I am sometimes instructed to disable my firewall, etc., when installing...

[Mamaj]

...new software.? If I do, will my computer be in danger of viruses, spies and other nasties?
I mean if I already did it, could something have slipped in during those few minutes?

[Rich Z]

If it won't work without it then restore the firewall settings right after the installation. I just had that problem with Apple Quick Time when I installed an upgrade yesterday.

[james_007_400101]

hmm well its more like some softwares require them to communicate with windows services in the sense that they need to be installed as a service in the background. Well to do that, sometimes windows OS wont let you do it as the OS is not sure if its a safe service to install or not. Ok i dont know if you are working on Win XP or Vista, but Vista has asks you 1000 or maybe more questions before it allows you to install any software on the OS.

But if any software tells you to disable the firewall and install i would recommend dont do it, try to install the software without disabling the firewall, and if it does not install it, then disable it and re-enable it as soon as you are done.

Because i must tell you Windows is on many people's hit list because of its features like blue screen, and on top of that Vista can really test your patience.

Anyways Best of luck.

[gas_indycar]

i see that all the time when i install things. i have never disabled the firewall and never had a program problem. let it be and just install what you are doing. if there is a problem installing you'll get a popup saying what the problem might be. don't worry about the firewall, leave it go.