Windows Update Problem

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I received this message while attempting to use Windows Update.

The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view.

Methods of fixing the problem appeared when I tried to forward the message to a friend.

“To continue, you must first add this website to your trusted sites in IE. The site cannot determine which updates apply to your computer or display those updates unless you change your security settings to make this site a trusted website. Your security setting will continue to block potentially harmful ActiveX controls and scripting from other sites but you will be able to get updates.”

I made the suggested change but the problem remains. The problem existed when I was using IE 6, I have upgraded back to IE7 and I still can’t use Windows Update. Microsoft allowed me to contact tech support by email at no charge. I’m awaiting their reply. I also did a search on the Lounge, but no relevant subject was found..

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Gloria,
I had received the following from Microsoft a while back but saved it for future reference.
————————–

You encountered certain difficulies updating Windows.

If you are running Ad-aware, ZoneAlarm, PC-Cillin, Norton Antivirus, Norton
Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall, McAfee, Proxomitron pop-up
blocker, Ad Muncher, web accelerator e.g. “Slipstream”, I would recommend you
to temporarily disable or shut down any of these installed on your syst
em and try accessing Windows Update site. Be sure to enable them again when
you complete the update process.

Suggestion 1:
=========
In order to resolve this issue, we need to register the ActiveX control files
needed to access the Windows Update Site. We need to do this since the error
can occur if these files are unregistered on your system. To do this you can
try the instructions provided below:

Note: There is a Single Space between the regsvr32 command and the file name
JSCRIPT.DLL . The same goes with all the commands provided below.

1. Click on Start, point to “Run”
2. Type in “regsvr32 JSCRIPT.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.
3. Type in “regsvr32 MSXML3.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.
4. Type in “regsvr32 ATL.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.
5. Type in “regsvr32 WUAPI.DLL” (without double quotes) and click Ok.
6. Type in “regsvr32 WUAUENG.DLL” (without double quotes) and click Ok.
7. Type in “regsvr32 WUAUENG1.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.
8. Type in “regsvr32 WUCLTUI.DLL” (without double quotes) and
click Ok.
9. Type in “regsvr32 WUPS.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.
10. Type in “regsvr32 WUWEB.DLL” (without double quotes) and click
Ok.

Now please try accessing the Windows Update Site again.

Suggestion 2:
=========
If you are still encountering the above error on Windows Update Site then, we
need to rename the Softwaredistribution folder from your system. By renaming
the folder we will be able to get the fresh copy of ActiveX controls needed
to access the Windows Update Site. To do this, please try the step
s provided below:

We first need to close all the Open instances of Internet Explorer Window.

Step 1: We need to Stop the Automatic Update and Background Intelligent Transfer Services on your system:

1. Click Start > Run
2. Type “Services.msc” (w/o quotes)
3. Press OK
4. Find “Automatic Updates”
5. Right Click on the Automatic Updates Service and select Stop to stop the
service.
6. Now Find “Background Intelligent Transfer service”
7. Right Click on the Background Intelligent Transfer service and select Stop
to stop the service.

Step 2: Now try the instructions provided below to rename the
SoftwareDistribution from your system:

1. Click on Start, Run and in the Open box write “%systemroot%” (Without
Double Quotes) and press Enter.
2. It will open the root folder ( i.e. C:Windows if you have installed fresh
copy of the Windows XP OR if you have upgraded over Windows NT then it will
open C:WINNT) from your system.
3. Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder from the opened window Right Click
on the on the SoftwareDistribution folder and select Rename. Type “OldSD”,
and press Enter.
4. Once we have renamed the folder try the Step 3.

Step 3: We need to Start the Automatic Update and Background Intelligent
Transfer Services on your system:

1. Click Start > Run
2. Type “Services.msc” (w/o quotes)
3. Press OK
4. Find “Automatic Updates”a
5. Right Click on the Automatic Updates Service and select Start to start the
service.
6. Now Find “Background Intelligent Transfer service”
7. Right Click on the Background Intelligent Transfer service and select
Start to start the service.

