I've had the same problem - any non MS program that attempts to connect to
the internet is denied access, and, in the case of the Trillian 'check mail'
script, a warning is given: "To help protect your computer, Internet Explorer
has restricted this file from showing active content that could access your
computer." Understanding, as I do, that this is what I want it to do, I
attempt to "Allow blocked content". It won't.
Seeing as Trillian's chat abilities are unaffected (my regular firewall has
long since disable its file sharing cababilities, something i've grown
resigned to) this is mind boggling.
I've attempted to disable these paranoid security measures, but Windows has
created a 'security' program that refuses to be turned off. The 'help'
offered is baby talk aimed at the computer illiterate that nevertheless gives
no useful information. Turning off everything the Security Center offers has
no result. No matter how many boxes I check or uncheck nothing changes.
I'm not sure how well-known it is, but has anyone else has read an old SF
story about robots who, seeking to remove every source of danger from human
society, remove everything that makes life worth living? This 'security
upgrade' poses the same quandary on a greatly reduced scale. A person who
understands the risk is unable to tell the computer it is a 'safe' risk - one
they're prepared to take, and acept the consequences.
Service pack two, in an effort to prevent us from hurting ourselves, has
laced us into a straitjacket. Not a very confining one, to be sure. Really,
only one or two freedoms have been revoked. But have you ever tried to write
without your index finger? To pick up a glass without your thumb? Small
problems like that can be incredibly frustrating.
So, should I log in manually to my hotmail account, akin to picking up a
glass with both hands? My answer, friends, is no.
Because I am a lazy bastard.
Keith Mailloux
