Newer Zone Alarm Update

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Following helpful link in post 579,650 below, I went to filehippo.com to download the Zone Alarm update, and found that there is already a newer version, Zone Alarm Free 6_5_714. (When I tried to update from within Zone Alarm, it told me I was up-to-date, and I had v 6.1.744.)

Maud

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Hi Maud,
Yes, That seems to be a quirkbug in the ZA program itself. It has been noted many times in the Lounge.
So we depend on someone like yourself to note that an update is available.
Thank You.

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Wow, there’s already another new version! This morning I received a ZA prompt (surprise, surprise!) about a new version to fix a “security problem.” I downloaded and installed 6.5.722.000

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Big Al,
I assume your install was trouble-free? I got the same prompt, but hesitated because I’ve had various problems since installing the last update, which may or may not be related: Acrobat Reader hangs, followed by hanging of the dumprep.exe (I’ve never had that happen before) after I used Task Manager to end Reader; an install problem w/ some printer software, and slowdowns in page loading and some app loadings. My PC use has been pretty trouble-free for a while, so maybe it’s just my turn, but I wondered if this flurry of updates from Zone Alarm meant there were problems. I googled the latest update, and found some grumbling about the 6.5 versions here but nothing definitive. I’ve been installing the new versions over the old to maintain my settings, and never had a problem, but I’m thinking this time I better uninstall and do a clean install of the new, although one person on the Wilder forum mentioned a bad uninstaller, so I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just reinstall the v6.1.744.01 I still have sitting in my Downloads folder! Ah, decisions . . . .

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As far as I can tell I got a clean, trouble-free install. Like you, I always do an upgrade to preserve settings and that went OK as well. I guess there’s always someone, somewhere, who isn’t so lucky, huh? BTW, I did two machines since my old system, now upstairs and running, needed to be upgraded as well.

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You give me courage, Big Al (or did I mean to say you encourage my laziness? ) I think I’ll just upgrade as usual. Maybe some of my apps have just been a little cranky lately. The inside of this box seems like any other household to me – sometimes everybody cooperates and plays nice, and sometimes they bash each other’s toys. Not the most precise explanation of technology, but it works for me!

Thanks, Maud

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Hi,
I have been using ZoneAlarm for several years on Win95 and now for 4 years on my XP machine. I usually do my upgrades with no prior uninstall of earlier version, but I chose “Clean install” in the setup. This way I get fresh settings in the “Program control”. Even if I have 10-20 program rules, it is no big deal to train ZA. Have to do it anyway when AV, anti-spyware et al programs are updated with new program components.

So since my last OS install I have upgraded several times with no uninstall, but a clean install. It has worked great. As to different ZA versions, it can be hard to track down what causes a problem, BSOD etc and if ZA is responsible.

I am, at the moment, running ZA 6.1.737. Some time in Mars, I downloaded the 6.1.744.001, but did not install it. I sometimes do read the Zone Labs User Forum. At that time, the reading was not encouraging, so I waited. Since, as we all know, there have been several updates, and the 6.5 release. If it has been a lot of problems with a version, and they later release a new update, it is easy to jump on the train. I think it is best to wait a little time.

As Al mentioned, there is always someone, somewhere having problem with a new version. Take a look at the Zone Labs User Forum; look at the “Installation, Uninstall and Upgrade” board. However, it is hard to decide if to upgrade reading these posts; the pattern at the board is almost the same with every release. It seems though that some more are having problems (maybe more using it?).

They, however, do have some good advices for them with problem installing; removing the vsconfig.xml file can solve the install problem

Also: SUGGESTION ON UPGRADING TO LATEST VERSION
Nothing direct new (the old clean uninstall/install); mentions the unistall “tweak” to add ” /clean”, and to remove some folders.

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Argus,
Thanks for the links. I made a note of the thorough uninstall/clean install instructions. I probably won’t go to those lengths this time, since Loungers’ experiences make clear that the sky is not falling, but it’s always good to have a checklist of everything you need to root out on those occasions when it does.
Mary

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I have in the past gone for the clean install when upgrading ZA. Yesterday though went for the upgrade to save my settings and as far as I can tell all is running smoothly.

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FYI. After I installed the new update, I noticed my hosts file was locked. I went to ZA control center/Firewall/Advanced & noticed that locking the hosts file was NOT checked. Nevertheless, I had to check it & then uncheck it in order to modify my host file. After a reboot, I had to do that again. A couple of other people mentioned this on the MS newsgroups, so I thought I’d mention it in case anyone is having trouble with their hosts file.

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Uh oh, that’s a new one to me and an interesting line to keep up with. I wonder if this is a new problem, introduced with this current version.

I don’t normally use or have anything in my Hosts file except the LocalHost entry, so I never would have noticed. I just now opened mine with a text editor and added a couple of commented lines. The file would not save! I tried your suggested procedure and it DID save. Since I don’t have any other entries in mine, let me ask. Do you have any indication that your Hosts file is not “performing” as it’s supposed to?

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Hi Al:
As far as I know, my hosts file is performing as expected. I had downloaded some hosts utilities that were recommended at http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm%5B/url%5D. One of them allows you to update the hosts file with known “nasties”. After the ZA update, I noticed that I could no longer update the hosts file, although the property dialog box did not show it to be read-only. I went searching for an answer & found it in the ms winxp newsgroups. The utilities are actually pretty cool & let you update, lock & unlock, turn off, & turn on the hosts file.

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Thanks for the info, Phil!

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Al/Phil,

I loaded 6.5.722 a few weeks back. Er, what is the hosts file, and should it be locked or unlocked? Mine [appears] unlocked (no checkmark). Is there anything else on the advanced screen which should “normally” be checked? Mine has Disable Windows Firewall and Filter IP traffic checked.

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Er, what is the hosts file

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[/indent]See What is the hosts file? and/or Oldfrog’s Explanation.

@Phil – thanks for the the “check/uncheck” tip – I knew I could not edit my hosts file because of ZAP, but to do so, I was shutting down ZoneAlarm completely. Now I don’t have to. And you are right, once you do the check/uncheck thing, you will then be able to access the HOSTS file repeatedly, until you restart, when you have to do that again.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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I just found this on the ZA web site that might be of interest.

There are now some Global OS Firewall settings, that can operate independantly of the Trust level on specific programs. Program Control –> Main –> Custom and click the OS Firewall tab. Here you will find that HOSTS file access is by default set to “?” for all programs (even Super). Set it to “–” to revert to the previous behaviour where any “Super” program can modify HOSTS.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Sorry to be dense on a Saturday afternoon, Bill, but would you mind posting a screenshot of the location of this entry? I can’t find where you’re describing and I don’t know if it’s because I’m running the free and you’re a Pro user. (Or I’m having another senior moment…)

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Al,
I don’t see it either. I’m sure it’s because we are running the free version.

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Sorry to be dense on a Saturday afternoon, Bill, but would you mind posting a screenshot of the location of this entry? I can’t find where you’re describing and I don’t know if it’s because I’m running the free and you’re a Pro user. (Or I’m having another senior moment…)

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[/indent] First, I prefer quinquagenarian cranial flatulence to senior moment! And yes, I use the pro verion so that may make a difference.

Hmmm – not sure I now how to insert an image – but I seem to have it attached.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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