Hello all,

I am just sharing a thought here. Not a warning or join me.

I have looked at the site and tried to come up with what they are doing. I did read this:

Every member of DesktopLightning.com downloads and installs a very tiny software program on their computer when they sign up.

This program is certified to virus free, and also contains absolutely no spyware.

All this program does is act as a communications hub to allow the direct desktop communication to occur."

The principle is the same as using any IM program. I am assuming (with my understanding of IM's and P2P systems) that a communication port needs to be open on your computer for this program to work. Any open port can become a security risk to your computer.

Microsoft used to have their IM ports spammed from some slick advertisers sending ads and malicious snippets thru these ports causing some serious problems.

If there are any techs out there that can shed some on light on this could you pleasee give us some answers.

I think the idea is great but I am worried of everyone 'internet safety' here.

Kenneth R Sword Jr

So far, I have given away over $38,000.00 in advertising memberships. Are you next?

THANKS YOU MAKE SOME GOOD POINTS.

I read your post, so I emailed DesktopLightning and asked them about your concern. This was their response: Hi there, Thanks for your concern. Our software does require frequent communication with our servers in order to operate. Of course we cannot guarantee that no hackers will try to exploit something -- you are correct in saying that even Microsoft has trouble with this. However, we've taken as many precautions as we can to stop this from happening. After all, we run our software ourselves :) We recommend a good firewall program. If you have one, running DesktopLightning shouldn't increase your risk. Does this help answer your question? Victoria **************************** Mary Smith

 Hi Kenneth,

Thank you for your concern and for bringing this matter to the attention of people who otherwise might not have considered a possible security issue.

I am not totally sure of the technical issues of the method I use in the following suggestion.  But I do know that once I browse my Desktoplightning messages upon startup I have the choice to remove it from my system tray and it does not become active again until the next time I boot up my computer.

I see no value in having it run continuously just so I could have access to the next message as soon as it arrives.

If we have a schedule of checking our email only once or twice a day, why not just check our Desktoplightning messages once or twice a day and then de-activate it until the next day?

It does configure itself to always load upon bootup but we are given the freedom to exit the program at any time.

I am not sure if all other similar programs have the same easy method to de-activate themselves or not. 

I am hoping here, that when not running, the open port you mentioned here would no longer be a security issue until we run the program again next day.

Perhaps someone can clarify if this suggestion solves the problem

Wayne

P.S. It is not a matter of Uninstalling and then having to re-install. It is just a choice of whether the program is running continuously or only when we allow.

I have been with DesktopLightning since the beginning and so far have had no problems.  Knock on wood!

Teri