i would like to know that if we picked up a signal from space if they would let us know? or if they would hide it from us like every other top secret program the goverment runs.

If they keep it a secret "like every other top secret government program", do you think they'd tell you they're not going to tell you? ;-)

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S@H currently gets no government funding. If there is a verified signal, it will be published far and wide. They have stated before that the lucky ones that crunched the relevant WUs will bet special mention. I expect the volunteers in general to be acknowledged as well.

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BOINC WIKI

From 'Learn more about how SETI@home works' in the 'ABOUT' link above.
Page 5 What If My Computer Discovers E.T.? What happens?

snipe...
If this is confirmed, SETI@home will make an announcement in the form of an IAU (International Astronomical Union) telegram. This is a standard way of informing the astronomical community of important discoveries. The telegram contains all of the important information (frequencies, bandwidth, location in the sky, etc.) that would be necessary for other astronomical groups to confirm the observation. The person(s) who found the signal with their screen saver would be named as one of the co-discoverers along with the others on the SETI@home team.
snipe...
All information about the discovery will be made public, probably via the web. No country or individual would be allowed to jam the frequency the signal is observed on. Since the object will rise and set as seen from any given location, observations from radio observatories around the world will be necessary. This will, by necessity, be a multi-national effort. All this information will be made public.

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