New ZoneAlarm Pro 6.1.737 released

[Kerodo]

Here's the changes to the new ZA Pro:

New and improved features in ZoneAlarm Pro version 6.1.737.000

* Fixed - Compatibility issues with Adaptec USB driver
* Fixed - Nortel VPN can not connect
* Fixed - Antispyware update failure
* Fixed - Compatibility issue when System Mechanic Startup Guard is enabled
* Fixed - PdaNet can't connect
* Fixed - Problems with GotomyPC
* Fixed - VSNET 2003 issues
* Fixed - TrueVector application error in event viewer log
* Fixed - High vsmon CPU usage
* Fixed - "Deny" Button in program alert pushed off the edge
* Fixed - Icons lost in program list after upgrade
* Fixed - PC Cillin 2006 issue
* Fixed - System stability issues
* Fixed - Various other bug fixes

Check the ZoneLabs site for the others...

[roflmania]

it's not too shabby if you ask me.

[Arup]

Nope, Zone Alarm is pretty good, free or paid.

[Kerodo]

Always good to see that they are fixing things, and not just adding new features.

[unhappy_viewer]

Here is the additional fix for ZASS and ZA AV, in addition to those above:

* Fixed - Isafe (AV email scan) is running after turned off

[Hyperion]

Recently i ve criticized ZA too for slowing down my browsing,but i just tried this new version and my speed is just as good as it was with Kerio 2.Morevover for normal browsing i ve 0% CPU and this is the first time it happens to me with ZA.This one is a keeper!Huge improvement on my PC compared to the previous versions.

[Hyperion]

I will also add that behaves very well with Emule too (with which ZA has a long history of bad relations).I see no cut on the download speed and CPU use of vsmon is max 3%.

[The Seeker]

I can honestly say I'm quite impressed with this latest version (using ZoneAlarm Free).

The memory usage is sitting around 20-21MB (vsmon and zlclient combined) and I can detect no slowdown whilst surfing etc.

One thing I've noticed – I cannot seem to grant passlock permission to my programs. The help file says to, "Select a program from the list, then click Options". The thing is, there's no options button to be found :-\

[bloomcounty]

Hi,

I'm hoping someone here can answer this for me... I use the free ZoneAlarm, and when I checked for updates, it said there was one and I downloaded the .exe fle for it (after I was prompted to do so). The file that it downloaded is called:

zlsSetup_61_737_000_en.exe

I assumed this is a new entire version of the program, and it sounds like the one you're talking about in this thread. But a post in this thread implied that this is ZoneAlarm Pro -- isn't that the paid version?

I just don't want to update to this, then find out that I've updated to the paid version that I'll only be able to use for 30 days or something before it runs out for free when I've got the free all-the-time previous version on my computer now -- know what I mean?

So is this .exe for the free version or the paid version? If it's the paid, is there an update for the free version?

Also, if it is the free version, and I update -- should I completely uninstall the previous version before running this .exe? If so, how do you recommend doing that (so that all the old files are gone -- and do I use add/remove programs or the ZoneAlarm uninstaller, etc.)?

Thanks for the help! :)

-- bloomcounty

[Kerodo]

That file looks like the free version, but if you're in doubt, why not just go to a download site like MajorGeeks and grab it there, either directly from ZoneLabs link on MG or from one of their mirrors.

http://majorgeeks.com/ZoneAlarm_Free_d388.html

You can generally install new version right over the old ones. It asks you if you want to do an Upgrade or new install, just say Upgrade. It will preserve your old settings. I just installed a new version over top of an old one on a Win98 machine here today without any problems..

[unhappy_viewer]

-{ Quote: "I can honestly say I'm quite impressed with this latest version (using ZoneAlarm Free).

The memory usage is sitting around 20-21MB (vsmon and zlclient combined) and I can detect no slowdown whilst surfing etc.

One thing I've noticed – I cannot seem to grant passlock permission to my programs. The help file says to, "Select a program from the list, then click Options". The thing is, there's no options button to be found :-\" }-
ZA (Free) no longer has the pass-lock feature available since vrsion 6.0. You can still lock and stop internet connections but you won't be able to allow applications to pass-lock.

