Spyware, viruses, & security : Problems With Zone Alarm
Problems With Zone Alarm
by todd-ao - 3/19/07 6:01 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottAfter a trial period with Bullguard I wanted to install ZoneAlarm - tried 2 times but could not make it function, perhaps because I use Gmail. I then turned to McAfee firewall free edition - it worked right from the start and together with AVG antivirus there has been no problems since January 07.
Ditto
by sdstern - 3/19/07 6:32 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottI had problems as well. I used ZA for a while, a licensed version, and all was going fine, but all of a sudden it had problems updating. I uninstalled, reinstalled and tried to contact tech support, all to no avail. I did look about ZA forums and found others with similar problems, not many, but some. As these issues so frequently take more time that the program's worth, I chalked it all up to the vagaries of computers and poor customer service, which to me equals: Don't deal with the vendor anymore. For the record, I no longer use a software firewall (the router seems to do the trick, according to Shields Up) and Kapersky for the rest of the protection.
A few things to remember.
by hawk318 - 3/19/07 7:31 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottAlthough Zone Alarm is the 2nd best AV/Firewall on the market, remember a few things.
If you have problems, contact them and give them a chance. I'm not sure how bad their tech support is, but if no one takes the time to try to solve the problem, they will never know.
Never mix software that do the same thing (like 2 AV PGM's)in the auto mode.
Make sure you read any warnings or notes when you run any scans... Some malware prigrams have been known to remove parts of AV/Firewall software (this is true of some of the lesser effective malware and AV pgm's.)
You get what you pay (or don't pay) for..... I've been using Norton NIS for years (at least 8)and never have had a virus. True their tech support is so-so and the site is HUGE, but it's the best out there and while I've never had any viruses, I know many that run McAfee, AVG, et'al, that have been plagued off and on for years..... BTW, I wouldn't give you a plug nickle for any of Symantecs other crap.
When you run malware PPM's do so in manual and look at the area that says what is being removed......
And one last hint..... DO NOT RUN CLEAN-UP TOOLS!!! I did a comparison check a while back on several of these so called 'Clean up tools (or utilities)..... Every one of the top 4 utilities removed either critical OS files or removed files from Norton and ZoneAlarm
(as well as Music Match, Roxio's EZ DVD Creator and other major pgm's)
Watch what is being removed no matter what you are running and if there is any doubt or you are kind of leery of a suspicious 'Process', spring the few bucks for a little program called "Winpatrol". The paid version allows you to go to the web site and look any process you find running and it tells you if it's safe to remove it or not, what it is and does...... At least this program works 
And lastly for gods sake...... Don't click on any of these pop-ups you find while surfing..... Especially the ones that pop-up and say "WARNING: Your system is or may be under attack" Or unsecure....
If you do ...IT WILL BE
For those with some computer experiance - Outpost Firewall
by slappie - 3/19/07 8:23 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottZone alarm is the only reason I have ever had to use system restore. Twice now I have been stuck with a partial install/uninstall and could not access the internet on standard ports.
For those people with some computer experience, I would recommend outpost firewall over all others.
Zone Alarm Pro passes......
by jdschell - 3/19/07 8:23 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottI use the latest version of Zone Alarm Pro and had never heard of the Shields Up tests until reading this forum. My system passes all of their tests with a Total Stealth rating. No problems here and very happy with Zone Alarm Pro. I switched from Norton which I hated!
zone alarm
by steve.c - 3/19/07 8:45 AM In reply to: Zone Alarm Pro passes...... by jdschellI can only agree with post 16. I have used zone alarm for many years and have used the the leak test many times to keep an eye on things, as yet it has always proven to be a safe and have no leaks. I would say very often many people are not watching the settings and expect the software to everything for them. Too easy to fall in the trap of being complacent.set n keep checking , dont set n forget as many people think they can .
Easy set up maintenance and maintenance
by tech_no_man - 3/19/07 9:56 AM In reply to: Zone Alarm Pro passes...... by jdschellAgree with 16 and 17
I have used Grisoft AVG for years, even while I was connected through the telephone. Never had a problem with it. No glitch, nothing, not even a hiccup. People have to watch how they are installing any software. Matter of fact I DO NOT let it use the default location to install. I actually try to use my second drive to install the software. Two reasons:
1. I install at the root of second drives directory.
2. For good reason if I have to delete from the directory directly, I know where it is located and can see it.
My sister just installed Grisoft AVG on her brand new home built computer (she actually built it her self, no special knowledge), WindowsXP operating system. She not had a problem yet.
