's the site / version of windows / virus scanner?

[ACtheTROLL]

ok - I repeat myself somtimes ;-/

how the heck did that happen?????????

[ChuckFickens]

it was a good answer, it deserved to be said twice :)

[nolaces]

ac, thank you so much for all your time and help and knowledge.
ive gone into internet explorer as instructed on one of your links to see if the site is listed in the restricted sites, but there are no sites listed in there, so i will try dropping the level in stages to see if it will let me in as you suggested.
your help is really appreciated, thank you.