ClearICE Frequently Asked Questions


	I'm too lazy to read the help file to learn about how to use *ClearICE*. Do you have any Online Tutorials?
	Yes, we have the *ClearICE* Online Tutorial available for you to use. A picture really is worth a thousand words. The tutorial was created with FlashCam from Nexus Concepts. If you are interested in one for one of your products or a particular application, we can create one for you. Just contact us at Brady & Associates, LLC and ask for details.

	What versions of Windows does *ClearICE* work with?
	*ClearICE* works with all versions of Windows. Win9x / Me / NT 4.0 / 2000 / XP

	What is the latest version of *ClearICE* and how can I make sure I have the latest version?
	The latest version is ClearICE 5.0. It was officially released on October 18, 2001. If you are using *ClearICE* version 3.0 or the Network ICE Special Edition, you must upgrade to *ClearICE* 5.x. Support for *ClearICE* 3.0 and the Network ICE Special Edition will expire as of 12/31/2001. There are new features, a new database format and a faster attack import process. It is available by download, only to registered users. Please go to the ClearICE Online Help and Quickstart Guide for more information regarding the new features that are now available. You can also see the new *ClearICE* Online Tutorial for details on advanced features. You may download the ClearICE 5.x full release install program from the following link: Download *ClearICE* Once you download *ClearICE* 5.x, you will have to submit your registration information at the following link: Register *ClearICE* The *ClearICE* 3.0 to 5.x upgrade cost is $9.95. Purchase the upgrade here! back to top of page


	Using *ClearICE*, the blue "New Attack" icons do not change color after reporting the attack to the intruder ISP, Why?
	You need to set the Options settings for the custom messages. The values for the Green, Yellow and Red alert thresholds must be configured per your preferences. Please consult the Online Help for examples.

	Why is the time reported in *ClearICE* different than the time reported in BlackICE Defender for when the attacks occurred.
	BlackICE Defender writes the time into the log as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and adjusts the display within the BlackICE Defender GUI to display the time in the local time zone of the computer it is running on. *ClearICE* does not do any adjustment of the time and reports strictly what is in the log files. The reason for this is that time on the Internet is represented in GMT in order to have one standard time that everyone can use and understand. *ClearICE* 4.0, and above, will display GMT and Local time in the browse listing, hard copy reports and the ISP email intrusion detail. back to top of page


	I just purchased *ClearICE* from Digital River and it tells me it is an evaluation copy. Why?
	*ClearICE* started out as a type of software known as "shareware". Basically, what this means is that you could share the software with your friends, as long as you gave them then entire install file, so they could try it out too. Shareware is usually NOT free software. There is usually a nominal registration fee in order to obtain the full functionality. *ClearICE* has a 30 day evaluation period because it is available from many software download web sites. *ClearICE* became a commercial software product in January of 2000. As a commercial product it must be purchased in order to run it longer than the 30 day evaluation period. With the release of *ClearICE* 3.0 a more stringent security model was implemented in order to curb the blatant piracy that took place with version 2.x. *ClearICE* became very popular with the hacker community due to its association with the already popular BlackICE Defender. back to top of page


	What must I do in order to register *ClearICE*?
	The answer is actually very simple. First you purchase the software from the *ClearICE* web site: Purchase ClearICE Here! The transaction is handled by another company known as Digital River. When you receive the confirmation email regarding your purchase from Digital River you will have to make note of your customer number and order number for the *ClearICE* purchase transaction. Next, Open *ClearICE* and from the "Time Left" screen or the Help \| About... menu or the "Register" menu press "Register" You will be presented with the *ClearICE* Register window. You will then go to the *ClearICE* Online Registration form which can be found at the link below: ClearICE Online Registration Form Fill out your registration information including the Digital River Customer number, Order number and System Id number that you determined in the steps above. Once the online form has been submitted, we will receive your information via email and send your unlock code back to you upon receipt. Although this requires a bit more effort on your part, this process is much faster than normal because doing it this way does not require us to wait for a confirmation of your purchase from Digital River. Otherwise, it would take from 24 to 48 hours to confirm your purchase and return your unlock code. back to top of page


	Is *ClearICE* available on diskette or CD-ROM?
	At this time, *ClearICE* is not available on diskette or CD-ROM. We are currently in negotiations with a packaging and fulfillment company in order to be able to send you a physical product. When available, the cost of *ClearICE* will be higher for the packaged version of the product. *ClearICE* 3.0 will fit on a properly formatted 1.44 MB floppy disk if you wish to make a physical back up copy for yourself. ClearICE 4.0 or above will NOT fit on a formatted 1.44 MB floppy disk due to the number of enhancements that have been made to the program and the resulting increase in size of the program. If you want to make a back up of the *ClearICE* installation file, please copy to an Iomega ZIP disk or burn a copy to CD-ROM. For those of you that do not have a CD-ROM writer, as a friend that does have one to help you. back to top of page


	What programming language was used to create *ClearICE*?
	*ClearICE* was developed using Clarion for Windows from SoftVelocity. This product allows us to develop software much quicker than we could with the more "traditional" development tools. Clarion for Windows is a fourth-generation language or "4GL" that is data aware and data centric during the development phase. It also allows us to create software that helps you keep out of "DLL Hell". So many companies develop in MS C++ or Visual Basic and there have been so many versions of the runtime DLLs that if you install an application from one vendor you could "break" other software already installed on your computer, including the operating system, by inadvertently installing the wrong version DLL. This is a situation that is all too common in PC computing today. back to top of page


	Does *ClearICE* read the evidence files or 'packet logs' created by BlackICE Defender?
	No. At this time ClearICE does not read either of these formats. The reason for this is two-fold. Unless you are very savvy with networking protocol definitions the data in the evidence files or packet logs would not mean much to you. The price of ClearICE would increase dramatically due to the increased cost of development. Most of the packages that are available to read the evidence file and packet log format cost hundreds of dollars. ClearICE reads all of the information necessary to report the attacks to the ISP that will enable them to take action against the attacker. It gathers this information using a 2 step process to import the data and package it into a format that is much easier for you to access and understand. back to top of page


	How CAN I read the evidence files or 'packet logs' created by BlackICE Defender?
	You can purchase what is known as a "Network Analyzer" or "Packet Sniffer" to decode the files. The one I recommend is CommView from TamoSoft. It is fairly priced and easy to use. You can download it from the link below: CommView and you can purchase it from the link below: Purchase CommView back to top of page


	I run a business or government network and I've been hacked! Where can I report serious intrusions to my system?
	You can report serious attacks to CERT at the following link: http://www.cert.org/reporting/incident_form.txt You can report attacks against government or commercial systems to the FBI NIPC at the following link: http://www.nipc.gov/incident/incident.htm Please use the above links for the reporting of SERIOUS attacks on commercial or governmental systems only.


	I have a question that is not answered by this FAQ. How do I get an answer?
	If you have any additional questions you can email us at by clicking on the link below: ClearICE Questions back to top of page


	What are the little 'ball' icons next to the attacks? What do they mean?
	The icons specify how many times the attack has been reported to the ISP. Green is 1 alert, Yellow is 2 alerts and Red is 3 or more alerts.


ClearICE Home Page


	Why do *ClearICE* unlock codes expire in one year?
	*ClearICE* unlock codes expire after one year because it has become necessary to change the licensing model to coincide with the licensing model used with BlackICE Defender. Our customers know we provide unmatched support for our products as well as the various personal firewall products with which they work. The only way we can continue to provide this level of support is to use a licensing model that will provide a renewable revenue stream for the *ClearICE* product. You can purchase multiple year unlock codes at an additional cost. back to top of page