[unhappy_viewer]

-{ Quote: "Hi,

I'm hoping someone here can answer this for me... I use the free ZoneAlarm, and when I checked for updates, it said there was one and I downloaded the .exe fle for it (after I was prompted to do so). The file that it downloaded is called:

zlsSetup_61_737_000_en.exe

I assumed this is a new entire version of the program, and it sounds like the one you're talking about in this thread. But a post in this thread implied that this is ZoneAlarm Pro -- isn't that the paid version?

I just don't want to update to this, then find out that I've updated to the paid version that I'll only be able to use for 30 days or something before it runs out for free when I've got the free all-the-time previous version on my computer now -- know what I mean?

So is this .exe for the free version or the paid version? If it's the paid, is there an update for the free version?

Also, if it is the free version, and I update -- should I completely uninstall the previous version before running this .exe? If so, how do you recommend doing that (so that all the old files are gone -- and do I use add/remove programs or the ZoneAlarm uninstaller, etc.)?

Thanks for the help! :)

-- bloomcounty" }-
The installer is the same for both ZA Pro and ZA (free). ZA(free) is merely ZA Pro with the additional features turned off. If you input a valid license key into an installed ZA(free), it will automatically convert to ZA Pro with no additional intallation required.

[Chuck57]

I downloaded the new ZA free and must say that, although I've never been a ZA fan, this one might change my mind. I don't notice any slowdown at all, either on startup or while on the Internet.

I do have one question that some here might think kind of silly. The free version is basically just the firewall. When ZA announces a new version, is the firewall itself also updated or is this essentially the same firewall that was in the old versions?

I see all sorts of new things added to the package, and lots of fixes, but little about an actual improvement in the firewall itself. Is that the True Vector, and has it been updated to handle the problems of today?

[unhappy_viewer]

-{ Quote: "I downloaded the new ZA free and must say that, although I've never been a ZA fan, this one might change my mind. I don't notice any slowdown at all, either on startup or while on the Internet.

I do have one question that some here might think kind of silly. The free version is basically just the firewall. When ZA announces a new version, is the firewall itself also updated or is this essentially the same firewall that was in the old versions?

I see all sorts of new things added to the package, and lots of fixes, but little about an actual improvement in the firewall itself. Is that the True Vector, and has it been updated to handle the problems of today?" }-
Every time a new version of ZA is announced, the firewall engine(TrueVector Security Engine) also goes through changes. ZA displays the version of the true vector engine in its "Product Info" tab in the "Overview" section of ZA. The numerical version of the engine should be the same as ZA. This also applies to all types of ZL's firewalls.

[The Seeker]

-{ Quote: "ZA (Free) no longer has the pass-lock feature available since vrsion 6.0. You can still lock and stop internet connections but you won't be able to allow applications to pass-lock." }-

Thanks mate, I didn't know this :)

I'm happy to stay with the free version as I don't want the extra features that the Pro version offers, I'd only turn them off.

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "I'm happy to stay with the free version as I don't want the extra features that the Pro version offers, I'd only turn them off." }-
I concur. I prefer to keep ZoneAlarm as pure as possible. Security is already messy enough.

Downloaded the new version and turned my modem OFF.
Un-installed the old version - rebooted - installed the new version - rebooted and turned my modem ON without any troubles as usual.
I wonder if an un-install is really necessary.

[beetlejuice69]

I`ve been using ZA Pro since the 90`s and I must say that this seems to be the best one in a long time. It works great on my machine with a smaller footprint too. That`s a plus.

[kwesi]

Hi. I was wondering whether anyone here knows if this new ZA Pro version can be moved to by upgrading rather than the full install method.

As many people know, there were severe problems with upgrading to a recent ZA Pro 6 version, and I actually had to uninstall it & revert to ZAP 5.

I will, of course, also check out the ZA Users Forum. Thanks.

[beetlejuice69]

-{ Quote: "Hi. I was wondering whether anyone here knows if this new ZA Pro version can be moved to by upgrading rather than the full install method.

As many people know, there were severe problems with upgrading to a recent ZA Pro 6 version, and I actually had to uninstall it & revert to ZAP 5.