Now try to access Winows Update again.

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The first thing I did was to shut down Zone Alarm Pro, clicked on Windows Update and it ran. I installed all 7 of them that it found for my machine. All that information and I didn’t get to Suggestion 1.

Thanks Bob, that’s the first thing I should have thought of doing. No more problems with Windows Update, just turn off Zone Alarm and I’m good to go.

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I have been running ZA for years and never had Windows or Microsoft updates blocked. All one needs to do is make sure that they are both listed in the programs area of ZA with a “Green” check mark in the columns.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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I was in there and didn’t find Window or Microsoft Update. I will check again in case I missed it the first time. Thanks for the heads up.

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I don’t think the intent of the suggestions were to disable ZA, to run Update.
It was meant to just determine IF ZA was stopping the update service.

Since it appears to be the one that IS stopping Update, then as Dave said, you have to have ZA allow the update.exe file to access the net.

I believe in my ZA Program Control list, it shows “update run once” and if you click on it, it will show the details in the space below the list as: filename windowssystem32spupdsvc.exe

BTW, print out that post and hang on to it. It’s a handy reference item.

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I’m way ahead of you, it’s already printed with This is a keeper written all over it. I will check ZA ‘s settings and see what I find in relation to the subject at hand.

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Dave: I saw neither Windows or Microsoft Update in ZA’s Program.

Bob: I did find the update run once service and added it the ZA’s Program as trusted and allowed. I will run Win. Update without closing ZA and see if it stills loads.

Thank you both for your valued help.

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Only remaining solution to this problem appears to be that I must remove Zone Alarm Pro. I have entered Windows Update into the Trusted Zone of IE7, added it to ZA programs and nothing works, The only way to use WU is to disable ZA and that’s not a viable option.
In ZA I entered update.exe and was informed that the file was not found. I know of nothing else to try.

Thanks to all who tried to make this work. Good-bye Zone Alarm Pro.

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Gloria,
You give up too easily.
Try uninstalling, rebooting, then reinstalling ZA.
Too many of us here use ZA and get WInUpdates without problems.

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I’m so frustrated, I hate for this sort of thing to beat me. What is the update.exe someone mentioned that had to be added to ZA’s programs. When I tried to add it today, I was advised that it could not be found. If it’s a ZA update or Microsoft’s, no wonder it couldn’t be found. I searched for it and found 122 files, none of which pertained to the two programs mentioned above.
I will try this one last thing and go the uninstall, reinstall route you mentioned, maybe I can find the update.exe file then. If not, ZA must go.

Please tell me which .exe file should be there and for which program.

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What programs are list as “Blocked with Red X’s”, this may tell you what file is needed?
It appears to me that you was asked by ZA to allow a program to use access to the internet and you said NO, and had added the check mark to remember this setting.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Under Program Access there are no RedX’s. I said No to none, I used Ask.

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Gloria,
First: I don’t, at the moment, use Windows Update or MS Update (or Automatic Update), since I download the patches et al via the bulletins (from MS Download) and install them “off line”. Thus, there is some year since I last used MS/WU Update (though one time use of AU this autumn). However, I have before during some years used WU/MU successfully under XP, XPSP1 and XPSP2 together with ZoneAlarm which I have used since it came out, before WinXP.

You have ZoneAlarm Pro, and you’re not in a trial period? Then if you’ve paid for it, it’s certainly worth a little work to find what’s the problem.

My experience with WU/MU/AU was that windows only needed the “Generic Host Process for Win32 Services”, svchost.exe, to have Internet contact, beside Internet Explorer. This one should be allowed in a firewall, and I’m sure you have it allowed in your firewall, otherwise there will be no Internet contact at all.

Over the years some things has changed, the WGA ActiveX component has been added and updated several times, and now WGA “sub-programs” may need Internet contact.

