BE AWARE Zone Alarm 5.0 Update Issues

Seems that there is a lot of issues with ZONE ALARM 5.0

I tried to install and I got a message that McAfee has "Compatability Issues" with 5.0.

The installer quit and refused to install ZA 5 unless I uninstall McAfee.
What the **bleep** is that about??

All other versions ran fine.

I just renewed my McAfee for the fifth year running and never had a issue with Zone Alarm.

I'm not going to buy another service just to use ZA 5.

By the way I just renewed MY ZA about a few months ago.

I can't be the only one with this issue.

Is ZA aware of this and if so, why not cure before release??

Quite a few people are running McAfee....

I hear that McAfee is not the only one with issues.

There are many many people that have issues with this with other AV Software
Any Ideas people???

By the way, RUNNING

Windows XP PRO

ZA PRO 4.5 (Attempting Update to 5.0)

McAfee 8.0

640 RAM

1.4 MZ

Dell 8100



WAXACE

 

Apparently you're not. There are some irate rumblings about that and other ZAP5 issues here:

http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board?board.id=inst

 

I think that both Macafee and Norton fell victim to the old bugbear "Let the suits in marketing and PR take over and the program and our techs be damned. We're out for the bucks" syndrome. Happens a lot in the business world.

 

This is the same forum alanc posted but I just searched for "Disabled Antivirus" and look what I found:
http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/search?q=disable+anti+virus

There is a thread there about PC-cillin not being compatible, as well most other AV's. I've been reading this forum all morning and I am un-installing this version of ZA Pro and going back to 4.9. I like the way this board user says it here: http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/....id=11381&highlight=disable+anti+virus#M11381

Peace,
Gina

 

I had AVG and Nod32 installed on my computer (the two run with no conflicts-refreshing) and Zone Alarm v5 turned off Nod32's Internet Monitor and email scanner! I went in and turned it back on, even password-protected my settings, but I am hesitant to leave my computer running unnattended for fear that another problem will develop. This is why I'll probably just stick with v45.594.000 and hope the bugs get worked out of v5...

Peace,
Gina

 

Double-sided problem, at least in some cases. I just installed PC-Cillin last night for the first time, and the program refused to install until I let it uninstall ZA (version 4, not 5) first. Having 2 firewalls, or AV programs running together IS a problem, but it's a user setting problem, not a showstopper. Popping up a warning about it is just fine. Mandating an uninstall is flat not acceptable.

 

Hmmm . . . Just installed ZA V5 Home Edition with no probs. (No boxes, exits or any general moping about on ZA's part). Running Avast for av. Avast does have an email scanner but no conflict with ZA5 resulted. Thinking about it, why would anyone need two software firewalls and two email scanners and two internet scanners running at the same time? A hardwired firewall in the router, sure and software firewall running on the pooter, sure. But two software firewalls and email protections at the same time? Why? (Not trying to be a smart a** just curious.)
Bill

 

We can blame Symantec for starting the trend towards integrated AV and Firewall suites. Norton Internet Security just plain sucks. Personally, I use Panda antivirus, and if I wanted to use the firewall it's decent, but I'm behind a router with a rule based firewall, so I don't sweat it.

 

Thanks Mastertech, you cleared it up for me nicely. And I agree wholeheartedly. It's the greed factor I think, or giant egos in play. Remember when Yahoo! was just this funky, handy little web site? And that small, but efficient browser called Netscape?

 

Oh, BTW... When I posted above that

IMON, or "Nod32's Internet Monitor," is what I was referring to. This component is it's guard, it's real-time protection. (It is not a firewall.) I do not run two firewalls because my online security tests with ZA Pro are fine, but I run two AV's because my husband's email is on a different server than mine and I find Nod32's email protection to be superior in MY circumstance. AVG, on the other hand, does a great job of scanning inside archives and catching trojans as well as viruses. And... I have yet to receive one conflicting compatibility message between these two (nice!)

Does anyone know how to save the settings from Zone Alarm Pro (firewall, vault, alert settings, etc.) so that they can be imported to an earlier version of Zone Alarm Pro? When you update they save automatically but trying to downgrade I get a message that all of my settings will be erased. Can this be avoided? (Perhaps I should have started a new thread...)