I will, of course, also check out the ZA Users Forum. Thanks." }-

I used the upgrade feature and it went as smooth as any with no problems.

[mercurie]

Fellow creatures,
Glad to see all of these positive postings on ZA. Especially since the Free Firewall offerings are continuing to shrink.

Also, I agree with those who state the fixes should be in place before expanding the feature offerings and it is best to keep those offerings to the paid version so those who want simple, lighter firewalls have a good ZA choice too. ;)

Good news indeed. :)

[Hyperion]

I have found only one small bug till now.I always use give permission manually to applications (ZAF).When Outlook wants to connect to pop3,it asks me to connect to local host (127.0.0.1) and not the IP of the pop3.Probably there is a confusion with the permission i gave to poptray (my mail notifier).This was happening to me again with poptray and the antivirus pop3 scanner in Sygate (Sygate was asking permission for only 1 of the 2).

But this release is so good,that i find this negligible.Finally i find a WORTHY substitute to Kerio2.Maybe doesn't have the granularity in port selection of Kerio 2,but ZAF was my first firewall and i always loved its per session manual permission.

[Albinoni]

Here are all the releases and pre releases and you can download them from here: ;D

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/information/zap/releaseHistory.html

[LoveZA6.1]

This version is very fast! No internet slow down at all. Like defragging the hard drive. Fast and cheap. It's free and I love it!!

[unhappy_viewer]

-{ Quote: "I have found only one small bug till now.I always use give permission manually to applications (ZAF).When Outlook wants to connect to pop3,it asks me to connect to local host (127.0.0.1) and not the IP of the pop3.Probably there is a confusion with the permission i gave to poptray (my mail notifier).This was happening to me again with poptray and the antivirus pop3 scanner in Sygate (Sygate was asking permission for only 1 of the 2).

But this release is so good,that i find this negligible.Finally i find a WORTHY substitute to Kerio2.Maybe doesn't have the granularity in port selection of Kerio 2,but ZAF was my first firewall and i always loved its per session manual permission." }-
When you have AVs that do email scanning (or some Spam protection application), your email program does not make a direct connection to your email servers. Instead it sends the message to your AV for scanning via the loopback adaptor. Your AV will then scan and send your email on your behalf. ZA should prompt that your AV's email scanning module is making a connection to your email server, and that it is sending an email(only available in paid versions of ZA). So there isn't a bug related to this aspect of ZA.

[Hyperion]

Thanks for the info!Now i feel even better!

[ErikAlbert]

-{ Quote: "I`ve been using ZA Pro since the 90`s and I must say that this seems to be the best one in a long time. It works great on my machine with a smaller footprint too. That`s a plus." }-
"with a smaller footprint too". What does that expression mean ? I've seen that expression often at Wilders.
I don't step on ZA, I like ZA, so there is no footprint, not even a small one.
Does it mean lesser resources or what ? Yes, English isn't my first language.

[CrazyM]

-{ Quote: ""with a smaller footprint too". What does that expression mean ? I've seen that expression often at Wilders.
I don't step on ZA, I like ZA, so there is no footprint, not even a small one.
Does it mean lesser resources or what ? Yes, English isn't my first language." }-
The expression can refer to resource usage and other things like installed size on hard disk.

Regards,

CrazyM

[ErikAlbert]

CrazyM,
Thanks for explaining it. It's annoying, when you understand each word in an expression and still don't get it.
Nevertheless, I was very close, that's a comfort. ;D

[beetlejuice69]

-{ Quote: "CrazyM,
Thanks for explaining it. It's annoying, when you understand each word in an expression and still don't get it.
Nevertheless, I was very close, that's a comfort. ;D" }-

Yes you were very close. We`ll have you tuned into the way we can mangle our own language in no time. :)

[q1aqza]

This latest version seems to have solved the BOClean Dangerous App issue that I had raised ages ago in this thread.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=90882

Excellent news that zonelabs seem to have solved it themselves without Kevin or Nancy haveing to solve it for them

[Jooske]

I had to rush back to 6.0 for the zlclient part
during installation it gave MSIMG32.DLL connected to non-existing export GDI32.DLL and could not execute external program \\zlclient.exe
Those are related, so after various uninstalls and new tries i went back to the former version, but as i didn't do a complete clean uninstall i now have the truevector 6.1* mixed with the former zlclient 6.0*.
I know i should do a real complete clean uninstall soon but first wanted to know if the former version could be installed again at all.
Only, how to do a complete clean uninstall?
In the ZA forum was an instruction to Start > Program Files > Zonealarm > Uninstall...exe rightclick on that one to get a box to be able to type /clean but i did not get such a menu or box so i just pressed the uninstall with now this mess.
Guess i should use the "run"box and do it from there locating the uninstall exe etc and after find all folders and directories and files as told on the za uninstall site.