With a “clean” (no updates) XP SP2 installation I think that the following is needed to get Windows Update working:
-Windows Update ActiveX component
-WGA ActiveX component
-Windows Installer 3.1 (an update to Windows)
-Package Installer (an update to Windows, KB898461, a permanent copy of the Package Installer so that following downloads from WU/MU/AU can be smaller in size.

The last two are the first recommended updates when using Automatic Updates/WU Update. The ActiveX components are possible to download at first visit at Windows Update, then the two others should probably follow.

Apparently you have the above components/updates since it’s working with ZA client not running. Your WU ActiveX component can’t be corrupted since it works with ZA shut down.

As for “update.exe”, it’s the installer file inside a software update from MS, a file included in the package installer. We all will find a bunch of it in the Windows$hf_mig$ branch; i.e. the special HotFix Migration folders.

The “update.exe” that is part of the package installer in the update, doesn’t need Internet contact.

I don’t understand what Dave mean by:
“All one needs to do is make sure that they are both listed in the programs area of ZA with a “Green” check mark in the columns.”

There is no such thing as WU or MU to list in ZoneAlarm, I think he’s once more speaking before checking. (Like Aristotle would have found that it logically should be there in the firewall, but not bother to look after.)

The “spupdsvc.exe” is also part of the update mentioned above, the permanent copy of Package Installer installed with the KB898461 update. This update is one of the first to be available, since following updates can be smaller when not including a complete installer package.

The KB898461 update is from 2005, my copy of “spupdsvc.exe” in System32 is of a later version than the one found in Windows$hf_mig$KB898461, it probably got updated at some first use of AU, from version 6.1.22.4 to 6.3.3.0.

Now, to quote MS, the spupdsvc.exe file is a “Windows service that runs after a reboot if the installation requires processes to be executed after a reboot”.

As Bob mentioned it’s called “Update RunOnce Service”. It looks for certain sections in a file called update.inf, inside the MS software update that you are running or the WU/MU/AU started, and if needed it runs after reboot (we all know some updates need the PC to be rebooted).

I can’t see why spupdsvc.exe, i.e. Update RunOnce Service, needs Internet contact and thus has to be added to the Program list in ZA.

Some sites even mention that malware can camouflage themselves as spupdsvc.exe; this is nothing new, no need to panic, they will camouflage as anything if they can (i.e. any OS file), and then of course it’s not a good thing to give the file Internet access. Many times (but not always) these camouflaged files may be found, not in the original files place, but in another folder. For ex. in Windows instead of WindowsSystem32 etc. Probably due to WFP, Windows File Protection; a simple malware can’t replace protected files.

To not run a firewall isn’t an option as you know, but you did a short test. There can be several reasons why WU isn’t working; but is it correct that everything worked with your install of updates via Windows Update when ZA was closed? Do you see any Error number when you get the error message at WU? How did you install all the post SP2 updates after your upgrade (a clean SP2 install and then what WU recommended)?

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You have mentioned quite a few things that I will have to digest, others will have to be checked. At first reading, I don’t understand some things you mentioned but I’m sure that once I have time to read it over again, some things may become clear. If not, I will contact you again and ask for an explaination.

I don’t use MS Download to install patches simply because I’m not sure which ones apply to my computer. When MU is run, it only presents the ones that apply.

I thank you for your reply, I just need time to digest it. You will be hearing from me again.

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I have read your post and I hope my answers will help you, help me.

First, I have a question. What exactly did you enter into Za’s programs to get it to allow use of WU?
I am using ZA Pro trial version and it doesn’t look like I will have it when it when the trial period expires.
Yes, I do have “Generic Host Process”, I set it to be Super Trusted, Allowed Access to Tusted and Internet and allowed it to be used as a Service (I’m not to sure about the Service, should it be allowed)?

