ping security

[photogryph]

is there a security risk to my computer from someone pinging me?

[lisaj]

Yes. And No. Whilst this is precisely how Denial of Service attacks are performed, it's not going to hack in and get at your files so much as cause your computer to fall off the Internet.

[photogryph]

Thanks for your answer, Lisa(?). But, what do you mean by "not going to hack in and get at your files so much as...." I had not idea that it was possible AT ALL for someone to ping and gain access to my files! Can they? That's what I was told today and that's the reason for my original question. I have ZoneAlarm firewall installed on my computer, so I believe that I'm protected. But, I ask the question for my friends who aren't as careful and "anal" with their virus updates (DAILY checks for updates!) and might not have a firewall at all. Thanks again for your answer. Can you or anyone else elaborate please? Jim

[j2buttonsw]

PING is a TCP/IP utility which demontrates connectivity between you and another computer using the TCP/IP network protocol. Since the internet uses TCP/IP as its only network protocol people (including hackers) use PING to establish whether they can connect to you (or, more accurately, your computer's IP address). PING just sends four packets of information to a host IP address to see if it gets a reply: no more information is given. Therefore, your computer is not being hacked using the PING command but it may be the first tool used by hackers.

[docco]

If you have a firewall setup such as Zone Alarm, then your PC should not return any information when it is Pinged. However Zone Alarm will still give you information about atempts to ping you.