My system is a bit slower at starting applications, probably checking the exec for malware or validation, that kind of things.


PS: This was all on my win98 system, did not try it on the XP yet.

[CrazyM]

-{ Quote: "In the ZA forum was an instruction to Start > Program Files > Zonealarm > Uninstall...exe rightclick on that one to get a box to be able to type /clean but i did not get such a menu or box so i just pressed the uninstall with now this mess." }-
When you right clicked the uninstall did you select properties? Once the properties window opens you should be able to edit/add the /clean switch.

Regards,

CrazyM

[TraCKs]

Im very happy with the latest ZA update 6.1.737, I just wish it wouldnt take so long booting up, well at least the za icon appearing in the task bar. The earlier za 6.0.667 only took 10 secs to show in task bar, the za 6.1.737 can take up to 30 secs to appear in task bar, wondering if anyone else has the same experiances.....:) l

[unhappy_viewer]

-{ Quote: "Im very happy with the latest ZA update 6.1.737, I just wish it wouldnt take so long booting up, well at least the za icon appearing in the task bar. The earlier za 6.0.667 only took 10 secs to show in task bar, the za 6.1.737 can take up to 30 secs to appear in task bar, wondering if anyone else has the same experiances.....:) l" }-
Remember that ZA comes in two components, the True Vector Engine(vsmon.exe) and the GUI which includes the taskbar icon(zlclient.exe). The True Vector engine is the real heart and soul of ZA, and provides the protection. It also always loads up first as a Windows Service, even at the Windows login screen.

The GUI usually loads up last. However there is no compromise in protection as the True Vector Engine stops all inbound and outbound traffic until the GUI loads up (the GUI provides instructions to the engine on what is allowed to pass through).

[Arup]

Running superb here, getting full speed with P2P.

[Jooske]

-{ Quote: "When you right clicked the uninstall did you select properties? Once the properties window opens you should be able to edit/add the /clean switch.

Regards,

CrazyM" }-
Oops, missed that part. I'll do next time.
Somebody with a complete fresh Win98 system with all windows updates installed the 6.1* and had no trouble at all, even another try with 6.0* and upgrading it over it, still no trouble installing and starting it after reboot, so the GDI32.DLL problem must be from other applications.

[vincenzo]

I'm a long time Sygate user, now ready to try ZA. Can anyone recommend a tutorial or guide for setting up and tweaking ZA?

Thanks

[yahoo]

-{ Quote: "I'm a long time Sygate user, now ready to try ZA. Can anyone recommend a tutorial or guide for setting up and tweaking ZA?

Thanks" }-

I have used ZoneAlarm Pro 4.5 before. The user manual or help file of ZA itself is very detailed and very helpful.

[vincenzo]

Forgot to mention, I will be using the free version. Does your answer apply to the free version too?
Thanks

[yahoo]

-{ Quote: "Forgot to mention, I will be using the free version. Does your answer apply to the free version too?
Thanks" }-

Yes. The help file of ZA is quite easy to follow (IMHO). For the free version, there is not much to tweak anyway:)

[Kerodo]

Yep, it's install and go. Literally nothing to tweak at all.. :)

[waters]

Out of intrest i installed the free version.Very impressed with the speed.No slowdown at all.So impressed i thought i would try the suite.Oh dear,computer just slowed to a crawl.Put free back and running fine .Back to zone alarm after 3 years.This version and look n stop are the only firewalls that i have tried that dont slow surfing down

[Rasheed187]

OK so it´s safe to install v6.1 I guess, I was just about to install 5.5 on my new machine since I heard so many bad things about the newer versions. :)

[Kerodo]

Nothing but good things here on 6.1 so far...