The XP SP2 installation was installed over SP1, there was no clean install. I’ve never used Automatic Update, there seem to have been too many problems with it.

I repeat, there is no update.exe anywhere on my system, I think that might be the cause of the problem. Also, I can find no mention of the Windows$hf_mig branch, I searched for it twice also looked inside My Computer. No such animal exists.

My UpdateRunOnceService is the same as yours (version 6.3.3.0), Windows File Protection was run last week and you would think that if I had missing files they would have been replaced. The error number included in the message is Error Number:0x80072F76.
I looked at the Windows Update.log file and found this. Error-Library download error. Will retry. Failed to download iuident.cab from http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v4 to C:Program FilesWindowsupdateV4temp (Error 0x80072EFD)

That’s it. I hope I have supplied something that will help you guys figure out how I can get out of this situation. I think ZA is on it’s death bed.

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About “update.exe” & $hf_mig$:
This is not important to solve your problem, but some more clarification. “update.exe” is of no use in this context, but in your post 645,156 you said: “I searched for it and found 122 files”. In a reply to me you say “there is no update.exe anywhere on my system”. What did you refer to in your first post with 122 files?

Anyhow there is no need for any “update.exe” to access Internet, I don’t know what Bob is talking about. So forget “update.exe”.

My mention of $hf_mig$; as we all know, most updates to Windows are possible to remove with “Add or Remove Programs” in CP. To be able to restore the old files at an uninstall the old files are stored in folders under C:Windows, for example: C:Windows$NtUninstallKB925902$.

Most people have stumbled on these folder when viewing hidden folders.

Now, there can be a situation where one installs an update that contains some files that are older than the ones already on the PC. Then Windows must be able to have a copy stored of installed updates, the files that are newer, so it doesn’t end with incompatible versions. That is why there’s a C:Windows$hf_mig$ folder. This HotFix Migration folder contains folders for the installed updates, and they contain fresh copies of every updated file. This is a complex setup that is called

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Sorry, I made a mistake, I do have many update.exe files, but none that I was looking for.

Show Hidden Files has been checked for years. I found both of the folders you mentioned. $hf_mig$ folder contains only KB ID numbers, there is no update.exe in mine.

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My mention of Windows File Protection (OFF TOPIC):

Gloria, WFP gives protection to a system via two mechanisms. First, it is always there in the background, it’s not something you need to run at will. The WFP will only allow certain update mechanisms to replace vital OS files.

WFP also provides the System File Checker (Sfc.exe). To quote MS: “[the] tool gives an administrator the ability to scan all the protected files to verify their versions.”

This is nothing one has to do, if not encountered with a problem, and then one also should have a suspicion that it is related to protected OS files. I don’t see it as part of normal maintenance to run System File Checker; my PC has run happily for 8 months since latest install, and no need to run sfc. The WFP is there in the background checking whenever a vital file is replaced.

I just mentioned that WFP in many cases protects files from being replaced, in my paragraph about malware and not allowing certain files access through firewall.

Description of the Windows File Protection feature

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Thank you for the valuable lesson. If I ever have trouble runing windows file protection again, I won’t worry about it. In fact according to your post , there should be no reason for me to run it again.

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Gloria,
Your first question: when I used WU, I only had “Generic Host Process for Win32 Services” and Internet Explorer added to ZA’s Program list (together with other programs of course). In many cases the ZA setup, at install, will add these to Programs if you allow the setup to do basic configuration of the program list.

So, I did not enter anything. Generic Host Process needs Access to Trusted and Internet, and is also set to allow (green check) Server for Trusted (NOT Internet), i.e. server permission for Trusted zone. This is added by default. IE only needs Access to Trusted/Internet.

Remember, you use IE to contact Windows Update, not any other program, and Windows uses the Generic Host Process.

I asked before; did your download and install (at WU) work OK when you disabled ZA Pro/enabled Windows firewall?

