Microsoft update hits Zone Alarm users

[Richard]

I use ZoneAlarm and was affected by this. ZoneAlarm has an update on thier site now.

http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/pressReleases/2008/LossOfInternetAccessIssue.html

by Matthew Sparkes

A Microsoft update is causing problems for Zone Alarm users, causing a complete loss of internet access.
 
The KB951748 update is the offending piece of software, which alters files relating to Windows networking.

Zone Alarm reportedly interprets this as a malicious attack and completely blocks all internet traffic in response.

"For those of you using ZoneAlarm who installed the windows updates today, you probably already know that your internet connection has died," warns a user of the Broadband Reports forum<. "It appears that KB951748 made changes to the networking files that ZA doesn't see/recognise."

"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," continues the user.

"We are investigating the issue with the MS update KB951748. For the time being we suggest you uninstall KB951748 until the issue has been resolved," says a company spokesperson on the Zone Alarm forum.

This is not the first time that Zone Alarm has fallen foul of a Microsoft update. Earlier this year Windows Vista was found to conflict with the software, prompting the removal of several key features of the program.

Because of these changes to the program it was removed from its position as our A-listed security software.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/211299/micro...users.html

[Polly]

Good thing I quickly realized what was happening yesterday when I downloaded the new Windows update.  I removed it and my Internet connection returned.  I have not been able to update my ZoneAlarm software for quite some time.  Any update tells me I have to remove my anti-virus software from another company first and I don't want to do that.

[Richard]

Are you using the ZoneAlarm security suite or the stand alone firewall? What antivirus products do you have installed? I have a few different antivirus products installed along with the ZA security suite and they all work fine together.

[Polly]

I have been using the free ZA firewall for a very long time.  I installed a free version of CA anti-virus two years ago which was okay with ZA but when I went to the paid version of CA a year ago, ZA updates will no longer install unless I uninstall my CA anti-virus.  ZA charges for tech help which is why I did not call them then.  I suppose I could call CA.  I guess I was lazy at the time and put it off.

I cannot install the update fix for ZA and the Windows update for the same reason.  It tells me I have to uninstall CA anti-virus.

[Richard]

I understand why you’re having a problem now. ZA quit using the CA antivirus and changed to Kaspersky. So their software wants to remove old versions of their software. I’m not sure if there is a work around for that or not. You could check over at their forum. That’s where I always go to solve problems.

http://forums.zonelabs.com/zonelabs

[Polly]

I didn't go to the ZA forum but instead I got myself in gear and uninstalled ZA and CA and then reinstalled both.  It took me a while to find my liscence keys for my CA download but I finally found them.  Now I have to see if the Windows update will work.  When I clicked on the install button for that update, the update disappeared.  lol!  It will return sooner or later.