New version of Zone Alarm

I've just downloaded the new version of ZA. Has anyone installed it yet? Any problems? Did you uninstall previous version first? or just install over previous version? Answers would be appreciated. Bazza

 

I installed it this morning, and no problems yet.

 

I installed it yesterday or the day before, right over the old one and no problems. Works just like it should.

 

When you run the installer, you'll be given several choices that lead to installing the paid-for version (if you're not careful), and you'll be given the choice of UPGRADE or CLEAN installation.

Here's the pinch: if you have few applications and utilities installed with your OS, the clean install is always the better route. But if you have dozens and dozens of programs installed on top of your OS, as I do, and you actually USE your range of programs, you'll go nuts with the constant pop-ups from ZA asking you whether the program is allowed to access the Internet for the upgrade/version-check/data-table/whatever that you just TOLD the program to get for you.

If you open the ZA control panels and go to the Program Control tab, and the list is Looooong, the upgrade is right for you (as it is for me). If you have your OS, a couple of Anti-V progs, a few spyware progs, a firewall, a player and a couple of CD-writing apps, and that's about it, then go for the CLEAN always. It'll only take you a total of about 40 seconds to re-set permissions for 30 progs.

I installed the latest today, and all's well. Looks like another smooth one for ZA.

BUT REMEMBER: with every update, they go back to the default setting for Automatic Updates. If you HATE having important things (like long downloads) interrupted by sudden launchings of updaters (without your permission), then on the Overview panels (Preferences tab), select the Manual update setting. The program will warn you, because the ZA people don't trust you to be alert for updates and act accordingly. If you're trustworthy, you want this (and all of your other programs) set to update IF and ONLY IF you ask them to update.

That's why -- in the Program Control settings, everything (EXCEPT your FTP server --if you use one) should be set with red Xes in the right two columns, and all programs that have no real need to talk to the Internet (unless you tell them to) should have two red Xes in the left two columns, too. Your Windows Explorer, for instance, will ask for permission to access the Internet at will, as will Word, and Adobe REader, MS Help, and QuickTime. Those are things that NEVER need to reach out on their own. If you ASK them to reach out, ZA will ask for a confirmation that you really WANT to let them access the Net. Even your PRINT SPOOLER will report to Microsoft if you let it. What it would need to say beats me, so I don't let it. X X X X right across.

 

Ditto for me

 

That was very helpful...thanks.

 

Thanks WW, for the long and detailed reply. It really helps. Now all I gotta do is read it a few times until it sinks in and then install the latest version. Thanks again, Bazza

 

I uninstalled the old, and clean installed the new last night. Everything seems to be working fine.
@ WiseWiz, I don't know what this forum would be like without you. You've saved my butt more than once. Thanks for the info.

 

Aw, shucks. (Kicks dirt with bare toe.) You guys are awful kind to an old guy.
Thanks.

 

I've just installed it and it blocked EVERYTHING. Mozilla can't fiind anybody and Mailwasher says my ISP doesn't exist. Thank God for system restore.
While I'm suffering. what the hell is "Generic Host Processer"? Wht is so keen to get on the net?

 

Installed latest version, straight over the top of the old version yesterday. No problems so far.
@ww. You should wear shoes. Baz

===

 

See this post:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=38821

Do you need more help?

 

Always wondered about this one. AFAIK there is no need for net access and I block it. Nice to hear that ZA works well now. Think I'll upgrade from 4.5 now. Thanks for the excellent post Wisewiz.

 

Mastertech particularly,
This is about my fourth version of Zone Alarm and previously no worries. The help bit dosn'r sy very much. I've blocked some programmes (all the XP messages out to Billy to dob me in, no doubt) but all the usual ones are marked OK for hitting the net.

 

Thanks, Mastertech, but I've tried that one too.

 

I`ve taken the advice of some wise members and continue to use VERSION 4.5 until the creators of the newer versions stop creating problems and create acceptable versions of their firewall.

 

Mastertech, again,
I doubt if it's a conflict. I've got no other firewalls, and anyway the old ZA works as it should. System restore gets things back to normal.
New ZA little tag in the taskbar stays inert as well. No flickering green and red bars.