Is the Program Control slider in ZA Pro set to medium? Some of the program settings in ZA’s database could be corrupt, a solution could then be to reset the program database, i.e. delete the database, and get a fresh start.

OK, SP2 upgrade over SP1, fine. Then you upgraded IE6 to IE7. You said you had this problem during IE6 as well, was it introduced with the install of ZA Pro or after some use of ZA Pro? Are you using the latest version ZA Pro (7)? It is not any problem to use a little older version, but just to know what version you have installed.

There can be a number of reasons why you have problem with WU access, and to know if it’s the firewall or not is important, since there are other solutions not involving the firewall.

Everyone that uses WU should, as you have done, add it to the trusted zone in IE. BUT then of course the settings for the Trusted zone must not be changed, if they are higher than default, it’s of no use.

Good that you looked at the Windowsupdate.log!
WU shows the final error. One can look at the Windowsupdate.log and search for “fatal” and “warning” to find more information about the failure if one like. One should know that not all warnings are critical.

Your mentioned error in the log file; you can take a look at this page (but maybe should start with the MS page further down in post, the suggestions are however more or less the same): 0x80072EFD error at http://www.updatexp.com

You can do the first test to check access by trying the link in their “Suggestion One” to download iuident.cab. If there are any boxes prompting you to download or save, click Cancel. Do not download, only verify connection.

The following suggestions are OK, but I don’t think you need to look at MTU or proxy. It is possible that there are some entries in the HOSTS file, that makes it impossible to conect.

As to your mentioned error at WU (final error that is shown); 0x80072F76, Microsoft has a troubleshooting article, that also mentions your log file error (0x80072EFD).

You may receive an “Error 0x80072EE2,” “Error 0x80072EE7,” “Error 0x80072EFD,” “Error 0x80072F76,” or “Error 0x80072F78” error message when you try to use the Windows Update Web site or the Microsoft Update Web site

The manual steps starts with checking Internet access and verifying firewall settings. As I mentioned earlier they say:

“The Windows Update client and the Microsoft Update client run in an instance of Svchost.exe. This Svchost.exe instance requires access to the Internet.”

Without Generic Host Process, no access at all, that’s the one that needs access.

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Argus,
_____________________________
Everyone that uses WU should, as you have done, add it to the trusted zone in IE
———————————————

Why is that? I have never had WU in my trusted zone and never had the problem of not being able to use WU because it was not shown as “Trusted”.

You have given Gloria a LOT of good things to check and look at, so I suppose she is rather busy right now.

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I agree with Bob, I have only one entry in my “Trusted Zone” and it has nothing to do with UPDATES.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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Hi Bob,
I should have explained why I think so, but thought my posts were getting awfully lengthy.

You are correct in that there is no direct need to put Windows Update etc. in the Trusted zone in IE. But if one “treats” WU as every other site on the Internet (don’t put it in Trusted), i.e. the settings in the Internet Zone are the ones that regulate what can be done, then one may have to lower the security a bit to allow WU to work (or other way around; accept the same security as for WU for all Internet).

This is only my opinion, but given how Internet security has developed many people feel that they instead would like to strengthen the security a bit in their browser for every-day use.

If so, it can happen that one unawarely also disables something that is needed for WU to function.

I know one can set scripting and ActiveX to ask etc. and some people feel that the security threat isn’t so big if one installs the updates and uses the Internet with common sense. Thus no need to use the Trusted Zone.

But, also, in a situation were you want to rule out errors, as in the case with connection problems to a site that you trust, it is far easier to put it in the Trusted Zone and reset the security level for that zone, than to go through the gazillion of settings in IE.

So it was more to not have to also check “every” setting in IE, there are already a bunch of possibilities to why it isn’t working. But if OK with XP firewall, then it’s ZA program database.

Anyhow, no big deal for her problem, and the message to her to put it in Trusted could be generic, it could not determine why she could not connect (firewall et al) so assumed too tight settings in IE, thus the advice in that message to use Trusted Zone with lower security.