Heartfelt thanks in advance,
Gina

 

No disrespect MT, but I've never had an email virus using Outlook. There are ways to make it secure. MS has already removed lvl1 extensions from being downloadable (have to modify the reg). Disable preview pain in lieu of breif descriptions and first and foremost: Don't open any suspicious attachments. A good AV that plugs into Outlook (Avast, AVG etc) can assist as well. Outlook is fine for email usage and I find the debate over using it as old and tired as dirt.

 

Thanks! I NEED this discussion- both sides... I have a small, naive question though. With my husband's work email I can only use Outlook or Outlook Express. Are either of these more secure or are they the same?

Much thanks,
Gina

 

Boy this is gonna stir up a hornets nest, already has I guess.

FWIW I have just uninstalled old version of ZA4.5 and installed new version Zone Alarm (not Pro) 5.0 and am now running Avast (used to run AVG) but MG convinced me to try Avast.

It is very early days with the new combination of ZA5 and Avast (only a day or so) so maybe much too early to comment but no problems with this combo so far (touch wood).

Running W98SE. Bazza

=========

 

I have disabled the preview pane & I use Firetrust Mailwasher Pro as well...

 

The basic security issues are the same.

 

Thanks!

I'm looking at the ICSA link and the results are shocking! Certainly not what I would have expected...

 

Quote: BigBazza: Boy this is gonna stir up a hornets nest, already has I guess
Nope, Baz This is the best part of MG -- and why if you care about your computer, MG sould be your home page -- when several extremely knowledgable members (i.e. mastertech, kodo, gt, fw190 and gina) start debating pros and cons or ins and outs of the "way things work." This kind of post is where I learn the most. Keep at it folks I'm a'listening.

 

BillH, I meant that ZA5 and conflicts with other software, has stirred up a hornets nest. Not casting any aspersions on MG or the great and knowledgeable contributors. I have learnt a hell of a lot in the few months I have been a member. Them pro contributors have certainly helped me in the past. Other members pop up from time to time with great helpful stuff , as well. LLMG (just thought of a new acronym/abbreviation--Long Live Major Geeks). Bazza

========

 

O.K. Folks,

Here is a official response from Zone Labs as it was given to me...

I did install it and there are so far no problems or issues.

See E-Mail from ZA below:

Dear valued Zone Labs customer,

Please read the below statement from Zone Labs and once you have
downloaded the fixed software let us know if it installed for you.

Thank You
Ron Devine
Sr. Customer Care Advocate
Zone Labs
--------------------------------------
This Information Applies to

ZoneAlarm Pro 5.0
ZoneAlarm 5.0

Summary

ZoneAlarm 5.0 and ZoneAlarm Pro 5.0 compatibility with McAfee
Security Center

OVERVIEW:

During the recent update of customers of ZoneAlarm and ZoneAlarm Pro
to the new version 5.0, some customers alerted us that they were
receiving an incompatibility message that prevented installation
when McAfee Antivirus was also present on the PC. In response, we
had temporarily halted updates to our new 5.0 products while we
address this issue.

Solution:

We have identified the issue as an erroneous incompatibility message
triggered by the McAfee Security Center, a standalone console that
ships with all McAfee security products to inform users of their
security status. We have created updated versions of our products
to address this issue so that users will be able to install the 5.0
products on machines where McAfee antivirus is installed. The
updated versions of ZoneAlarm and ZoneAlarm Pro are available at the
following download links:

ZoneAlarm 5.0: http://www.zonelabs.com/zadownload

ZoneAlarm Pro 5.0: http://www.zonelabs.com/zapdownload

We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused.



Took them only one day of hectic complaints to fix the update...

 

Outlook express

Feel free to start this answer in another thread but I didn't know how to quote you (and a few other posts in this thread) to get my answer:

I have Outlook Express because that's what I have...uh...
Anyway, I'm not sure what you mean by "disable the preview pain in lieu of brief descriptions"

You know me, I hope, please explain in steps.

I think I use the preview pain (?) but I don't know how to "disable" it (I know you can view e-mail a few other ways) but I don't want to make a mistake and have to OPEN something up that I don't want to to view it (I've never had a problem, security breach, etc., knock on that good ole hunk of wood).

Thanks!

 

Pegg,
Go into Outlook Express and under the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Read tab, clear the "Automatically download messages when viewing in the Preview Pane" check box.

