[wgreene]

The only way I'm able to get an Internet connection is if I set my ZoneAlarm Firewall Internet Zone Security to Medium. (Visible but protected. Computers can see your computer but cannot share its resources. Incoming NetBios is blocked. This setting is recommended for temporary use in the Internet Zone.) Am I safe using this Medium setting around-the-clock if it is regarded as safe for temporary use in the Internet Zone? After all, the High setting is recommended for the Internet. My problem is if I set it to High then I'm unable to get an Internet connection.

Also, if I shutdown ZoneAlarm Security Suite entirely, I am then able to get online, although at that point I don't have have anti-virus protection.

I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to tell me why I am unable to go online when my Firewall Internet Zone Security is set to High, which is the recommended setting for the Internet. I'm using the Medium setting at the moment, but I don't feel completely safe doing so.

Thank you.

[ToXiCaTioN.d]

Zone Alarm may be blocking your browser from connecting to the internet. I'm not familiar with Zone Alarm but I've used it. There should be an option to allow your browser (be it Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera or anything else) to connect to the internet. Try to Google for some steps if you're having some difficulty.

Good luck.

EDIT: After reading some more information, the Windows update "KB951748" has conflict with Zone Alarm. You can remove this update if you wish. Go to Add or Remove programs, check Show updates then find "KB951748" and uninstall it. The description for this update is:

A security issue has been identified that could allow a remote attacker to misrepresent a system action or behavior unbeknownst to users on Microsoft Windows systems

It's up to you if you wish to remove it.

[wgreene]

Thank you very much! : You seem to have saved my life, in a manner of speaking.

I uninstalled Windows update "KB951748", and now it appears that I am able to configure Zone Alarm the way it should be without any problems. I guess the only updates that are really needed are the critical ones. Even so, my computer once again was terribly slow to start up even after I uninstalled the update, so I don't understand why continues to happen. I hope that problem will have cleared up the next time I decide to reboot. In the meantime, I am surfing merrily -- and quickly -- along. Thanks again!

[wgreene]

This morning I took my PC to a local repair shop and the young technician there determined that ZoneAlarm Security Suite was the source of my many recent computer problems. He too had been reading about ZoneAlarm and the latest Windows update being in conflict.

After he uninstalled ZoneAlarm S.S., my computer booted up very quickly. I went along with the tech's suggestion to install Avast Anti-Virus. He also told me that Windows Firewall would suffice. So, taking him at his word, I presume I have ample protection.

I didn't ask him if I should reinstall the Windows update, but I figure it should be okay since I no longer have ZoneAlarm on my PC.

[ToXiCaTioN.d]

Well Zone Alarm may not have been able to run on your computer. Perhaps you don't have enough RAM or your processor is not good enough.

Even so, Avast is a good choice and I believe you will be satisfied with it.

Kind regards.

[Cookiegal]

This explains the problem:

http://forums.techguy.org/general-se...-conflict.html

[ljbirns]

I had the same problem and followed Cookiegal's link and that solved the problem.

Thank you

Lew

[wgreene]

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions.

Perhaps I didn't really need to get rid of Zone Alarm Security Suite, which, of course, I paid for; however, the technician assured me I'd be better off overall using the free version of Avast! AV and my Windows firewall. Actually, I had used ZA Security Suite for many months without any problems until this most recent Windows updates, which, by the way, I reinstalled last night. Once again my computer boots and runs quickly and smoothly. It's as fast as it's ever been.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by ToXiCaTioN.d

Zone Alarm may be blocking your browser from connecting to the internet. I'm not familiar with Zone Alarm but I've used it. There should be an option to allow your browser (be it Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera or anything else) to connect to the internet. Try to Google for some steps if you're having some difficulty.

Good luck.

EDIT: After reading some more information, the Windows update "KB951748" has conflict with Zone Alarm. You can remove this update if you wish. Go to Add or Remove programs, check Show updates then find "KB951748" and uninstall it. The description for this update is:



It's up to you if you wish to remove it.

Originally Posted by Cookiegal

This explains the problem:

http://forums.techguy.org/general-se...-conflict.html

Thanks to both of you! My dad was hit with this the other day and I haven't had time to look into it yet. Thanks again for this info!

Peace...

[Cookiegal]

Unless you're running Vista or are behind a router, I have to disagree that the Windows firewall is sufficient. The XP firewall only blocks incoming packets whereas third party software firewalls block outgoing as well.

I've heard good things about the Comodo firewall so you might give that one a try.

[Cookiegal]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Thanks to both of you! My dad was hit with this the other day and I haven't had time to look into it yet. Thanks again for this info!

Peace...

You're welcome.

[wgreene]

Originally Posted by Cookiegal

Unless you're running Vista or are behind a router, I have to disagree that the Windows firewall is sufficient. The XP firewall only blocks incoming packets whereas third party software firewalls block outgoing as well.

I've heard good things about the Comodo firewall so you might give that one a try.

Thank you for the suggestion.

Yes, a good while back I remember hearing of XP firewall's one-way function, so I'm sort of surprised that the technician recommended it. I've heard of Comodo but have never used it. I will certainly consider it.

Thanks again.

[Cookiegal]

You're welcome.