“… a LOT of good things to check and look at …”

Ah, well, I don’t know, my posts were a bit lengthy. If it is working perfectly without ZA (running XP firewall), there must be some corruption in the program database (in WindowsInternet Logs). ZA Pro has also the ability to create expert rules that can complicate matters.

On the other hand, if not working at all, it could be “unregistered” files as you mentioned; wrong mapping in HOSTS file; servers added to the Restricted Zone, thus preventing; security software present or uninstalled that changed odd settings etc. etc.

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This is for all posters on this topic:

For some unknow reason, Microsoft Update worked when I clicked on it. I had wanted to record the error message, so I ran it again. To my surprise and wonder, it ran and ZA was running in the System Tray.
I could hardly believe my eyes when the error message did not appear again. I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth, I really don’t care what fixed it nor when. I’m just happy that it’s working now.

Again I would like to express my undying gratitude to all those who contributed to my problem.

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“Patience rewards those who wait”.

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Patience is one thing that I have a short supply of. It’s not a virtue, but I’m telling it like it is.

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I tend to assess just how much patience the offending computer or program is worthy of, then allocate the appropriate quota. I leave it up to the subject of the exercise as to how it chooses to utilize its allocation, advising it from the start to think carefully and use it wisely.
You can’t be fairer than that!

Alan

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Great.

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This reminds me of being in college and the professor assigns homework. You’ve given me a lot to do and questions to answer, so it’s going to take awhile. I will get back to you when the assignment is finished.

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ZA seems to be set like yours. When I disabled ZA, Windows Update worked and all critical updates were installed.
The Program Control slider is set to medium, you mentioned resetting the program database. This is becoming too much for poor me to handle. When the trial period ends, I may get the free ZA firewall or another program. All of you, and including me, have put a lot of effort in trying to get ZA to work with Windows Update (without disabling it). I have lost all ambition to correct what’s wrong. Please, let’s just forget about it and end this thread. I’m tired of working with it, I throw my hands up in disgust.

Thank you and everyone else for all the time and effort that was put into trying to resolve this issue. Please close this topic.

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Gloria,

FYI.
Just out of curiosity, I installed a copy of ZA Pro TRIAL in place of my free version.
First of all, it was annoying as all get out, when asking to allow or disallow access to the net during it’s “learning process”. MORE annoying was the fact that it didn’t seem to remember my answers, despite clicking on the remember this box. It would repeat itself constantly.
So, enough is enough and I tried to remove the trial version using AddRemove and it said it did so successfully?
I then tried to reinstall the FREE version and it bombed out, saying a zpeng24.dll was missing and it couldn’t find it. Then quit the install process on me. Couldn’t do a thing with re-installation.
I went to the ZA forum site and there were numerous people complaining about this particular version causing them grief. A ZA rep answered that there was a fix for this and I DL it and it didn’t do a thing.
System Restore didn’t help and I didn’t want to do an Image Restore just for this, so I had to go into the registry and search for any instance of Zone Alarm, ZoneLabs and True Vector and delete them all. Only then was I able to reinstall the Free version of ZA and it’s back to doing it’s good job as a firewall .

It SEEMS that the TRIAL version of Pro is loaded with bugs. I don’t know about the full paid version but I sure wouldn’t use the ZA trial.

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I’m so glad you tried the trial version, I’m not happy that you had so much trouble removing it. This is good information to have because ZA Pro TRIAL is about to become among the missing. Like you, I will be installing the FREE version in two days when the PRO trial version expires. Because of your difficulties, I now know how to remove it.

Learning from other peoples problems is the best way to learn. I’d rather learn from yours than go through it myself.
Thanks for the valuable uninstall information.

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I have not tried any dedicated ZA Pro Trial. Some versions (and years) ago (5.5?), I used the offer to trial Pro when installing the Free, maybe they have changed that now.