Hope it helps!
Peace,
Gina

 

if not automatic in preview pane then....

Thanks, Gina -- we girls have to stick together. I had gone into Views, layout, and unchecked using the preview pane but that wasn't what I thought they meant.

Anyway, this makes it more secure because......it's not opening up right away?
So I have to click on the actual e-mail for it to then show up in the preview pane?

OK - I'm a little dense

 

Or probably just install ZA after Trend's package is installed, and it's firewall disabled. Haven't tried that yet, as I'm playing with Trend's firewall for a bit.

As far as Outlook/Outlook Express vulnerabilities, I've used Outlook since 2000, and OE before that, and haven't gotten infected either, largely because of AV mail download monitoring (plus I've kept them patched). I've intercepted a bucketload of viruses during download though.

Using a different mail client solves the problem of the embedded worms that install automatically, but the underlying OE vulnerabilities remain unless patched. Many of the attached viruses that you click yourself (and tons of people still do) utilize OE vulnerabilities once they're launched, so keeping it patched is still critical. Whatever mail clients your infected customers had, I'd venture to guess that either their patches or AV definitions, or both, weren't current.

 

Re: if not automatic in preview pane then....

Pegg,
It's one of those things that is so obvious, it's difficult to see!

Actually, you should not have a preview pane now, but a row of "From," "Subject" and "Received," for example:
From: MajorGeeks Message Board
Subject:Reply to post 'BE AWARE Zone Alarm 5.0 Update Issues' and Received: 5/25/2004 10:39 PM.
similiar to this one: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/outlookexpr/images/inbox.gif
Your only choice will be to double click (to open) or to delete it. Obviously, if it's a dangerous extension or someone you don't know, delete it and empty your inbox!

Try MailWasher Pro. It will allow you to see who the email is from and what it is BEFORE it reaches from inbox and your computer.

BTW, disabling the preview pane makes Outlook Express more secure because the mail (and some attachments/malicious code) can actually open in the preview pane and infect your computer.

And finally... You're not dense! We all have to learn! You should go back and read some of MY posts from last year! LOL!

Peace & Take Care,
Gina

 

Pegg,
Sorry, the link I gave you was to MailWasher, not MailWasher Pro! MailWasher is the free program. (Link is still good!)

Gina

 

hoodely-doodely. D/l'd 5 update to ZA folder. Went slick, works good, no conflicts.

 

Well, I was up till 2:30 last night removing the latest ZA free version from 2 PCs. And reinstalling the 4.5***** version. Both ZAs decided they were not gonna give access to my games on the internet. Access permission notwithstanding. It just closed the ports totally and wouldn`t let any games access the net. I spent I don`t know how long last night trying to figure out the problem. Not only this, but the new ZA seemed to run fine for a day. Then it just decided to remove all the programs from the list totally. So .... the story is long , sordid, and painfully hopefully just a bad memory. ;0(.....

 

I don`t use Macfee or Norton Anti virus, but do use Norton SystemWorks. Not sure of the significance.


Wowzers, a 3 minute edit time. Should be upped to at least 15 minutes IMHO. Oh well.

 

And again, from my point of view, (after MS instituded their security measures on Outlook) I've yet to perform a cleaning from an Outlook transferred virus. You can still have viruses sent to the other email clients..it's up to the user at that point. Additionally, by your logic, you should also be recommending people use another operating system.

 

Just upgraded Zone Alarm 5. etc. on both PC and Laptop.
Have Nortons 2003 on PC and 2004 on laptop (both totally current) and no hitches so far.

? Outlook Express 6: Is there an email client out there that better addresses these "security holes" that outlook apears to be plagued with? I did set READ Options to NOT automatically download messages when viewing in the preview pane.

Bitzy

 

I agree with that user too Gina, very stupid of them to make this move. ZA is fine as is and I've never trusted bundled software like that. For now I just turned off the virus monitoring and all that.

 

Hi all,
First, I'd like to thank you for this discussion. I am learning from it and as BillH. pointed out, when we can get knowledgeable people such as Kodo and Mastertech (and all the others who are contributing) to debate such issues, the whole community benefits.

Mastertech, I want to thank you for that ICSA link you posted earlier in this thread. I am considering your advice regarding my anti virus protection and the link has been helpful as a reference for other programs to try. I'll admit that my anti virus apps have been somewhat lacking in the cleaning of viruses.