[unhappy_viewer]

Hoov who is one of the Gurus at the ZoneAlarm forum has a website with instructions for configuring ZA:
http://donhoover.net/

Take note that some of them do not apply to the free version:
ICS
Expert Rules,
Privacy

[beetlejuice69]

Thanks for that link unhappy_viewer.

[Dave-54321]

Another waste of 30 minutes or so. Every ZoneAlarm release since 6.x has always blocked all Internet access, blocked all access to router (router IP is in trusted zone), and does not allow any DNS lookup.

Windows 2000 Pro SP4 UR1

- clean uninstall (with /clean trick)
- reboot
- still unable to browse
- reboot
- still unable to browse
- stopped DNS Client service
- restarted DNS Client service
- success!!!

Same thing with each release. Either ZA doesn't like routers or it doesn't like Windows 2000. This was never a problem with earlier releases, same setup, same router, etc. The ZA logs DO NOT even show anything being blocked. I can't believe it doesn't even allow me to access the router's config page.

If anybody else has this issue, the DNS Client trick worked for me.

[Albinoni]

-{ Quote: "Another waste of 30 minutes or so. Every ZoneAlarm release since 6.x has always blocked all Internet access, blocked all access to router (router IP is in trusted zone), and does not allow any DNS lookup.

Windows 2000 Pro SP4 UR1

- clean uninstall (with /clean trick)
- reboot
- still unable to browse
- reboot
- still unable to browse
- stopped DNS Client service
- restarted DNS Client service
- success!!!

Same thing with each release. Either ZA doesn't like routers or it doesn't like Windows 2000. This was never a problem with earlier releases, same setup, same router, etc. The ZA logs DO NOT even show anything being blocked. I can't believe it doesn't even allow me to access the router's config page.

If anybody else has this issue, the DNS Client trick worked for me." }-


Sounds like your having one hell of a serious prob here. I use ZA Pro 6 the latest version, use Win 2000 Pro with SP4, Netgear DG834 ADSL Router, Netgear WG602 Wireless Access Point, Netgear FS524 24 port switch, Surecom 8 port switch, 3x desktops, 1xlaptop, 1x server and Ipaq 3970 PDA. Also got an external HDD which also runs off the LAN and is connected to my Netgear FS524 switch. All my PC's run ZA Pro 6 in conjunction with NOD32 apart from one which runs on Bitdefender Pro 9.

I've never encountered any probs what so ever with my setup like what you've had. I've got a feeling that when you setup your ZA Pro you have not done something right or blocked something which is not allowing you access.

What happens if you uninstall ZA, can you than get access to the net. I've also just tested a DNS lookup on my Netgear DG834 and worked like a charm.

BTW what modem/router are you using.

[Dave-54321]

Albinoni,

When I install ZA (free) I lose all access to the Internet and the ability to connect to the router (D-Link DI-604) interface. Even after doing a clean uninstall of ZA all access is still lost, not even the router. There are no programs set to block, and there is no programs/traffic being blocked in the ZA logs either, unfortunately.

I can do a clean install of Windows 2000 Pro SP4 and reproduce the problem each and every time. There is no other security software installed at the time either that would be interfering.

I did quite a bit of searching and found many others experiencing this problem, here is one of the links:
http://www.computergripes.com/ZoneAlarm.html

I give up for now, I really don't think much of software firewalls anyways because well-configured routers do a decent job anyways with inbound.

Cheers!

[Albinoni]

Dave, a question to ask you here. Have you tried a different version of ZA say like Pro 6. My other thought could be that the free edition that you downloaded is corrupted and might be best for you to try and re-download the latest version and re-install that, make sure that you uninstall the previous on on your PC.

I cannot understand that ZA will make a product and than deter peoples Pc's from working or functioning, sorry just doesn't sound very logical. I installed and ran ZA free on a PII last night through my network and she ran perfectly well. Also are you sure that your Dlink Router is not causing the probs. Are you able to try a different brand router, perhaps you may need to install the latest firmware for your router. I'm using Netgear and have never encountered this problem like you.