Anyhow, isn’t it supposed to, after a 15 day trial, revert from Pro to Free? That is, after the trial period, if one don’t pay for license, it will turn off Pro features, and thus no need to uninstall?

Then of course Bob, if it’s really annoying during trial one don’t want to wait, I can truly understand that. It’s universal, no matter what software.

During all the years I’ve used ZA Free I’ve not had any problems upgrading, installing a later version etc. Did not even uninstall before upgrading etc. But during the last 2-3 years I’ve seen so much trouble mentioned in ZA Forum that I have become a little more cautious. Waiting (much more) longer before upgrading, if not necessary only install ZA at OS install time, etc. I am now running ZA 6.1.744.001.

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Hi Argus,
>>>uninstall and revert back to free version?
Only if you select that option at download time. I used the trial only version to download, figuring that I could easily do the revert myself! ( ha, ha )
Actually, I only tried this just to see what the trial version was like and to see if I could duplicate any of the problems that Gloria was having.

I have also used the FREE version for many yeas and have not had problems with it. I’ve updated to all of the latest versions without an uninstall. It was only this TRIAL version of Pro that gave me severe heartburn.

Currently using V 7.0.337.000 which I think is the latest. Working fine.

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Bob, I just read your post below. First I wanted to let you know that ZA Pro trial version was supposed to end yesterday and I was going to install the free one. When I clicked on it’s shortcut this morning, guess what I saw?

Another “You trial ends today.” How long will this continue is anyones guess. I will keep choosing “continue trial” until ZA stops letting me.

Next, why do I keep getting security warnings when I choose to go to a site in my trusted zone” I got the warning when I clicked on your post below. It said “The current Web page is trying to open a site in your Trusted sites list. Do you want to allow this? Current site: mhtml:mid://mid://00000022/

Trusted site: http://www.wopr.com. If Woody’s is in my Trusted Zone, why do I get a Security warning when I select a different page to view. This warning not only appears for the lounge, but for every site in my Trusted Zone.

How do I turn off those warnings?

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Try This.
Open up ZA Control Center.
Click on Firewall, then move slider on “Trusted Zone Security” to Medium.

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Trusted Zone Security was already set on medium. I tried something else that just might work. I went to Alerts and Logs (main tab) and under Alert Events Shown, I turned All Alerts to OFF. If that doesn’t work, I’ll turn it back on.

By the way, the trial version ended, I’m now using the free version.

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Why don’t you just dump that silly ZAP program and simply use Windows Firewall?

Jeff

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For a couple of reasons. I’ve heard from reliable sources that it does not do a good job on checking outbound emails. Next, I don’t consider ZA as “silly.” I think it is very good and easy to configure. I used the trial of the Pro version and I liked it. But since free is better than paid especially when it does all I need for it to do, I choose the free version, I did not need all the bells and whistles of Pro.

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“it does not do a good job on checking outbound emails”

ZoneAlarm Free (as far as I know) does NOT check outbound emails see here .

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Mine does, I see the ZA notice at the bottom of the message, especially when I use forward. So far, I’m very pleased with it.

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With all due respect, all that means is that there is something adding a postscript to every message you send out. I have zero faith in any text in an email claiming it is virus free or scanned or whatever – what’s to say it isn’t a virus adding a footnote on every email you send?

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I know it’s not a virus nor a worm adding a post script to my messages. If that were the case I would have heard screaming from my personal friends long before now, stating that they had become infected by something I emailed to them.

And you can bet your last nickel on that.

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I shall assume you meant to say you would hear from your personal friends if you had attempted to infect their machines – I’ve never heard of a virus that politely announces itself and conveniently advises the user who sent the offending email!

Anyway, this thread is now overly long and has already deviated from the original subject. It will now be locked, but feel free to start a new thread if you have any outstanding issues.

