09 Jul 2008
ZoneLabs has issued a preliminary advisory detailing workarounds for ZoneAlarm users who have been locked out of their internet connections by Microsoft's latest round of bug fixes.
The firm issued three possible solutions for the unknown percentage of the hundreds of thousands of users of its popular ZoneAlarm firewall who have fallen foul of the Patch Tuesday 'fixes'.
ZoneLabs confirmed that the Microsoft patch cripples platforms including ZoneAlarm Free, ZoneAlarm Pro, ZoneAlarm AntiVirus, ZoneAlarm Anti-Spyware and ZoneAlarm Security Suite.
The first recommended action is to uninstall the hotfix via the Windows 'Add and Remove Programs' menu.
For users with more technical skills ZoneLabs suggests adding the relevant ISP's DNS servers to ZoneAlarm's trusted zone.
A final resort, which ZoneLabs does not recommend, is reducing the security level of ZoneAlarm to medium for the internet zone.
A vnunet.com Forum visitor confirmed that removing the Microsoft update solves the problem.
"The XP update dated 7/8/08 does not play well with systems running Zone Alarm. Symptoms: all network software reports you are connected but you're NOT. POP3 does not connect; web pages do not display. 3 hours of ATT tech (hahahaha) support later, after telling them I suspected the update, and that I ran ZA, I finally reached a person who told me about this conflict.
"I wish I could give you the name of the file, but I uninstalled it, during the process (finally fixed it myself, btw) and told it not to tell me about it again. Tomorrow when my left ear recovers, I'll call the MS 866 number (866-PCSAFETY) and see if I can patch the MS problem w/o hosing my internet connection again."
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Do you agree?
Zonealarm do the business!
Big pat on the back to Zonealarm, I use the free version and was just about to uninstall the latest windows update - have more confidence in Zonealarm than Uncle Bill!!!! Heard some moanings about people not knowing how to access the web after that MS Update had caused their connections to fail. If they couldn't fathom out how to carryout a sytem restore to keep themselves going then they should invest [pay] for their protection. If you'ree going to moan then direct your comments to Uncle Bill. MS has made millions from us and don't carewho or waht they upset (remember the release of XP? XP + lack of drivers = CHAOS), Checkpoint guard us for free. Thumbs up to Checkpoint!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Steve 14 Jul 2008
Zone Alarm Security Suite screwed up by Microsoft Bastards
I have uninstalled the damn KB951748 update and now the internet works again. Trouble is, your control panel has the maximize button greyed out, therefore I cannot access the controls. Solution?
Posted by: Richard Hochleitner 10 Jul 2008
Our accountants security advice is ...
Uninstall an important security patch because your security software doesn't like it ? Uninstall your security software and install one that doesn't die on the spot, which seems to be everyone else. Unless you paid for it in which case well its upto you but don't take advice from a source that has its interests to protect by insisting you keep a lame duck security package
Posted by: Ian 10 Jul 2008
This is the file
I had the same problem. I actually went to system restore to regain internet connectivity. I also had a crash occur with firefox. I assumed it was a fluke. When the updates came again the next day, I was nervous, but knew a restore would correct it if it happened again. Crossed my fingers and installed....lost internet again. Here is a fourth suggestion: do a restore, select custom install, choose NOT to install the update and check the box to not be informed again. PITA (pain in the a$$) How do you get those hours of frustration back?
Posted by: kkdither 10 Jul 2008
Sorry, here is that security update number
KB 951748 Mine came with Windows Malicious Software removal tool for July 2008. (KB890830) I installed this one with no problem.
Posted by: kkdither 10 Jul 2008
Microsoft patch fixes ZoneAlarm
I found that the Microsoft patch did not appear in the Add Remove Programs list. I had to do a system restore. Fortunately the update performs a checkpoint before installing. When it tried to install again I unchecked this patch.
Posted by: Steve 10 Jul 2008
Click on Show updates
To see the updates click on Show updates on the upper right hand side corner. Then uninstall as usual.
Posted by: AA 10 Jul 2008
My quick fix may not work for everyone...
... i was unable to uninstall the "fix" as it didn't appear in add/remove programs, but i downloaded the latest version of zone alarm and problem solved!
Posted by: Shabby 10 Jul 2008