What most people want is software to be automatic and that my friend means BLOATWARE. Sure it can be done all for a person, but the programming that goes into it!!!!
Nuff said
P.S.
Below is the Gibson Research Labs URL's for software and the SheildsUP and the Sheildsup Leaktest:
Gibson Research Corporation Software Page (for the most part free)
http://www.grc.com/default.htm
SheildsUP:
https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2
SheildsUP Leaktest:
http://www.grc.com/lt/leaktest.htm
Zone Alarm vs Kerio
by mpasco - 3/19/07 10:05 AM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottI decided to try Kerio Personal Firewall nee Zone Alarm, which I had been using for a LONG time.
I uninstalled ZA and installed Kerio. Kerio worked as advertized until I rebooted. The computer rebooted with Kerio not in the taskbar nor in the Windows Task Manager Processes, so I assumed it was not running.
Kerio's tech support suggested that I place the Kerio icon in the startup folder. That worked for a day or two, and then back to the original problem.
I cannot take a chance on not having a firewall operating. Zone Alarms has done an admirable job for me for many years, so I uninstalled Kerio and re-installed ZA.
I relayed this information to Kerio Tech Support and asked for a full refund of the product charge and 3 year tech support charge. That was several days ago and I have yet to hear from Kerio on the matter.
So much for their product reliability AND their tech support.
A Question of Not Enough Resources?
by Kid A - 3/19/07 1:41 PM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottTwo firewalls, and you encountered problems with both.
And judging by your description of the issues with ZA, it sounds as if you don't have enough memory in your computer for all of the programs and processes you normally run. Spyware is a possibility, too.
Of course, without specific information about your computer (CPU, memory) and what you are doing when you encounter the issues, it's hard to pinpoint a culprit. But something tells me you will run into the same "issues" with your new firewall, too...
ZoneAlarm Problem
by himm66 - 3/19/07 4:45 PM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottwhy don't you try zonealarm version 7? it might work with you? i've been using zonealarm for many years now & i never had any problems with this software... maybe there's conflict with another software that you have... be sure to have a clean install.... if you want to try it, you can download the program here: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en
Firewall Settings
by fliptail - 3/19/07 6:46 PM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottRegardless of what firewall one is using it is only as good as the person setting it up. For one, if you want to secure your computer you certainly do not do it by auto. Learn the firewall and set it up according to instructions, not by selecting the auto everything. Learn what the pop-ups mean.
As usual I find that most people just download and install a firewall and seem to forget that you also must uninstall the one you are currently using or you will create conflicts. If you are using XPPro you must disable the XP firewall or there will be conflicts. I am not pushing Zone Alarm as I feel the user should utilize the one they are most comfortable with as long as the firewall provides adequate security.
Most problems users have with Zone Alarm is in the set up mainly because no one reads instructions any more and feel the program should just auto set up. Well that would be impossible for a firewall because it has to learn your allowed programs and protect you from malware and threats. Remember this your Window Operating System is suppose to close any port a program is using when you close the program. Unless you set rules within the firewall it does not know to close the port because you allowed the program. Also there are certain TCP and UDP ports that one should always list in the rules as blocked. Learn how to use a firewall and it will protect you from about anything they can throw at you without causing any crashes or problems.
The main item to always look at is conflicts specially if for some inane reason you choose to run 2, 3, 4 or even 5 different firewalls aqnd you need to watch AV's as they are now including firewalls in the AV suites which will cause conflicts.
RE: Zone Alarm
by iwish40 - 3/19/07 9:09 PM In reply to: Problems With Zone Alarm by jlippincottI have never had a Problem with Zone Alarm, I used the Free ZA untill I was ready to upgrade to ZA Pro and I've been using ZA Pro for 5 yrs.
I never had an update problem or upgrade problem.
Since you having problems, I suggest you do an uninstall, clean up your computer then reinstall, if your still having problems with it, then contact customer support. It might be your computer thats the problem, not Zone Alarm.
It Was The Update
by jlippincott - 3/19/07 9:15 PM In reply to: RE: Zone Alarm by iwish40I was using Zone Alarm Pro for over 10 years until last year when an update screwed up my computer. My other people had the same problem and all that tech support told us to do was go to the free version. Why would I want to do that???? I paid for the Pro version and they tell me to use the FREE one?
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