Spyware, viruses, & security forum: Zone Alarm Pro - Latest update is a DISASTER!

I just did the upgrade after downloading it and besides all the pop up warnings it is now working as fine as before.

It is interesting to read all the posts about the new update version of ZAPro. Like many others, I did an install over my previous version 5.5.094, and then the troubles began. I could not access the net with either IE6 or Firefox. I could not receive email, but I could send it. I could not solve the problem, and to make matters worse, I had just authorized a $35 charge to ZAPro for further updates and support. Talk about throwing money down a well!
After reading all the comments on their forum, it is obvious that they have a HUGE problem, and they have made a large percentage of their customer base angry. From a marketing point of view, this is total idiocy. Will they fix it? Will they refund any money? Who is taking bets?
Some of you have had no problems with the upgrade. Thank goodness! At least it is not a TOTAL disaster, only a partial one.
I uninstalled the update, and then reinstalled 5.5.094 and all my problems immediately disappeared.
Am I upset? What do you think? Will I recommend ZAPro to anyone? Who is taking bets?

Tommy Meisel

I don't tech for a living, or particularly obsess over it either; not a beginner, but no expert. Yet, I haven't had these problems. Yes, first pass at upgrade was a wreck, not helped by an interrupted download. Double-checking bit-counts told me my install file was short of a sixpack, so, reacquired the file. Simply closing the old ZA sufficed, and Voila! NOTHING worked. However, a quick check of the Programs area showed me that the old permissions hadn't carried over to the new version; there's simply more specificity.
NO PROBS WITH SECURE SITES. It will disable several shields in Spysweeper on bootup, but just go turn 'em on. If you Hibernate, this won't occur. OH, BTW, MY ISP'S SPYWARE GETS RECOGNIZED AND ZA LETS ME STOP THE KEYSTROKE LOGGER WHICH SPYBOT ADAWARE ETC NEVER SAW.
I don't rely on 'learning curves' tho; do permissions as you need 'em.
Thanks to many of you for upgrading my skills self-evaluation. VIVA 6.0!

Yeah, I got a lot of startling notices about innocuous apps doing their normal thing, but ZA at least suspected they were spyware wreaking their unique form of havoc. Careful examination of the alerts, what they were dealing with and the use of the detail button, which shows you from whence the app came, will ease your fears. And if the app in question is A-OK, just click the "remember setting" box on the alert and okay it! Sure ZA 6 is a little hyper in its anti-spyware efforts, but it's REAL easy to deal with, and better careful than infected!

I didn't have many problems upgrading. I did note that it asked to uninstall version 5 and I said yes. Verion 5 deinstalled and version 6 of ZASS installed. The process popups were annoying and have gone mostly away as I clicked ''remember''. I had an issue controling and responding to Zonealarm using remote control programs, GOTOMYPC and MyWebEx. Resolved this by changing the trust level on the remote control programs to ''super''. That is all the problems I've had. This is on XP Pro SP2 on a Dell I purchased a few months back.

Funny to see this subject come up on your forum so soon after I uninstalled the FREE edition of Zone Alarm just the day before this appeared. I uninstalled it because it was crippling my computer-couldn't get a browser to work right, I was being disconnected time and again from the Internet, had trouble sending Emails AND receiving them-the list goes on! There's a pesky Internet "Lock" device that prevents you from getting connected and opening your browser. If you don't know what that little lock icon is mean't for, you're sure to spend hours of hair-pulling frustration. Once I uninstalled this "Free" edition, my PC never worked better!!! And I also have installed Windows Service Pack 2 successfully once i received the word that much work has been done developing it and getting the problems with it worked out, I would reccommend to everyone to try it again. I had it installed twice and got rid of it twice. Now it seems to work well. I have Windows XP. Also, after what I just described as my experience with Zone Alarm, I'd hate to think what the Zone Alarm PRO might do. If the PRO edition works for you, good and dandy! Just don't get any Free edtions of that. If you do and nothing works right, I'd bet you a Dollar to a donut that will be the prioblem. Thank you. HJH

Sorry in my previous posting I skipped to mention thst
the latest version I have upgraded too was,
6.o.667, whereas member - nooorm -in his posting was refering, to v 6.0.631.003.
Regret for the confusion...
Regards
aaltinalmazis

I noticed that little problem alright! My way is to go into ZoneAlarm's Program Control window, select programs and alter the Trust Levels. Works for me and stops quite a few hiccups.
As for newly installed programs starting up. I'd rather have these windows flashing warnings at me, than to have some nasty piece of spyware or virus invading my PC.

I find ZoneAlarm Pro to be a top-rate program, and love it. It has saved me from many hackers and dodgy software.

I have version 5.5.094.000 and the firewall details tell me I am up-to-date.I use Windows 98SE and have found not one problem at all-only occasional popup warning me that something has been blocked.
I do not use any other firewall and have AVG running in the background.
I see all the problems and agree with a previous statement that often it is a clash of applications...
I must say though I am happy with the free version and if you research through cnet forums here carefully you will find in my opinion that free versions of applications can be every bit as good as paid ones...provided you have the right 'mix'and they are configured right for you.
The only other applications I have on my desktop are Ad-Aware SE Personal(with add-on vx2 cleaner)and Spybot Search and Destroy.
The only other item I will install shortly will be SpywareGuard which runs in the background and did not give me any trouble at all when I had it before.
I have very recently changed computers and that is why I don't have it right at this moment!Still getting myself organised!
Good Luck Everyone
Mandy

Do you know what version your latest update was ?
I thought this trouble may have just been for the Pro version.
Would be interesting to see if any other free versions were having the same trouble too.
I think it might be wise to keep an eye on this thread, and not update until more positive comments are made or a solution found.
I for one will stick with Zone Alarm free and as I have no problems at this stage will leave mine well alone.And not update for now.
I hope you are able to get your computer back up and running smooth again.
Mandy

If you look on your tray, you'll see a LOCK icon which, if closed, you will not be able to access the internet OR open your browser. In my post above, I mentioned this. So all you have to do is click on it once and the lock will open. This drove me crazy until I opened it. Not too much about the lock in the help center.

I have already upgraded and thought I must not have set it up properly as I too get warnings all the time. I-Touch, Mcafee, Browsers - all cause warnings to pop up and it is still not easy to know just what is essential to my normal running mode and what might actually be a problem!
John Reed
York, UK

I've not used any version of Zone Alarm previously. I'm considering the Zone Alarm Suite v6 (or ZA Pro v6) NOT as an upgrade but as a CLEAN install on a NEW pc WITH McAfee VirusScan ALREADY installed by the IT Department mandate so they can ''push out'' updated virus-detect signatures upon Log-On to protect their network. My understanding from Zone Lab's website and from C|NET's Review of ZA v6 is that ZA's install DETECTS where McAfee VirusScan is already on the pc and effectively DISABLES ZA's own anti-virus so that the EXISTING VirusScan can continue to operate. Any install issues or operating issues to watch out for?

My only problem other than Pro 6 is a piece of junk is I purchased a 2 year subscription tlis spring. Now I have to find something else.