This would be my solution:

1. Re-download the latest version of ZA

2. Uninstall the free edition of ZA you currently have

3. Re-install the latest version again

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/1001_cnet_zdnet/zlsSetup_61_737_000_en.exe

If not try the Pro trial version and see what happens.

Another thing I would do, would be to do a full virus, adaware and spyware scan on your HDD, as it might be worth it.

Also have you tried other firewalls, say like Sygate Free edition.

http://smb.sygate.com/download/download.php?pid=spf

[mvdu]

Using a Linksys with Dell adapter, and ZAP 6 crashes it every time. I even have to re-install the adapter. Have tried re-installing, reformats, checking settings, etc.

[beetlejuice69]

Maybe the ZA forum can help?

[sweater]

ZoneAlarm free is my very first firewall I have installed on my pc... but it really have slowed down my start-up and shutdown and my net speed is very slow. :(

But this firewall I think is very protective and also smart... I will try to install this again when I have already a fast net connections and a bigger ram memory. ;D

[Jooske]

http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=inst&message.id=42245#M42245

In this thread at ZA forum we're discussing my problem.
Some Win98 users went back with the msimg32.dll to the original win98 version, but i do remember there was a security update for that file in 2002 and with the GDI32.dll so i hesitate to go back to the possible insecure version and i do remember several programs kept crashing on the GDI till that replacement with the newer file, but now it is the zlclient itself having problems with the newer files on a win98 system. In fact the newer file is a XP version but for most programs and GUIs it works better so why not for zlclient.exe on win98?
Strange - hope it works better on XP then, but i hesitate to try it there!

[Rasheed187]

I have to say that I´m not having any problems, it runs smoothly just like back in the days. And the triple firewall is nice to have, it so far has alerted me about Service/Driver, Global hook and Autostart installs. But I´m not sure if it is as powerful as Regdefend or PG, it didn´t pass a lot of leaktests with the Program control on "medium", I will test it later with the "high" setting, but I know from back in the days that this mode can be very annoying. ::)

[beetlejuice69]

-{ Quote: "http://forum.zonelabs.org/zonelabs/board/message?board.id=inst&message.id=42245#M42245

In this thread at ZA forum we're discussing my problem.
Some Win98 users went back with the msimg32.dll to the original win98 version, but i do remember there was a security update for that file in 2002 and with the GDI32.dll so i hesitate to go back to the possible insecure version and i do remember several programs kept crashing on the GDI till that replacement with the newer file, but now it is the zlclient itself having problems with the newer files on a win98 system. In fact the newer file is a XP version but for most programs and GUIs it works better so why not for zlclient.exe on win98?
Strange - hope it works better on XP then, but i hesitate to try it there!" }-

I`m running ZA Pro on a XP sp2 machine without any problems at all. This newer Ver is the best one out yet, especially on resourses.

[Rasheed187]

Btw, did anyone else notice that ZA PRO will sometimes not alert you about certain activities (HIPS) and then suddenly after a while it will start to alert you about things it never use to spot, just like it´s in some kind of learning mode? ???

[Kerodo]

Nope, never noticed that, but it's possible that slightly different conditions will generate different alerts and results..

[Rasheed187]

Well, I think it must be some kind of bug, because in the beginning it didn´t alert me if for example Maxthon wanted to start a new app, and at the moment it´s not alerting me when Rootkit Hook Analyzer wants to install a service, very strange. :-\

And btw, I can´t seem to get rid of my shutdown problems, my machine does shutdown (with "fast-shutdown" enabled and "clear pagefile" disabled) but now zaclient.exe and explorer.exe are crashing at shutdown (before getting terminated), I don´t like this. Does anybody has any idea what might be the problem? Maybe a conflict between PG and ZA ????

[JRosenfeld]

Have you installed UPHClean service?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b286e6d-8912-4e18-b570-42470e2f3582&displaylang=en

[Rasheed187]

Hi,

Yes, I have it installed but it´s disabled. Why do you ask this, is there some kind of conflict maybe? The zaclient.exe app is still crashing at shutdown, don´t know what the problem is. I have also deinstalled the MS Shared Computer toolkit btw, because it sucked. ::)

[Joliet Jake]

Just installed the free version and it's running well and browsing appears quicker.