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“Reliable sources”?? The only anti-xxxx application that is relevant to outgoing e-mail is an Antivirus application, e.g, Kaspersky and NOD32. Yes, yes…. I am more than familiar with the cultic reputation that ZA has which is very similar to Norton AV. However, just because the majority says something is “good” doesn’t make it so. UNLESS you are inclined to visit nefarious websites the need for a 3rd-party firewall is unnecessary. And I realize the stones will be hurled at me for saying so. But that doesn’t change the truth. With all the trouble you have expressed in this thread with ZA, it seems like good common sense to cast the culprit out, sit back and get on with your computing life. For me, Windows Firewall does what it is supposed to do quite well, which opinion is shared by countless others who likewise haven’t been hacked or been infested with dialers, keyloggers, etc. when the PC is protected by decent other security applications, e.g., AV and antispyware, and again, good common sense and prudence.

Jeff

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You have opened a can of worms with your opinion about the Windows Firewall. There are very few programs put out by Microsoft that I trust to do the job and do it well. There’s a saying that discretion is the better part of valor, I applied it here and chose ZA. I want to be protected before the horse gets out of the stable and not have to scramble around and find a program that can fix the problem that using the Windows Firewall might create.

Of course, which programs are used is a matter of personal choice and ZA Free was mine.

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Agreed! I am very much aware that supporting anything from Microsoft will opening a can of worms. But my “opinion” is based upon 1) years of experience with PC’s and Microsoft products, both in building and repairing them and 2) working as a company Beta Tester for a major company that produces one of the best if not the best software firewall available. The fact is, Windows Firewall works perfectly well for 90% of the populace. As I already wrote, IF one chooses to visit nefarious websites, install “questionable” software, or toys with illegal downloads, e.g., music and videos, then an after market firewall would be justified, assuming of course, that abstaining from such practices isn’t acceptable.

IF Microsoft products are so unreliable, in your opinion, then why are you using Microsoft Windows and not OSX, Linux, or some other non-Microsoft product? I am NOT saying that everything that Microsoft offers is the best. Rather, what I am saying is that for MOST people, they are more than sufficient to get the job done. My philosophy is to use those things which are integrated with Windows UNLESS they are ineffective for the way I use my personal PC or there is one which adds functions which I need. The choice is always a personal one which I duly respect.

Jeff

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May I ask which company did you work for as a firewall Beta Tester? I never visit the kind of places that you mentioned, as I stated previously, I have enough problems without risking my computer and my nerves any more than I have.

I use Windows mailnly because I cut my computer teeth on Windows 95, and I do not choose to learn another computer language. I was thrilled when Windows stopped using DOS, a lanuage I never could understand how to use. You hit the nail on the head again, when you stated not all Microsoft’s products are the best. I’d say one out three would be a good guess. I’m also not one of the Most people who appreciate what they present. Take a look at Vista, there’s a good example of the junk Microsoft released on the public.

I, too, respect your opinion as well as every one elses. Personal choice is a good thing.

On a lighter note, I copied your pictures, you will see then again sometimes.

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I worked (offer my services to) and still do for Agnitum Outpost Firewall.

IF Microsoft’s O/S and products are so ill thought of by you, then it would seem logical to go with something else. Since 90% of the world uses Microsoft that leaves 10% who are happy with something other, e.g., MAC, Linux, et al. Why not dual-boot or use some form of “Virtual Machine”, or one of the “Live” CD/DVD versions some which are free for the taking, e.g., Knoppix? Speaking for myself, I certainly wouldn’t use something which I felt was only 33% good. And having used the other offerings, for me none even come close.

Re: Microsoft’s “junk” Vista O/S, once again we are on opposite sides of the fence. I’ve been using Vista for about a year and love it. I find it a joy to use and significantly better than XP, which for the record, I believe was one of the best O/S Microsoft created.

Jeff

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Just keep the free version of ZA and you will be fine.

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I intend to do just that little thing.

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