Windows update problem: BEWARE!!!

[PapaBear]

Windows issued some security updates today. My father did the update on his two computers, and now he can't get on the Internet unless he disables Zone Alarm Firewall. He can get on, if he uses the crappy built in Windows firewall, but not with Zone Alarm. I've searched and haven't found anything about this online, so I don't know if it's affecting any other brands of firewall. If it's not already, make sure your security setting are set to only notify you about updates, and now download them.

Anyone else hear about or experience this today?

[PapaBear]

I found this, HERE... (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20759839-MS-update-KB951748-and-ZoneAlarm-PROBLEM)

MS update KB951748 and ZoneAlarm --- PROBLEM

For those of you using ZoneAlarm who installed the windows updates today, you probably already know that your internet connection has died. It appears that KB951748 made changes to the networking files that ZA doesn't see/recognize.

After two hours of messing around, I found an inelegant solution that will work temporarily ... set the Internet Zone Security permission slider from high to medium. The connection will be restored.

I discovered this after I finally figured out ZA was blocking my internet connections, and turned it off. Once everything worked again as normal, I started playing around and hit on this lowered permission setting.

I imagine the ZA forum will be full of better solutions, but thought this would get you back up and running in the short term.

[MobCounty]

The heads up is appreciated, thanks!

[MojoTeddybear]

Thank you for the heads up! I use the method you suggested for updating since MS started this updating procedure. I've ran into too many problems with the updates and usually wait a few days to see if any problems pop up before installing.

[OGC]

Good heads up, and a good suggestion about setting windows updater to just notify you when something is available. I have had it set that way for a long time. I prefer to let those more knowledgeable than I debug microsoft's updates before I install them.

[PapaBear]

So... What do you think? Happy coincidence for Microsoft? Or dirty lowdown trickery? (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/867671/solutions_for_kb951748_and_zone_alarm.html)

Microsoft to gain Firewall Marketshare?

Windows does have its own built-in firewall and computers running (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/614/running_tips_and_tricks.html) the Windows firewall instead of the one from Zone Alarm, have not had similar issues with the kb951748 update. As a result, Microsoft (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/992/microsoft.html) may end up damaging an important internet security competitor through this inadvertent compatibility issue between the Windows DNS update and Zone Alarm's firewall program. If users remove the Zone Alarm firewall and start using the built-in windows (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1657/windows.html) firewall, then Microsoft (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/992/microsoft.html) stands to gain market share at Zone Alarm's expense.

While we like to believe that the incompatibility of Microsoft's DNS security update kb951748 with Zone Alarm is entirely unintended and accidental, it is certainly suspicious. Microsoft (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/992/microsoft.html) in recent years has been found guilty in American (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1518/american.html) and European courts of numerous fair trade practice violations designed to increase Microsoft's marketshare by using its near-monopoly in PC operating systems to take marketshare from competitor's PC products (http://www.associatedcontent.com/theme/1487/products.html) such as web browsers and media players.

[rob126]

Comodo firewall is better than Zone Alarm and works with the new Windows update. Don't install the Defense + or you will get too many popups .

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

[furie]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y178/furie1335/pics/logo_apple.jpg

[MojoTeddybear]

Zone Alarm has released an update that fixes the problem. However, the "update" looks to be the whole package and not a patch.

[PapaBear]

Zone Alarm has released an update that fixes the problem. However, the "update" looks to be the whole package and not a patch.
I just clicked the check for update tab and it flashed something real quick, then didn't do anything. :down:

[PapaBear]

edit: Just went ahead and downloaded the whole thing. Thanks for the notice, MTB! All is well, now.