ZoneAlarm users face problems after installing new Windows patch

Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:10AM EDT

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Half a dozen readers have written to me asking about a problem they experienced after downloading a routine Microsoft web update. Many users have suddenly found that they lost their ability to get online altogether.

The problem has finally been ferreted out: If you are running ZoneAlarm firewall software and install Microsoft patch KB951748, you're in trouble.

If you're reading this, you've probably already figured out that if you uninstall the Microsoft patch (in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel, it's listed as "Security update for Windows (KB951748)") or roll back your system using System Restore, you won't have the problem. You can also uninstall ZoneAlarm to restore online functionality.

As of last night, there is a fix available for ZoneAlarm so you can keep both the Microsoft patch and your firewall up and running. Download it here by clicking on the link (under Recommended Actions) corresponding to the product you have, then you can reinstall the Microsoft patch.

Third-party security software products, especially firewalls, are always the first thing to cause havoc with Microsoft updates. In this case, the KB951748 patch was created to address an Internet-wide flaw in the way URLs are routed to websites; without the patch it is possible that even typing in a correct URL (like yahoo.com) could cause you to be redirected to a hostile website. But obviously Microsoft's fix had a conflict with ZoneAlarm's security system.

If you're running ZoneAlarm, do install the company's update and then, as all users should, install the Microsoft patch. It's an important security measure that could lead to serious problems down the road if you don't install it.

LINK: More details from BBC

Comments on ZoneAlarm users face problems after installing new Windows patch

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  • 6 Posted by albez on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    That was my solution. Mozilla Firefox - Done with Internet explorer. They don't seem to care what they do has consequences to other software. az

  • 7 Posted by alexgannis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    because that is only about 10% of the population that use vista. and how many of them use zone alarm. So that is about 8 people. Go back learn some math you are way off.

  • 8 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    I too found that lowering the Internet Zone mode to Medium stops the issue. I'll going to patch this up quick though.

  • 9 Posted by paul_e_t on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    I used to run ZoneAlarm when I was using Windows ME. However, when I upgraded to XP, all of a sudden I couldn't even boot my computer. A quick call to Microsoft had me delete ZoneAlarm and all of the problems were solved. When was XP and/or ZoneAlarm fixed to allow them to run concurrently? Also, why use ZoneAlarm firewall when Windows XP has a firewall built in?

  • 10 Posted by crash_davis6 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    sorry alexgannis. I didn't know my math had to be accurate to use sarcasm.

  • 11 Posted by c_ziesche on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I really feel that If I have to fix every new update I should have a discount from microsoft for the time lost. And how about all the time spent tring to find out what the heck went wrong with my computer only to find out it was not something I did.

  • 12 Posted by mzw986 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks! I already discovered a fix by setting ZoneAlarm to medium, but now I should be able to move it back to High.

  • 13 Posted by majormaddog24 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was wondering what the problem was as I have several people that run it and almost all of them called me. Zone Alarm is the best thing since slice bread. The fact of the matter is most folks don't even know about running linux. In fact I find most computer users do not know what the heck they are doing in the first place. I am surprized about vista most of the time it does not want to run anything without a series of warnings and certificate popups.

  • 14 Posted by rpcedwards on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got zone lab free with other software purchased, then a free trial upgrade to Zone Lab Pro, because the other proved unstable. Then, as I have windows xp firstly I could not get the thing to 'remove from my system' despite technicians checking correct process repeatedly covered. Lost internet connection regained it once i understood about retaining heartbeat and reduced security to medium. However, where as with McAfee I sometimes could not open e-mail attachments - now I cannot open any and I need to urgently. Please e-mail advice by return to the address I signed in at. Many many thanks as now mega urgent 3 days work lost.

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