Bitzy, earlier in the thread Mastertech posted to me

However, you mustn't overlook Kodo's posts throughout this thread regarding Outlook Express' safety when used with caution, as mentioned first in his reply to Mastertech's post:

Having said all that, consider your options and do what you think will keep you secure. One tool I've found HIGHLY beneficial is MailWasher. Go to This link for more info/download. This version is free and will allow you to review your mail messages BEFORE they reach your inbox and delete the ones you do not want.

dsbnh, I turned off the virus monitoring too and hope there are no repercussions! Version 5 Pro hasn't turned off my virus protection since I installed it, but those few hours that I was left susceptible was too long. I wonder how long it will take all the small companies that make a great product to get greedy and go the way of Microsoft, Symantec and McAfee? It's a scary thought, what could happen...

Peace to all,
Gina

 

Ok, so you download the update and you're done..

 

OE update #837009 - included in Windows updates already?

Granted you're not FOR Outlook Express but either you or somebody else can explain this to me: In my add/remove programs I have "Outlook Express Q837009" -- last used on 3/14/2004 -- which may be when I installed it. I couldn't find a file for it under Outlook but I found it in Internet Explorer as Q837009 but that date was even older (2002) and obviously was part of the installed program.

SO - do I install this update with the same name? I'm up to date on all my critical updates for Windows so was this already included with those updates?



(Hey, Kodo, can I quote you and say you should have started another THREAD by now?
Hey, just kidding, man, don't boot me off the forum, okay?)

 

Unknowns.. security through obscurity. How many bugs exist in your "secure" email clients that you mention. How many of those exploits are known to the public. How many are known to only a select few. I want to point out that NO software is 100% secure. This is my point. I don't care what it is. Cisco being case in point here and their recent security hole. So long as it is made by humans, it is fallable. The perception of being secure is a bigger risk than knowing something is insecure as it results in complacancy.

Also, set Outlook to read in plain text.. no more HTML activated bugs/exploits etc.

 

side note - but I've been wondering

RE: notes in the Add/Remove programs for all the programs installed on my computer:

OK - that's what it seems to imply but I used Outlook Express several times a day. -- but when I check through the list -- all the dates on "Last used" are wrong and the "used frequently", "used rarely", etc. are wrong too. I could care less, but does this matter?

 

Re: side note - but I've been wondering

no.. I wouldn't worry about how MS thinks how often you use your software.I'ts a "feature" that is inaccurate at best.

 

The Unknown factor is the clincher here. Because Outlook is so popular is the reason why these holes are found. Do you honestly think that other developers don't make mistakes like MS does? haven't you noticed the increase in findings of other "supposedly secure" software is the OSS arena? Again, I retierate: So long as it is made by humans, it will be fallable. You just don't know about it ...yet.

And now that that hole is patched [the hackers/crackers] have to make an effort to find another hole.

My environment is (well I should say was because the dips downtown decided to move to lotus ntes) living proof that you can secure Outlook. Not one email virus infected anyone of my workstations ..ever.

 

to Kodo

Hey, Kodo, you're like a big brother to me. Um, my oldest brother lives in Syracuse. Er, he's pretty smart about computers. Last time at mom's we talked about AdAware, Spybot, Spyware Blaster -- I wondered where he found out about them... hee, hee, uh, hmmm, well, isn't this an interesting "coincidence".

(just trying to lighten up the mood around here)

 

Re: to Kodo

Do I know your brother?

 

Re: to Kodo

I don't know, do you? ( maybe YOU'RE my brother -- that's what I was joking about) Obviosly not joking about it very effectively, oh well.

 

Re: to Kodo

I'm not aware of having any sense of humor..

 

Re: to Kodo

Intelligence PLUS humor, my friend, is the only way to survive (and love)

 

Re: to Kodo

apparently no one told you about me..I'm an articifial message board bot designed to assist users here. Humor was not programmed into me.

 

Re: to Kodo

Hmmm... Visions of a spasmodic chicken with Kodo's head attached to it are flooding my mind right now... I wonder why???

LOL!

 

Been gone for a few weeks, did this problem ever get solved? I am running AVG Free. Have not updated as yet and would like to know if it is safe?